Written in Partnership with Amir Bakian
Gamers are known for their passion and enthusiasm for playing video games. That passion often leads to extended sessions, which can cause the common challenges of discomfort and poor posture. The typical gaming position, characterized by leaning forward, hunching, and placing pressure on the forearms, shoulders, and neck, can result in long-term musculoskeletal issues. Recognizing these pain points, Nadim Makarem and Hilal Kanafani, lifelong gamers and founders of Valari, set out to revolutionize the gaming experience.
Valari’s inception can be traced back to a moment of discomfort familiar to many gamers. Nadim Makarem, a marketing and communications expert with a background in running a family real estate business, found himself juggling multiple pillows to achieve the perfect gaming setup. However, this makeshift solution came with its own set of inconveniences—constantly readjusting pillows during gaming sessions disrupted the flow of the game and still led to discomfort. Nadim’s wife, who was pregnant at the time, had a malleable, snake-shaped pillow that provided the extra height and support he needed. His complete setup sparked the idea for a singular pillow that could offer the same shape with ultimate support—giving birth to the Valari Gaming Pillow.
With the very first prototype in hand, Nadim contacted his long-time friend and fellow gamer Hilal Kanafani, who loved the pillow and immediately became Nadim’s partner. A seasoned serial entrepreneur with a track record spanning various startups, Hilal’s entrepreneurial journey began with an SMS aggregation business, navigating commodity trading in the era of SMS marketing. His expertise in building and scaling startups positioned him as a valuable asset to Valari, bringing a wealth of operational knowledge to the table.
Recognizing the need to validate their innovative gaming pillow and gain initial support, Nadim and Hilal opted for a Kickstarter campaign, which proved to be a resounding success, surpassing expectations and demonstrating the strong demand for Valari’s ergonomic solution.
“We got feedback from a thousand people who wanted the pillow, telling us why they wanted it and their pain points. That gave us the confidence and the validation to take it from this initial idea to an actual business,” explained Kanafani
The initial prototypes were crafted through a collaborative effort between Nadim and local artisans, starting with a local seamstress. The collaboration extended to a furniture maker to ensure the highest quality and craftsmanship in the early iterations of the product. This choice reflected Nadim’s pursuit of perfection and the desire to create a gaming pillow that not only met functional requirements but also boasted a premium aesthetic.
Valari’s company vision is rooted in a commitment to delivering a premium product that goes beyond mere functionality, embodying excellence in design, comfort, and versatility. Nadim and Hilal envisioned a gaming pillow that addressed the specific needs of gamers and set a new standard for comfort across various seated activities.
While initially conceptualized as a solution for gamers, the product’s versatility has led to unexpected market discovery. Valari’s founders found that the pillow catered not only to gamers but also to readers, individuals engaged in desk work, and even those pursuing activities like crocheting. This adaptability allowed Valari to tap into a broader market segment, expanding its reach beyond the gaming community.
Recognizing the widespread challenges gamers face due to poor posture and discomfort, the visionary founders of Valari are transforming the gaming experience. With their commitment to quality and design, Nadim and Hilal not only met the specific needs of gamers but exceeded expectations, appealing to a diverse audience beyond the gaming community, setting a new standard for seated activities, and enhancing the well-being of individuals across various pursuits. For more information, visit thevalari.com.
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