Who knew that hot dog sticks needed improving? Innovations are often very simple solutions to problems we didn’t know we had.
Randy Brouwer wanted to improve a simple camping experience. His product will become a staple in every camper’s kit. The experience: roasting food over an open fire. The innovation: the Fireside Fork.
What is it?
The design is simple. Three aluminum rods that screw together easily. A fixed wooden handle at one end. An innovative sliding wooden handle in the middle. Your choice of wide or narrow fork at the other end.
The Fireside Fork sells separately, or as a package of two in a zippered case (it’ll fit in your glove box). Additional attachments – a roasting basket for meat, seafood and vegetables, and a popcorn maker – are coming on stream later in 2016. Another add-on turns the Fireside Fork into a portable rotisserie.
Inspiration
The Fireside Fork was born in late 2013 as Brouwer tinkered with a gift idea. Success with friends and family inspired him to get serious about design and production. Since then, “it’s taken off widely!” A Kickstarter campaign (launching March 15) will get Fireside Forks into the hands of campers and picnickers lovers all over North America. Several large retail outlets are planning to carry the Fireside Forks by mid-2016.
Where to buy?
Fireside Forks are available in a number of Comox Valley retail outlets. They’re also available directly from the Imagine Camping website: imaginecamping.com.
Challenges
The work of bringing a product like the Fireside Forks to market is daunting. “There’s a lot to learn!” He says the #WeAreYQQ business development workshops have been instrumental in helping him overcome some of the hurdles facing his business.
Is a camping innovation important? It could be. The economic future of our community depends on people like Randy Brouwer. People who have the gumption to take small ideas and grow them BIGger.
Imagine Camping online
Website: imaginecamping.com
Instagram: instagram.com/imaginecamping
Twitter: @imaginecamping
Tag: #firesidefork
Businesses helping businesses, growing an entrepreneurial community
The #WeAreYQQ Project is all about inspiring and supporting entrepreneurs like Randy. The #WeAreYQQ Project is a for profit, grassroots initiative. Why “for profit?” Because we don’t rely on government (taxpayer) dollars, and we don’t need foundation support. And, staying “for profit” means we can be entrepreneurial – lean, agile, responsive to what we see as the needs of our entrepreneur community.
While we don’t need taxpayer or charitable support, we do need the support of businesses. Specifically, businesses that are interested in making shift happen in our regional economy. Thanks to Solution Sponsors like the Comox Valley Record, Finneron Hyundai, hanspetermeyer.ca, Mastermynde Strategy, and Sure Copy Courtenay, Community Partners like Atlas Cafe, Hansen & Hansen Painting, Island Word, My Tech Guys, Ron Pogue Photography, and McKinnon Photography, as well as a host of individual Champions and Ambassadors.
Got a business idea you want to grow?
Apply now to put it on deck with the #WeAreYQQ Project! FMI see https://liftstartup.wpengine.com/networkingonsteroids/
hpm
March 16, 2016
@hanspetermeyer on Twitter
