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

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

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

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.

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.

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

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...

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

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).

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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