I’m excited to announce that SlimFold has a new home! Or at least some additional space in which to develop new products and innovate our slim wallets. Since taking the leap to go full-time, I’ve been prototyping more but also came to realize that I was making certain compromises by not having the proper space and equipment to explore ideas.
Theoretically, being in the Bay Area should be an advantage so I can leverage the capabilities of the other companies around here. But when my laser cutting vendor is also making prototypes for Google and Tesla it’s not surprising that my projects often get pushed to the back burner ;)
I actually started looking for space in the beginning of the year and the perfect opportunity came up when a local artist’s collective and school was moving into a bigger space and looking to sub-lease some of it. Since Tech Shop closed down, a lot of folks have been left without a way to create their projects and this Artist/Maker Space fills that void for many folks in San Jose. There’s a common area of tools, a laser cutter, and wood shop… but everything is more oriented around artists so they also have facilities for welding, casting, forging, and screen printing. I’ve been inspired by the folks I’ve met there so far and I’m looking forward to seeing more of their creations.
It won’t be a retail location and I most likely won’t do any production there except small batches for beta testers to use. So signing the lease and purchasing equipment is pretty much a pure R&D investment. I’m so appreciative of all the support I’ve received so far. In many ways, if you’ve ever bought a product or backed a Kickstarter project of mine, your investment has made this studio possible.
Now that the bones of the space are complete, it's a blank slate. I’m looking forward to sharing the journey and what comes from it!
Comments
Love your wallets, the first one I got lasted for ever , that new one is even better. can’t keep on telling others where I got it from :)
Very best of luck with your projects. I can say without a doubt my purchase from you has been one of the better purchases I’ve made in some time. I’ve hauled it around the globe and have benefited greatly from it’s small/thin footprint. I want to buy more just because I love it so much. Here is to your continued success!!
Wishing you continued success. Love the wallet and show it to others and they are very impressed. I encourage them to make a purchase. Hope all goes well for you.
Congratulations! all the best, have a great success!
@John – Awesome so glad you’re liking it and that it worked well on your travels!
@Ziga – Thank you! I feel good about the direction too.
@Hily – Yep! It’s in downtown San Jose on the Alameda. No plans for tours yet but possibility of having some small events there?
@Steve – Glad to hear you’ve been loving your wallet!
I’m using your slim fold now, my 2nd “vegan” wallet, but the best so far. Traveling in Europe with their odd bills, passport and receipts would have been a multi-pocket affair with my old leather wallet.
All is in one front pants pocket and not uncomfortable at all (unlike trying to put my iPhone in a front pocket!)
Thanks for sharing your process and pushing to create your innovation.
Great decision- hope it comes with new inspirations and opportunities to grow and prosper. All the best!
Congratulations for the new endeavor. Is your new place in San Jose, CA? If so, I’m closer to the area. Best wishes!
Congratulations on your new space! I can’t wait to see what you make next. I’ve loved my slimfold wallet from the day I got it, and more recently your outstanding backpack. I get asked all the time where I found it and always am happy to send people your way.
@Jeff – Thanks! I’m looking forward to creating some new stuff for you too!
@Adam – Cool, I’ll certainly hit you up!
@Marios – Yeah, stay safe in the storm and send a pic of your Slim Pack in the snow :)
Congratulations Dave. I am a very happy user of both your wallet and the backpack. We are having our first major snowstorm today in NYC and I’m getting ready to head out but I know everything will be safe in my backpack because it’s truly 100% waterproof. I look forward to anything new you create.
Congratulations Dave! As a small business owner, I did the same thing for my IT company last year! Thank you for putting out a great product! I wish you the best of success, and if you ever have any tech questions, I am more than willing to answer them at no charge to help ya out!
Well deserved Dave! Congrats on the new space and looking forward to what the upgraded R&D capabilities will bring.
@Linda – Thanks so much! I really appreciate the kind words and am so glad to hear that the folks love the Slim Pack :)
I’m so excited for you Dave! And, just so you know, the people I’ve purchased your Slimfold Backpack for, including my son, and my daughter’s boyfriend, absolutely love them! I know there were some challenges on that first run but you’ve created something truly awesome and it’s nice to see the progress of taking on studio space to support further development.
Keep up the great work! — Linda