Product Startup

Michael spent 22 years with Apple from 1988 to 2010. He is the author of Live from Cupertino, a book about how Apple created their winning messaging. Michael also was the Managing Director of LittleBits, a great hardware startup success story. He is now the Executive Vice President of Strategic Initiatives at Indian River State College. Today Michael is going to share some valuable knowledge on how inventors, startups, and small manufacturers can learn from the best practices of Apple - Lessons you can apply to your product business, from one of the biggest product companies of all time.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/063-hardware-startup-tips-from-a-22-year-apple-exec/

Today you will hear us talk about:

1. How Apple used strong product focus, even to sell to literally everyone.
2. How to create messaging around your product like Apple did
3. What the future for the startup hardware industry looks like over the next 20 years.

Episode Links

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Michael Hageloh Links:

• Book: https://www.amazon.com/Live-Cupertino-Performance-Worlds-Machine/dp/1642931705
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/michaelhageloh/
• Website: https://hageloh.com/

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

Eric is the President of The Five Echelon Group, a full-stack marketing agency. He is also the host of the Virtual CMO Podcast which educates businesses on how to maximize their marketing and messaging efforts. With 30 years as a marketing executive, Eric today is going to tell us how inventors, startups, and small manufacturers should market their new product, and how to cut out all potential resistance points along your potential customer’s buying process.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/062-smoothing-the-buying-process-when-marketing-your-new-product/

You’ll hear Kevin and Eric talk about:

• How to market your new product in the modern world.
• How to perfect your product's marketing message.
• Best practices for smoothing out the buying process for product purchasers.
• And more.

Episode Links

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Eric Dickmann / Virtual CMO Podcast / Five Echelon Links:

• Company: https://fiveechelon.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/edickmann/
• Podcast: https://fiveechelon.com/the-virtual-cmo-podcast/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/FiveEchelon
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/virtualcmopodcast/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi1Sd6Wf5JEtLJN0kaEVA1Q
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/FiveEchelon/

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

Alison is the inventor and founder of Clasp Magic, a consumer product to help users with putting on bracelets one-handed. Alison came up with the invention idea, got it developed, and then hit the ground running by using 5 different product sales channels and strategies to really make sure her product succeeded. We explore what those channels were, and how to win in them. Clasp Magic is now sold all over the world. Today’s episode is about how to succeed in launching your new product, from the perspective of a home inventor, loving wife, and mother of 4.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/061-5-sales-channels-a-home-inventor-mom-used-to-launch-her-invention/

You’ll hear Kevin and Alison talk about:

• Being your brand - Take your product everywhere.
• The 5 sales channels Alison used to ensure her product invention launch was a big success.
• Best practices for successfully executing in each of those 5 sales channels.
• Crowdfunding through platforms such as Kickstarter and Indiegogo.

Episode Links

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Alison Brett / Clasp Magic Links:

• Company: https://www.claspmagic.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/claspmagic
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clasp_magic/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCi1Sd6Wf5JEtLJN0kaEVA1Q
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/alison-brett-5699bb5b/

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

Tom shares valuable knowledge on how inventors, startups, and small manufacturers can license their inventions and products to get into the market - How licensing is actually done properly and professionally to get into the distributors, retailers, or big product brands with your product.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/060-how-to-professionally-license-your-new-product/

You’ll hear Kevin and Tom talk about:

• How far do you need to develop your product in order to start talking to potential licensing partners and brands?
• Protecting your intellectual property, and when to do it in the licensing cycle.
• Which partners, manufacturers, and brands to first reach out to with a new product.
• The best product tradeshows to showcase your product.

Tom is the Founder and Executive Producer of the Make48 TV Show, a show where contestants have 48 hours to come up with an invention idea and build a prototype to showcase it to the judges. The show is on PBS, Amazon Prime, and many other networks around the world. Tom also is the President of Handy Camel, a company that distributes client products all over the world. Simply put, he is one of the big names in the North American product startup space.

Episode Links

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Tom Gray’s Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/tom-gray-a0948a77
• Company: https://make48.com/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/gomake48
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/gomake48/
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/c/Make48

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

Today Sajag Agarwal talks about how he went from $0 to $2 Million in eCommerce sales for his products, then back down to $0, all because of failed quality control in manufacturing. Now, Sajag runs a quality control company that ensures overseas production runs smoothly from raw materials all the way through to final product loaded onto a container.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/059-best-practices-for-quality-control-on-overseas-production-of-your-product/

Sajag joins Kevin Mako to share valuable insights about how inventors, product startups, small manufacturers, and product developers can ensure their products are manufactured overseas without defects.

You’ll hear them talk about:

• The different stages in a production run where quality control is required.
• How costly failed product quality can be.
• Tips for ensuring your quality control personnel will do a good job.
• How to ensure quality control matches your interests as the buyer.

Episode Links

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Kevin Mako Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Sajag Agarwal Links:

• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sajagagarwal/
• Company: https://movley.com/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

Today’s guest on the Product Startup Podcast is Mark Shanahan, a top expert in consumer product distribution and retailers. Previously, Mark had a successful 25 year career at Staples, where he started as a junior product buyer, moved up to running entire product categories, eventually becoming a Vice President.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/058-how-to-pitch-your-product-to-retail-stores-with-mark-shanahan/

Mark joins Kevin Mako to share valuable insights about how inventors, product startups, and manufacturers can get in the door with buyers at major retail stores, and how they can sell their product once they’ve crossed that threshold.

You’ll hear them talk about:

• What entrepreneurs can do with their physical products to get the best chance of success with major retailers. Mark shares tips and tricks from an insider’s view as a long-time Staples buyer.
• Questions that buyers often ask entrepreneurs. They will want to know your target market, what your value proposition is, and why you’re legitimate.
• The components of a well-done pitch. Always remember to be concise, clear, and transparent.
• The importance of being honest with a potential retailer. The buyer needs to know that you are reliable and can be trusted.
• Things to consider when meeting buyers: maintain eye contact, don’t get too personal, take notes, and be as brief as possible.

Resources

Mark Shanahan on LinkedIn | Twitter

Kevin Mako on LinkedIn | Twitter

MakoDesign.com

Kevin sits down with Jonathan Schloo, the Founder and Inventor of the Car Generator. An ingenious device, Schloo created the first ever car generator when in need of hydro while camping with his family. Soon after, he recognized that there was an opportunity to build a successful business by helping people power their homes during stormy nights with the cars parked right in their driveway. Throughout the episode, the two discuss how Schloo took his initial invention to a product selling on Amazon and in big box retailers, and all the lessons he learned along the way. First time product founders - this one’s for you.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/057-spotting-opportunities-jonathan-schloo/

EPISODE LINKS

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Jonathan Schloo / Car Generator Links:

• Company Website: https://www.cargenerator.com/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/schloo/

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.

In this episode, we’re changing things up a bit. Filip introduces you to your new host and sponsor of the show, Kevin Mako, Founder and President of Mako Design + Invent. The two discuss Kevin’s journey into the startup world and his vision for the future of the Product Startup podcast. They also mention the biggest mistakes, opportunities, and feedback that early-stage product founders can make when building their businesses.

Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/056-mistakes-opportunities-feedback-with-kevin-mako/

EPISODE LINKS

The Product Startup Podcast Links:

• Website: https://www.ProductStartup.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ProductStartup/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/ProductStartup/
• Facebook Group: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ProductStartup/
• Pinterest: https://www.pinterest.com/ProductStartup/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/ProductStartup
• YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@productstartup

Kevin Mako’s Links:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/Entrepreneurs/
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/KevMako/
• Quora: https://www.quora.com/profile/Kevin-Mako
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/KevMakoPage/
• Twitter: https://twitter.com/KevMako/

Thanks for tuning in! See you next time.