# 47: Seems Like a Nice Way to Live

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2019-01-16
- Length: 45m
- Episode: 47
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/47

## Summary

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat reflect on their 2018 experiences, discussing the implementation of 'Profit First' accounting and the challenges of maintaining work-life balance through 'catch-up weeks' during the Mug One production. They conclude that Studio Neat should abandon rigid holiday deadlines to reduce stress and improve quality, while also resolving to never launch products before inventory is secured. Host Myke Hurley announces the launch of Cortex Brand, a new physical product company focused on high-quality merchandise for creators, detailing his strategy of partnering with Cotton Bureau for fulfillment and design support.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=8) Introduction and Profit First Accounting
- [6:31](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=391) Work-Life Balance: Catch-Up and Vacation Weeks
- [13:58](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=838) Lessons from the Mug One Launch
- [19:35](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=1175) Abandoning Holiday Deadlines and Pre-Launch Inventory
- [25:14](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=1514) Announcing Cortex Brand and Creator Merchandise
- [38:16](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2019-01-16-47-seems-like-a-nice-way-to-live#t=2296) Production Partners and Cotton Bureau

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Starting a product company](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/starting-a-company)
- [Manufacturing partners & offshoring](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/manufacturing-partners)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up, founders before launch

## Mentioned

- Studio Neat (company)
- Mug One (product)
- Chi Docs (product)
- Cortex Brand (company)
- Cotton Bureau (company)
- Colorware (company)
- Bullet Journal (product)
- CGP Grey (other)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line with Alexa Hirschfeld of Paperless Post](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2026-02-26-advice-line-with-alexa-hirschfeld-of-paperless-post) (How I Built This)
- [376: This one only has four utters](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-11-04-376-this-one-only-has-four-utters) (Making It)
- [382: Shmorts and shmeels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-12-23-382-shmorts-and-shmeels) (Making It)
- [Episode 336: Take the hug…](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-12-24-episode-336-take-the-hug) (Making It)
- [416: Ichabod’s Big Boy Pants](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2023-10-27-416-ichabods-big-boy-pants) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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