Product Startup · 17 Jan 2017 · 57m
Gavin Christman, co-founder of Green&Blue, explains how his background at Dyson instilled a design philosophy of stripping products to their essential functions, which he applied to creating the Bird Ball and Bee Brick. He details the decision to avoid 'one-stop-shop' manufacturing in favor of piecemeal sourcing from UK ceramicists and concrete casters to maintain quality control and product integrity. Christman discusses the importance of building direct relationships with retailers, using trade shows strategically, and leveraging IP protection like patents and NDAs to safeguard designs while scaling production through partnerships with large concrete companies.
early-stage companies
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Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss the design and manufacturing of the ATP Chicken Hat, detailing the challenges of sourcing fabric and finding a 'cut and sew' supplier. They also announce the Studio Neat Starter Kit gift box and share their long-term reviews of past product recommendations, including James Brand knives, Sage coffee machines, and Patagonia apparel.
Catherine Bailey, co-owner and Creative Director of Heath Ceramics, explains her transition from industrial design at Nike and her own consultancy to acquiring and turning around the historic American ceramic manufacturer. She details the challenges of the early years, including managing factory disasters like floods and unreliable equipment, while leveraging the company's deep heritage of craft and mid-century modern design. Bailey describes how Heath balances preserving its classic dinnerware legacy with innovative seasonal collections and new product lines like tile, supported by a hands-on design studio that prioritizes working directly with clay over CAD models. The episode covers the company's strategic expansion from Sausalito to Los Angeles and a new San Francisco facility, emphasizing careful pacing to maintain quality and culture while scaling production.
Simone Giertz, an inventor and product designer, discusses her transition from YouTube content creation to launching the Yetge store, where she sells products like the Everyday Calendar, Scissor Lamp, and screwdriver rings. She details the challenges of manufacturing, including dealing with factory quality issues, supply chain delays, and the high costs of small-batch production. Giertz explains her strategy of starting with small pre-production runs to mitigate risk and her decision to maintain full ownership of her brand to preserve creative control and avoid the pitfalls of scaling too aggressively.
Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt of Studio Neat discuss the launch of their Walnut Material Doc, the complex manufacturing of their upcoming Glyph product, and their strategy for leveraging their app audience to sell physical goods. They detail the logistical challenges of shipping molds between China and the US, the intricacies of injection mold design, and the business model of using free utility apps like Slow Fast Slow as a marketing funnel for their hardware products.
Guy Raz and Boxed co-founder Chieh Huang advise three early-stage founders on scaling physical products. Alec of Surfing Cow discusses moving his beef tallow skincare from his kitchen to a contract manufacturer, while Jessica of Tail Cinch weighs the risks of listing her equine products on major pet distributors like Chewy. Eli of Makor Coffee seeks solutions for brewing issues with his anti-inflammatory spice blend, prompting ideas for product format innovation.
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