After selling his company, Wachs began observing a growing need for genuine, personal connections. Enter Handwrytten, a tech-meets-personal touch company whose primary goal is to revive the art of handwritten notes as a means of expressing gratitude and building relationships.
At the heart of the company lies its team of roughly 45 employees, ranging from envelope stuffers to engineers who build and program the company’s custom-designed robots. These robots, numbering an impressive 175 in their Tempe facility, are equipped with ballpoint pens and are capable of replicating a variety of handwriting styles.
Handwrytten’s clientele includes a diverse range of businesses, from real estate agents and luxury brands to car dealerships and doctors’ clinics, all seeking to connect with their customers on a more personal level.“
People appreciate when businesses reach out in a different way, especially now with AI and automated emails,” Wachs says. “For the consumer, there’s a big difference between being thanked and feeling thanked. A handwritten note definitely instills a feeling.”
One of Handwrytten’s more unique aspects is its approach to handwriting styles. The company offers a range of options, from employee handwriting styles like “Joyful Jennifer” to actual client styles such as “Genuine Jonathan” or “Executive Adam.” Clients can even request custom options to suit their branding or personal preferences.
Tasked with writing this wide variety of handwritten notes are the robots, which were developed and manufactured by Handwrytten. “When I started the company, I used an off-the-shelf handwriting machine. But the writing didn’t look real and working with the machine was very difficult,” Wachs explains. “They’d run out of ink or keep writing, even when the message was done. Also, working with the vendor was challenging. So we decided we had to do it ourselves.”
With four patents, Handwrytten’s robots are built completely in-house at the Tempe facility. According to Wachs, workers laser cut the parts, 3-D print and design the circuit boards, and assemble the machinery. “We also have a team of engineering students from Arizona State University that intern with us and work on building the robots,” he says.
To say Handwrytten has “inked” its stamp on the marketing industry is an understatement. The company’s success actually extends beyond its innovative use of robots. The relationship with National Bank of Arizona, facilitated by banker Chris Sarver, has been instrumental in its growth. The relationship with NB|AZ® has evolved to include various financial services, demonstrating the importance of local relationships in business growth.
“Handwrytten didn’t scale overnight,” Wachs says. “It took years in business to grow and become successful. Due to the unique services we offer, it became exhausting to explain ourselves over and over to our reps at our old banking institution.”
While Handwrytten has experienced significant growth and success over the years, Wachs remains focused on the company’s core mission: providing a platform for businesses to express genuine appreciation through handwritten notes. As the company looks toward the future, there may be plans for international expansion, as well as the continuous improvement of their platform’s features.
“Our relationship with National Bank of Arizona has been instrumental in the growth and consistency of our business,” he says. “I never thought having a relationship with a local banker would be a big deal, but it really changes everything.”
