Entrepreneur has success in his Pock-IT

Jack Miller has created a unique item of sportswear which promises to solve the problem of where to stash valuables during sporting activity.

And, since its launch in September last year, the Pock-IT already has its patent pending, and with a growing market.

But while his journey started while living in Linlithgow, the culmination of Jack’s efforts came after he moved to Lakeland in Florida to complete his Masters of International Business, while also playing football, for Southeastern University.

He said: “Pock-IT Apparel is an activewear company that allows hands-free exercise in the most comfortable and convenient way possible. I began this journey at the age of 16 when I was asked to represent Linlithgow Academy at the Challenge Enterprise Event sponsored by Linlithgow Grange Rotary Club back in 2014.

“At the Challenge Enterprise Event, each student from across Scotland was asked to pick an industry out of a hat and had to come up with a unique product within that industry. It may have been fate or luck but my industry was fitness and well-being.

“Playing pro-youth football my whole childhood I had to run a lot outside of training with the team. With that, came a constant irritation of where to put my phone on the go? The armbands, vests and running belts were too bulky and slipped down my body. I hated having to hold my phone in my hand. This was when Pock-IT was born, a running T-shirt that had built in pockets on the sleeves to carry your essentials.”

After moving to the USA, Jack focused primarily on settling into full-time study and football and it, but the idea resurfaced in the senior year of his bachelors degree when he entered his school’s ‘Dragons Den’ competition.

The concept seems to have caught the judges’ imagination, as Jack was the only student to receive full funding.

He continued: “This got the ball rolling for my patents being filed, over 150 prototypes within two years with constant trial and testing with the best materials and athletes of all levels. Seven manufacturers later I cracked the shirt and I am proud to say I’ve shipped to nine countries to date. Pock-IT’s signature tee is an innovative, patent pending way to hold all of your essentials without using an attachment product.

“The left sleeve has a pocket big enough for the biggest iPhone or Android, however because of the compressed, spandex material, any phone size has limited movement or bounce. The right sleeve has a slightly smaller pocket, perfect for energy gels, keys, cards or inhalers. The pockets have a secure velcro flap to keep your items secure. There is also a subtle headphone loop near the neck to stop headphones dangling.”

Jack added that the journey to product launch has been “emotional yet thrilling”, putting him firmly on track to success.