In Feb 2006 my bathroom space heater caught fire and damaged everything! Of course insurance paid for everything except our "upgrades". One of the upgrages was a large bathroom cabinet. The box it came in was as big as an upright bass body so i MADE my own cardboard box upright bass using scrap wood flooring and weed whacker twine for strings. I was so pleased with the tone quality of it so i posted a video online. I started to get requests and then Good Morning America showed it for 10 seconds and i recieved 1000 requests.

I asked my Uncle (a small business owner) for help, he brought in an acoustic engineer and an electronic engineer and as of today we sold over 1000 cardboard box upright basses which grossed $100,000, The "Bogdon Box Bass" is in 12 retail stores including one store in Mexico City. The Summer 2008 NAMM Show (www.namm.com) awarded it Best In Show. Bass Player Magazine wrote a rave review in their Jan 2008 issue. (www.bassplayer.com) Other magazines have featured it and my local news papers have too. MSNBC Elevator Pitch brought me to New York City to show my creation on TV.

Today's economy is perfect for a $99 Upright Bass! I'm still a Detroit mailman and will continue with my small business adventure. We have more unique products in stores like an Electric Washtub Bass that doesnt exsist and is selling all over the world. I call the business Bogdon named after my father a Detroit Fire Fighter and my inspiration came from my house fire. Probably the best thing that ever happened to me!

About the Author

Chris Badynee is a Detroit Mail Man, local musician, husband, father, dreamer, and now Inventor/Small Business Owner. www.BogdonMusic.com  8570 Vista Ct Westland, MI 48185 (734) 425-7545