10 years. TEN whole years! It was on this day in 2011 that the Crown & Buckle web site officially launched! Back then, as a 25 year old newly-wed, I had quit my job (with my wife’s gracious support) for the sake of my sanity. After months of unsuccessful job hunting, we came to the realization that there would be no better time for me to “start a business,” which I’d dreamed of doing for years.
God’s timing was on our side. I never would have imagined all of the successes (and failures!) we’ve had along the way. It has been quite the ride. We’ve experienced so many ups and downs, from huge sales milestones, to being named in trademark lawsuits (yes, more than one), to launching products of a caliber I never thought we’d be able achieve, to embarrassing product failures I wish we could erase from memory! (Ever see our first perlon straps?)
We’ve hired, and fired. We’ve made lasting friendships, and burned bridges. We’ve had amazingly loyal customers, and those that have told us we shouldn’t even be in business. Our love of watches has grown, and at times dwindled.
Throughout it all, the experience has been nothing but a joy, and it’s been one of the most fulfilling challenges of my life. To those that have been a part of the ride, I truly thank you from the bottom of my heart. C&B wouldn’t be what it is today without you. Here’s to the next 10 years!
-Thomas & the C&B Family
[The photo is one of my earliest wrist shots I could find, on a prototype C&B strap in early 2011.]
