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Name: All I Really Want
Quick Pitch: Make virtual wish lists on AllIReallyWant.me and receive gifts you won't want to return.
Genius Idea: All I Really Want is an item aggregator — like a simplified Pinterest — where you can list anything from shoes, school supplies, your favorite charities, vacation packages and practically anything else.
We've all received sweaters that don't quite fit and pants we are afraid to wear in public. Yes, it is the thought that costs, but knowing exactly what will make people happy will make for better birthdays and holidays. All I Really Want takes the mystery out of gift giving.
A simple and practical CMS lets you curate a variety of lists. You can create a birthday present wish list, a Valentine's Day list for a significant other or more specific lists for things like school supplies.
Founders Andrew Thomka-Gazdik, an attorney based in Florida, and Julia Collins, a New York-based business developer, really wanted to take all the guesswork out of buying presents for members of their large families and friend circles.
When best friends keep falling out of love with their one-time favorite designers and their nieces and nephews' toy collections grow until it's hard to buy something they don't already have, All I Really Want guarantees you're the best gift giver.
"It's hard to keep track of everyone's age and what they want. I said, 'I wish everyone had to register themselves online, so you could give them exactly that,'" says Collins, about the dinnertime conversation that sprouted the idea of the duo's first startup.
The two founders developed the app in time for Collins to use it during this year's round of secret Santa. Her entire family joined in, which helped guide an aunt from California to the two-finger "love" ring she wanted badly.
All I Really Want makes gift giving easy because the process of making virtual gifts is fun. Similar to Pinterest, individuals get to pin up what they like and show the world their taste, but more overtly in this case.
Simply create a profile, find the URLs to items online, add them to the list and share your list with anyone by email, Twitter or Facebook. Once shared, people can "Grant a Wish," which crosses out the item on the virtual wish list.
"It allows anyone in the world to tell people what inspires them and share that with people in their lives," Collins said.
It can also be used as a planning tool. For trips, simply lay out how airline tickets compare, various hotel rates and car rentals. Share the list on social media networks for suggestions and feedback from friends. All I Really Want can also be used instead of a traditional department store registry for a wedding or baby shower.
"Essentially the genius behind the site is it is a virtual gift registry, we don't hold inventory," Thomka-Gazdik says. There are no advertising or referral benefits for the company, as they focus on building the product.
It was built with the help of suggestions from a peer-testing group of family and friends. The next phase is to release a free All I Really Want iPhone App. With the mobile application, individuals can fill out their virtual wish lists on the go, passing by a store window or a local boutique and snapping a picture of something they like.
The sky's the limit with the current model, the creators say. The duo are hoping to create the ultimate shopping experience after introducing the ultimate wish list. Collins suggested something like Rent the Runway where professional stylists or tastemakers can suggest items for you.
All I Really Want is up against Amazon's Wish List, one of the first of its kind, Wishlistr.com and Wishpot.com in the virtual wishlist market, but the creators believe All I Really Want is compelling to users with its simplistic design.
Series Supported by Microsoft BizSpark
The Spark of Genius Series highlights a unique feature of startups and is made possible by Microsoft BizSpark, a startup program that gives you three-year access to the latest Microsoft development tools, as well as connecting you to a nationwide network of investors and incubators. There are no upfront costs, so if your business is privately owned, less than three years old, and generates less than U.S.$1 million in annual revenue, you can sign up today.
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