October 1, 2016, feels like it was just yesterday, along with many ups and downs that remain vivid in my mind. And now, I've reached a point where I've had to choose between two things that mean incredibly much to me both. A decision that turned out to be far more challenging than I initially thought, and one that will have significant implications for Watery moving forward.
But let's start somewhere entirely different. Namely, in Kolding, February 2016. It was there that I truly realized I needed to start Watery.dk without even knowing it would be called Watery. Or become Watery. I just knew that it was my calling.
Before I knew it, I had hired a web agency to design and program the webshop, asked a friend to design the logo, and started conceptualizing, writing texts, ordering products, and most importantly, battling with the state administration to get the green light to start the business myself. A battle I sadly ended up losing.
Launch on October 1, 2016
Nevertheless, on October 1, I was able to open the doors to what had now become Watery.dk (see the first image - the front page of Watery.dk on opening day.. Why two of the same images, Daniel?!?). A week or two earlier, I proudly sat surrounded by a heap of boxes filled with swimming gear and swimwear with my little brother (he’s the one packing many of your orders today ;)), and had a bunch of empty shelves in my basement room waiting to be filled with products. At that time, I had no idea what was really ahead of me. I suppose I was just young and naive.
Successes and Setbacks Since Launch
But today, 8 months and 24 days later, I have a much better idea. During that time a lot has happened at Watery.dk, and to be honest, there have been both great successes where I've run around the house shouting with joy for half an hour, and also moments that nearly made me give up, kept me awake for several nights, and even brought a tear or two.
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Watery exercise swim goggles - Raven Active - Grey/light blue
Highlights so far at Watery include:
- +2000 satisfied customers served (9.2 on Trustpilot and 5/5 on Facebook)
- Expanded the number of brands from 6 to soon 15
- Coverage in Børsen, TV Syd, Jyllands Posten, Horsens Folkeblad, among others
- Sponsorship deals with 1 Nordic and 2 Danish swimming champions + 1 Olympic swimmer
- Produced my own swim caps and swim posters
- Attended 3 weekend competitions with Denmark’s largest swimming booth
- Started a serious swim blog with 6 awesome contributors
- Compiled Denmark’s biggest selection of swimming equipment and swimwear
- Nomination for "Young Star" of the year at the 2017 Entrepreneur Award
- Last year’s Black Friday, which went totally crazy
There have, of course, also been quite a few setbacks. It's by no means always been a walk in the park, and as the often-used saying goes: It has required sweat, blood, and tears to get Watery.dk to where it is today.
A Major Personal Decision
Considering where Watery.dk is now and where I envision it heading, I'm personally at a crossroads.
It's no secret that I've been swimming for many years. Specifically, 11 out of my now 18 years. The last 7 years at a competitive level and the past 2.5 years as a regular swimmer on the club's first team with all that entails, including 8 weekly training sessions, training camps at home and abroad, swim meets, etc. During this entire journey in the club, I've always been "the one who fights to be the best without ever being it," which is probably why I've been awarded "Swimmer of the Year," "Talent of the Year," and "Year's Young Swimmer" in the club (which I’m super proud of), but I just never became the best and never will, I've quietly realized. And I'm the kind of person who, when I can't see the possibility of ever being the best, starts to gradually lose motivation.
That's fundamentally what's happened over the last few months for me. The motivation for elite swimming has simply disappeared. Therefore, I've chosen to leave the first team in the club. The toughest personal decision of my life. In connection with this, I also decided to withdraw from the DJM, for which I was otherwise qualified, happening right now in Esbjerg (where we also have 2 fantastic Watery ambassadors swimming, as well as many of our customers :-)).
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The Impact and Future of Watery.dk
But, but, but... All "sad" things also bring something positive. For this decision suddenly frees up a lot of time for me. And most of that time will be devoted to Watery. Because here I truly believe that we can become the best. And I absolutely can’t wait.
This specifically means that we are currently in negotiations for quite a large space in the city center of Horsens, where we will (hopefully - nothing is signed yet) have our base with both the extensive stock of equipment and swimwear, office, and I'm also planning to establish a large showroom there. At the same time, it also means I will have much more time to develop the business, including finding new brands, products, and creating even more great deals, attending meets to see you, and it will certainly mean even faster delivery EVERY day. So you could say we're really going all-in now (besides the fact that I still have one more year of HHX left, but that's only part-time..)
As I always say at home: "It's going to be wild now!" - And I’m as excited as a little kid for this new chapter that awaits.
I think that's all for now. Thank you for taking the time to read this… well, novel, it has almost become... See you in the pool or at the shop!