Hacker News new | ask | show | jobs
by Juicyy 950 days ago
Patenting this for her portfolio maybe, I can design and print a folding plastic hanger in 1 piece in less than 24 hours. A mold not far behind if i reached out to a shop... you raise an interesting point I think gets asked in nearly every YC interview. How do you build your moat or stop any big players from competing with a very similar product. I think she actually misidentified the problem she was trying to solve. In her case, imo, her "secret sauce" would be the space saving clothes rack/furniture AND matching hangers. There is no solution with her hanger in normal clothes racks. so her hanger product actually serves no purpose.
3 comments
wlesieutre 950 days ago
Most of the options on Kickstarter include both the hangers and low profile rod/brackets (and a shelf on the fancy one). The tier without a rod included says:

> While using your own rod isn't recommended, we got a lot of requests for it so here you go! Please read our FAQ before buying so you're aware of the pros and cons. Some basic DIY knowhow required.

I think she knows the hanger is only useful as part of a system.

link
jtuente 950 days ago
Her Kickstarter does have tiers with brackets/shelves, so yeah, that's already there too.
link
retrochameleon 950 days ago
Shit. You do have a really good point. There's not many examples of hanger bars mounted so close to a wall or in a tiny closet already. Most people who might use this would have to be building or installing one for this custom purpose.

I also wondered if it wouldn't make your shirts more wrinkly or have the potential to leave creases. I don't think anyone cares to invest in a space-saving solution like this if it means all their shirts will be wrinkled or creased. Unless space is the primary constraint, like a tiny apartment, tiny house, or custom van build.

link
edlucas 950 days ago
There are plenty of examples of shallow closets in older homes/apartments that were once workers' quarters. I lived in a triple-decker in Somerville, MA that had a bedroom closet that was only deep enough for hooks on the back wall to hold the limited clothing of the occupants. The only way I could use a rod for hangers was to remove the closet door.

Simone's hangers would have been perfect.

link