# 133: Inspired by Star Wars™

- Show: [Thoroughly Considered](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered)
- Published: 2026-05-06
- Length: 1h 01m
- Episode: 133
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-05-06-133-inspired-by-star-warstm
- Listen: http://relay.fm/tc/133

## Summary

Dan Provost and Tom Gerhardt of Studio Neat discuss their new 'Inspired by Star Wars' limited edition Mark One pen, detailing the design choices like the glossy white finish and clip contrast. They outline the company's 'state of the union,' highlighting a strategic shift toward a B2B custom engraving program that now accounts for a significant portion of their business, while noting operational changes like splitting assembly duties. Myke Hurley shares updates on his Cortex brand, explaining the delay of a new journal product due to personal bandwidth constraints and the need for robust systems to manage a distributed team.

## Chapters

- [0:07](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-05-06-133-inspired-by-star-warstm#t=7) Introduction: Inspired by Star Wars Limited Edition
- [5:43](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-05-06-133-inspired-by-star-warstm#t=343) Studio Neat State of the Union and Custom Program Growth
- [16:00](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-05-06-133-inspired-by-star-warstm#t=960) Cortex Brand Update and Product Development Delays
- [37:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/thoroughly-considered/2026-05-06-133-inspired-by-star-warstm#t=2256) AI, Media Literacy, and the Future of Truth

## Topics

- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [AI & machine learning](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/ai-and-machine-learning)
- [Industrial & consumer product design](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/industrial-design)
- [Leadership, teams & culture](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/leadership-and-culture)
- [Crowdfunding & preorders](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/crowdfunding)

## Most relevant to

companies scaling up

## Mentioned

- Studio Neat (company)
- Mark One (product)
- Cortex Brand (company)
- Perplexity (product)
- Kickstarter (product)
- Shopify (product)
- Nvidia (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 5 - StudioNeat (9/16)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-11-04-afterschool-podcast-episode-5-studioneat-9-16) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Episode 275: It’s nice, but can we do it like this?](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2020-09-04-episode-275-its-nice-but-can-we-do-it-like-this) (Making It)
- [Episode 291: I’m just the pretty face](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2021-01-15-episode-291-im-just-the-pretty-face) (Making It)
- [Afterschool Podcast, Episode 14 - Pencil by FiftyThree (12/17)](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/core77-podcast/2013-12-17-afterschool-podcast-episode-14-pencil-by-fiftythree-12-17) (Core77 Podcast)
- [Episode 100: Live From Boston!](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/making-it/2016-12-09-episode-100-live-from-boston) (Making It)

## Citing this page

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