Kyle
A new startup incubating at Chicago’s world famous 1871, has set out to create a new content creation platform that’s perfect for anyone and everyone. If you want to start a blog, you can do that on StageBloc. If you want to create photo and video albums, you can do that on StageBloc. If you want to create podcasts, again you can do that on StageBloc. If you’re into short form posts like status updates, you can do that as well. In fact you can do al that and monetize whatever pieces of it you want.
Now suppose you want to mix them all together. You can also do that using StageBloc’s robust platform. But even better, you can do as much or as little of it as you want. It’s like an all you care to eat buffet of content creation tools.
StageBloc makes it incredibly easy to create content in any way that you want. StageBloc founder Tom Giles was convinced that while Facebook and other sites are great for exposure, StageBloc is more about developing your brand online and also monetizing that brand.
This all in one approach to content creation means that if you use StageBloc you don’t need a blogger account, flickr account, YouTube account, Twitter account and Facebook account. You get all of those services in one. Now being realistic no ones going to shun their Facebook or their Twitter account but creating content and then having to move to another site to embed pictures and videos is a pain in the butt.
If you’re only in the mood for a short form post, you don’t have to leave the StageBloc dashboard, likewise if you’re in the mood to write a long Tumbler-esque post, you don’t need to leave the platform to do it.
StageBloc also recently launched their Mirrorgram app into the iOS app store and it’s quickly become the 11th ranked paid app in the store.
We got a chance to interview Giles. Check out the interview below.
What is StageBloc?
StageBloc is a digital engine for content creators that helps them develop, distribute, and monetize themselves online.
Our extensive platform provides end-to-end control so you can build your personal brand, develop communities around you and your content, and increase conversions. The best part is you can do it all from a single dashboard that features seamlessly integrated web and mobile apps that let you create and manage while on the go.
In layman’s terms, how does it work?
StageBloc has something for everyone. You can create simple blogs, extensive, full-featured websites, or simply follow your favorite creators and get all their updates in a single stream. By simplifying the content creation process, StageBloc lets you create everything from beautiful photos and engaging blog posts, to one of a kind audio through web and mobile apps.
StageBloc lets you do all of this, and monetize your content instantly by posting directly into your follower’s activity streams and through your own custom sites.
Who are the founders and what are their backgrounds?
A few years ago Tom Giles built the original version of StageBloc as a personal project. It grew quickly. Over time an incredible team of founders, advisors, and supporters came together. StageBloc’s core team is made up of Tom Giles, Josh Holat, JD Hartley, and Greg Ipp.
Where are you based?
We’re primarily based out of 1871 in Chicago, IL with teams in both LA and NYC.
What’s the startup scene/culture like where you’re based?
Chicago has a remarkable startup and tech community that is extremely supportive, surprisingly strong, and growly rapidly. Fueled by places like 1871 and the countless, experienced leaders throughout the city, you can literally feel a swell growing behind the entire emerging scene.
The best part about Chicago is that by being centrally located, it is well positioned between the established Valley communities and growing NYC scene.
How did you come up with the idea for StageBloc?
StageBloc evolved out of a personal project initially built to solve my own problems. While stuck in bed recovering from reconstructive hip surgeries I needed a way to grow myself and my business, and take advantage of all the internet had to offer more effectively. I tried all the available tools and services, and found that none really fit my needs or solved my problems. So I taught myself to code and built my own solution.
Next thing I knew all my friends were using it. StageBloc had grown into something far more than I had originally imagined.
Armed with a large vision, and an eight year plan to make it happen, I built out an incredible team of co-founders, developers, advisors, and mentors, and began building a strong enough base to support StageBloc for many years to come.
How did you come up with the name?
StageBloc grew out of two theories. Conversions and engagement increase in the context of a brand and its content. And everyone is a brand and creates content.
StageBloc provides the building blocks to create the stage upon which you grow your own personal brand.
What problem does StageBloc solve?
In today’s tech-driven world we create and consume an incredible amount of content. But when we post it to services like Facebook and Twitter, we see little to no benefit beyond exposure.
On StageBloc you’re building and promoting yourself directly. And with our commerce capabilities you can make money without changing any of your existing behaviors.
Take all those photos you’re already creating and sell them as prints. Grow a community around your blog and sell direct to every fan. With StageBloc everything is about building you and your brand so you can benefit.
What’s your secret sauce?
Our infrastructure is incredibly extensive and allows us to seamlessly integrate every aspect of our user experience without relying on anyone else. It also means that as we continue to grow, we can quickly iterate on new ideas that are strengthened and accelerated by directly leveraging our entire platform. As each part of StageBloc is refined, the rest of StageBloc benefits.
We’ve built StageBloc to have a flexible and strong enough base to ride the waves of the ever changing tech scene for a very long time.
What’s one dilemma you’ve encountered in the startup process?
The hardest decision I’ve ever had was whether to take early investment or continue growing the business organically. Ultimately we decided that the timing wasn’t right to take the money. I now know that doing so was the right decision, but it was an extremely hard one to make at the time.
StageBloc has been incredibly lucky to have great customers, an amazing team, and an actual business that just keeps on growing.
Who are some of your mentors and business role models?
StageBloc’s lead advisor, and a personal mentor of mine, is Tom Ryan (Threadless CEO). Tom is one of the most intelligent, experienced, and talented individuals I’ve ever met. He’s an incredible person.
Our entire extended team is great. I have personally learned an immeasurable amount from every single person involved in StageBloc. As a whole, StageBloc is significantly stronger because of every one of its members.
As a business, StageBloc looks to a variety of others as role models. Companies like GitHub, Stripe, and Facebook serve as great inspiration for tech and culture. Companies like Square, Path, and Apple present fantastic examples of strategy led by design and a focus on making great products.
What’s next for StageBloc?
In early – mid October we’ll be releasing Mirrorgram, a fun iOS app that lets you create and share mirrored images. Mirrorgram, which lets you share and sell images on StageBloc, is a great example of our Connect SDK. It’s also incredibly addicting.
We’ve also got a lot of great updates coming soon to our existing iOS apps and main web app. These updates are primarily focused on simplifying the user experience, content creation and consumption, and commerce.
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