If you blink, you might miss it.
Always keep your sensors engaged.
It’s a principle that’s more than just a philosophy. It recently turned into a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity when an unexpected email landed in the 3DCrystal company inbox. The subject line? A fan inquiry from comedian and America’s Got Talent judge, Howie Mandel.
“At first glance, the team almost deleted it”, says Riyaz, the founder 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 actually Howie Mandel’s team confirming that the comedian had encountered 3DCrystal’s work at one of their retail stores, loved the product, and wanted to collaborate.
That email that was 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, which is set for release in 2026, emphasizes a key truth that he firmly believes in, which is that opportunity doesn’t always announce itself with flashing lights. Sometimes, it hides in simple DMs, overlooked emails that may look like spam, or even small comments that most people are likely to skim past.
“The key is to filter fast, but at the same time, you should always remember to filter smart,". He further explains that not every message is a winner, but among all the noise, there’s often gold that we fail to see. We just don’t train ourselves to see it.”
At 3DCrystal, this very mindset has been operationalized. From customer service agents to tech teams, every individual in the company is trained to evaluate each and every piece of communication for potential value. It’s a skill, Riyaz says, that can’t be outsourced. And according to him, 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 an interesting insight: to slow down just long enough to recognize and truly understand the potential of 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 opportunities 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 offers a reminder that great success often starts with a simple act: Pay attention!