# The Reluctant Entrepreneur: Mike Konrad's Journey Through Entrepreneurship, Networking and SMTA

- Show: [EMS@C-LEVEL](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level)
- Published: 2025-03-14
- Length: 27m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network

## Summary

Mike Konrad, author of 'The Reluctant Entrepreneur' and host of 'The Reliability Matters' podcast, discusses his 32-year journey in the electronics assembly industry, explaining how his initial product-centric ego led to founding his own company after being rejected by his employer. He contrasts his bootstrapped origins with today's venture-capital-driven startup culture, arguing that modern founders often prioritize exit strategies over product passion and emotional customer connection, citing brands like Nike and Patagonia as examples of effective marketing. Konrad also highlights the value of the Surface Mount Technology Association (SMTA) for fostering genuine, bottom-up networking and collaboration within the industry, and shares his current focus on podcasting and advisory roles.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=8) Introduction: Mike Konrad and The Reluctant Entrepreneur
- [2:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=165) The Accidental Journey to Entrepreneurship and Product Rejection
- [8:45](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=525) Modern VC Culture vs. Product-Centric Bootstrapping
- [12:03](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=723) Emotional Marketing: Lessons from Nike and Patagonia
- [15:04](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=904) The Value of SMTA Networking and Collaboration
- [21:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-14-the-reluctant-entrepreneur-mike-konrads-journey-through-entrepreneurship-network#t=1276) Current Ventures: Podcasting, SMTA Board, and Advisory Roles

## Topics

- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Creator business](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/creator-business)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- The Reluctant Entrepreneur (product)
- SMTA (other)
- Nike (company)
- Patagonia (company)
- IPC (other)
- Apex (other)
- Reliability Matters (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [176: How Hardware Founders Should Represent Their Product](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2023-05-18-176-how-hardware-founders-should-represent-their-product) (Product Startup)
- [Shep and Ian Murray: Vineyard Vines. A Stale Product Transforms into a Lifestyle Brand.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-04-27-shep-and-ian-murray-vineyard-vines-a-stale-product-transforms-into-a-lifestyle-b) (How I Built This)
- [Strava: Mark Gainey and Michael Horvath](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2022-05-02-strava-mark-gainey-and-michael-horvath) (How I Built This)
- [How I Built Resilience (Special Edition): Guy Raz](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2020-09-12-how-i-built-resilience-special-edition-guy-raz) (How I Built This)
- [Aviator Nation: Paige Mycoskie](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-01-01-aviator-nation-paige-mycoskie) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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