# 012: Testing product ideas. 7 inventors & small business owners share advice

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2016-07-12
- Length: 33m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice
- Listen: https://theproductstartup.com/episode-12-highlights-top-tips-product-founders/

## Summary

Filip Valica hosts a compilation of seven founders—Brad Sumney (Savage Jerky), David Frankel (Perky Collar), Tony Devine (Original Profender), Kelsey Duffy (Versakini), Doug Marshall (Game Face Company), Fabien Serrier (Knit Yak), and Matt and Eric (Mini Materials)—sharing how they validated product ideas before launch. Sumney tested beef jerky recipes at a local bar, Frankel used office colleagues and Inventus for market research, and Devine validated his basketball trainer with college coaches. Duffy, Marshall, Serrier, and the Mini Materials duo also discuss their specific validation strategies, ranging from Kickstarter campaigns to direct sales prototypes, highlighting the importance of passion, market fit, and early customer feedback in overcoming the challenges of bringing physical products to market.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=0) Introduction: Episode 12 Overview
- [1:44](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=104) Brad Sumney: Savage Jerky Market Testing
- [4:21](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=261) David Frankel: Perky Collar Validation with Inventus
- [6:59](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=419) Tony Devine: Original Profender College Validation
- [10:11](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=611) Kelsey Duffy: Versakini from Mixed Bikini to Launch
- [11:52](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=712) Doug Marshall: Game Face Company Dream to Prototype
- [15:22](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=922) Fabien Serrier: Knit Yak Kickstarter Strategy
- [16:12](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=972) Mini Materials: 3D Printing and Concrete Validation
- [18:53](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=1133) Founders' Advice: Passion and Market Fit
- [20:42](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=1242) Advice: Confidence, Partners, and Financials
- [25:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=1547) Advice: Perseverance, Books, and Sales Strategy
- [30:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2016-07-12-012-testing-product-ideas-7-inventors-small-business-owners-share-advice#t=1826) Conclusion: The Entrepreneurial Mindset

## Topics

- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Prototyping & iteration](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/prototyping)
- [Fundraising & investors](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/fundraising)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

founders before launch, early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Savage Jerky (product)
- Perky Collar (product)
- Original Profender (product)
- Versakini (product)
- Game Face Company (product)
- Knit Yak (product)
- Mini Materials (product)
- Inventus (company)
- Mako Design + Invent (company)
- Shark Tank (other)
- Kickstarter (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [How to Validate Your Product Idea Before You Spend Serious Money On It](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2020-07-13-how-to-validate-your-product-idea-before-you-spend-serious-money-on-it) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [How to Validate the Market for Your New Product with Ivo Kalburdzhiev of CreatorClub](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/predictable-designs-podcast/2022-04-14-how-to-validate-the-market-for-your-new-product-with-ivo-kalburdzhiev-of-creator) (Predictable Designs Podcast)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 11 - Marco Perry and Mark Prommel of Pensa (11/12)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-12-afterschool-podcast-episode-11-marco-perry-and-mark-prommel-of-pensa-11-12) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Advice Line with Alberto Perlman of Zumba](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-03-06-advice-line-with-alberto-perlman-of-zumba) (How I Built This)
- [2: Launching](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2015-10-05-2-launching) (Thoroughly Considered)

## Citing this page

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