That’s the warning and wisdom behind Riyaz Datoo’s leadership at 3DCrystal.com, a Canadian-based company pioneering the intersection of personalized gifts, laser technology, and emotional storytelling. His mantra? “Keep your sensors engaged.”
It’s a principle that’s more than philosophy; it recently turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when an unexpected email landed in the company inbox. The subject line? A fan inquiry from comedian and America’s Got Talent judge, Howie Mandel.
“At first glance, it looked like spam,” says Datoo, founder and CEO of 3DCrystal. “But my team knew better. They had read an early draft of my book ‘Think 360’, and understood the importance of interpreting every piece of inbound communication.”
Instead of trashing the email, a staff member tagged Riyaz. He noticed a phone number buried in the signature and decided to dial, half expecting a dead end.
But it wasn’t.
It was Howie Mandel’s team, confirming that the comedian was interested to collaborate.
That email nearly deleted, has now transformed into a national campaign, with Howie calling 3DCrystal “his greatest gift ever,” appearing alongside the brand on national television and billboards in Times Square.
The Lesson for Entrepreneurs: Slow Down to Speed Up
Datoo’s upcoming book, Think 360, set for release this Christmas, emphasizes a key truth: opportunity doesn’t always announce itself with flashing lights. Sometimes, it hides in DMs, overlooked emails, or small comments that most people skim past.
“You have to filter fast, but you also have to filter smart,” he explains. “Not every message is a winner, but among the noise, there’s often gold. We just don’t train ourselves to see it.”
At 3DCrystal, that mindset has been operationalized. From customer service agents to tech teams, everyone is trained to evaluate every piece of communication for potential value. It’s a skill, Riyaz says, that can’t be outsourced and it’s one of the key differentiators that’s helped his company stay ahead in a competitive industry.
You have to filter fast, but you also have to filter smart,” he explains. “Not every message is a winner, but among the noise, there’s often gold. We just don’t train ourselves to see it.”
At 3DCrystal, that mindset has been operationalized. From customer service agents to tech teams, everyone is trained to evaluate every piece of communication for potential value. It’s a skill, Riyaz says, that can’t be outsourced and it’s one of the key differentiators that’s helped his company stay ahead in a competitive industry.
The Power of a Pause
In a culture obsessed with hustle and speed, Datoo offers a counter-intuitive insight: slow down just long enough to recognize what’s right in front of you.
“Whether it’s a customer, a business idea, or in this case, a celebrity collaboration, opportunities are always floating around,” he says. “But if your antennas aren’t up, you miss them. And some don’t come around twice.”
From laser-engraved memories to high-profile partnerships, 3DCrystal.com isn’t just a business; it’s a case study in tuned-in entrepreneurship. And Riyaz Datoo isn’t just a founder, he’s a reminder that great success often starts with a simple act:
