Memory Vault — Product Development & Ecommerce Strategy
I created and developed Memory Vault, an innovative physical product concept that combines collectible keepsakes with built-in USB-C digital storage, allowing a souvenir to hold the photos, videos, stories and memories connected to the experience it represents.
I took the concept through the full development process — from product strategy, design and sourcing through manufacturing, packaging, pricing, ecommerce, wholesale positioning, partnerships and commercialization.
The Project
Memory Vault was developed to rethink what a souvenir or keepsake could be. Instead of creating another decorative item, the goal was to create a product that could physically represent a destination or experience while also preserving the digital memories connected to it.
My Role
Founder, product developer and project lead. I directed the concept, product development, sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, pricing, ecommerce, wholesale strategy, partnerships and overall commercialization of the product line.
From Concept to a Retail-Ready Product
The original idea was simple: combine the emotional value of a physical keepsake with the functionality of digital storage. Turning that idea into a manufacturable and commercially viable product required much more than designing the outside of a souvenir.
I developed the product system around hidden USB-C technology that could be incorporated into custom three-dimensional forms such as ornaments, keychains, display pieces and other collectible products.
The result was a flexible product platform that could be adapted to landmarks, destinations, organizations, events and causes rather than being limited to one design or one market.
What I Managed & Developed
Product Concept & Strategy
- Developed the original Memory Vault product concept and value proposition.
- Defined target markets, use cases and potential retail channels.
- Developed the product into a repeatable platform rather than a single SKU.
- Created product categories including ornaments, keychains, display pieces and portable power products.
- Developed destination, nonprofit, fundraising, memorial and licensed-product applications.
Product Design & Development
- Directed physical product design from concept through production-ready development.
- Worked through size, shape, materials, functionality and USB integration.
- Coordinated prototypes, samples, revisions and manufacturing specifications.
- Developed products designed to function as both a collectible keepsake and usable digital storage device.
- Created a system that allows designs to be customized for destinations, brands, organizations and special programs.
Sourcing & Manufacturing
- Managed domestic and overseas supplier sourcing.
- Requested and compared manufacturing quotes, minimums, tooling, lead times and production options.
- Coordinated factories and vendors through sampling, revisions and production.
- Evaluated materials, construction methods, electronics and final assembly requirements.
- Worked through landed costs, quantities and pricing required to create a commercially viable product.
Packaging Development
- Developed retail-ready primary and secondary packaging.
- Planned packaging around product protection, presentation, retail display and shipping.
- Coordinated packaging design, printing, finishing, inserts and assembly.
- Considered fulfillment, carton configuration and shipping requirements as part of the development process.
Ecommerce & Commercialization
- Built and developed the ecommerce strategy and Shopify storefront.
- Created product positioning, collections, product descriptions and customer messaging.
- Developed direct-to-consumer and wholesale sales strategies.
- Created wholesale programs for destination retailers and specialty stores.
- Developed pricing and product structures for different markets and order quantities.
Partnership, Licensing & Fundraising Strategy
Memory Vault was also developed as more than a conventional consumer product. I created programs that allow products to support the destinations and organizations they represent.
This included developing product and fundraising programs connected to Route 66 and the Pacific Crest Trail, along with a licensed Pacific Crest Trail product program. These projects required a combination of product development, organizational relationships, approvals, merchandising, ecommerce, fundraising strategy and consumer marketing.
The model gives organizations and destinations the ability to offer a meaningful physical product while using a portion of product revenue to support preservation, maintenance or other mission-driven work.
More Than a Product Design Project
Memory Vault required the same interconnected disciplines involved in launching almost any physical consumer product: concept development, positioning, sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, pricing, inventory, logistics, ecommerce, wholesale sales and marketing.
It brought together more than 35 years of my hands-on experience in entrepreneurship, product development, sourcing, packaging, marketing, ecommerce, fundraising and business development into one end-to-end project.
Project Scope
Strategy & Development
- Product strategy
- Concept development
- Market positioning
- Competitive research
- Product line planning
- Pricing strategy
Production & Operations
- Domestic and overseas sourcing
- Manufacturing coordination
- Prototype and sample management
- Packaging development
- Vendor management
- Inventory and fulfillment planning
Sales & Ecommerce
- Shopify ecommerce development
- Product merchandising
- Direct-to-consumer strategy
- Wholesale strategy
- Retail positioning
- Launch planning
Partnerships & Growth
- Licensed product programs
- Nonprofit partnerships
- Fundraising models
- Destination retail
- Brand partnerships
- New market development
What This Project Demonstrates
My work is not limited to creating a product concept or delivering one piece of a project. I understand how the different parts of a physical product business affect one another — from supplier decisions and packaging dimensions to landed cost, fulfillment, ecommerce, wholesale pricing and customer experience.
That allows me to look at a project from the perspective of the complete business rather than a single task.
I Can Help Build It From A to Z
I also provide this type of end-to-end support for clients developing or launching their own physical products.
Whether you have an early idea, an existing product that needs to be improved, or a product that is ready to scale, I can help manage the process from initial concept through sourcing, manufacturing, packaging, pricing, ecommerce, fulfillment and market launch.
Product idea → sourcing → manufacturing → packaging → ecommerce → fulfillment → launch.