February 20, 2010

The Amazing Story of Yolie and the Sasqwatch

Yolie is one of Cryptomundo’s advertisers. You can see her ad over to the far right of the site.

We know her personally, and consider her a friend of Cryptomundo.

I wanted to share the amazing story of her and the Sasqwatch from her blog.

How the Sasqwatch watch came to be…

My name is Yolie Moreno.

I am the creator and owner of Sasqwatch Watch Company Inc.

It’s been 22 years in the making.

I came up with the idea for this watch based on a simple play on the word Sasquatch. I thought: “Hmm Sasqwatch” — a watch that looks like a Bigfoot foot. That was back when I was 18 years old. Before computers, before the internet, before cell phones became the only way of telling time.
I busily went about making my first “prototype” out of hot glue and mangled stuffed animal fur.

As you can see it was pretty rough.

The second “incarnation” came when I lost the idea of making it furry. It became obvious that a watch that had fur wouldn’t really work.
My second prototype wasn’t much better, but the “idea” was still working it’s way around my brain. I just couldn’t create what was actually in my head.

That’s when I began to research just how you actually get something MADE. Even back in the early 1990’s it was clear that I was going to have to get it made in Hong Kong, Taiwan or China. I searched the New York Public Library in NYC and discovered the Trade Commissions in these countries. I corresponded with a few manufacturers that enlightened me to the 10,000 piece minimum order. This is where most of my momentum stopped dead in it’s tracks. Even at the cheapest possible cost, we were talking about at least $30,000.00. Well, that I couldn’t even conceive of. So I thought, I’ll get a patent, make my protoypes, “package” the concept and try to sell the idea.

Years passed. I graduated college, traveled the world, moved to California. One of my first jobs was working in a model shop that created visual effects for big movies. Model makers. Well here were people that knew how to make things. I showed them my idea and one of them — Ian Hunter — still a renowned model maker, carved me something out of Sculpy which became the actual design of the watch today. They taught me how to build molds, mix chemicals and make all my own real prototypes.

I built my own boxes, displays and pamphlets. I got a design patent and trademark. But actually getting this made was still a complete mystery. Oh and I wasn’t any closer to coming up with tens of thousands of dollars should I ever solve the mystery. So, selling the idea took a back seat.

More years passed. Work, life, love, marriage, kid. A 12 year sabbatical from my beloved project. But never out of mind. The internet paved the way. No longer did I need a buyer, or a store. Everything about research and correspondence became easy and POSSIBLE. And then the money became available.

So, three years ago (2007) I picked up where I left off. I discovered that (thanks to the internet) Bigfoot’s popularity had grown exponentially! I chanced upon a person that owns a toy company who graciously answered all my questions about the manufacture process and actually introduced me to a company in Hong Kong. And I took it from there. I was referred to an art design firm who took my concept and transformed it from a campy, woodsy forest to the packaging you see today. Every step of the way I’ve had people who were willing to help me when I asked. Last year I went to Hong Kong twice to meet with my manufacturer and visit the factories. The entire process has been amazing.

It took longer than I thought because of all the “lost in translation” episodes I encountered. The design and execution of the actual watchface artwork proved extremely complicated. But these “glitches” allowed me to refine the idea for the watchband. The original band was terrible and then I discovered the nylon one we use now. It actually pulled the overall design together. We think it looks great. And there’s nothing like it.

This journey has taken me 22 years and the concept is still viable. It’s a product that’s fun and clever. I’ve had a blast and learned more than I ever imagined. 2 years ago I knew absolutely nothing about actually getting something manufactured. Now my quirky idea is a reality and I love it. I’m having a lot of fun with it and know those who “get it” will agree.

I did the process backwards. I made the product first and never worried about selling it. That’s where I’m at now. So go visit my website: www.sasqwatchwatch.com and buy one! And tell all your friends.

Keeping the Bigfoot legend and the great American entrepreneurial spirit alive!

peace.
: ) Yolie

Yolie is good people.

A good portion of the proceeds from the sale of the Sasqwatch is donated to charities that Yolie supports.

Help out and buy a Sasqwatch and have a cool watch to boot!

Here is the video we shot at the Bigfoot Film Festival with the Believe it Tour gang and Yolie’s sister, Tracy and her boyfriend Perry.

Filed under Bigfoot, Bigfoot Report, Conferences, Footprint Evidence, Pop Culture, Sasquatch, Videos, Women in Cryptozoology