The Value of Friendships

by Skip Cohen

It's Sunday morning, and while I'm usually off-topic from the business and marketing of photography, I'm very much focused on the past week's events. So while I'm going to share the link to Platypod's Kickstarter campaign and even the video - that's not what I want to write about. My focus isn't on the company, the product, or the launch - but on the friendships and support that made it all possible.

Nobody, except those who have actually done it, understand the number of people and the detail it takes for a successful campaign like this. It takes months of preparation, hundreds of suggestions, and tweaks to create a presentation, not to mention all the BTS detail it takes to make a new product in the first place. 

But all along the way, the two common denominators in EVERYTHING are friendship and trust. From the vision that Larry T. had in starting the company over six years ago, to the design, engineering, and manufacturing of the product to testing and presenting, it's an incredible journey.

There have been dozens of people involved who made last Wednesday, April 6 possible, when Larry T, Lizzy Gadd, and Kris Andres appeared on The Grid with Scott Kelby. As I sat at the KelbyOne guest table in the studio, I couldn't help but be proud to be a part of the team.

And there's my point this morning - just plain old pride at being in an industry I love and being blessed to be working with so many talented people. And while I finished the week exhausted after the birth of our new baby, I couldn't be more proud.

After a lifetime in this industry, I'm always amazed when my "been there done that" gene is challenged by the joy of another new project, new photographers to work with, and an application that challenges everything I've learned over the years.

And if you're ever thinking about launching your own crowd-funding campaign, pay attention to the elements on the Kickstarter page and the video below. There's a very special way to tell the story, and it takes more than just your eyes and heart - you need the trust of other people who understand your vision and have the skills to make it a reality!

Wishing everybody a fantastic day ahead! Take the time to appreciate those people in your life who you've trusted with your dreams. That trust is the mortar that holds all the bricks together and helps you each day to grow as a human being and artist. I'm also sending a BIG thanks to everyone who helped make this week's launch a success and, on a personal level, have helped me grow. To paraphrase the Beatles who said it years ago; we really do get by with a lot of help from our friends.

Happy Sunday or Monday if you're on the other side of the world.