Niklas Dahlgren is an entrepreneur and CEO of BOOM Watches, a Swedish company that offers customisable timepieces.
We had an opportunity to interview Niklas Dahlgren about his business and what it’s like to start your own company using crowd-funding.
- Can you tell our readers a bit about yourself?
Soon 45-years old entrepreneur, proud father of three lovely children and husband to my adorable wife. Self-driven with commercial focus. Full of energy – I love my work!
- How did you first get interested in watches?
It was actually a coincidence. I worked as a bartender in the UK and came across a fashion watch brand called STORM of LONDON 25 years ago. The meeting with the company was a start of +20 years in the watch business. Besides Storm, I have worked with brands like SKAGEN, Camel Active, Gant Time. My main interest is in fashion watches where the watch becomes an accessory prior to a status symbol. Having said that, luxury watches are fantastic, but I really enjoy working with brands appealing to a wide audience.
- When and why did you decide to start your own brand?
The first idea for BOOM Watches came up almost 20 years ago while I worked with STORM – but the market was not ready for it. I fine-tuned the idea and decided to launch the brand a couple of years ago. I strongly believe that consumers nowadays want to be unique and I would like to give consumers that option.
- How would you describe BOOM in 3 words?
Authentic, Reliable and Adaptable.
- You used crowd-funding to get your company started. How was your experience with that?
We had our crowd-funding campaign last year and it ended up being a huge success. Our product concept was new in the fashion watch market, and it enchanted investors. The success allowed us to start creating a new generation of watches that is now available at both online and offline shops in several countries.
- Best and worst part of being an entrepreneur?
The best part is seeing your dream come through. As an entrepreneur, you also have the unique possibility to choose who to work with, giving you the possibility to work with great people. I’ve been thinking about the idea of BOOM Watches for a long time while I was working in the watch industry over 20 years. I’m always happy to meet consumers’ expectations, and it’s always very inspirational to have a conversation with customers and colleagues. I would like to recommend everyone to be an entrepreneur.
The worst part, if any, is that you barely have time for yourself. Being an entrepreneur is like living with your job 24/7. You might be more flexible in many ways but you live with your business. I love to think about BOOM Watches and customer satisfaction. If you are not dedicated to the brand and flexible, then it may feel stressful. I always try to be positive and am dedicated to my brand, thus I’m lucky enough to not have such problems at all.
- What does it mean for you to be open-minded?
For me it means to be flexible and have a wider view on everything. I often see people missing opportunities, both private- and business matters, because they not are open-minded enough. Catch the possibilities once they occur, be kind to people and treat them with respect.
- If you could only have one BOOM watch which one would you choose and why?
Unfortunately, I cannot choose only one watch since I always wear 2 watches – one on both wrists. However, if I had to choose 1 watch to express my today’s feeling, then I go for MINNE TAN. As you can see I got great tan because I really enjoyed being outside last weekend with my family. Thus, this watch is suitable for my current mood and today’s fashion style. I have a plan for a dinner meeting with one of my colleagues, so I’ll probably change this leather strap to a Black Metal Mesh strap. It’ll then become MINNE NIGHT. Now you can see why it is so hard to choose only one watch! You can change the watch design in a matter of seconds to match your outfits, so if I change my clothes I change the watch design as well. This is exactly what the BOOM Watches concept is all about.
- If you could see any person, dead or alive, wear your watches, who would you pick and why?
Interesting question. There are a lot of fantastic celebrities that I would love to see wearing a BOOM watch. Zlatan is one of them and he would be the ideal one at this moment. It would be amazing to create a special “Collector’s Box” containing a personalized collection selected by Zlatan!
- Where do you see your company five years from now?
The business is established and we sell our products globally. Watches are our main business but we have also expanded to sell more products. We have built up a strong relation with our customers.
To keep up with BOOM Watches make sure to check out their website and to follow them on Instagram and Facebook.
These are such great watches and I loved this interview. It’s always great to hear how brands start their journey. Have a wonderful night and great post, babe!