Nick Stevovich of Motion Resolution
Meet Nick Stevovich, founder of Motion Resolution, manufacturer of an innovative bike pedal for athletes.
What is Motion Resolution?
The company is the first to design and produce a bike pedal that increases human performance through its proprietary motion. Motion Resolution’s target markets are the cycling enthusiast and athletes who are looking for a competitive edge.
How did you come up with the idea?
One day after a long ride my legs were tired from riding, and I started to think about how I could be a better cyclist. About the same time, I was also rollerblading and would go down to the Cleveland Metroparks to rollerblade for several miles. I realized that the burn in my legs was different between rollerblading and cycling and assumed that was because different muscles were used. That is when I began my research on how I could use the primary muscles for cycling while pulling in new muscles via a rollerblade motion.
Where did you find your first employee?
At the alter! My wife of 11 years was my first employee. Additionally I work with a fantastic engineering and project management team from the
MAGNET organization for the past four years. We are also starting to work with the Exercise Physiology Department of
Kent State University to continue the study with elite cyclists.
What does a typical day in your business look like?
I focus on short-term goals and long-term goals. For example, right now we are in final design stages of the next generation prototype to be complete by March 30th. I review drawings and concepts that relate to the pedal every day. I also have to look further down the road to product brand and how I want the company to look and feel five years from now. I find that I need to have a good balance between today and the future.
What are some of the advantages to doing business in Ohio?
Here in Northeast Ohio we have great resources for an entrepreneur, including
GLIDE at
Lorain County Community College, MAGNET,
JumpStart,
Cleveland State University, and Kent State to name a few. Having all this within a 30-minute drive in any direction makes life easier for anyone trying to start a business.
Can you share a funny or amazing entrepreneurial experience with our readers?
My wife and I had a family meeting a month ago letting my three kids know that I decided to leave my day job and work full-time on Motion Resolution. I used to take my kids to my day job on Saturdays where they would run around in the land of cubicles and then drain all of the contents of my change bank into the vending machine for treats. The first question my kids had for me regarding this major life decision was, “Will you have vending machines at our new company?” Here I am worried about building a game-changing product and world-class company and I overlooked the snack department!
What inspires you?
It is an incredibly rewarding feeling of being able to create an idea that draws the interest of so many people. The ability to create and innovate has a wonderful, liberating feeling to it.
What founders do you admire and why?
There are many people who have inspired me, and they are typically people who started from nothing and fought thru the trials and tribulations of life to be successful in their adventure. I recently saw a mini series “The Men Who Built America” on the History Channel and was drawn into Rockefeller. Here is a guy from Cleveland, Ohio that out-maneuvered every one of his competitors to build the largest oil company. The impact he left -- especially in our local area -- is still felt today. It would be interesting to see how Cleveland would have grown up to be without Standard Oil and all the feeder companies that benefited from him. What I learned about him was the sheer determination he had to get things done.
What’s next for you?
The plan is to build a brand name that will be seen in the bike industry as
the brand to buy. I have other ideas for bike seats and the bike frame itself that are all built with the logic and intent of being more effective in cycling performance and comfort.
Interview by Joe Baur