Assembling the Brand: Featuring Bryan Wachs, Founder of QuikrStuff

Welcome to our latest Founder Series, where innovation meets inspiration! This episode features QuikrStuff, a Made-in-Rural-America brand revolutionizing bike transport with its modular hitch bike racks. The Mach2 bike rack, crafted from heavy-duty aluminum, boasts an effortless toolless setup and a one-key anti-theft system, catering to biking enthusiasts from families to serious cyclists.

We had the pleasure to learn more about founder Bryan Wachs, who’s responsible for QuikrStuff's creation, sparked by a chance meeting with inventor Cal Phillips. Launching during the pandemic, Bryan navigated supply chain challenges with the support of loyal customers. He offers valuable insights for aspiring entrepreneurs on overcoming obstacles and staying true to your vision. Join us as we explore the inspiring journey of QuikrStuff!

What inspired you to start QuikrStuff?

While in the market for a new bike rack, CEO Bryan Wachs happened to cross paths with inventor Cal Phillips--well-known for inventing the original Quik Rack, the popular 1Up. Cal had moved on from that company, and just created his latest and greatest rack, the Mach2. He was looking for someone to bring this new bike rack to market, and Bryan Wachs was just the person to do it.

Who is your target demographic, and how do you engage with them through marketing and product development?

The QuikrStuff Mach2 bike rack is a premium, highly-engineered solution for customers who have invested significantly in their bikes and need reliable protection for the long haul. With a carrying capacity of up to 300 pounds or four bikes, it’s particularly well-suited for eBike owners. Its user-friendly design, along with a ramp accessory that allows users to roll bikes onto the rack instead of lifting them, makes it especially appealing to women and retirees.

Now in our fourth year, we’re discovering that our customers include a diverse range of bike owners—road, mountain, and fat tire enthusiasts—who prioritize a quality, wobble-free rack that secures their investments. A single experience with a cheap rack or a bike falling off is often enough to convince them of the value in choosing quality.

As demand continues to grow, we’ve been fortunate to keep up with orders without heavy investment in marketing campaigns. Instead, we’ve benefited from a wave of positive reviews and user-generated videos showcasing the rack. Potential customers easily find information online and see the product in action. As we like to say, "Don’t listen to us; listen to them!"

What was a challenge you didn't expect, and how did you overcome it?

QuikrStuff was launched in January 2020—an unfortunate time for a new business. The company faced significant challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic, particularly with supply chain disruptions that made sourcing aluminum nearly impossible. However, we successfully navigated these hurdles through a unique Kickstarter-style campaign, which took advantage of a waiting list of customers eager to invest in Cal Phillips' new rack, even if it meant waiting nine months for delivery.

The faith, loyalty, and support of these early customers were crucial in getting the company off the ground. Coupled with our commitment to delivering an outstanding product, fostering a dedicated team, and providing excellent customer service, we were able to keep the company growing despite the obstacles.

What are some strategies that have helped QuikrStuff gain more brand recognition and awareness?

One of our key strategies for promoting the QuikrStuff Mach2 rack was to reach out to the 6,400 potential customers on our waiting list through email. These individuals were already familiar with the acclaimed 1Up rack and its inventor, Cal Phillips, and were eagerly anticipating the release of his new and improved design.

Additionally, our customers played a vital role in building brand awareness by creating unboxing videos and comprehensive reviews, which they shared publicly. The overwhelmingly positive feedback and recommendations from these reviews made it easy for us to let our customers do the talking. We simply encouraged potential buyers to listen to their experiences.

Where do you see your CPG business in the next 5 years? What are your short-term and long-term goals for brand growth and market expansion?

So much has happened in the first four years that it's mind-boggling to think about the next five years. We are in the process of building out a new factory that will significantly expand our capacity for CNC machines, create a showroom, and facilitate the development of new products.

In a few short months we should be able to eliminate our lead time and begin shipping orders right as they come in. In addition to continually improving our current products, we plan to add new products such as a cargo tray, a light kit, an extension, and multiple hitch adapters. We will most likely, in the next five years, seriously consider having the Mach2 bike rack in retail locations, as well as shipping overseas.

As a founder, what advice would you give to other entrepreneurs looking to establish their own successful consumer goods brands in the coming years?

Be creative and flexible, but remain true to your original vision! For QuikrStuff, the vision was a made-in-the USA product manufactured in outdoor rec-oriented Western Colorado.

Interested in learning more about QuikrStuff? Discover more about the company here.

Assembled Brands Capital is a leading asset-based lender specializing in flexible lines of credit for high-growth ecommerce and consumer product businesses. Learn more about our financing solutions here.