Hardware Podcasts

Episode 123: No.

Making It · 9 Jun 2017 · 1h 06m

What this episode covers

Jimmy Diresta, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss the challenges of saying 'no' to friends, family, and businesses requesting free custom work or content usage. They share strategies for setting boundaries, such as quoting full day rates to deter non-serious requests, refusing to let others repurpose their videos without control, and prioritizing projects that align with their personal goals. The conversation also covers the practicalities of moving workshops, including layout planning, lighting for filming, and the emotional aspects of leaving established spaces.

Most relevant to

companies scaling up

Topics

Mentioned

Companies
IKEA, BuzzFeed, Veritas, Herman Miller
Products
Eames Lounge Chair, Gravity Falls
Also
Bob Clagett, David Picciuto, Maker Fair, Brand-Made TV, Todd Taylor, True Man's Magazine, Kyle Toth, Trust and Timber, Popular Mechanics, Make Build Modify, Wise Old Dowl, Jedediah Schultz, The Irish Craftsman

Related episodes from other shows

Other shows on the same ground, closest first.

  • Embedded.fm · 20m

    BONUS: Your Cat's Not Part of the Band

    Elecia White and Christopher White discuss recent personal and professional projects, including Christopher's band 12AX7's Kickstarter campaign for their new album and Elecia's upcoming conference talks on memory maps and origami. They reflect on the challenges of self-promotion for creative works and the difficulty of breaking through digital noise without a live performance component. The episode also serves as a call for community contributions, specifically asking listeners to submit cat videos for a music video.

    Crowdfunding & preordersMarketing & brand
    6 chapters

  • Thoroughly Considered · 49m

    9: Asking for Money

    Myke Hurley of The Pen Addict and Notco discusses his second Kickstarter campaign for a special video episode of his podcast, explaining how he structures the funding to cover production costs without generating personal profit. He details the decision to use Kickstarter as a community-building tool rather than a direct sales channel, contrasting it with Studio Neat's direct-to-consumer model for products like the Remote Stand. The conversation explores the ethical nuances of asking audiences for money, the importance of community trust, and the strategic use of crowdfunding for novel products versus standard merchandise.

    Crowdfunding & preordersDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    7 chapters

  • Shop Talk Live · 42m

    STL359: Making the Most of Shop Time

    Mike Pekovich, Vic Tesla, and Amanda Russell discuss strategies for managing limited shop time, emphasizing the use of detailed checklists and 'order of operations' to minimize setup friction and decision fatigue during short work sessions. The hosts address how to handle interruptions in large projects by breaking tasks into small, definable steps and using visual markers like grease pencils to track joinery locations. They also debate the value of deliberate practice, suggesting that building functional, low-stakes items like trays or boxes is more effective for skill acquisition than repetitive drills on scrap wood.

    Mechanical engineeringCareers & education
    7 chapters

  • Shop Talk Live · 1h 08m

    STL266: Pro day with Hiller and Farrington!

    Nancy Hiller and Mike Farrington, professional woodworkers and authors, discuss the realities of running a custom woodworking business, including managing client expectations, pricing strategies, and the importance of clear communication. They detail their distinct contract processes—Hiller’s detailed multi-phase agreements versus Farrington’s simpler proposals—and emphasize that presenting oneself professionally is key to selling high-end work. The conversation covers how to handle difficult client requests, such as painting walnut white, and the necessity of building a network of trusted referrals to sustain a diverse portfolio of built-ins and freestanding furniture.

    Starting a product companyDirect-to-consumer & e-commerce
    9 chapters

  • Shop Talk Live · 57m

    STL354: Go and Do the Thing

    Erik Curtis, a furniture maker and YouTuber based in Philadelphia, joins Shop Talk Live to discuss the realities of running a woodworking business, teaching, and creating content. Curtis and hosts Amanda and Vic explore the myth of the solitary furniture maker, arguing that modern makers must diversify through teaching, writing, and media to sustain their craft. They debate the role of YouTube in woodworking, distinguishing between entertainment-focused channels and those that provide substantive technical education, while addressing the accessibility of high-end tools versus the necessity of skill. The conversation also covers design philosophy, emphasizing the importance of grain selection, proportion, and stripping away excessive ornamentation to achieve clear, functional aesthetics.

    Creator businessIndustrial & consumer product design
    6 chapters

The summary, chapters and topics are generated from the episode’s audio by this directory, not written by Making It. The episode itself belongs to its publisher.