Meet Avin Samtani of AquaVault in Miami Beach

Avin, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
My two partners and I (Robert Peck & Jonathan Kinas) were staying at a hotel in Miami Beach for a friend’s wedding. We wanted to go for a quick dip in the pool and did what most would do and hid our valuables under our towels, inside our shoes and went for a swim. We returned within minutes and everything was gone, it was a vacation nightmare! We later found out from security that theft around pools was a major issue at many of the hotels in the area and we immediately thought that there should be a safe that attaches to lounge chairs so guests can lock up their valuables and enjoy a worry-free day. We did some research and found that nothing like it existed. Designs were sketched on napkins later that day and AquaVault was born!

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was our first time developing a product, we had no prior experience in the space so we did endure a few obstacles along the way. The biggest challenge was sourcing the right manufacturer overseas and essentially taking a product that never existed before to market. There wasn’t any data or other products to learn from which made everyday a learning experience. Pitching hotel buyers with a new product/concept takes time but once our products were tested, they immediately saw the value via the response from their guests and instantly became a customer.

We’d love to hear more about your business.
We started AquaVault by inventing a portable safe that locks onto pool/beach furniture to secure your valuables. When you use AquaVault, you can go for a worry-free swim or stroll. In 2016, we were featured on ABC’s hit show Shark Tank where we locked up a deal with investor Daymond John. AquaVault is now offered at hundreds of hotels, waterparks and cruise ships worldwide.

Vacations are supposed to be stress-free. Our products add peace of mind and satisfy a “need” rather than a “want”. AquaVaults patented design fits on lounge chairs, umbrellas, and many other fixed objects. Now imagine being in the pool without having to constantly look over your shoulder or ask a stranger to watch all of your “stuff”?

We initially started selling solely to commercial clients but due to demand from customers using AquaVault on their vacations, we received many inquiries to create a portable travel version that can be packed in a carry-on and taken on trips. We listened and created the FlexSafe, which has been our top-selling product to date. FlexSafe is now available at many retailers such as Bed, Bath & Beyond, Bass Pro Shops, Disney and Academy Sports. Our products can also be purchased on our website and Amazon.com.

To see our products at so many establishments and retail locations in addition to hearing our customers say things like ” Where has this been my whole life?” and ” I never vacation without it” is so rewarding. This was all created from a bad experience  We believe that we have just scratched the surface and are working toward our goal for AquaVault to be available at every resort and waterpark in the world.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Our Shark Tank partner, Daymond John (and his team) always make themselves available to us. Whether we’d like advice on a certain deal or bringing in new vendors, having him on our side is an invaluable asset.

Pricing:

• AquaVault Portable Safe $59.95
• FlexSafe $69.95
• AquaVault Waterproof Phone Pouch $19.95
• FlexSafe Biometric Lock $119.95

Contact Info:

• Website: www.TheAquaVault.com
• Phone: 800-939-0735
• Email: [email protected]
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/aquavault
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AquaVault/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/aquavault