Founder Mode Bring Back BlackBerry with Kevin Michaluk
EPISODE 46
CrackBerry Kevin, founder of Clicks, explains why building hardware in a software-obsessed world is suddenly the opportunity again and how “intentional tech” is creating room for focused devices that complement, not replace, your iPhone. He shares the arc from launching CrackBerry.com and Mobile Nations to turning years of product coverage into an unfair advantage for building, then breaks down Clicks’ strategy: validate demand with accessories first, frame Communicator as a purpose-built “people phone” category instead of a smartphone competitor, and use CES storytelling to create momentum months before launch. The conversation also digs into how Clicks approached fundraising without relying on traditional VC, leveraged community as both customers and megaphone, and avoided the classic Kickstarter trap by sequencing products, aligning supply-chain incentives, and refusing to overpromise on timelines.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – The “people phone” idea: why Communicator won’t compete with iPhone
04:14 – From CrackBerry to builder: compounding reps and community advantage
06:56 – Naming a category: Communicator as a purpose-built device, not a smartphone
18:58 – CES momentum: how storytelling and launch mechanics are engineered early
21:43 – Bootstrapping, community funding, and avoiding the Kickstarter failure loop
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