Planning Notes introduces the planning process behind everything Wadizcreates, following the five Ws and one H.
If you’re curious about the thought process behind creating impact, be sure to check this out!
Filled with thoughtful consideration and sincerity, Planning Notes—starting now✍
If I had to pick one word that symbolizes Wadiz, it would be ‘funding.’ Wadizis a crowdfunding platform that envisions a world where anyone can receive investment and grow together. It’s no exaggeration to say that funding is at the core ofWadizidentity. So, what kinds of funding projects are launched and concluded Wadiz, for what purposes, and how? We’ll hear the story from Project Director Place.
* Wait a minute! Wadiz project types include funding and pre-orders. In this interview, the term “project” refers to both funding projects and pre-order projects.
🙋♀️ Hello. I’m Place, a Project Director (hereinafter PD) who helps new products and brands achieve success on Wadiz.
I don’t think anyone Wadizknows the life cycle of a project as well as you PDs do. What steps does a project go through from launch to completion?
The Project Manager acts as a partner to ensure the project’s success, working closely with the Maker from start to finish. We collaborate closely across all areas—from deciding which product to launch, to developing the product concept, marketing strategies, reward packages, and advertising budgets.
First, we hold a meeting with the creator. Based on the concept discussed during the meeting, the creator writes the story (product details page). Afterward, the creator compiles the required documents for project review, along with the story, and submits them directly Wadiz. Then, the review process begins.
Most projects have a launch window. This is when we think most deeply and work hardest. It’s the point when marketing becomes essential. It’s also when we communicate most frequently with the maker. Typically, we work closely with the maker from the initial meeting through to the project’s conclusion—anywhere from three months to over a year. We work together toward a shared goal: to get “our” project and product out there, gain widespread support, and bring the project to a successful conclusion.
It seems like this project will require a lot of love and time from both the creator and the producer. Is there a guiding principle that serves as your compass throughout this process?
"We work with the belief that Wadizwill create countless opportunities in this country."
Crowdfunding is a method where products are manufactured only after orders have been received. It allows for demand forecasting and reduces the risk associated with inventory burdens. Since it enables rapid market validation with limited resources, it offers a significant advantage to brands that are just getting started.
That’s why many of our creators are solo entrepreneurs or small brands just starting out. We make a special effort to offer them plenty of encouragement and support. In particular, we avoid jumping to conclusions during our first meeting that a project might not succeed, and instead do our very best during our meetings and consultations.
Meeting with the Maker
You mentioned that you work closely with creators across all areas, from product selection and concept development to advertising budgets. So, do you also handle project planning?
I also come up with product ideas that I think would do well if launched through Wadizand pitch them to brands. For the most part, my roleis to help makers’ products and brands flourish by creating synergy with Wadiz.
Which creators do you usually collaborate with?
There are makers with such a wide variety of personalities. Among them, the makers who stick with us the longest are the “makers who never give up.” Crowdfunding is something anyone can do, but if the results of your first attempt fall short of expectations, you might hesitate to try again. However, I’ve seen many makers who used their first project as a stepping stone to learn and grow, eventually achieving funding in the hundreds of millions. By continuing to take on new challenges and refining their communication with their products and consumers (backers) and . We’ve been working with these makers the longest—those who never give up and grow by making the most of the Wadizplatform.
Wadiz School Courses for Makers
Aspiring makers, where do you usually hear about products? I’m curious about where these projects get their start.
Since my main focus is beauty, I mostly find things on Instagram. I search for beauty products so often that the algorithm has automatically tuned into beauty now. (Laughs)
When I come across a product that’s unique or seems like it would really stand out as a crowdfunding project,I send a cold email. It’s exactly what it sounds like: reaching out to someone I’ve never met before and saying, “Why don’t you launch a projectWadiz? I’d love to help!” If I don’t get a reply, I’ll do whatever it takes—even asking around—to find a way to get in touch. That’s how I set up the initial meeting, which is the first step toward launching the project.
You mentioned, “When you find a product that seems like it would stand out more as a crowdfunding project”—could you explain that in a bit more detail?
Most of these are unique and one-of-a-kind products that you won’t find anywhere else. Wadizis a platform that supports new ideas through “crowdfunding,” and there are many consumers—or “supporters”—who share that mindset. That’s why innovative products are naturally more appealing and feel more at home Wadizthan on other platforms when it comes to crowdfunding. I recently sent a cold email to a company that makes lip-plumping devices. Since most lip products come in the form of lip balms, the device felt like a fresh take.
Makers can certainly come Wadizon their own to launch and manage their projects. So why do project managers actively seek out makers and work with them?
If there’s anyone who really knows crowdfunding, Wadiz. Our project managers have a gut feeling that says, “This product would generate even more synergy if we launched it as a project Wadiz!” Makers who are new Wadizcrowdfunding might hesitate to take the plunge because they lack confidence—or perhaps they aren’t even familiar with crowdfunding itself. That’s when we reach out to them first.
I think there’s great value in growing together while supporting each other’s challenges. Even after holding meetings, are there cases where projects don’t make it to launch?
There are very few. Regardless of the product’s marketability, once we’ve had a meeting with a maker, they’re determined to see the project through to the end. ‘Creating a world where anyone can take on a challenge’ is Wadizgoal. In fact, many projects have received a much more explosive response than we anticipated.
In fact, after a meeting, I often find myself thinking, “I really need to do my best on this project.” This usually happens when the product is truly compelling or the maker is highly motivated. When I come across a project that combines both of these qualities, I make sure to prepare myself for a big deal.
What do you think makes Wadiz crowdfunding and pre-order projects unique?
From the perspective of someone who plans and manages projects, the biggest advantage is that brand name recognition or price isn’t the main factor driving funding or pre-orders. Wadiz supporters are happy to open their wallets if they like the product or the story. Even after clicking the “Back” (or “Pre-order”) button, you have to wait at least two weeks—if not longer—to receive the product. Since supporters don’t need the product right away, I think they place greater importance on the product itself or the story behind it. In other words, this means Wadiz projects are confident in their products and stories, right? 😁
Do you have any memorable projects?
After A-Flo, the maker behind the sulfur body bar, raised 300 million won in funding, I suggested a pump-style sulfur body wash as a follow-up product. I proposed launching it as a crowdfunding project. I realized I had been practically obsessed with the maker for a whole year. Every time I checked in, my first question was, “When is the body wash coming out?” Thanks to that fanatical obsession, after a year the body wash project, and as their first crowdfunding campaign, it raised approximately 88 million won—setting a new personal record for the maker. It’s especially memorable because it wasn’t just a one-off funding campaign for a debut product, but a result we developed together.
We’ve maintained a strong relationship with the maker for three years now. They even invited us to visit their manufacturing plant during the production process. While we design projects and devise strategies, it was my first time seeing the actual manufacturing process firsthand. Thanks to that, I was able to better understand the maker’s perspective, which was incredibly helpful in consulting on the project. We help the maker, but we also receive help from them in this way.
The Sulfur Body Wash Project and a Factory Tour I Was Invited To
Is there a project you’d really like to showcase on Wadiz?
When people think of beauty, they usually think of cosmetics. Recently, however, the beauty category has seen the launch of various intangible beauty service projects, such as personal color consulting and facial massage classes. Since these are the kinds of makers and projects we rarely saw Wadizbefore, I’m really looking forward to running one this year. It will be a new challenge for me—and for aspiring makers as well!
View the Planning Notes series 👇
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