I didn’t start Gear Valet with big plans or startup fever.
In fact, I wasn’t looking to start anything at all.
Years earlier, I’d led a tech venture in the energy space—ambitious, investor-backed, and ultimately, not successful. After that, I wasn’t in a hurry to try again.
So when I launched Gear Valet, it was out of necessity, not strategy. Our house was full of hockey gear. Between coaching, playing, and managing three kids in the game, I was drowning in equipment—and the smell that came with it.
That’s when I picked up The $100 Startup by Chris Guillebeau.
His message? You don’t need funding or perfect plans. You need to solve a real problem—and start small.
From Problem to Prototype: The Gear Valet Origin Story
Gear Valet began as a side project with a clear premise: parents (and players) don’t have time to deep-clean their gear—but they’d absolutely pay someone to do it properly, quickly, and without adding another errand to their list.
Following the book’s advice, I;
- Kept it simple: Pickup, clean, sanitize, return.
- Tested fast: Posted in local groups. Took feedback. Adapted.
- Focused on solving a real pain.
No app. No logo. No growth targets. Just action.
What The $100 Startup Got Right (and Still Does)
The book’s timeless principles are now core to how we operate:
- Solve something specific.
- Start with action, not perfection.
- Stay close to the customer.
Gear Valet is still young. Some days feel like traction. Others like triage. But we’re moving—and moving with purpose.
And that’s what matters most.
Want to learn what changed between my first startup and this one?
Stay tuned for a behind-the-scenes post on how failure, perspective, and second chances shifted my entire mindset on entrepreneurship. Coming early next week.
#The100Startup #StartupLessons #CustomerFirst #GTMStrategy #Entrepreneurship #SmallBusinessWins #GearValet #GlobalGrowthAdvisory