Review of Borninfornia Statewide Apparel Collection

BACKGROUND:
Company: Borninfornia
Product; California Statewide Apparel
Value Proposition: High-Quality Clothing Made in California
Kickstarter Link: http://kck.st/14ED60N
Company Website: TBA
Kicktraq Profile: http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/andrewneilsutton/borninfornia-high-quality-apparel-made-in-californ/

KICKSTARTER FUNDING:
With a funding goal of $5,000, Borninfornia's Kickstarter Campaign lasted for 30-days and brought in $5,395 from 97-backers. Borninfornia experienced a huge rush of support within the first two days that sort of tapered off but picked up against towards the end of the campaign that pushed them over the funding goal.

Borninfornia Founders

Review of Ayleth's Smithworks: Wrought Metal Jewelry

Ayleth's Smithworks' Kickstarter Campaign Photo

BACKGROUND:
Product Name: Wrought Metal Jewelry
Company: Ayleth's Smithworks
Value Proposition: "This is a line of hand-forged jewelry made form solid brass, stainless, and sterling. It's heavy, sturdy, and looks gray one anyone!"
Kickstarter Link: http://kck.st/140uhRu
Company Website: N/A
Kicktraq Profile: http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/2124782228/ayleths-smithworks-wrought-metal-jewelry/

KICKSTARTER RESULT:
Ayelith's Smithworks Kickstarter campaigned lasted for 31-days and brought in $8,053 from 219-backers. The original goal was for only $400 so the fact that more than 20 times the funding goal was raised is pretty damn impressive.

This campaign ended on June 30th, 2013 and I am still waiting for my backing reward, a unpolished brass bracelet for my girlfriend. Since the product is not for myself, my review (once I receive the product) will be a combination of what I thought of the bracelet from a guy's point of view and what she thought of the bracelet from a girl's point of view. I don't consider myself to be all that fashionable so I recommend taking my opinion of the bracelet with a grain of salt.

Charlie Hustle: The Negro League Collection Review

 

BACKGROUND

Product Name: The Negro League Collection

Value Proposition: Perserving the old school... one t-shirt at a time!

Company: Charlie Hustle

Kickstarter Link: http://kck.st/1c736e9

Company Website: http://charliehustleshop.com/

Kicktraq Profile: http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/charliehustle/charlie-hustle-the-negro-league-collection/

KICKSTARTER RESULTS

Charlie Hustle (Kansas City, MO) completed their 30-day Kickstarter Campaign successfully with over $23,000 from 385-backers. There was a short period there where it did not seem like the Charlie Hustle team was going to pull it off but they received a big boost in support and finished the campaign on September 30th, 2013 with $3,737 more than their original funding goal. 

I am still waiting to receive my shirt but am very excited to check it out. The photos make the shirts seem very high-quality with great attention to detail. The Charlie Hustle team posted an update a couple days ago that they have started shipping their products out. So hopefully I receive my package soon so that I can leave my review.  

CONCLUSION:

I was very excited when I finally received my shirt, Brooklyn in Triblend Royal Blue. The fabric is soft, print is bright and well done, and the fit is proper. I wear an XL typically and this shirt fits perfectly. The custom neck labels are also a nice touch. 

Overall, very happy with the entire process since backing the project several months ago. I was always well informed of the progress of shirt production via Kickstarter Updates that were well spaced out - not too many or too few. I look forward to adding some more Charlie Hustle shirts to wardrobe and recommend you do the same!

Review of RIDEBRO Shoes

REVIEW OF RIDEBRO SHOES

BACKGROUND:

Product Name: RIDEBRO Shirts

Product Value Proposition: Eco-friendly Vegan shoe with a barefoot feel.
Company Name: RIDEBRO: Ride | Surf| Live Simple
Company URL: http://www.ridebro.com/
Kickstarter Campaign URL: http://kck.st/12hGpIQ
Kicktraq Profile: http://www.kicktraq.com/projects/1415842870/ridebro-eco-friendly-canvas-shoe-with-a-barefoot-f/

KICKSTARTER RESULT: 

RIDEBRO (Boca, Raton, FL) ended a 40-day Kickstarter campaign with $28,912 from 335-backers from around world. Their goal was $27,000 so they cut it pretty close but were ultimately successful.

PROS:

- shoe canvas is organic  - no animal products were used in the making of RIDEBRO shoes

shoe packaging is made from recycled material

- despite being made form organic materials, the shoe is very lightweight while also feeling very sturdy

- perfect for wearing on quick errands, walking to the store, to the beach, or any other place that you don’t want to throw on a bulky pair of shoes and socks

- the colors of the shoes are very bright and true. For some this might be a con but I enjoy the bright colors

CONS:

- the shoes run small, I would say about a size small. I wear a size 12 in EVERYTHING and the size 12 RIDEBRO shoes I got leave my toes feeling extremely squished

- the back heel of the shoe feels awkward against the back heel of my foot, almost like the back of the shoe isn’t high enough

- if I don’t wear socks with RIDEBROS, the edges of the shoe scrape/cut my heel. I hope this ceases once the shoes are broken in but that hasn’t happened yet

FINAL REVIEW:

7 out of 10: I love the idea behind the shoe, making shoes from organic materials and packaging them in recycled materials is a brilliant idea.  Not only are RIDEBRO shoes a brilliant concept but the execution was also done well.  I was very impressed by the look and feel of the shoes when I first opened the package and was excited to wear them but was extremely bummed out when I tried them on and realized how small they fit.  If you are looking for a nice looking, sturdy feeling pair of shoes that can be worn on the go (errands, beach, walk, etc) then RIDEBRO shoes are perfect for you, just be sure to order a size up!