Today we’d like to introduce you to Michael Hagerty.
Michael, can you briefly walk us through your story – how you started and how you got to where you are today.
It all started with a broken baseball bat from a college baseball game. This broken bat eventually was cut up to make a couple gifts for my wife and one of her good friends for their birthdays. They liked them and then I made a few more and had that “aha moment”. I said no one else makes these why not create a new product. That got the ball rolling and I filed a patent which I got and a trademark which I got called – Picture Catcher Bat ®. We then locked up the domain and created a company logo.
We had such success with Picture Catcher Bat ® we created a complimentary product called Ball Catcher Bat ® and we also obtained the patent this May. We currently own 3 patents now and 2 trademarks.
We’re always bombarded by how great it is to pursue your passion, etc – but we’ve spoken with enough people to know that it’s not always easy. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
As a startup with a brand new product on the market, the biggest challenge is getting people to notice your product and what your company does. We got a crash course quickly on social media that has made a huge difference e.g., Facebook pages, Instagram, Twitter.
As a former senior executive at a Fortune 500 Company, my background has helped navigate through some of the landmines bringing a product to market plus my executive experience helps with presentations, speaking with the press and responding to customer inquiries.
So let’s switch gears a bit and go into the Picture Catcher Bat ® story. Tell us more about the business.
We offer two baseball related products. Currently, we have a solid online business plus we are sold in the Little League gift in Williamsport and the oldest gift shop – FR Woods in Cooperstown home of the baseball Hall of Fame. This summer our products will be sold at the home of the Field of Dreams movie set in Dyersville, Iowa. We also attend the College World Series for two weeks in June.
What we do, specialize, known for, etc?
We currently market to baseball programs all over the country, weddings, gift shops, photographers, businesses for a corporate gift, etc.
We are known for creating happiness and memories for our customer base. Both products have been used as groomsman gifts, centerpieces at baseball events, senior gifts, award, etc.
Most proud of?
This is a labor of love. Growing up I always dreamed of playing Major League Baseball but my baseball career peaked in college and semi-pro baseball. Fast forward today and my dream is alive again but this time getting my product on an MLB shelf. My products have already been used at a couple MLB events.
What sets you apart?
1.) Right now we are are a two-person operation which is my wife and I. So any customer questions run through us so we always get back to our customers ASAP.
2.) Customization is our specialty. We engrave both text and logos on our bats that are the best in the industry.
Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and business?
I would say no luck, either way, I am a firm believer in hard work and following your passion which I am doing. As a former marathoner, no luck involved there just hard work putting your miles in, eating well and sticking to a schedule.
Pricing:
- Picture Catcher Bat ® – $13.95 plus engraving charge. $4.00 text, $5.00 logo.
- Ball Catcher Bat ® – $15.95 plus engraving charge. $4.00 text. $5.00 logo.
Contact Info:
- Website: picturecatcherbat.com
- Phone: 7742841002
- Email: picturecatcherbat.com
- Instagram: Picture_Catcher_Bat
- Facebook: Picture Catcher Bat
- Twitter: @PictureCatcherB
Image Credit:
Raya Al-Hashmi
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