You’ll Never Lose Your Wallet (or Phone) Again With This Cool Kickstarter
Have you ever been looking for your wallet and thought, “I’ll just call it!” as if it were your cell phone? No? Just us? Well, at the very least you know the sheer panic that comes over you when you think you’ve lost your wallet even if you know it’s somewhere in your apartment. The makers over at Ekster have a Kickstarter for a smart new product that will make sure you don’t feel that panic ever again.
They’ve created a wallet that comes with a tracking system connected to your phone, so you can actually call your wallet. How awesome is that?! We’re big fans of Trackr, an insert you can put into your wallet that connects with an app on your phone, but Ekster is different: the tracking system is built right in. And if your wallet goes out of a certain range from your phone, you’ll get a notification — in time to chase down that sneaky thief. The app on your phone includes a GPS system that’ll lead you right to your wallet.
Another cool feature is that the tracking system goes two ways. We know all too well the struggle of setting your phone down somewhere in your apartment and being convinced it’s lost forever 30 seconds later. And gone are the days when every household had a landline, so if it’s just you in your apartment, chances are you have no way of calling your phone to find it. Enter: Ekster. The wallet has a reverse tracking system where you can press a button and your phone rings. Who needs a landline? Or a roommate? Or a boyfriend? Okay, that got a little dark, we apologize.
And you can say goodbye to struggling to pull out the right card while a line of impatient Starbucks customers glare from behind you. The Ekster wallet has a super handy feature where, at the click of a button, all your cards are released in whatever order you choose.
The connected life is coming to a purse (or pocket) near you. Early bird pledges are all gone on Ekster’s already-funded Kickstarter but pledges of $89 or higher will go toward a wallet that will ship May 2016. Ekster will eventually retail for $89 – 99.
Would you use an Ekster wallet? Tweet us about it @britandco!
It can be intimidating to step out on your own and build a business from the ground up. As part of our collaboration with Office Depot, we're talking with Selfmade alum and solopreneur Colette Lawrence, the faith-based motivator and relationship builder behind The M.E.E. Movement, about ways in which women in business can find success.
B + C: How did you know M.E.E. Movement was your business to start?
The M.E.E Movement represents motivation, empowerment, and encouragement for women. It is what represents me. I did not know at first that it was my business to start, but then the thought of monetizing what I loved came to me. It scared me, however. I registered the business in July 2020 and have been slowly building my wings since.
B + C: What's one strategy that's helped you start your business?
Thinking through and researching what the requirements are to start my business, and then asking questions of people who are in the business. Not all advice worked; however, it helped me to figure out what I needed to do and not to do.
B + C: Did you always know life coaching would be your entrepreneurial path?
(Smiles) No, I did not. I 'stumbled" on it. I knew that people were always coming to me for advice and I found that I loved having conversations with them, especially with women, young and old.
B + C: What was your most valuable takeaway from Selfmade?
My most valuable takeaway was the first day of training: Get out of your own way. There were a lot of great moments and important takeaways from every presenter. However, getting out of my own way, pushing past doubts, was for me my most valuable takeaway. Doing something that I had never done before took courage. If I do not focus on what is happening with me mentally then I cannot deliver to my clients successfully.
B + C: What's one piece of advice you would give to female entrepreneurs on the brink of starting?
Get out of your head. You have something to offer. You have what you need to succeed so go ahead and do it.
B + C: How do you stay motivated?
I stay motivated by listening to music and listening to motivational speakers, and sometimes someone will just reach out and talk about the impact that I made in their life. That adds the extra juice or sauce I need to pummel through the day.
B + C: What's your best organizational tip?
Keep a diary and journal. It's the best way for me to keep organized and it also provides a source motivation as I record not only my "losses" but my wins as well.
B + C: Who inspires you in the entrepreneurial space?
Shirley Toliver – She motivates and empowers and makes me always want to show up.
B + C: What has receiving the Office Depot scholarship to Selfmade done to help you start or grow your business?
The scholarship was a blessing in that all the areas that were covered offered valuable information that I needed, from social media to HR. As a new business owner, I needed to know this to increase my own personal awareness in what it takes to run a successful business. The candidness of the presenters made it easy to see myself in their shoes and helped me to realize that I can also get there.
Thanks Colette! You can follow The M.E.E. Movement on Facebook, YouTube, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
Want to feel motivated to take the next step for your business? Let Office Depot OfficeMax give you the confidence you need with a suite of business services & solutions to help you put your best foot forward. Make a good first impression with business cards & build the business pitch of your dreams with custom presentations. With Office Depot OfficeMax you'll find the tools to reach new customers with confidence.
Head to Office Depot's Selfmade page to check out even more amazing business resources (and discounts!) to help you accomplish more on your entrepreneurial journey. These offers are available for a limited time only, so be sure to take advantage of all this goodness while supplies last. Want to join the next Selfmade cohort this summer? Check out all of the scholarship details right here.