Episode #350 - Strapping Success: Building a Brand in the Watch Strap Market - with Jon Quinn

Welcome back to ScaleUp Radio, I’m Granger Forson. For more entrepreneurial insights and inspiring journeys, find me, Granger Forson, at www.bizsmart-gloucestershire.co.uk or on LinkedIn.

In this compelling episode, we're joined by Jon Quinn of Watch Gecko, who transformed a hobby into a thriving online watch strap business. Starting on eBay in 2010, Jon identified a market gap and seized the opportunity, evolving his enterprise by directly sourcing from factories, allowing for customization and significant cost savings. 

 

Discover how Jon's strategic approach to supply chain management and product branding elevated his business. He navigated the challenges of staffing, remote work transition during the pandemic, and financial management to create a distinct brand presence. Jon's story is a testament to the power of perseverance, strategic thinking, and adaptability in the e-commerce world.

 

Jon's vision for the future is both ambitious and grounded. Aiming for a £5M turnover in the next five years, he balances his aspirations for growth with a desire for a sustainable work-life balance. His journey offers invaluable insights for entrepreneurs looking to scale their businesses while maintaining financial discipline and a strong brand identity.

 

And now, let's dive into Jon Quinn's inspiring journey of strategic growth, though branding, supply chains and work-life balance in the watch strap industry.

 

 

Scaling up your business isn't easy, and can be a little daunting. Let ScaleUp Radio make it a little easier for you. With guests who have been where you are now, and can offer their thoughts and advice on several aspects of business. ScaleUp Radio is the business podcast you've been waiting for.

 

If you would like to be a guest on ScaleUp Radio, please click here:

https://bizsmarts.co.uk/scaleupradio/apply

 

You can get in touch with Granger here:

grangerf@biz-smart.co.uk

 

Kevin's Latest Book Is Available! 

 

Drawing on BizSmart’s own research and experiences of working with hundreds of owner-managers, Kevin Brent explores the key reasons why most organisations do not scale and how the challenges change as they reach different milestones on the ScaleUp Journey. He then details a practical step by step guide to successfully navigate between the milestones in the form of ESUS - a proven system for entrepreneurs to scale up. 

 

More on the Book HERE - https://www.esusgroup.co.uk/

 

Jon can be found here:

linkedin.com/in/jon-quinn

https://www.watchgecko.com/

 

Resources:

Good To Great by Jim Collins - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/good-to-great-jim-collins/2101805?ean=9780712676090

How To Win Friends & Influence People by Dale Carnegie - https://uk.bookshop.org/p/books/how-to-win-friends-and-influence-people-dale-carnegie/15666?ean=9789357768351

When It Hits The Fan podcast - https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001q6gr/episodes/guide

Google Fit - https://www.google.com/intl/en_us/fit/