and renamed it MakeDirect—within three weeks of the launch. Now the website is oriented toward shoppers looking for deep discounts. Currently the site largely features patio furniture such as chaise lounge chars and hammocks aimed at shoppers preparing for the summer season. The business model is somewhat comparable to New York-based Fab.com. However, Huynh says he offers products more suited for everyday purchases than chic, trendy items.
MakeDirect still wants to do business with small retailers, whom Huynh says tend to lack the buying power of larger companies such as Target. However, the consumer market offers more immediate chances to gain traction, he says.
With the launch of MakeDirect, Huynh has taken a step back from his other endeavor, Taap.it, which he co-founded last year. Taap.it has gone through its own evolution, changing its direction to let users rate items they purchase such as cups of coffee at Starbucks.
Rather than divide his attention between two startups, Huynh handed off day-to-day management of Taap.it to the other co-founders so he could focus on MakeDirect.
Looking for ways to disrupt manufacturing is something of a return to the family trade for Huynh. He says he grew up with his father’s furniture manufacturing company. An interest in technology led Huynh to pursue a computer science degree. He went to work at IBM then took the eventual plunge into the startup world.
Though technology can stir change in the way buyers find products, Huynh admits there are still hurdles to overcome. Depending on the products and who ships them, delivery can take up to several weeks to reach the buyers. He hopes customers, who know upfront delivery make take time, are willing to accept a bit of a wait for discount prices. “It’s not like buying a T-shirt or a camera,” Huynh says.
