# Hard Earned Lessons Learned with Wayne Frick of ChirpSounds - Part 1

- Show: [Predictable Designs Podcast](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast)
- Published: 2020-06-11
- Length: 38m
- Episode: 21
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1

## Summary

Wayne Frick of ChirpSounds discusses the development of his wireless, weatherproof bird feeder microphone, which streams audio to indoor speakers for backyard bird watchers. He details the challenges of transitioning from 3D printed prototypes to injection molding, including structural failures and noise issues, and explains how he validated the product's 'acorn' design with early testers. Frick also shares lessons on avoiding feature creep, the importance of mentorship through the Hardware Academy and SCORE, and the pitfalls of underestimating engineering costs.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1#t=0) Introduction and Product Overview
- [4:30](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1#t=270) Beta Testing and Prototype Failures
- [11:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1#t=674) Lesson 1: Keep It Simple and Avoid Feature Creep
- [22:55](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1#t=1375) Lesson 2: The Value of Mentorship and Community
- [32:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-06-11-hard-earned-lessons-learned-with-wayne-frick-of-chirpsounds-part-1#t=1960) Lesson 3: Understanding True Engineering Costs

## Topics

- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Materials & manufacturing processes](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/materials-and-processes)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Careers & education](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/engineering-careers-and-education)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- ChirpSounds (company)
- Hardware Academy (other)
- Predictable Designs Podcast (other)
- SCORE (other)
- Penn State Great Valley (other)
- Launchbox (other)
- Bill Whitlock (other)
- Susie Rosenstein (other)
- Carlos Navarro (other)
- Stu McLaren (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [411: De-Ionized Bubble Reducer](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-09-15-411-de-ionized-bubble-reducer) (Making It)
- [186: Sleeping on the Factory Floor](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2017-02-09-186-sleeping-on-the-factory-floor) (Embedded.fm)
- [25: Thunderdome for Antennas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/embedded-fm/2013-10-30-25-thunderdome-for-antennas) (Embedded.fm)
- [Episode 274: Fold time back on itself](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-08-28-episode-274-fold-time-back-on-itself) (Making It)
- [011: DIY Design & Manufacture of a Basketball Training Tool with Tony Devine of The Original Profender](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-06-28-011-diy-design-manufacture-of-a-basketball-training-tool-with-tony-devine-of-the) (Product Startup)

## Citing this page

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