Patent Attorney and Founder
JD: So, without further ado, I think we’ll bring on our guest. We’ve got Chris… and apologies if I’m saying your name wrong, is it Caouette?
Chris: Yep, it’s Caouette.
JD: Thanks for making time for us today.
Chris: No problem. Apologies, I’m unexpectedly mobile today, but glad to be here.
JD: I can hear you loud and clear and see you well. So, Chris, you are the founder of Gorilla Bow, right?
Chris: Yes, I’ve had a few businesses—e-commerce platforms, real estate, and some others. Gorilla Bow is one that I have right now, along with helping a company called North Bay Distribution. We’re helping small startups, companies, and midsize companies with omni-channel fulfillment—taking products manufactured anywhere in the world and getting them to warehouse networks to lower total landed costs and distribute to Walmart, retail, direct-to-consumer, or Amazon dropship.
JD: That sounds extensive. What’s the name of that venture again?
Chris: North Bay Distribution.
JD: Cool. I’ll note that down. For now, let’s focus on Gorilla Bow. Could you share the backstory and how it got started?
Chris: Sure. My partner was manufacturing kettlebells for Rogue Fitness and Demon Bells, and had some excess inventory from another product. We wanted to create something unique for the fitness market, drawing inspiration from archery and resistance training. The idea came to me in the shower—why not a bow shape with resistance? We tinkered in my garage, and from there, we were off to the races.
JD: Got it.
Chris: It sounds like a great start. You mentioned earlier a mistake regarding patents. Could you elaborate on that?
Chris: Certainly. We had some early issues because we didn’t engage a firm like Bold from the beginning. There were videos out before we filed for provisional patents, which led to issues with IP and potentially millions in losses. Working with a firm like Bold can help you navigate trademark configurations, which I hadn’t even heard of before. It’s crucial to start right with the right expertise.
JD: That’s a valuable lesson. I understand. Could we look at your original application from 2016? I have it here. Can we discuss what happened there?
Chris: Sure, go ahead.
JD: Here’s the publication from 2018, but you filed it in 2017
Chris: Through LegalZoom,
JD: correct?
Chris: Yes, that’s right.
JD: And the issue was regarding the early video disclosure before filing?
Chris: Exactly. We had a video out before our provisional patent, which was part of the problem. There were also trademark issues. It was surprising because similar names like Gorilla Gym and Gorilla Fitness were out there, yet ours was unique. However, it was denied, possibly due to the attorney we used at the time.
JD: Right. It’s subjective depending on the examiner. You need someone who knows what they’re doing. What happened with that first application that got denied?
Chris: It went abandoned. I believe it was a combination of factors, including the Kickstarter campaign that exceeded the time frame. LegalZoom didn’t provide the necessary guidance on deadlines for us.
JD: Understood. It’s critical to manage these timelines carefully. Now, you’ve filed another application in 2023 for a connected exercise device. How’s that going?
Chris: It’s still pending, but this time, we engaged a patent attorney right from the start. The process was much more detailed, and we’re confident about obtaining a utility patent for our connected device, which integrates with our membership platform to track workouts comprehensively.
JD: That sounds promising. Let’s switch gears to manufacturing. What lessons have you learned in that aspect?
Chris: Manufacturing always takes longer and costs more than anticipated, similar to building a house. It’s crucial to have agreements in place to protect against unexpected issues like supply chain disruptions or unauthorized production. We manufacture primarily in China due to cost efficiency, but we do have some domestic production for accessories.
JD: Any specific challenges or changes you had to make during manufacturing?
Chris: Absolutely. It’s essential to work closely with your manufacturer to iron out design and production conflicts early on. Small design adjustments can significantly impact costs, like reducing dimensions to optimize shipping costs.
JD: Good advice. What about sales and future R&D?
Chris: COVID-19 had a significant impact, but we’re rebounding. We’re excited about our connected product, targeting health and wellness markets with integrated tracking features. We’ve built a membership base and are expanding into social commerce to leverage platforms like TikTok and Snapchat for direct sales.
Host: How has your journey been with trademarks?
Chris: It’s been challenging. Starting with lower-cost providers led to denials, and we’ve been combating knockoffs on Amazon. We’re optimistic about pending trademark configurations and have secured trademarks for our logo and Gorilla Bow branding.
JD: That’s progress. Looking ahead, any plans for marketing or increasing sales?
Chris: We’re focusing on social commerce, which is growing faster than traditional e-commerce. Partnering with influencers like Steve Aoki and others has been effective. Our goal is to enhance customer engagement through direct, one-click purchasing and fast delivery.
JD: Fantastic. Thanks for sharing your insights and experiences, Chris. We’ll move on to the next segment now. Thanks again for joining us today.
Chris: Thank you. Appreciate it.