Innovator of the Week
Tyler Matzke
CEO of Hidden Collective
Please provide your 30-second pitch about your company.
Hidden Collective is changing the way outdoor goods are discovered and sold. Our marketplace features small-batch outdoor goods and tells the unique story behind each maker, allowing you to discover new products and support the makers directly.
Who or what was your best resource for starting your company?
The team we have formed. With an ambitious idea I knew it was going to be important to surround myself with people who had passion, expertise, and the ability to get things done! Hidden Collective wouldn’t be anywhere close to where we are today without the contributions of our team. They have been there to work with me and push Hidden Collective every step of the way and I could not be more proud to have them as partners.
What was your biggest obstacle in starting your company and how did you overcome it?
Our biggest obstacle was in helping the makers understand the value that they would recognize by joining the Hidden Collective community. All of our makers are small shops with limited resources and it was difficult for them to think about taking on another project. To assist them, we created a storefront build process that is streamlined and plug-and-play, allowing them to get products in our marketplace quickly and without a significant time investment.
What’s the best advice you have received?
The best advice I got along the way is the encouragement to “keep doing what you are doing.” It was to be reminded to trust my instincts as we worked to make decisions on how Hidden Collective should be created and launched.
What about the NH lifestyle appeals to you?
The better question would be what doesn’t appeal? What’s not to like for someone like me? Mountains, ocean, streams, lakes, trails, cliffs, and even some wicked good beer. NH is a perfect place to play, raise a family, start a business, and to call home.
What does the future look like for your company?
We are so excited for the growth of Hidden Collective, not only for the impact it has on our company, but on the positive impact it has on the group of passionate entrepreneurs that make up our community of makers. Our growth will help us change the way people think about buying outdoor gear, allowing them to go back to focusing on quality and craftsmanship, not simply what is available on a retail shelf.
Connect with Hidden Collective on Facebook and Twitter!
Connect with Tyler on LinkedIn!