Next up into the “West Texas Investors Club” Clubhouse is Valeria Frejlin of BungyPump, seeking $200,000 for 10 percent equity.
BungyPump, created in Sweden by Frejlin’s mother, are walking poles designed with built-in resistance, which makes training more enjoyable and effective. They have sold an average of $2.5 million worth of BungyPumps each year, but there’s a catch: these sales have only been in Sweden. Their website states that using BungyPump offers “a stronger body, increased calorie burn, and improved fitness.” The poles are suitable for walking and running, but they are also great for strength training both indoors and outdoors. Additionally, their website mentions that BungyPump can be used for rehabilitation training.
They haven’t done as well in the United States, so Rooster McConaughey and Butch Gilliam wonder why they haven’t gone after more fitness retailers. She explains that they have, but they wanted more of a marketing plan. McConaughey and Gilliam see the product as very niche and worry that the product would perform poorly in the U.S. The market in Sweden is not part of the deal.
Social reactions to BungyPump’s appearance on “West Texas Investors Club”:
@WTexasInvestors These Sticks are made for walkin' Great for outdoor trails & fitness! #WestTexasInvestors
— Diana Tap (@dianalynntap) August 3, 2016
If only these things came with Gil's sound effects. #WestTexasInvestors
— Rooster McConaughey (@RoosterWTIC) August 3, 2016
If y'all think a Texas accent sounds funny, just listen to a Swedish girl doin' a Texas accent! #WestTexasInvestors pic.twitter.com/5hFOODYdkR
— West Texas Investors (@WTexasInvestors) August 3, 2016
"Online" is not a marketing plan. I need dollars, demos, and details! @WTexasInvestors, have your people call my people. #MarketingMatters
— Toni Ray (@toniraytweets) August 3, 2016
@WTexasInvestors Great product for the elderly to keep them active! #WestTexasInvestors
— Diana Tap (@dianalynntap) August 3, 2016
@WTexasInvestors Who Hooo Mommy Mcconaughey is on the show again She might be my favourite member of @RoosterWTIC family#WestTexasInvestors
— JeffG (@JeffGignac) August 3, 2016
Take bungypump somewhere there is a lot of cross country skiing, they'll sell like hot cakes #WestTexasInvestors
— Troy Davis (@troynormandavis) August 3, 2016
Dubbed the “toughest challenge yet,” McConaughey brings his mother along to test out the walking sticks. Since she’s part of a walking group, McConaughey figured his mother and her walking group would be the perfect people to give very honest feedback. McConaughey’s mother says she doesn’t like them and that she feels “stupid” and awkward using them. However, many group members disagree with her and say they would buy them.
McConaughey and Gilliam are notably disappointed by how BungyPump performed with the walking group, but are impressed by the sales that have occurred in Sweden. They worry about developing an effective marketing plan so that they sell just as well in the U.S. Frejlin seeks a partnership to make connections for whatever obstacles may come their way, but she can’t specifically call out any of those obstacles.
They worry that since BungyPump is patented under Frejlin’s mother’s name, what would be in it for her. She says she wants to prove to her mother that she can do it and make her proud. Despite appreciating her drive and passion, McConaughey and Gilliam feel as though they can’t support her if her mother won’t either.
Would you try the BungyPump walking sticks?