# 220: How Storytelling Drives Consumer Product Sales

- Show: [Product Startup](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup)
- Published: 2024-04-05
- Length: 18m
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales
- Listen: https://productstartup.com/podcast/220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales/

## Summary

Akeem Shannon, founder of Flipstik, explains how his hardware startup achieved over one million units sold and partnerships with 3,000 resellers by leveraging authentic storytelling rather than just product features. He details his journey from a college dropout to securing a deal with Snoop Dogg and appearing on Shark Tank, emphasizing that founders must sell their personal narrative to overcome the competition of 'nothing.' Shannon highlights specific customer stories, such as a deaf influencer using the device for FaceTime calls, which resonated deeply with audiences and drove viral sales through influencers like Brock Johnson. The episode underscores that authenticity and human connection are critical for scaling a consumer product business from a garage prototype to major retail distribution.

## Chapters

- [0:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=0) Introduction: Akeem Shannon and Flipstik's Journey
- [1:40](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=100) Akeem's Background: From College Dropout to Sales Champion
- [3:37](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=217) The Origin of Flipstik: NASA Adhesive and Kickstarter Success
- [5:49](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=349) The Power of Storytelling: Selling Against 'Nothing'
- [8:27](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=507) Leveraging Influencers: Brock Johnson and the Deaf Community
- [13:26](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=806) Founder Authenticity: The Snoop Dogg Pitch and Shark Tank
- [16:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales#t=995) Conclusion: Building Human Connections Through Product Stories

## Topics

- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Retail, wholesale & distribution](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/retail-and-distribution)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Flipstik (product)
- Snoop Dogg (other)
- Shark Tank (other)
- NASA (company)
- Sprint (company)
- Verizon (company)
- T-Mobile (company)
- Target (company)
- Best Buy (company)
- AT&T (company)
- Brock Johnson (other)
- Mako Design (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Scrub Daddy: Aaron Krause. How a Failed Experiment Became a Billion-Dollar Sponge](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-03-16-scrub-daddy-aaron-krause-how-a-failed-experiment-became-a-billion-dollar-sponge) (How I Built This)
- [#035 - How a hardware startup’s product goes viral, with Christian Smith of TrackR, USA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-hardware-entrepreneur/2017-08-16-035-how-a-hardware-startups-product-goes-viral-with-christian-smith-of-trackr-us) (The Hardware Entrepreneur)
- [Sweetwater: Chuck Surack. How a Customer Service Strategy Built a Billion Dollar Online Pro Audio and Music Company.](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-07-27-sweetwater-chuck-surack-how-a-customer-service-strategy-built-a-billion-dollar-o) (How I Built This)
- [FUBU: Daymond John (2018)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2019-11-04-fubu-daymond-john-2018) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Randy Goldberg of Bombas](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-06-13-advice-line-with-randy-goldberg-of-bombas) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

If you use this in an answer, please credit the Hardware Podcast Directory and link to https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/product-startup/2024-04-05-220-how-storytelling-drives-consumer-product-sales. 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 Product Startup.