Today we’d like to introduce you to Eric Casavant.
Hi Eric, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start, maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
My name is Eric. I’ve been a small business owner and entrepreneur for the last eight years. I started my first business in grad school with more hubris than experience. Trained as an engineer, I definitely thought, “build it, and they will come”. I built a team of eight people, launched a “revolutionary” new product, and failed spectacularly. All my assumptions about what it took to start a business were shaken.
After dusting myself off and with a new perspective of my own strengths and weaknesses, I partnered with Ralph Roessler, a man who had started five businesses. He taught me that businesses are more of a human endeavor than a technical challenge. He taught me to build close relationships with my customers, treat my suppliers with the highest respect, and dedicate more time and resources to my team than to myself. We started a business called Flexstr8 Inc, which is still running today. I started snapibooth during the pandemic slow-down in business. Our goal is to help San Diegans make brighter memories at the places they love and help our favorite events and places in San Diego become more memorable.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
Launching a completely new product, I think it’s important to go live as soon as possible, often before you think you’re ready. In fact, I think that critical feedback is the most important feedback of all, and not being scared of failure is paramount in achieving success in anything.
Our first snapibooths had issues. They were so non-intuitive looking that many people thought they were hand sanitizer stations instead of photobooths! Our first-time users also couldn’t find the photos on their phones afterwards. However, these shortcomings were all just necessary road bumps that we wouldn’t have known about until launching and gathering real-world feedback. Most of our customers were understanding and patient while we worked through early issues. We are so thankful for that. They are the lifeblood of our business. I’m glad to say we’re now launching version 3, and customer approval has never been higher.
We’ve been impressed with Snapibooth, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Snapibooth was started to help people capture and share amazing, hands-free photos at the places they love. Our motto is that we help you make brighter memories and help make places memorable. Aside from making lasting memories for your guests, shared photos of us at the places we love now convert new customers 5x more effectively than paid ads. You may have a place that guests love – but what can you do to ensure they capture and share it in the best light?
Our patented selfie station is the only photo booth that works with your own phone. Have you ever had to ask a stranger to take a photo of you and your friends / loved ones? With snapibooth, simply scan the QR code, dock your phone, and smile. Our web app will take a timed photo on your device while the snapibooth holds your phone, adds glamour lighting, and an optional logo to your photo. Simple!
The best part is snapibooth is wireless, lightweight, and designed for indoor and outdoor use. Snapibooth can be installed anywhere in under one minute and will immediately help guests take hands-free, glamour-lit, branded photos. Our first deployment was last Christmas at Balboa Park. With one simple prototype and no idea what to expect, we set up in front of the largest Christmas tree in San Diego. Our hope was to help a few people capture better family photos without having to ask a stranger. The response was amazing – we had lines forming to use it, and helped more than 1000 people capture unforgettable photos together.
We are now helping capture nearly 10,000 photos a month in museums, bars, event spaces, and weddings across San Diego. 95% of users prefer it to ask a stranger for a picture, and 93% of users prefer it to a traditional photo booth because it uses their own phone. A few of our customers include the Japanese Friendship Garden, Birch Aquarium, Backyard Kitchen and Tap, Mavericks, Bang Energy, and The Plunge at Belmont Park.
Any advice for finding a mentor or networking in general?
I looked up networking opportunities in San Diego. I go to SD Connect, connect.org, etc. At some of our more popular and public snapibooth deployments, I’ll stick around and ask strangers how they liked using it. Aside from collecting crucial feedback, I’ve met investors, customers, and advisors this way. It’s amazing how forthcoming people can be when you ask for help.
Pricing:
- 199/mo install
- 99/day event rental
Contact Info:
- Email: hello@snapibooth.com
- Website: snapibooth.com
- Instagram: snapibooth
- Facebook: snapibooth
Image Credits:
Eric Paulin
