# Episode 129: Benjamin Buttoning

- Show: [Making It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it)
- Published: 2017-08-04
- Length: 1h 05m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning
- Listen: https://making-it-with-jimmy-diresta-bob-clagett-and-david-picciuto.castos.com/episodes/episode-129-benjamin-buttoning

## Summary

Hosts Bob Clagett, Bob Clagett, and David Picciuto discuss how aging and life transitions influence their creative risks, business decisions, and personal outlooks. They share anecdotes about moving shops, managing physical limitations, and the shift from seeking external validation to prioritizing autonomy and community. The conversation highlights specific projects like Spray Ground backpack props and a fidget spinner, while reflecting on the trade-offs between scaling a business and maintaining creative control.

## Chapters

- [0:02](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=2) Introduction: Moving shops and life updates
- [8:32](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=512) Jimmy Diresta: Spray Ground props and shop stress relief
- [18:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=1123) Midlife decisions and the impact of age on risk-taking
- [25:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=1550) Physical limitations vs. technological curiosity
- [30:48](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=1848) Generosity, empathy, and shifting priorities
- [41:09](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=2469) Would they take the same risks at different ages?
- [44:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=2656) Advice to younger selves: Save money and lead the road
- [52:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning#t=3140) Scaling up: Control, staff, and creative vision

## Topics

- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Founder wellbeing](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/founder-wellbeing)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Spray Ground (company)
- Fusion 360 (tool)
- Maker's Muse (other)
- Jonathan Katz Moses (other)
- Radiohead (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [10 Years of How I Built This:  A Decade of Innovation, Risk and Reinvention](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-10-05-10-years-of-how-i-built-this-a-decade-of-innovation-risk-and-reinvention) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Curt Richardson of OtterBox](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-23-advice-line-with-curt-richardson-of-otterbox) (How I Built This)
- [Live From HIBT Summit: Payal Kadakia, Tristan Walker, and Perry Chen on Innovation](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2021-07-22-live-from-hibt-summit-payal-kadakia-tristan-walker-and-perry-chen-on-innovation) (How I Built This)
- [7: Work/Life Balance](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2016-01-08-7-work-life-balance) (Thoroughly Considered)
- [Reflecting on Founder Mode](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/oxide-and-friends/2024-09-20-reflecting-on-founder-mode) (Oxide and Friends)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2017-08-04-episode-129-benjamin-buttoning. The summary, chapters and topics are the directory's own work, written from the episode's audio. The episode itself, its title and its audio belong to Making It.