Brian launching new tool on Amazon
July 25, 2023
We first met Brian LeCocq this spring when his team won the 2023 Launch Hack Startup Weekend. But Brian has been busy on his own startup, Gear Bin, as well! Last week, he launched his product — a specialty ruler for electrical engineers — on Amazon.
We caught up with Brian to learn more about his company and his entrepreneur journey.
Introduce yourself — who are you and what is your company?
Hi, my name is Brian LeCocq. I’m a third-year computer engineering student at the University of Dayton. I’m also founder of Gear Bin LLC, a tech company focused on providing premium electronics tools. In my free time, I enjoy cycling, reading, and 3D printing.
How did your company start?
Over the years I experimented with new ways to combine textbook electrical engineering information into a compact, multi-use form factor. I was first inspired to develop a ruler for electrical engineers during the pandemic. As a member of my school’s Science Olympiad team, I stumbled upon similar rulers during competition prep. I realized I could bring in my own tool if it could fit in a three-ring binder with the rest of my allowed notes. Three months later, I had engineered a ruler for the competition that had more information (and binder holes) than any other electrical engineering ruler on the market. I crushed the competition, and my engineering teacher encouraged me to find a market for my invention. I connected with a Chicagoland distributor to sell it in Chicago and Milwaukee, then left for college. Recently, I revisited my product and found new ways to make it more cost effective and compact. This summer, I am launching the new product on Amazon to learn more about the e-commerce and digital marketing worlds.
Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?
When I was younger, I always wanted to be an inventor. It wasn’t until launching my first product that I even considered being an entrepreneur. Creativity and innovation have always been invaluable skills to me. My technical expertise has helped me support my new ideas through rapid prototyping. Over the last two years, I’ve begun to broaden my horizon to develop the mixed skillset that’s associated with the business and entrepreneurship world. I look forward to learning the skills of sales, pitching, marketing, and more to grow my professional value.
How did tapping into Launch Dayton help you grow as an entrepreneur?
During my time in the Dayton area, I have attended Flyer Pitch and Startup Weekend. Flyer Pitch was extremely humbling. From the moment my friend Joe told me about Startup Weekend, I was incredibly excited to work alongside other driven entrepreneurs. What I didn’t expect was the amount of work, connections, and idea validation I could accomplish over the course of the weekend. To my surprise, my team, Kitchen Kanvas, ended up winning the weekend! But more important than my unexpected success was the friends and connections I made through the experience. Both events spurred my entrepreneurial spirit in new and unexpected directions. The skillsets and connections I made were truly invaluable. I would absolutely recommend both programs to my fellow entrepreneurs and business owners.
The Launch Dayton community values are: 1. Be Bold 2. All Are Welcome 3. People First 4. Give First 5. Remove Barriers. How do you embody one or more of these values?
I embody the Launch Dayton community values through my entrepreneurial spirit and social focus. On my own, I ambitiously approach challenges in business and boldly defy expectations for entrepreneurs of my age. Outside of my personal drive, I’ve been hard at work alongside UD alum Joe Fuchs and UD students Aiden Mornhinweg and Loring Leitzel to launch the UD Entrepreneurial Mindset Association club. Unlike other business-focused clubs and groups on campus, we aim to connect UD entrepreneurs through a roundtable-like experiences to listen to guest speakers, troubleshoot through shared experiences, and complete career-building certifications.
What identities or life experiences do you bring to entrepreneurship that helped prepare you for this lifestyle?
As a student, band member, and member of other clubs, my identity as a curious, dedicated, and hardworking team member shaped much of who I am today. Over the past few years, I’ve translated my experience in the classroom to help me learn 3D printing and communicate with global manufacturers. I’ve learned to crowdsource feedback and interact with purchasing agents to create value in my business and grow my professional network.
What is the biggest barrier you’ve faced on your entrepreneur journey?
The biggest barrier I’ve faced on my entrepreneur journey is growing an audience for my business.
Why do you love what you do?
I’m not sure I know the answer yet. I love creating and I love learning. The variety of challenges I face as an entrepreneur is daunting, but also exciting. Business is not a zero-sum game. As I learn and grow as an entrepreneur, I can pay it forward and help others succeed. Likewise, those who are more successful and experienced than I am are typically happy to share their advice to help me grow. I believe business is a good way to channel growth as a person.
What advice would you offer fellow or aspiring entrepreneurs?
Start doing. Oftentimes, I’ve noticed the biggest challenge holding back my progress is whatever I tell myself. There’s more to be learned from practical application than there is from learning through reading. There is never a perfect time to act, but overcoming the challenges presented when you act is what makes you grow as an entrepreneur and as a person. Be kind to others. Ask for help when you need it, but don’t take advantage of other’s generosity.
How can the Launch Dayton community support you?
Check out my product on Amazon! And feel free to reach out to me on LinkedIn. I love meeting other entrepreneurs!
Connect with Brian @gearbin on IG, TikTok and YouTube.
