The first great Shaka prototype is done!

Only a few weeks after writing that last post I found Martha. If you can't tell from the picture above, I'm big fan of Martha. The process a few vendors here in San Antonio wanted to take me through, not to mention the fees, to get to a sample/prototype like this were so disappointing. $200 for patterns, $300 for help finding fabrics. Sheesh. 

With Martha, I just took her the prototypes I liked, talked through changes I'd like to make, and within 2 weeks had a badass prototype.

The fabric is a 70% polyester 30% cotton jacquard waffle knit, and is certainly in the realm of the premium fabric I have in mind for the first big product offering. The moment I put it on I knew it was miles and miles ahead of where I was a month ago trying to make my own. The fit, the small designs like side vents or the front placket stitching, and the comfort of it were beyond exciting. 

Is this prototype perfect? No, not even close, but having it has unblocked me in some very exciting ways:

For starters, I have been showing it to everyone.

Friends, family, even my landlord. The landlord claims she wants to invest, and would pay $80 for it. She says she even wants 2 for herself, and potentially 1 for her husband. That's validating for sure. 

The other big comment I've heard is that it feels premium. It's heavy, but still breathable and soft.

I can also test it out thoroughly

There are two big tests these ponchos are going to have to go through to make it to the public:

1. Can it be washed like crazy and not lose much color, or much softness? And will it hold up?

2. Can it absorb sweat, keep that sweat from my car seat and my seatbelt, and not cause me to overheat? And in doing all of that, will it retain awful smells of any kind?

So naturally I've been taking it on all the rides, runs, etc. that I can. 

What's next?

I think the obvious next step is to continue getting validation, and make a new prototype based on people's feedback. Eventually though I have to get an improved, quality, branded poncho to some events.