Today we’d like to introduce you to Tanner Gerschick.
Hi Tanner, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Reflecting on the past 10 years, I realize that I’ve had quite an unconventional and diverse career path. After graduating high school, I had an opportunity to explore the world as a fashion model. Over the next five years, I signed contracts with a handful of modeling agencies in major fashion markets around the world and lived in some of the most amazing cities across the US, Europe, and Asia. During my time traveling, I developed an interest in studying topics around health, nutrition, and exercise. After closing out what would be my final contract in Asia, I took a break from modeling and returned to the US for college thinking that I would study biochemistry. Early in my studies I realized my real interest was in organic chemistry and synthesis. After taking Orgo 1 in my sophomore year, I joined my professor’s methodology research lab. It was enlightening. I saw chemistry as the secret key to explaining the world around me. This was the beginning of my obsession with chemistry.
After completing an extended internship during my senior year, I accepted a position as a research chemist at Solvay Specialty Polymers, a Belgian-based chemical and polymer company. While at work one day, I came up with the idea to make soap dispensers out of laboratory glass. I just thought it would be funny, but some of my co-workers saw it and made me think others might like it too. I started researching whether there was anyone already in the market selling anything similar. During my search, I had a bit of an “ah ha” moment and saw a gap in the market for high-quality science-themed gifts. There were t-shirts and coffee mugs with cheesy phrases, but nothing special. I decided to launch the soap dispenser on Etsy as a simple one-off product to test the market. At the time, I was trying to save up as much money as I could to purchase an engagement ring (she said “yes,” by the way). My third order on Etsy was a large, bulk order from a biotechnology company in Massachusetts. That’s when I realized there was a market for promotional marketing products within the science & technology industry. From there, I started thinking about other products to add to the collection, ways to refine my brand, and how to improve the customer experience. After just a few months, I started to see a path for taking The Calculated Chemist from a part-time “side hustle” to a full-time business. I’m not there yet, but I hope to be one day.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
I think you will feel a few bumps on every new road, and if you don’t, you’re probably on the wrong road and need to find a new one.
I don’t have a formal business background, so I’ve had to learn everything required to start and operate an e-commerce business along the way. As a result, I have maybe experienced more growing pains than the common start-up. It has been humbling at times, but I’ve found that I can find solutions, and I can make things work if I just keep trying.
Another challenge as a solopreneur is the constant struggle with having to wear all the different hats and where to focus each day. It is hard to figure out which parts of the business to prioritize, what functions to do in-house, and which makes more sense to outsource. It’s a continual work in progress, but I’ve found that thinking about things from the customer’s perspective and how they perceive my business usually leads me to the things that I need to prioritize.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar, what can you tell them about what you do?
Working in the industry, I have found that every year people struggle to find high-quality gifts for the science enthusiasts in their lives. I saw that the options were limited to cheap t-shirts and coffee mugs, and I didn’t think those were very special. The Calculated Chemist tries to fill that void by offering stylish and practical gifts aimed for people with a passion for science. I try to compliment our unique products with premium packaging for the gift-giving experience and provide excellent customer service for a seamless and memorable experience. I focus on the customer and try to make it as easy for them to recommend my products to others or be a repeat customer themselves. (Hopefully both.)
Recently, I have started getting more inquiries from large companies in the science & technology sector looking for customized items for corporate gifts and promotional items. Until now, options have been limited to the typical cheap “chachkies” that usually have no relation to science other than the company logo. I think I can help.
I want people to know that The Calculated Chemist is operated by a chemist who genuinely shares a passion for science, not some business school grad trying to cash in by exploiting a niche. I want to keep developing and improving products that I would appreciate receiving as a gift and that remind people of how beautiful chemistry can be.
How do you think about luck?
I would like to think that you make your own luck. You can label some of the things you experience as lucky or unlucky, but I tend to think that these things are a result of something else. At the end of the day, I believe the people who come out on top are usually the ones that are passionate about what they’re doing, willing to admit they make mistakes, and are consistently putting in the work.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.thecalculatedchemist.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thecalculatedchemist/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/calculatedchemist/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/thecalcchemist
- Other: www.etsy.com/shop/thecalculatedchemist
