Stephen and Lucy dive into the intricate process of deciding what to work on next.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy dive into the intricate process of deciding what to work on next. They explore the challenge of prioritizing tasks in a landscape where everything seems important, while sharing insights on how to navigate this complexity within the framework of a company's structure. They emphasize the significance of customer feedback and interviews as a guiding compass. They also touch on the importance of understanding customer challenges rather than just their suggestions, and how this can lead to innovative solutions that may not have been initially considered. Key topics include:<ul><li>The role of customer interviews and how they can shape product development</li><li>How to discern between urgent and important tasks</li><li>Strategies for gathering and utilizing community feedback</li><li>The importance of having a clear mission to guide decision-making</li><li>Balancing incremental improvements with larger overhauls</li><li>Insights into the operational side of decision-making</li></ul> Mentions in this episode:<ul><li>YouTube - Bill Hader quote - https://youtu.be/NHHZSNw9J2o?t=26</li><li>Book - Death by Meeting - https://www.amazon.com/Death-Meeting-Leadership-Solving-Business/dp/0787968056</li><li>Blog Post - The Three Machines by Brad Feld - https://feld.com/archives/2017/01/the-three-machines/</li><li>Comic - XKCD Is It Worth the Time? - https://xkcd.com/1205/</li></ul> --- Join the conversation and share your thoughts at&nbsp;<a href="https://hardware.cafe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hardware.cafe</a>. Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more about what we do, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>.To see everything else we do, including social media, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a>. <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 46 - Deciding What to Work on Next

Stephen and Lucy talk about what it’s really like to advertise in the open hardware world. Instead of chasing quick wins, they dig into how brand awareness can matter more than immediate sales.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy talk about what it’s really like to advertise in the open hardware world. From running social media ads to trying out print campaigns, they share what worked, what didn’t, and what they learned along the way. They touch on things like figuring out who your audience actually is, why selling machines like the Lumen pick and place takes patience, and how good messaging and customer feedback make all the difference. Instead of chasing quick wins, they dig into how brand awareness can matter more than immediate sales. You’ll hear them cover:<ul><li>Marketing vs. advertising and why the difference matters</li><li>How to understand what customers need (and how to show you can solve it)</li><li>The tricky part of measuring ad results</li><li>Social media, search ads, sponsorships, and where they fit</li><li>Examples of ad campaigns that hit the mark, and ones that missed</li></ul> --- Join the conversation and share your thoughts at&nbsp;<a href="https://hardware.cafe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hardware.cafe</a>. Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To learn more about what we do, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>.To see everything else we do, including social media, visit&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a>. <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 45 - Advertising

Find out when a degree is necessary and when practical experience can be just as powerful.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy talk about the role education plays in engineering and open hardware. They share their own experiences, what they gained from pursuing degrees, what they learned outside of school, and how both shaped their careers.They get into the cost of formal education, the value of personal projects, and the lessons that only come from real-world work. Join them as they explore when a degree is necessary and when practical experience can be just as powerful. You’ll hear:<ul><li>The ups and downs of earning an engineering degree</li><li>How different educational paths influenced their careers</li><li>Why side projects matter for learning and growth</li><li>Ways to balance classroom learning with hands-on experience</li><li>Thoughts on job hunting with or without a degree</li></ul> --- Join the conversation and share your thoughts at&nbsp;<a href="https://hardware.cafe/?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hardware.cafe</a>. Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>.To see everything else we do, including social media, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a>. <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 44 - Are Degrees Worthwhile?

Learn from our experience on how to encourage community contributions with documentation and recognition. Tune in to find out how you can keep an open source project thriving!

This week on the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Thea and Lucy talk about what collaboration really looks like in open source hardware. They share how they each found their way into the open source world, with stories ranging from building Nerf blasters to creating massive community-driven projects, like <a href="https://nox.thea.codes/en/stable/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nox</a> or the <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/lumenpnp" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">LumenPnP</a>.The conversation touches on different ways people come together to build projects, why documentation matters, and how simple things like clear expectations or a quick thank-you can make a huge difference for contributors. They also highlight a few projects, such as Arduino and QMK (open source keyboard software), that demonstrate what strong communities can achieve. In this episode you’ll hear about:<ul><li>What collaboration means in open source hardware</li><li>Personal stories from the team</li><li>Lessons from successful projects like <a href="https://nox.thea.codes/en/stable/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nox</a>, <a href="https://github.com/Arduino" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Arduino</a>, and <a href="https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">QMK</a></li><li>How to encourage community contributions</li><li>Why documentation and recognition keep projects thriving</li></ul> Check out the episode and join the conversation at <a href="https://hardware.cafe?utm_source=chatgpt.com" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">hardware.cafe</a> Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 43 - Collaboration in Open Source

From FCC to CE Certs, Stephen and Lucy explore the complex world of product certification, an essential yet often intimidating part of bringing hardware to market.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, Stephen and Lucy explore the complex world of product certification, an essential yet often intimidating part of bringing hardware to market. They discuss the details of obtaining certifications like FCC and CE, sharing their experiences and insights from the certification process of the Lumen PMP V4. Addressing the challenges of navigating regulatory requirements, they emphasize the importance of understanding electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) and cover the various tests involved, such as radiated emissions and immunity. Key topics include:<ul><li>The significance of certification</li><li>Understanding the costs and time involved in the certification process</li><li>Insights into the various types of testing: emissions, immunity, and ESD</li><li>Strategies for preparing your product for certification</li><li>The role of open source communities in enhancing product design and compliance</li><li>Practical advice for navigating the certification landscape</li></ul> Don't forget to check out https://hardware.cafe and contribute what you know! Be a part of something that will truly help small businesses around the world. Mentioned in the episode:<ul><li>Sparkfun blog post: <a href="https://web.archive.org/web/20200114052820/https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/398" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://web.archive.org/web/20200114052820/https://www.sparkfun.com/tutorials/398</a></li><li>Stephen's Certification YouTube video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NCjFhsOvi2I </li><li>Blog post about the certification process: https://hardware.cafe/lumen-certs/</li></ul> ---------------------------------- Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 42 - Certifications

What happens if a key team member suddenly leaves? We discuss the bus test and how to create a resilient organization.

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we explore the concept of the "bus test", a critical measure of an organization's knowledge sharing and resilience to sudden, unexpected change. Join Stephen and Lucy as they discuss the implications of team members being suddenly unavailable and how to prepare for such scenarios. Drawing from personal experiences and recent challenges, they explore the importance of standard operating procedures (SOPs), cross-training, and documentation in ensuring that a company can thrive even in the absence of key personnel. Key topics include:<ul><li>Defining the bus test and its relevance in startups</li><li>The role of SOPs in maintaining operational continuity</li><li>Cross-training team members to reduce reliance on individuals</li><li>Strategies for effective knowledge management and documentation</li><li>Real-world examples from experiences at Opulo</li></ul> Brad Feld - Three Machines - Blog Post: <a href="https://feld.com/archives/2017/01/the-three-machines/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://feld.com/archives/2017/01/the-three-machines/</a> ---------------------------------- Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 41 - Surviving the Bus Test

We explore the influential media that has shaped our journeys as engineers and entrepreneurs. 

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we explore the influential media that has shaped our journeys as engineers and entrepreneurs. Join Stephen and Thea as they dive into the books, documentaries, and creators that have left a lasting impact on their careers. From the lessons learned in the world of open source hardware to the entrepreneurial spirit ignited by unexpected sources, this episode is packed with insights and inspiration. If you would like the links to these recommendations, our YouTube link to this episode has all of them in the Description: https://youtu.be/INYg_2RSEPo Stephen’s Inspiration<ul><li>▶️ YouTube Video: Stephen Hawes Flamethrower</li><li>▶️ YouTube Video: Everett Bradford Flame Thrower</li></ul>Thea’s Recommendation<ul><li>📚 Book: Code: The Hidden Language of Computer Hardware and Software</li></ul>Stephen’s Recommendation<ul><li>▶️ YouTube Series: Crash Course: Computer Science</li><li>▶️ YouTube Channel: Ben Eater</li></ul>Thea’s Recommendation<ul><li>📚 Book: Schiit Happened</li></ul>Stephen’s Recommendation<ul><li>📝 Blog Post: Strategy Letter I: Ben and Jerry’s vs. Amazon</li><li>📚 Book: The Hardware Hacker by Bunnie Huang</li></ul>Thea’s Inspiration<ul><li>👨‍🍳 Person: Gordon Ramsay</li><li>▶️ YouTube Video: Gordon Ramsay trained by Marco Pierre White</li><li>▶️ YouTube Video: Gordon Ramsay makes the perfect scrambled eggs</li></ul>Stephen’s Recommendation<ul><li>🎥 Documentary Series: Developing Hell: Launching Hades</li></ul>Thea’s Recommendation<ul><li>🎥 Documentary Series: Double Fine PsychOdyssey</li><li>📺 TV Show: Mayday: Air Disasters</li></ul>Stephen’s Recommendation<ul><li>🎬 Movie: The Social Network (IMDb)</li></ul>Thea’s Recommendation<ul><li>📺 TV Show: Silicon Valley</li></ul>Stephen’s Recommendation<ul><li>🎬 Movie: Print the Legend</li><li>🎮 Creator: Freddie Wong: RocketJump YouTube, VGHS Wiki, and Dungeons and Daddies Podcast</li></ul>Stephen’s Lightning Round<ul><li>🎙️ Podcast: Seth Godin - Startup School</li><li>🎙️ Podcast: StartUp by Gimlet (Wikipedia)</li><li>📝 Blog: Brad Feld - Three Machines</li><li>📚 Book: The Dip – Seth Godin</li><li>📚 Book: Death by Meeting</li><li>📚 Book: Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance</li><li>📚 Book: The Lean Startup</li><li>📚 Book: The Mom Test</li><li>📚 Book: Deep Work</li><li>📚 Book: Crossing the Chasm</li><li>📚 Book: Primalbranding</li></ul>Thea’s Lightning Round<ul><li>📺 TV Show: Halt and Catch Fire</li><li>📚 Book: Game Programming Patterns</li><li>📚 Book: Crafting Interpreters</li><li>📚 Book: Hackers: Heroes of the Computer Revolution</li><li>▶️ YouTube: Tantacrul (Martin Keary)</li><li>▶️ YouTube: KazeN64</li><li>📚 Book: Game Feel by Steve Swink</li><li>▶️ YouTube: Coding Secrets</li><li>▶️ YouTube: 3blue1brown</li></ul>

Ep. 40 - Influential Media

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we tackle the daunting yet exhilarating journey of starting a hardware company. 

In this episode of the Open Hardware Manufacturing Podcast, we tackle the daunting yet exhilarating journey of starting a hardware company. Join Stephen and Lucian as they share their insights and experiences, breaking down the essential steps to kickstart your venture. From embracing failure to navigating imposter syndrome, this episode is packed with valuable lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. We discuss:<ul><li>The importance of accepting failure as part of the learning process</li><li>Strategies for overcoming imposter syndrome</li><li>The significance of understanding your motivation and reward structure</li><li>How to balance work and life while managing the stresses of entrepreneurship</li><li>The value of community and networking with fellow entrepreneurs</li><li>Practical tips for executing your ideas and staying flexible amidst challenges</li></ul> Whether you're just starting out or looking to refine your approach, this episode will inspire you to take action and embrace the journey of building something meaningful. Sources for links mentioned in this episode:<ul><li><a href="https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">https://kk.org/thetechnium/1000-true-fans/</a></li><li>https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Dip</li></ul> ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at&nbsp;podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out&nbsp;<a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 39 - Starting a Hardware Company

We explore the critical phases of product development (EVT, DVT, PVT) and discuss the importance of each phase while you bring your product to market.

In this episode of the OHM Podcast, We explore the critical phases of product development: Engineering Validation Test (EVT), Design Validation Test (DVT), and Production Validation Test (PVT). We discuss the importance of each phase in transforming a bare-bones concept into a market-ready product and emphasize the need for structured validation processes to ensure that products meet their intended specifications and can be effectively mass-produced. Join us as we delve into: <ul><li>The significance of product validation and the role of the Product Requirement Document (PRD)</li><li>The differences and objectives of EVT, DVT, and PVT</li><li>How empirical testing and user feedback shape product development</li><li>Insights into managing engineering teams and collaboration across disciplines</li><li>Real-world examples from their experiences at Form Labs and Opulo</li></ul> Sources:<ul><li> </li></ul> ----------------------------------Do you have any questions, comments, or topic suggestions? Email us at podcast@opulo.io. We'd love to hear from you! To find out more about what we do, check out <a href="https://www.opulo.io/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.io</a>To see everything else we do, including social media, check out <a href="https://opulo.start.page/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Opulo.start.page</a> <a href="https://www.opulo.io/products/ohm-podcast-tee" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">O.H.M. Podcast Merch is now here!</a> Intro song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=swGy5jk6FvA" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Complicate Ya</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>Ad song:<ul><li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qov8H5e_d5k" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Forever Young</a>&nbsp;-&nbsp;<a href="https://www.otismacmusic.com/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Otis McDonald</a>&nbsp;(<a href="https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/legalcode" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Creative Commons Attribution License</a>)</li></ul>

Ep. 38 - Taking Prototypes to Production

Ever wonder how a radically open source company can be successful? How do you go from an idea to a stable product? Stephen and Lucy share what they've learned shipping thousands of machines all over the world, along with interviewing other folks to discover the best ways to succeed as an open source hardware manufacturer.

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