This Philosophy Professor Used Kickstarter to Grow His Business. Now, Popsockets Has Sold More Than 200 Million Units.Popsockets Founder David Barnett explains how he started the business in part because he got tired of dealing with tangled earbud cords.

ByJames McKinney

Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own.

In this interview with James McKinney, former philosophy professor David Barnett relates how people laughed at his business idea when he first told them about Popsockets. A few years and more than 200 million sales later, it's Barnett who's laughing. Together, he and McKinney discuss topics that include:

  • What you should do if people laugh at your big idea.
  • How he differentiated his Kickstarter campaign in a crowded space.
  • Why he cast a wide net when looking at target consumers.
  • His process for making his first hires.

Listen to the full episodehere.

Wavy Line
James McKinney

Creator & Host, The Startup Story

James McKinney is the Founder & Host ofThe Startup Story, a multi-channel brand platform that brings the lessons of highly successful founders directly to the everyday founder. Whether it is through The Startup Story podcast or via the Startup Story LIVE event series, entrepreneurs everywhere can receive tactical and practical guidance from founders who are a few steps ahead.

Editor's Pick

Related Topics

Business News

An 81-Year-Old Florida CEO Just Indicted for a $250 Million Ponzi Scheme Ran a Sprawling Senior Citizen Crime Ring

Carl Ruderman is the fifth senior citizen in the Miami-Fort-Lauderdale-Palm Beach metropolitan area to face charges in connection with the scam.

Business News

Taco Bell Slammed With Lawsuit Over 'Especially Concerning' Advertisements, Allegedly Deceiving Customers

The class action lawsuit claims the chain is advertising more than they deliver.

Money & Finance

Want to Become a Millionaire? Follow Warren Buffett's 4 Rules.

企业家是不能过度指狗万官方望太多a company exit for their eventual 'win.' Do this instead.

Business News

Body of Missing 27-Year-Old Goldman Sachs Banker Found in Nearby Body of Water

John Castic, a 27-year-old Goldman Sachs employee, went missing around 2:30 a.m. on Saturday after attending a concert at the Brooklyn Mirage in East Williamsburg.

Business Culture

The Newest Workplace Trend Has HR Sounding The Alarm

HR departments are still figuring out how to handle "quiet quitting," but a new trend is taking over.

Business News

Steve Jobs's Son Is Diving Into Venture Capital — and His Focus Hits Close to Home

Reed Jobs, 31, launched venture capital firm Yosemite, which already boasts $200 million from investors and institutions.