For the inevitable transition from college to the workplace, buying a BOSSI Watch will help the process.
Founded by friends and entrepreneurs Scott Belsky and Ross Padfield, recent Miami University graduates, BOSSI Watches seeks to help their customers take control of their lives by inspiring individuality, leadership and confidence through their watches, according to the website.
University of Dayton senior Robert Woodhull, a general studies major, assisted in the creation of the accessory company with his friends in 2012 after forming a record label company.
“When starting the company, we talked about the lack of a ‘going out’ watch that was durable, cheap and stylish and could also transition into a work-appropriate accessory,” Woodhull said. “We want our company development to mirror the development of our customers as they move from college into the professional workplace.”
As their first line, BOSSI designed a “Bold” watch to embody the company mentality of doing what you love, Woodhull said.
According to the company website, the “Bold” watches come in four colors, including black, green, red and grey, and are sold for $60 each. In addition to the “Bold” design, BOSSI Watches is creating lines for women as well as seasonal bands for back to school. Notable wearers of BOSSI Watches include the National Football League’s Laurence Maroney, a former running back for the New England Patriots, and St. Louis DJ Jay E, according to the company website.
Recent UD graduate Chaz Anderson also purchased a BOSSI watch after discovering the company through both social media and his friend Woodhull. Anderson said the company’s mission to help their customers be independent drew him to the watches.
“I bought the grey BOSSI ‘Bold’ watch and have worn it both out at night and to my interview with my current job,” Anderson said. “The interchangeable bands makes the watches very versatile and appropriate for many different scenarios.”
Although his cofounders have recently graduated college, Woodhull begins senior year taking several classes to aid in personal and company development.
“I’ve always considered myself artistic and have been interested in the field for a while,” Woodhull said. “Classes like publication design will help me develop tangible, real-life skills that I can use both personally and with my companies.”
Working with photographers, musicians and many other customers has allowed BOSSI Watches to publically market products while highlighting their customers’ talents to the fullest, Woodhull said.
“We consider ourselves both as grassroots and freelance,” he said. “If we work with photographers, for example, we like to provide them with a platform for portfolio building which shares our products but also makes them feel like a part of something.”
Working with DJ and music producer Max Burnside, singer Kelis’ song entitled “Bossy” was remixed to both employ Burnside’s talent as well as market BOSSI Watches, as shown on the website. The watches have also made appearances on the internationally acclaimed television show “Delicioso” and in a Glik’s store in Edwardsville, Ill., according to the website.
Established companies such as Rolex and Nixon are not considered competition for BOSSI; however, they do serve as “role models” and examples of how to excel with a quality product, Woodhull said.
“Our only competition is ourselves and our ability to emerge in the market,” he said. “We want our customers to follow us as a company, feel good as the wearer and have that [BOSSI] lifestyle approach.”
For more information on BOSSI Watches, visit bossiwatches.com or follow @BOSSIWatches on Twitter.
