Jun 16, 2014 8 Questions With: Ivan Stamatovski
Ivan Stamatovski is the engineer and entrepreneur behind the current Kickstarter Easy Drone crowd-funding project – an advanced modular quadcopter for videographers. As something of an amateur GoPro user myself, I’ve been keeping an eye on the quickly emerging video drone segment. Ivan has degrees in Product Design and Digital Marketing and uses both skills daily in his work. He also worked in live 3D video production for many years, designing some of the first digital 3D cameras and shooting with them – something which also relates to his current project. Easy Drone is his second Kickstarter effort – the first was called Wiggly – a handheld camera gimbal for GoPro and smart phones. In hindsight, according to Ivan, “Building KS campaigns is an acquired skill. You get better at it with every project. It’s an unparalleled litmus test for any project.” The biggest challenge, he says, is getting the big tech blogs to take notice, but also points out that once one does, all the others do too. Ivan aims to expand into a larger shop and to hire more people if Easy Drone becomes successful. Having a high-end 3D printer would allow him to make prototypes quickly and affordably. Find out more about the project on the Easy Aerial website.
What are you currently working on?
Crowd-funding my latest hardware tech startup on KickStarter takes up most of my time these days. I’ve always been fascinated with remote controlled robots and my newest invention is a modular, autonomous drone for professional videography use – the Easy Drone. I’m very proud of the unique frame design I came up with that has never been utilized in unmanned aerial vehicles before. It solves a big problem that is transportation and assembly of these vehicles.
How would you describe your job?
Serial entrepreneur – it’s more of a calling, an inner driver than a job. I like to think of myself as a problem solver using design.
What does your average workday look like?
I force myself to get up early so I can get a head start. It often feels like I need another 10 hours in a day to accomplish everything I want to do. Start working from home and check my morning information sources – Twitter, Facebook, Tech News outlets. I then take my motorcycle to the co-working place I frequent in the city. Park right outside the building on Park Avenue – bingo – if I had a car in Manhattan fahgetaboutit! Co-working places are great for motivation and energy. They are like idea incubators where everyone does exactly what they are passionate about, build their dreams. More work, then lunch with a fellow entrepreneur. Bounce ideas of each other and take five to relax. Calls, meetings, product research and sourcing. Then tea-time at 4 PM which is something we instituted so we can re-set ourselves, get away from our computers and talk about not-work. Everyone gets an invite by following a twitter handle created for that purpose (@pinkiesout). Heck, we even got other offices to pick up this habit. Ride back home taking the scenic route over the bridge and through Williamsburg, very relaxing. After that I take at least 2 hours off to unwind (I read somewhere this is very good for you) then light research to put me to sleep.
Where do you find inspiration?
Other people’s creativity inspires me most. Design, to me, is all about finding creative solutions to tricky problems. It applies across the board regardless of shape, form or industry. I am most fascinated with neat technical innovations that affect the greater good – like Elon Musk making Tesla cars a huge success.
What’s the best thing about living and working in NYC?
In a word – people. There is so much energy and passion here that it has to rub off on you. Another thing about New York is that BS doesn’t fly here which is great, keeps you in check and on the edge. You know you are surrounded by smart, sharp folks that won’t hesitate to give you a piece of their mind.
As a kid, what did you want to be when you grow up?
It’s funny, but this is exactly what I wanted to do when I was a kid – I just didn’t have a name for it. I built my first robot when I was 10 using parts from several RC toys my parent bought me and made them furious. I knew the day would come when I will be able to buy my own RC toys.
What are you reading at the moment?
“Makers: The New Industrial Revolution” by Chris Anderson – former Wired magazine editor in chief and CEO of 3D Robotics. It’s about resurgence of American manufacturing fueled by garage tinkerers and desktop entrepreneurs. This is what Seth Godin had to say about the book – “Chris understands that the owners of the means of production get to decide what is produced. And now you’re the owner. This book will change your life, whether you read it or not, so I suggest you get in early.”
What’s your favorite post-work destination?
My neighborhood. I live in what has arguably become the nicest neighborhood in NYC – Hunter’s Point. I would grab a coffee at a local coffee shop with a friend or take a stroll on the waterfront overlooking Manhattan with my lovely wife and our baby daughter Emma.
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