# 92: We’ve Hit Our Ceiling

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2023-01-12
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 92
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/92

## Summary

Tom Gerhardt and Dan Provost of Studio Neat discuss hitting their growth ceiling as a two-person DIY company and their strategic pivot to hire staff and build systems for sales, marketing, and logistics in 2023. They outline plans to expand revenue through B2B custom sales, affiliate programs, and improved e-commerce infrastructure, while Dan Provost’s Tech Corner evaluates large monitors like the Dell 49-inch and Apple Studio Display for creative workflows.

## Chapters

- [0:08](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=8) Introduction: 2023 Goals and Hitting the Ceiling
- [2:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=133) Scaling Studio Neat: Hiring and Business Systems
- [8:20](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=500) Growth Strategies: B2B Sales and Affiliate Programs
- [18:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=1080) Designing the Company and Brand Strategy
- [38:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=2298) Follow-up: SlimFold Warranty and KnifeFlight
- [45:10](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2023-01-12-92-weve-hit-our-ceiling#t=2710) Dan's Tech Corner: Large Monitors and Workflows

## Topics

- [Scaling production](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/scaling-production)
- [Direct-to-consumer & e-commerce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/direct-to-consumer)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Packaging design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/packaging-design)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)

## Most relevant to

early-stage companies

## Mentioned

- Studio Neat (company)
- Tom Gerhardt (other)
- Dan Provost (other)
- Myke Hurley (other)
- Relay FM (company)
- SlimFold (product)
- KnifeFlight (company)
- Dell (company)
- Samsung (company)
- Apple (company)
- Studio Display (product)
- Pro Display XDR (product)
- Mac Studio (product)
- MacBook Pro (product)
- iMac (product)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Advice Line: Playing to Your Strengths](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-09-04-advice-line-playing-to-your-strengths) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line with Tim Ferriss](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-08-28-advice-line-with-tim-ferriss) (How I Built This)
- [Advice Line: Scaling Strategies](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2025-05-22-advice-line-scaling-strategies) (How I Built This)
- [382: Shmorts and shmeels](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2022-12-23-382-shmorts-and-shmeels) (Making It)
- [Advice Line with Brett Schulman of CAVA](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/how-i-built-this/2024-07-04-advice-line-with-brett-schulman-of-cava) (How I Built This)

## Citing this page

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