Editor's Note: This is part of a Charlotte Inno series we're calling "In Their Own Words," where you'll hear from some of Charlotte's tech, innovation and startup founders and leaders on their experiences navigating 2020 during Covid-19, as well as their expectations for 2021. Our third contributor is Desmond Wiggan, cofounder of BatteryXchange, a tech startup with a fast-charge, portable battery solution.
Imagine spending all of 2019 building some amazing momentum, and when you finally get to a point where you’re ready to hit the market, the rug gets pulled from under you. That was exactly how early 2020 felt, on a business level, for me. I saw competitors pack their bags and close shop, and at a few points I thought we might have to do the same.
BatteryXchange navigated some lows…
Much of our success was within the event space and that literally closed down completely. We had to figure out what distribution channel was going to make sense for us moving forward.
A lot of my network was built by setting up personal, face to face meetings or introductions after events; however, the pandemic caused me to completely change how I approached relationship building. Fortunately for me, I have enjoyed relationship building in this virtual world.
And some highs…
I had a son, Jonah Lewis Wiggan, who has been such a solution to a void I never knew existed. I love the kid more than anything, and I now have a bigger motivator to be my best self in all areas of my life.
I think it wasn’t until this year that I realized I was really built for this entrepreneurial journey. From having to find my own motivation, emotionally and mentally, to finding new ways to motivate my team all while being uncomfortable and uncertain, it was a space I truly grew in.
We found runway to continue operations. Whether it was government or city of Charlotte grants, we applied for them all and were fortunate enough to land them to help us pay expenses.
Covid exposed us to different spaces that could still find value in our product and technology like essential worker spaces and using more of a business to business model to scale and grow. Honestly, we didn’t look at these spaces until this year but have been able to pilot there and are now working on contracts in the hospital space.
BatteryXchange was able to focus specific energy and time internally building both a mobile application and a new product. We not only provided our portable battery but also allowed our customers to engage and communicate with their customers in a different way using our digital screens.
I have never been forced to be uncomfortable so many times in one year, but that uncomfortable state has allowed me to grow and learn more about myself. It’s helped me figure out what is truly important in life, along with who I am as a founder.
