What: Amazeballs — a made-in-Ottawa solution for chilling drinks.
Why: Dan Fallak, their Ottawa creator, says these stainless-steel orbs, with a layer of freezer gel inside, are better than ice, since they don’t dilute drinks as they melt. They’re also superior to products such as as whiskey rocks and scotch stones, he points out, since they chill drinks faster and keep them cold longer.
But it actually wasn’t the chilling properties that prompted his new product.
Amazeballs keep drinks cold without diluting them.
“I came about it ass backwards,” Fallak confesses. “I thought the name was perfect for a brand. At first, I was looking for making them out of marble or stone, then I came across stainless steel.”
The problem: Fallak had some prototypes made and they were immediately snapped up by Chapters/Indigo for Father’s Day last year. Christmas sales were even better and, in less than a year, his Amazeballs were being sold in 700 retail outlets across North America. Now orders are rolling in for next Christmas, and Fallak has a problem.
“My orders are getting really big, but you have to pay manufacturers upfront. Typically, retailers don’t pay you for 30 to 60 days after they get the product. So there can be a 120-day gap. It’s a good problem to have, but I need help. It can be incredibly stressful and frustrating for a small business.”
So now Fallak, who has already had success with his Almonte-made VersaTile coasters made of white marble, is asking the community to help him, through a crowd-funding campaign.
What’s in it for you? If you contribute $5 to his campaign, you’ll get an Amazeballs’ decal. If you order five gift packs of the Amazeballs, which come in an attractive gift package with tongs and a storage pouch, you’ll get each set for $17, compared to the suggested retail price of $25, plus five decals.
“It’s a bit of deal and you’re helping a small local business grow,” says Fallak.
When: Amazeballs’ Indiegogo campaign started July 8 and will go for 30 days.
More: http://igg.me/at/amazeballs/x/5971775
