Product Startup

Product Startup

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Product Startup episodes

  • 041: Testing Stereo Components with Jay DeMerit of RockIt Logs

    Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/041-testing-stereo-components-with-jay-demerit-of-rockit-logs-the-product-startup-product-development-for-small-business/

    The acoustic and manufacturing properties of different woods. Other design factors that Jay h.ad to consider. Testing the speaker components and selecting the right manufacturer
    51 min
  • 041 - Testing Stereo Components with Jay DeMerit of RockIt Logs - The Product Startup: Product development for small business

    Jay DeMerit is a former professional soccer player for the US Men's National team with a background in product design. After retirement from the sport, Jay started Portmanteau Stereo Co. designing one-of-kind stereos made from vintage suitcases and reclaimed wood from the forests of British Columbia. 
    In this episode, we learn about

    * Jay's inspiration for creating RockIt and how he found the raw material for his speakers 
    * How he tuned the sound of his speakers without direct experience in sound engineering  
    * Testing the different components and manufacturing method  
    * The acoustic and manufacturing properties of different woods  
    * Other design factors that Jay had to consider  
    * Testing the speaker components and selecting the right manufacturer
    * How Jay tested the market to make sure customers would buy, and how he iterated the design
    * The initial prototypes and designs that Jay sold, some of the issues the team uncovered, and optimizing the design  
    * Earning trust from customers so they will buy
    * Discovering their new problem: shipping large, heavy products, and focusing on local customers  
    * Figuring out what kind of company you want to be, when you grow up
    * The times when things didn't go to plan - giving customers too much choice
    * Growing their Kickstarter audience and their tips for success
    * Things that worked, and didn't, in their marketing campaign (including celebrity influencers and video)
    * How Jay's experience as in professional soccer prepared him to launch a product (and how it didn't!)


    Links and resources mentioned in this episode

    * Website: portmanteaustereo.com
    * Kickstarter: kickstarter.com/projects/1185030532
    * Social Media

    * Twitter: @PortmanteauCo
    * Facebook: facebook.com/PortmanteauStereo
    * Instagram: instagram.com/portmanteaustereo



    50 min
  • 040: Stop Overpaying Your Small Business Taxes, Diane Gardner of Tax Coach 4 You

    Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/040-stop-overpaying-your-small-business-taxes-diane-gardner-of-tax-coach-4-you-the-product-startup-product-development-for-small/

    The most common deduction people miss on their US tax return. How you can hire your children over 7 years old, and aging parents to work for your business and deduct their wages.
    43 min
  • 040 - Stop Overpaying Your Small Business Taxes, Diane Gardner of Tax Coach 4 You - The Product Startup: Product development for small business

    Diane Gardner’s expertise lies in the area of tax planning. Her goal is to make sure successful entrepreneurs across the United States are paying the least amount of income tax they can legally pay.
    As a tax coach, she offers a FREE tax analysis for those interested in finding out if they are overpaying their income taxes. Her goal is to save taxes one business at a time through the use of pro-active tax planning.
    In this episode, we learn about

    * The most common deduction people miss on their US tax return
    * How many years of records to keep, and which ones to never throw away in the US
    * A typical mistake business owners make with their accounting
    * Free or inexpensive ways of keeping track of income and expenses and what features to look for in an accounting package
    * Deductible meals and entertaining clients at your home: what’s covered and what’s not, and what you need to record to deduct those expenses
    * Making yourself familiar with what is deductible for your industry
    * How you can hire your children over 7 years old, and your aging parents to work for your business and deduct their wages
    * The business entity types: Sole Proprietor, vs. LLC taxed as sole proprietor, vs. LLC taxed as S-Corp or C-Corp  
    * When it’s more effective to be taxed as a more complicated entity
    * Setting up retirement plans like a SEP to deduct around ~25% of your self-employment income, a simple plan, or a safe-harbor 401K  
    * Deducting 100% of your family’s medical expenses as a LLC taxed as sole proprietor, or LLC taxed as a C-corp  
    * The biggest mistake Diane sees in startups
    * What to look for in a tax professional

    Links and resources mentioned in this episode

    * Website

    * taxcoach4you.com


    * Social Media

    * Twitter: @gardner_diane
    * Facebook: facebook.com/taxcoach4you
    * Google Plus: plus.google.com
    * Youtube: youtube.com/DianeGardnerTaxCoach


    * Books

    * 10 Most Expensive Tax Mistakes That Cost You Thousands!


    * Tools

    * Wave Apps



    42 min
  • 039: Developing a Rock Crushing Machine & Quality Control with Tim Pannell of Rocksgone

    Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/039-developing-a-rock-crushing-machine-quality-control-with-tim-pannell-of-rocksgone-the-product-startup-product/

    The process that Tim followed to build the initial prototype and how Tim found the manufacturer for his equipment. We also talk about Tim's deep understanding of the industry and the huge advantage of working as a contractor using the equipment for oth...
    37 min
  • 039 - Developing a Rock Crushing Machine & Quality Control with Tim Pannell of Rocksgone - The Product Startup: Product development for small business

    Tim Pannell has developed an award-winning machine called the Reefinator, which he manufacture and sells to Farmers and Contractors across Australia. The Reefinator converts shallow, rocky soil into deep productive soils at an economical cost.
    In this episode, we learn about

    * That Tim started thinking about the Reefinator almost 20 years ago, but he only recently started to work on it recently  
    * How the Reefinator works to crush rock 
    * The process that Tim followed to build the initial prototype
    * How Tim found the manufacturer for his equipment 
    * Protecting his idea when working with third party manufacturers (and the advantages of working with them)
    * The financial investment needed to get development going
    * Tim's deep understanding of the industry and the huge advantage of working as a contractor using the equipment for other customers
    * Deciding what new features to incorporate
    * Having the strength to push forward when things get tough
    * Not letting the financial goal be the primary driver and focusing on the problem instead
    * Manufacturing the Reefinator Over 100 machines at 2 per week)
    * The most rewarding part - solving his customers 50-year old problems
    * How Tim set up his quality program to ensure the machines are produced to the proper standards
    * The power of word of mouth advertising and live demonstrations
    * Finding partners and small businesses to work with you


    Links and resources mentioned in this episode

    * Website: rocksgone.com.au
    * Social Media


    * Facebook: facebook.com/RocksGone/
    * Youtube: youtube.com/user/MrTimpannell
    * Google +: plus.google.com/+RockcrushingAu



    36 min
  • 038: Validating Conflict-Free Jewelry in Pop-Up Shops with Farah Qureshi

    Click this link for This Episode's Full Info Page: https://productstartup.com/podcast/038-validating-conflict-free-jewelry-in-pop-up-shops-with-farah-qureshi-the-product-startup-product-development-for-small/

    How Farah comes up with new designs for her products and starts a new collection and validating creative ideas that are subject to interpretation (beauty is in the eye of the beholder).
    45 min
  • 038 - Validating Conflict-Free Jewelry in Pop-Up Shops with Farah Qureshi - The Product Startup: Product development for small business
    Farah Qureshi designs and makes jewelry in precious materials using ethical silver and gold in the UK.  The inspiration behind her designs comes from many different sources, such as botanical imagery.
     
    In this episode, we learn about
    Where Farah draws inspiration for her art 
    The benefits of winning design grants and awards
    Farah's core motivation for creating her business
    What type of work Farah outsources, and what does in-house 
    How Farah comes up with new designs for her products and starts a new collection
    Validating creative ideas that are subject to interpretation (beauty is in the eye of the beholder)  
    Getting started - selling to family and friends and expanding her base through events, pop-up shows and exhibitions
    Hosting your own events for the first time and the benefits to the product creator
    Deciding how much time to spend on creating vs marketing 
    Managing production and communicating designs to casting companies and other vendors
    Finding and working with third-party manufacturers 
    Advantages and disadvantages to manufacturing jewelry 
    The importance of gauging the market and starting slowing  
    Scaling the business  
    The most efficient use of her time marketing  
    Connecting to your audience and repurposing feedback in marketing
    Gaining exposure to editorials and print media
    Farah's unique superpowers
    What is difficult to replicate in Farah's business
    Links and resources mentioned in this episode
    Website: farahqureshi.co.uk
    Social Media
    Twitter: @farahsjewellery
    Facebook: facebook.com/Farah-Qureshi-jewellery-designer-106979772725293
    Pinterest: pinterest.com/farahsjewellery
    Credits: Farah also had help with some of the press releases from
    Fiona Pattison - [email protected]
    Small Business Saturday team - [email protected]
    Thanks for listening!
    What did you think? Leave me a note in the comments!
    Do you want to see similar episodes or have suggestions for future guests? Please review The Product Startup Podcast on iTunes. Ratings and reviews help me gauge interest in the show and influence the topics I cover. I read them all!
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    43 min

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The Product Startup Podcast is the hardware product development industry's #1 podcast. From invention idea to getting onto store shelves, and everything in between. Hear how inventors, product…