We were lucky to catch up with Olivier Momma recently and have shared our conversation below.

Olivier, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

When we set out to name our company, we encountered the challenge that many entrepreneurs face: finding a name that encapsulates the essence of our brand while resonating globally. Naming a business is a complex task, as the name must capture the brand’s spirit, be memorable, and also practical in terms of domain availability and international pronunciation. The story behind our choice of “Ekster” is a blend of cultural homage and a dash of serendipity.

The magpie, or “Ekster” in Dutch, emerged as a symbol that perfectly aligned with our mission. Magpies are known for their intelligence and their habit of collecting shiny objects, which they meticulously store and protect in their nests. This characteristic resonated with our goal to create the next generation of trackable wallets—products designed to safeguard one’s most valuable items with smart, innovative features.

Choosing “Ekster” was not only a nod to the functionality and smart design of our products but also a tribute to our Dutch heritage. It was important for us to infuse our brand with a sense of our roots, without alienating an international audience. The name “Ekster” struck the perfect balance, being distinctly Dutch yet easy to pronounce for people around the world.

In the digital age, the practical aspect of brand naming cannot be overlooked. We needed a name that was concise, memorable, and could easily translate into a web domain. “Ekster” met all these criteria, fitting nicely into the 5-6 letter range that is often ideal for brand recall and domain registration. Fortunately, the domain for Ekster was still available, which felt like the stars aligning for our brand’s digital presence.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

Growing up, I was fortunate enough to be immersed in an environment brimming with remarkably creative business minds. These individuals possessed a global outlook and a remarkable ability to adapt to ever-changing environments, traits that left a lasting impression on me. Throughout my childhood, my family and I moved roughly every five years, affording me the invaluable experience of living in a diverse array of countries, including Japan, Italy, the USA, and Hong Kong. However, it took some time to discern where to channel my passion. A Fulbright scholarship provided me with the opportunity to bring my ideas to life and delve into the intricacies of starting a business. Throughout my journey, I’ve always been drawn to the creative aspects of entrepreneurship, particularly in crafting cohesive brands and engaging in activities like photography and design.

In terms of our offerings, we specialize in crafting innovative Everyday Carry travel gear under the mantra “own the unknown.” Our aim is to alleviate the fear associated with uncertainties and unexpected challenges during travels, transforming them into moments of excitement and joy. We cater to individuals who embrace adventure, seize opportunities, and return with captivating stories to share. Our products are designed to simplify travel by incorporating smart organization features, weatherproof materials, and cutting-edge tech integrations such as tracking and separation alerts. Additionally, one of our proudest achievements is developing the first solar-powered tracking device, further enhancing the travel experience for our community.

At the core of our mission is addressing the frustrations of consumers who feel disillusioned by products that promise life improvements but fail to deliver. We embrace a minimalist and functional design ethos, utilizing only the finest materials to create durable products that stand the test of time. Additionally, we understand the challenges of navigating through endless online options, which is why we prioritize personalized customer service and foster a sense of community among our clientele.

What sets us apart is our commitment to offering innovative yet straightforward products from a brand with personality. While we take product quality seriously, we also recognize that at the end of the day, we want our gear to empower people to carve their own path. We value community collaboration, actively involving our customers in the design and testing processes. Whether they’re photographers, athletes, or avid adventurers, everyone is welcome to contribute their unique perspectives and passions to our brand.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

It all began when Rick and I met in our early 20s after attending the same Fulbright scholarship program. We immediately recognized a shared entrepreneurial spirit in each other and quickly became friends. At the time, we were both hopeful young entrepreneurs, trying to get our foot in the door and find that perfect unfilled niche. We would spend long nights up, going over products we thought were badly designed and brainstorming improvements on the spot. It’s easy to feel like everything has already been done already, but once we started putting our heads together more and more ideas began to pop up. One day, over a late-night WhatsApp session, we were interrogating the traditional bifold wallet design and realized quickly we were onto something.

We realized that the way we as a society pay has changed so much in the past 100 years, but the way our wallets look and perform has barely changed at all. And while some might say, “don’t fix what isn’t broken”, we saw an opportunity to transform the everyday wallet for the 21st century.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

When we started, all we had was our friendship and a shared vision for our brand. Being in our 20s, having limited experience and limited funds meant we had to do everything ourselves. From photo shoots and marketing campaigns to creating prototypes, Ekster was totally home-grown. We kept running into roadblocks with the design and finding investors – all while working out of a college classroom. Then one day we met our future partner Richard. He was experienced in Kickstarter campaigns and website building and after joining forces everything started falling into place. He helped us turn our vision into a fully-fleshed reality. We launched a successful Kickstarter campaign with over 3,000 pledges and $300,000, in 40 days and proceeded to raise our first $1M in the first year.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.ekster.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/eksterwallets/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/eksterwallets/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/oliviermomma/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/EksterWallets
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ekster