|
Zip
Zap Sees The Light
Robert Washburn
was in the middle of a Tae Kwon Do practice six years ago when
a novel idea interrupted his kicking, blocking and punching drills.
He was suddenly hit with the notion that lighted juggling sticks
could bring big time attention to his training club's public
exhibitions.
His entrepreneurial instinct kicked in, and Flip Stix was conceived
in the midst of the focus and clarity of a martial arts training
room. What Washburn couldn't possibly see at that moment was the
lighted interactive product line this idea would spawn, and the
vast market appeal that lighted sticks and batons would eventually
create.
What's more, the products can be successfully pitched not only
to martial arts performers, but also to schools, cheerleaders,
drill teams, instructors, party supply stores and many others.
"There were juggling sticks out on the market, but they didn't
light up," said Washburn, president of Zip Zap Investments
whose vice president and business partner is James Webber. "We
have found a very strong interest in these products. The more they
get out there in the public view, the more our customer base seems
to grow. When we demonstrate them at trade events, people usually
stop in their tracks."
At a recent gift show in New York, Washburn hired two sisters who
had won world class awards for twirling, to perform with these
unique products. The showcase was a smash hit. Since then, orders
for his products have increased by 20 percent every month.
"This is a spontaneous purchase type of product, and it just
sells," said Washburn, speaking from Zip Zap headquarters
in Reno, NV. "As long as it is displayed, it sells. Our company
is expanding every day."
Versatile, Helpful and Fun
It's interesting to note that the lighted sticks, batons and other
products offered by Zip Zap are essentially replacing the actual
on-fire instruments once used by juggling buskers, long before
the days of rampant litigation and highly publicized accidents.
But that doesn't make the products any less attention grabbing.
"I've stood in a booth at the Toy Fair in New York for 30 years,
and have exhibited juggling equipment at over 200 gift shows, but
I have never seen anything like the excitement that the Zip Zap products
generate at a trade show," said Dave Finnigan, a motivational
speaker and one of the world's most renowned jugglers, from his office
in Celebration, FL. "People see the flashing lights and come
running. They immediately start inventing uses for the products far
beyond those for which they were designed."
Interestingly, even Washburn himself has had multiple use experiences.
On one occasion, while driving along the desolate interstate highway
between Reno and Las Vegas, his recently purchased van blew a tire.
Unfortunately, he soon discovered that the wrench that came with
the vehicle was the wrong fit for the lug nuts on his tire.
Instead of panicking, Washburn improvised with a Flip Stix product.
He programmed a Wavy Wand to say "NEED ASSISTANCE" and
a trucker came by almost immediately, acknowledged he got the message,
and sent aid.
"It only took fifteen minutes for someone to come along and
stop to help," Washburn said. "I was on one of the loneliest
highways that you'll find anywhere. There is almost nothing between
Reno and Las Vegas. A person could easily get stranded, and it can
be very dangerous. I think my story underscores the interaction capabilities
and many uses of the Wavy Wand and our line of products in general."
After getting a degree in business management marketing in his
native Texas during the 1980s, Washburn had a four year stint in
the U.S. Army before cutting his teeth in the retail/wholesale
sector by opening three gift shops. He also gained valuable experience
doing sales and marketing for various Nevada casinos.
"I think those experiences collectively have prepared me to
successfully launch a company like Zip Zap and Flip Stix," he
said. "This has been a great opportunity so far, and I believe
it will only get better. We continue to provide excellent service."
Indeed, Washburn's customer service is handled by 19 staffers,
many of whom help do phone and email inquiries at Zip Zap's 10,000
square foot fulfillment center. He said that the creativity his
staff has shown in customer service and product development has
been incredibly important to Zip Zaps success.
The Products Behind the Story
For the last several months, the top seller has been the flagship
product, Flip Stix, which is LED illuminated and has the ability
to change colors. Users can select any of seven individual colors
or a special multicolor function that cycles through all seven
colors in ten second increments.
Flip Stix uses a combination of light, motion and color to create
captivating visual effects in any environment. Flip Stix combines
space age technology and the idea of ancient toys to launch a new
dimension in juggling. Orders consisting of less than 100 pieces
cost $42 per unit, while shipments of 1,000 and more run $30 per
unit, with three other price points in between. Interested retailers
can check this out at www.flipstix.com.
Flip Stix
Flip Stix can also be put together in special packages. For example,
one package is two hand sticks and one baton, complete with instructional
DVD, carrying case and batteries.
"One exciting thing that we now do is make Lighted Party vending
machines selling all of our lighted products," Washburn said. "They
are great for all kinds of parties for children and adults alike.
They are great for birthdays, bar mitzvahs, weddings and even raves."
The vending machines dispense disposable cameras, fragrances and
confetti shooters in addition to the lighted products. They are
also easy to use, while accepting credit/debit cards or cash. They
can be monitored remotely via the Internet, where firms can view
sales information, inventory and photo images of all persons making
credit card and debit transactions. They can be placed in nightclubs,
convention centers, concert venues, roller skating rinks, amusement
parks, bowling alleys; places where people are celebrating or being
interactive. These machines produce a huge response for the company
and the retail partners using them. The products are attractive
for all consumers aged five and above.
We Lite the Party
To assist the retail outlets or vendors, Zip Zap's "We Lite
the Party" displays are designed for LED or lighted battery
products for point of purchase venues. Floor or counter displays
are available and can hold up to 12 products and be interchanged
with any new 3, 4 and 5 volt product. A clear plastic shield protects
the displays from damage or inappropriate use or handling by kids
or even adult customers.
James Webber, vice president of Zip Zap, designed and built the
patent pending IC boards that allow new products to be changed
easily. The Floor Display has a storage compartment to keep products
available for sales clerks but secured from theft. Displays, vending
machines and demonstrations are essential for selling lighted products
in retail outlets.
Zip Zap's second best seller has been the Twist Stix, which is
a single LED Baton lighted with the same technology as the Flip
Stix but designed with the baton twirler, majorette or party venue
in mind. Logo's can also be added for schools, special events,
sports stadiums and night parades in order to create fun atmospheres.
These items wholesale for $15 to $21, predicated on the same volume
based pricing structure as the Flip Stix.
"Whether it's Flip Stix, Twist Stix, Boing Balls, the Wavy Wand,
Party Vending Machine or our other products, 'We Lite The Party and
Put A New Spin On Light,'" Washburn says. "We recently
had a show in Telluride, Colorado, and the products went over extremely
well. One thing worth mentioning is that our products are safe for
children to play with. In addition, no one else does what we do.
The FlipStix, Twist Stix, Boing Balls and Vending Machines are exclusive
to Zip Zap. It should be stated that we have some great exposure
happening. There are amateur competitions worldwide. We have great
relationships internationally with a lot of different business entities,
and we are looking forward to working with as many retailers, organizations
and other groups as possible."
Wavy Wand
The company's next best seller is the Wavy Wand. This product is
sold with several pre-programmed fun images, messages and animations
that come via a feature called Custom WaveArt. These can be easily
created with accompanying free downloadable software. Messages
can also be changed on the fly through the intuitive button interface.
The Wavy Wand also has a built in LED flashlight with display
colors in red, orange, yellow and green. Depending on the volume
ordered, this product wholesales from $18.90 to $20.
Another big seller is the LED License Plate Frame that is also
programmable, while storing four messages, holding 120 characters
and including a remote control. The product can display any message
and is great for car enthusiasts. In a pricing structure exactly
like the Flip Stix, the License Plate product wholesales from $30
to $42.
The Flip Stix collection also includes its line of Lighted Party
Apparel, which entails lighted jewelry, scrolling name badges and
belt buckles that are programmable for specific text verbiage and
graphics. The LED scrolling Name Badges and Belt Buckles hold 6
messages, come in 8 colors and can change speed and illumination.
They can be personalized and as individual and creative as one's
imagination allows.
Boing Balls
In yet another example of a fun product for all ages, Zip Zap's "Lighted
Dance Balls," called Boing Balls, are light balls that change
color with a squeeze of the hand. Covered in an ergonomically designed
ribbed rubber, they are perfect for dazzling juggling shows, magic
games and playing catch, among other activities. When used while
dancing, they leave tracer light effects that impress spectators.
All are great summer products for any outdoor special event or
concert or to highlight any night event.
Zip Zap has web stores, www.zip-zapllc.com and www.flipstix.com,
which give wholesalers, distributors and consumers access to the
product line, pricing and information on new products.
"Our exciting and versatile line of products has already brought
us accounts in Connecticut, New York, Florida, Chicago, San Francisco,
Seattle, Montreal, Colorado, and growing daily," Washburn said. "In
particular, in the last month, sales have tripled. We are growing
very rapidly. It is very new, but building volume fast."
"One thing we are is unique in our business," Washburn
said. "People love coming to work at our company. I think that
shows through in our sales and customer service. We know how to relate
to our retail partners, and I think they appreciate that. We are
in the party business, and we are able to communicate the fun aspect
because our employees enjoy what they are doing. They like the products.
They have ideas, and we welcome their ideas and concepts to improve
our product line." _
Companies included
in this story:
Zip Zap Investments
2982 Glenview Drive
Reno, NV 89503
Tel.: 888-891-6295
Email: robertw@flipstix.com
Website: www.flipstix.com
Dave Finnigan
"Juggling For Success"
402 Elderberry Court
Celebration, FL 34747
Tel.: 407-566-0381
Email: davefinnigan@yahoo.com
Website: www.icanjuggle.com
|
