On June 18, 2018, a small, whimsical idea became a colorful reality at the push of a button. INCYLENCE was officially born, and for us, this day not only meant the fulfillment of a long-held dream but also the point of no return! In this blog, we want to take you along on what happened to us in the first month of INCYLENCE and why we can't wipe the grins off our faces. A chronology of events:
June 18, 2018: Ready? Go!
We're live! Subscribers to our newsletter are the first to know and don't hesitate: orders in the high double digits cause a surge in activity this evening. Eight busy hands not only pack the deliveries but also take turns tending to the still-nervous label printer. As the night progresses, the living room, disguised as a warehouse, increasingly resembles a parcel locker.
Week 1: Pitfalls of a Start-up
Typical startup teething problems often cause sweaty palms, but these are skillfully improvised away. The occasional nervous twitch thankfully gives way regularly to a broad grin: Your encouragement and feedback leave us speechless!
June 28, 2018: We have a winner!
The question that's been hanging over everything for months – "Which design will be the bestseller?" – has been answered: Mirrored Mint ! Size 43/46 sold out completely on day 10. None of us predicted that correctly, but we don't care today. We're making some minor adjustments in our reorder with the manufacturer in Italy: Stay tuned!
July 1, 2018: "Dude, your socks won!"
Astute observers spotted some colorful socks in the days leading up to Challenge Roth: INCYLENCE's name had even reached the Franconian triathlon metropolis! On race day itself, Daniela Sämmler, stylishly dressed in mirrored pink , swam, cycled, and ran her way into the spotlight of international media coverage. Victory, a German long-distance record, and confirmation of our claim "Made for performance!"
Alex runs towards his personal goal wearing prototypes, but at the finish line he first receives congratulations of a different kind: "Dude, your socks won!" The pride at this moment is just as great as the physical exhaustion.
Meanwhile, Max is proudly representing INCYLENCE at the hella Half Marathon expo: Loyal Instagram followers introduce themselves, offer feedback, want to learn more about the brand, and share their stories. In the end, as is so often the case, everyone involved in Hamburg and Roth is left with only one thing: a broad, never-ending grin!
July 8, 2018: Aloha on the Main!
One successful weekend follows another: At IRONMAN Frankfurt, Tamara Hitz delivers a brilliant performance in the Main metropolis. Fastest age-grouper and Hawaii qualifier: We're already receiving inquiries about whether and how much faster the pink socks make you. Initial test protocols are being developed in collaboration with established aero experts. Until they're ready for practical application, we can say this: They certainly look incredibly fast. In that spirit: Aloha!
July 14th/15th: I'm sorry, I don't have a sock for you today!
The next weekend, the next big event. This time, Hamburg is showing that triathlon is truly at home here. Over 10,000 amateurs and the world's best short-distance triathletes are transforming the Hanseatic city into a sporting mecca. At the expo, we not only meet many friends and acquaintances, but also have the opportunity to tell triathletes from all over the world about our idea, the advantages of INCYLENCE cycling and running socks, and their origins. By Saturday, the designs in size 43/46 are almost completely sold out, and our stock of Mirrored Pink is also running low, thanks to their reputed capabilities. Throughout the weekend, we hear several times: "Sorry, I don't have any socks (in your size) for you today." Luckily, the "Pre-order" button on our website is already up and running, and the important message has been spread:
We expect new deliveries at the beginning of August!
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Count me in!
As you can see, we've been quite busy, and the sheer number of ideas, projects, and requests will likely mean that our accumulated sleep deficit won't be reduced anytime soon. Luckily, endorphins provide more energy than even the most restful night, so all that's left for us to say is: THANK YOU! Thank you for your trust, for the tremendous support and positive feedback! Thank you for all the ideas, suggestions, and wishes. And thank you for the criticism and suggestions for improvement. Rest assured: We read every message, every post, and every blog entry. We take all kinds of feedback on board and are doing everything we can to make your wishes a reality! Much of this is already planned and even in progress: Stay tuned, it certainly won't be boring!
Until then, thank you very much and HUNT INCYLENCE!