Father & Daughter Team Up to Launch Bluewire Audio LLC
Emily Proos B’15 and her anesthesiologist father, Dr. Andrew Proos, have developed a safer and less cumbersome audio speaker system for runners and other physically active buffs.
Emily is Bluewire’s CEO and is currently sharing space with other entrepreneurs in the Babson Hatchery program. Here’s more of our conversation with her.
Emily Proos
Q. What inspired your business?
A. My dad was training for his first marathon in 2009. He wanted to listen to music during his runs but could never find ear buds that would fit properly. He was also concerned about the safety factor if traffic sounds were blocked. He started gluing ear buds to his shirts, hats, and reflector vests hoping that someone would eventually provide a solution to his dilemma. I was knee deep into my Babson studies at the time. Soon thereafter our father/daughter team became a reality and we connected with a prototype development company to design a wearable speaker system.
Q. What drives your passion and how is it working with Dad?
Dr. Andrew Proos
A. Babson provided me with an incredible foundation in business and the hands-on experience with my Dad has been nothing short of fantastic and a lot of fun. I am an equal partner in the venture and he has taken my ideas seriously enough to run with many of them. My responsibility is sometimes daunting but moves me forward in leaps and bounds.
Q. Proudest accomplishment to date?
A. We just filmed our Kickstarter campaign. There are so many factors to consider and organize for the best outcome. The video is a re-enactment of a scene my parents once observed when a runner racing in the ‘zone’ wearing ear buds was unable to hear and step aside for a passing emergency medical vehicle. We reconstructed this scene ambulance and all.
Q. What is Bluewire’s current challenge?
A. How to move from prototype development into full-scale production. We’ve connected with a number of manufacturers and are still crunching numbers to determine our best option. We have bootstrapped until now and are hopeful for the fall Kickstarter campaign. Definitley, venture funding is our biggest challenge right now.
Q. Your advice to aspiring entrepreneurs out there?
A. Be flexbile. Not everything will play out the way you expect. We have been forced many times to deviate from the original plan. Our early intention to hide the speakers within the hat was thwarted because they were too large. The solution to attach them to the outside was a blessing in disguise. Now our product and logo are clearly visible to a wider audience. Change is not easy and it is hard to part with your vision, but never give up your flexibility. Have a backup plan and keep a positive mindset when something does not work out as intended.
For more information contact emproos@bluewireaudio.com