When writer Tom Korosec dropped by the headquarters of Coppell-based Varidesk one day last May, aiming to chronicle the success of the standing-desk company for D CEO, another visitor touring the offices was investor Daymond John, the founder of FUBU clothing and a cast member on TV’s “Shark Tank” series. John, it turned out, isn’t an investor in Varidesk, but a client. He’s outfitted two offices so far with the company’s products, including a co-working space he’s developed in New York.
Jason McCann, the Varidesk CEO, told Tom that when John had first come to see him in Coppell, John explained how tight space in New York was, and how he really wanted a 48-inch standing desk—not Varidesk’s popular 60-inch Pro model. “So, we all went out to Hard Eight BBQ for lunch while, back at the office, I had them cut a desk down to 48 inches and paint the edges,” McCann recalled. “When we came back we said, ‘Here it is,’ and it was the product they wanted. We shook hands and [now] they’re a customer.”
Listening to your customers pays off, apparently. Varidesk has sold a whopping one million units, and includes among its clientele 96 percent of the Fortune 500. To learn how it’s done it, check out Korosec’s cover story in the October issue of D CEO.
