This Week in Startups E999: ROOM CEO & Co-founder Brian Chen is building phone booths for the modern office, shares insights on maximizing open floor plans, partnering with Calm to reduce stress at work, maintaining capital efficiency as a hardware startup
Nov 8, 2019
Brian Chen, CEO and co-founder of ROOM, discusses his innovative soundproof phone booths designed for modern offices. He shares how his previous startup, BlueSmart, informs his current venture and reveals insights on partnering with Calm to boost workplace well-being. The conversation dives into the challenges of open floor plans and how ROOM maintains capital efficiency while manufacturing in the U.S. and Europe. Plus, he hints at future products and the company’s strategy for growth amidst the competitive landscape.
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Airline Battery Ban
- Airlines banned smart luggage with non-removable batteries.
- Brian Chen's previous company, BlueSmart, a smart luggage company, was affected.
Open Floor Plan Problems
- Office layouts, especially open floor plans, are failing people, impacting mental health and productivity due to noise and lack of privacy.
- This insight led to the creation of Room.com, focusing on providing solutions for modern workplace challenges.
Direct-to-Consumer Strategy
- Target industries with outdated practices, like furniture for the modern office.
- Apply direct-to-consumer strategies to these industries for faster growth, cutting out the middleman.