Today we’d like to introduce you to Mike Watts
Hi Mike, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
This could take a while… haha! I’ll do my best to give you a high level overview.
I am a 6th generation Texan who grew up in the greater Houston (Angleton) area with a passion for outdoor activities like surfing, fishing, and hunting. I have always had an entrepreneurial spirit beginning from the time I was in middle school selling candy out of my backpack and even listed my dream job of being an inventor during a 4th grade assignment. Between the age of 15 and 21, I worked at a 13 different jobs ranging including sales, construction, landscaping, pizza delivery, city recycling coordinator intern and even manual tunneling (which was the worst).
Eventually graduated from Texas A&M, and accepted a “real” job as a project manager with CenterPoint Energy. After 3 years in the field I was recruited to the community relations department where I handles Environmental Community Outreach. coordinating volunteer events for the company to support the community. It was a great job with great people but the beaurocracy was suffocating. Limited upward mobility and the birth of our first child, motivate me and my wife to begin a side hustle. We sold bags of water-absorbing crystals under our brand name RainSorb at garden shows across the state each weekend. We sold that business for a small amount and after we found some other more scalable product lines and became a nationwide network representing over 50 of the top consumer shows each year along with 7 Houston mall kiosk locations including the galleria, baybrook, katy mills and the woodlands. 4 years, two more wonderful kids and several new product additions later we had grown it to a front hustle. The problem was we were selling commodities and therefore were constantly creating new competitors. That’s when it happened. I found a product that I could control. AT the Houston Home&Garden Show I had 5 exhibit booths running when I ran across an invention for a uniquely designed string trimmer head for cutting grass. Its design was far superior to anything I had seen. That same day my boss (from CNP) walks in and sees me at the show when I was supposedd to be at HQ (did I metion I still kept my full-time job? lol) Under the impression I was now fired I closed the deal on the trimmer head patents under an exclusive license agreement. My wife and I discussed it and decided it was time to leave the security of the corporate world and make a go of it with our companies. We cashed out all our savings, took on a $50k signature loan, and invested the 6-figures it took to acquire the IP and do the legal work. Over the next 7 years we grew PivoTrim to the #1 selling aftermarket non-spooled trimmer head in the world. We sold in every major US retailer and in over 30 other countries along with a sucessful national TV infomercial campaign during the summer months. Eventually we exited that business along with our family and friends investors for a substantial amount. Since then I have started two additional companies launching patented products into the marketplace. in 2011 I launched a company called Tree Stake Solutions, which makes a patented underground tree support called RootAnchor to replace traditional poles and wires. It has been on a slow and steady growth for a slow to adopt old world industry of tree stabilization, but e are excited by the momentum we now see with the long-overdue underground tree support revolution. The public safety and tree health improvents are so rewarding. Shortly after launching Tree Stake Solutions, I discovered an even more exciting product idea. It was a small elastic strap that easuly attached yo the back of a phone. I fell in love right away and was on a plane a few days later to make a deal with the original inventor. A week later, we had a deal and we launched the company that would become LoveHandle, Today LoveHandle is a family-owned and operated designer, manufacturer, packager, distributor and marketer of our own line of patented smartphone accessories. The PRO product line is most exciting with a built-in kickstand, wallet, magnetic mounting, and MagSafe options. We employ 25 amazing Houston-area team members and are focused on creating a culture of LOVE – Love for our customers, Love our communities and Love for one other. I’m very proud of the company we have become over the last 10 years and am prayerful for continued growth and impact from our local startup in the years to come. All of our children are even part of the journey and fulfill important roles within the organization. Today I am looking for opoportunities to partner with great causes to join our Love on Purpose initiative. Please join the ride by following us at @lovehandle on social media and shopping our local website at lovehandle.com
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Obstacles and challenges are a constant part of the landscape of entrepreneurship. It’s how you deal with them that determines success. Be quick to get back up, keep a positive attitude and never quit. Seek wisdom from wherever you can and keep learning. The more often you experience failure the more likely you are to win because it means you’re spending more time taking action.
As you know, we’re big fans of LoveHandle.com. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
LoveHandle is here to make your smartphone experience effortlessly delightful with customizable phone grips that add a touch of style and convenience to your everyday life. Whether you’re snapping selfies, multitasking like a pro, or keeping your phone secure, LoveHandle grips give you that satisfying feeling of comfort and control. But the fun doesn’t stop there!
LoveHandle offers a variety of options, including grips with handy kickstands for binge-watching or video calls, wallet grips to keep your cards and cash within reach, and magnetic mounting for quick attachment to metal surfaces—perfect for the car or home. They even have MagSafe upgrades for wireless charging and easy detachability, plus premium phone cases to keep your device stylishly protected.
With LoveHandle, your phone becomes more than just a gadget—it’s a trusty sidekick in your daily adventures!
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Finding a powerful mentor is a fantastic goal and should be treated as it’s own quest. Decide who you want to be and find the people most like that and with more experience. DO NOT show up and ask to them to be your mentor. First, find ways you can deliver value to them. Figure out how you can do something unexpected and useful for their goals. When I found out Daymond John from Shark Tank was doing book signings, I made him custom phone grips and sent them to the event. After doing this several times, he eventually called me and said he really appreciated it. He then said we should work together. We have been partners and good friends to this day and he is literally my dream mentor.
Pricing:
- LoveHandle Grips ($10-50)
- Root Anchor $30-75+ per tree
Contact Info:
- Website: https://lovehandle.com
- Instagram: @lovehandle @mikewatts
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/lovehandletv
- Twitter: @lovehandletv
- Youtube: https://youtube.com/lovehandle
- Other: https://www.linkedin.com/company/lovehandle
