Apple Watch Straps - The Good, The Bad & The Ugly

So, where do we start.... 

The Apple accessories market is a huge growth market especially since the launch of the Apple Watch. The Apple Watch market is worth around $1.4billion with over 957,000 people buying an Apple Watch during the first two weeks of trading making the Apple Watch the most successful interactive watch to be produced.

I think we all knew that Apple Watch accessories resellers and manufacturers would come out of the woodwork once it was released didn't we?... Maybe we didn't realise just how much cheap and tatty product would come out of it?... However, all hope is not lost!!! There are a number of reputable, reliable & premium manufacturers/resellers of Apple Watch accessories with us being one of them!

Our owner/whatever title doesn't sound pompus has ran numerous start-up companies in the past ranging from an online leading guitar distribution company, charm reseller & car body repair companies. Dale never wanted to create "Just another Apple Watch accessories company" NO, NO, NO!! The idea was to build THE BEST APPLE WATCH ACCESSORIES COMPANY!

The way we did that was to build the BEST products we could and tailor them to the demographic which the Apple Watch is directed at. Sounds simple? Not quite....

You will see copious amounts of Apple Watch accessories resellers online through Ebay, Amazon and adds from Google. How do you choose who to buy from? They are all very cheap ( Does cheap mean good? ) so which do I choose? WAHLA!! I'll check the reviews!! Well, think again dudes..... Many companies can review their own products so please do not be suckered into that one! 

When building Mintapple we intentionally removed the brand from that dog fight which is the "cheap and cheerful" movement. The way we did this was build a product that would outperform, be unique, be to Apple specification & offer the customer something which they couldn't get on Ebay or Amazon....QUALITY!

When designing our products careful consideration was placed on the materials used including which leather would be more sustainable for watch straps, what heat do we leave the stainless steel at to ensure quality is at the correct level before packaging it up and selling to our customers? This alone takes time, let alone ensuring samples are correct, your logistics platform is at the required level you need... Would you trust companies on Ebay and Amazon who have been able to "develop" products within 1 week/7 days and sell them to you?... Us either!

BUY SENSIBLY! 

Building a brand is not an overnight thing, if it was wouldn't everyone be doing it? Wouldn't everyone be a success? 

Richard Branson is the most inspirational, driven, eccentric, instinctual person I have ever come across. The way his mind works and process's ideas is phenomenal. The guy is a hero of mine and the reason I still believe that I can make a difference in a world where success sometimes feels so far away, and sometimes impenetrable. 

"Listen,Take the best, Leave the rest" - http://www.virgin.com/entrepreneur/10-inspirational-richard-branson-quotes

Why would someone want anything but the best? Why would someone want anything that isn't exceptional?

When building Mintapple we took the above quote from Richard and broke it down to its most simple form. We decided that there was no point in building a company that would simply blend in with all of the companies in the market, we decided we wanted to be the market and be the benchmark for every to beat. 

"When Richard Branson was 16, he started a magazine called "Student."

Six years later, he opened up a recording studio. The company's first song — a track called "Tubular Bells" by Mike Oldfield — stayed on the U.K. charts for 247 weeks. 

The Virgin empire had begun.

Now at 64, Branson is equal parts man, myth, and legend. His Virgin Group is composed of 400 companies, employs 60,000 people, and operates in more than 30 countries. He has an estimated net worth of $5 billion.

Branson also has a flair for the dramatic. He's crossed the Atlantic Ocean in a hot air balloon and kite-surfed across the English Channel.

To gain an understanding of the adventurous, wildly successful entrepreneur, we combed through his talks, interviews, and profiles. Here's what we found."

Read more:  http://www.businessinsider.com/quotes-from-richard-branson-2014-7?op=1#ixzz3dspuzp1T

Steve Jobs is another significant influence in my life and another reason why I still believe that there is a chance for success and the chance to build something which will be sustainable. 

"With a life as storied as he had, it's no wonder that Steve Jobs is remembered not only for running an incredibly successful company, but for being tremendously outspoken.

He seemingly had an opinion on everything, and his thoughts often echoed his obsessive commitment to quality at Apple, whether on his approach to mistakes ("Sometimes when you innovate, you make mistakes. It is best to admit them quickly, and get on with improving your other innovations"), or his attention to detail ("Design is not what it looks and feels like. Design is how it works").

But he had plenty to say on deeper matters as well. Here's a roundup of some of his more thought-provoking words, collected from various interviews and speeches."

Read more:  http://www.businessinsider.com/steve-jobs-quotes-2014-4?op=1#ixzz3dsxqDXo2

MAKE THE RIGHT CHOICE, BUY A MINTAPPLE STRAP 

www.mintapple.co.uk