Eric, Managing Member
I always dreamt of having my own company and being my own boss, but my only obstacle was that I felt like I needed to have a unique product. Then one day, I was struck with an epiphany – I realized that the product does not have to be unique, it’s the idea that can be unique. I decided to leverage the expertise and network that I’ve built throughout my career to develop professional-grade tools and sell them to customers at a more affordable price. So, my co-founder, Anas, and I ventured out on our own, taking the expertise gained from working at Stanley, Black & Decker and our modest start-up budget, to found Observer Tools.
I grew up in Atlanta, GA and, for the past 16 years, have built my career in product marketing for global brands. I love this line of work because it allows me to use both creative and analytical skills to solve interesting problems. And when I’m not working, you can usually find me at a yoga studio, spending time with friends and family, or travelling with my wife to somewhere that has solid cocktails.
Anas, Managing Member
Nothing matters to me more than Quality. I’m a mechanical engineer with additional training in electronics. When I graduated, I knew I wanted to have an impact on the quality of the final product rather than the initial design. So, I’ve spent my career testing and certifying products, conducting manufacturing process and supplier quality audits, coordinating end user tests and driving continuous improvement. In 2017, while working for the global leader in tools, Stanley, Black & Decker, I wrote and implemented a comprehensive product qualification process for their professional tool brands – this qualification process is still used by them today. Two years later I met my colleague, friend and co-founder of Observer Tools, Eric; he told me of his idea of developing tools at a retail price but of equal quality to professional-grade tools. I was immediately thrilled and that’s how it all started.
I grew up in Paris, France, but I’ve always worked for American tool companies with different brands across different countries. In my previous position, I was responsible for keeping suppliers’ quality rate over 80% and the after-sales return rate under 3%, among other things. That was a big responsibility and I loved doing my best to achieve it. And when I’m not tackling quality issues, I’m usually reading philosophy books, spending time with my beautiful family and travelling as much as possible with them.
“Happiness Equals Reality Minus Expectations” -- Tom Magliozzi