In partnership with

GM. This is Needs to Exist (aka NTE) - today delivering a startup ideas to keep your sunglasses on lock.

Make sure all to check out all of our past newsletters for more free ideas!

Here’s what we’ve got for you today.

• Daily Idea - Track your shades

• Maybe Later as a tactic

Invisible GPS for your sunglasses

The One Liner

Never lose your sunglasses again.

The 140 character tweet (or X) version

Tired of losing your expensive sunglasses? This tiny, hidden GPS tracker lets you find them instantly via app. Problem solved.

The Longer Story Version

The Problem

Sunglasses are like socks in the laundry—they vanish mysteriously. One moment they’re on your face; the next, they’re gone.

Maybe you left them at brunch. Or in the back of an Uber. Maybe some stranger’s rocking them right now on a beach in Cancun.

Expensive sunglasses are an investment, but most of us end up “donating” them to the universe.

And tracking solutions? They're bulky, obvious, or not designed for accessories. You need something that works without making your shades look like cyborg goggles.

The Solution

Imagine a sleek, invisible tracker designed specifically for sunglasses. No more stressing about where you left them.

Here’s how it works:

1. Hidden Tracker: The GPS chip is built into the frame—discreet, undetectable, and totally out of the way.

2. Real-Time Updates: The companion app gives you instant location tracking. Whether your shades are at the gym, a friend’s house, or a random Airbnb, you’ll know.

3. Long Battery Life: One charge lasts a full year. That’s 365 days of peace of mind.

4. Durable Build: Waterproof and impact-resistant. Rainstorm? No problem. Dropped from your rooftop pool party? Still works.

It’s like Apple’s AirTag but customized for your sunglasses—stealthy, lightweight, and designed for style.

How We’d Build It

Here’s what we’d need to make this happen:

• Location Tech: Use a hybrid of GPS, Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi triangulation to track shades with precision.

• Hardware: Source ultra-miniature GPS modules and batteries. Collaborate with manufacturers specializing in wearables or eyewear tech.

• App Development: Build an iOS/Android app for real-time location updates, alerts, and even geofencing.

• Manufacturing Partnerships: Team up with sunglasses brands (think Ray-Ban, Oakley, or Persol) to integrate the tracker directly into frames.

For early prototypes, we could tap into tools like:

• Tile's SDK: Location tracking framework.

• Twilio SendGrid: Push notifications for "you left your sunglasses behind" alerts.

• Zapier: Backend integration to connect tracking events with other automations.

Why It Needs to Exist

Every year, millions of sunglasses are left behind, costing consumers billions.

This tool changes that. It’s not just about convenience—it’s about keeping your investment safe. For fashion-forward, tech-savvy people who are tired of "sunglasses roulette," this solution is a no-brainer.

You don’t need to carry around a bulky tracker. You don’t need a megaphone screaming "I lose things."

All you need is this. Discreet protection for your shades, backed by tech that works. Someone should build it.

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Convert “Maybe Later” to $$$

You’ve seen it—users close your popup with a “Maybe Later” click and disappear.

Wikipedia? They’re playing chess, not checkers.

As mentioned in Marketing Ideas, instead of letting users go, they hit them with a follow-up:
“Want a reminder later? Drop your email.”

Boom. $169 million raised last year. Genius.

Here’s why this works:

• Consistency Effect: People want to stay consistent with their choices. Clicking “Maybe Later” is a soft yes. Asking for an email feels natural.

• When they get that reminder, they’re more likely to convert because they’ve already mentally committed.

How to Steal This for Your MVP

1️⃣ Add Email Capture:
Wherever you have an out add a “Maybe Later” button—popups, trial expirations, upgrade prompts—throw in this line:
"Want a reminder? Drop your email below.”

2️⃣ Automate Reminders:

• Day 1: Friendly nudge.

• Day 7: Hit ‘em with the missed benefits.

• Final Nudge: Add a limited-time incentive.

Keep it short and friction-free. Just one CTA.

3️⃣ Test the Timing:
Too soon = annoying.
Too late = forgotten.
Play around and see what sticks.

Tools to Get It Done

• Popup: OptinMonster, Sleeknote

• Email Automation: Mailchimp, ActiveCampaign

• A/B Testing: VWO

This is simple but deadly effective. Don’t waste those soft yeses. Turn them into cash.

Go execute.

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