Art of the Kickstart

Sourcing products from China can be nightmare, but it's necessary for Kickstarters and entrepreneurs. Today Matt Kowalak brings a decade of product sourcing expertise to help businesses find suppliers and manufacturers to help their companies grow and increase product profit margins. It's China Product Sourcing 101....plus a ton more! Key Business Takeaways(I know it's a lot!) * Ways to turn teaching English abroad into an incredible life experience * Why entrepreneurs often make awful employees * How to find business partners and cofounders to create powerful enterprises * The keys to sourcing products from China and strategies to make it happen * Alibaba vs sourcing agents and understanding Chinese manufacturing * Why you've got to have a vision to create a story worth telling * How having history makes products seem more real and valuable * Why entrepreneurs must understand 100% product production to get it right * The reason creators must take responsibility for product rather than relying on manufacturer * Getting factories on board for small run Kickstarter campaigns * The pros and cons of living near your factory * The 10% padding rule to supply chain success * How to understand the mindset of manufacturers for success * Lead time and looking at how it affects your business planning * Juggling suppliers and startup management strategies for sourcing * Anticipating issues before they arise and planning for success * The reason you NEED multiple suppliers to stay safe Links * chinaopportunitypodcast.com * tropicalmba.com [clear-line] Connect with Matt * @mattkowalak [clear-line] Shido Stand The simple standing desk that does more.   Learn more now! [clear-line] Love the Show? Leave us a Review     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Turn a Kickstarter company into an incredible story that sells itself and practically pulls backers into the journey. Today storyteller Michael Margolis breaks down the keys to brand domination and building a business consumers can't get enough of...prepare to become Steve Jobs - maybe...??? Business Success Quote "We teach what we most need to learn." Key Business Takeaways * Why you need inciting incidents to galvanize the tale of team * How passion and purpose balance into business and life * How to turn a product business into a beautiful story customers connect with * The reasons consumers connect with brand stories * Ways to take advantage of unique skills and family fun for professional prowess * Why you've got to have a vision to create a story worth telling * How having history makes products seem more real and valuable * Why engaging stories elevate the value of a product * Strategies to increase the perceived value of a product * The power of pedigree in long term business growth * The reason stories grow and evolve every time it's told * Why your story is 100% about your audience * Why undeniable stories are about making the product understandable * How to overcome doubts and fears about being in the limelight * Why being a disruptor isn't all good * How to build a brand team and co-founder Links * getstoried.com/redpill Epic Business Books * Believe Me: Why Your Vision, Brand, and Leadership Need a Bigger Story * Pitch Anything: An Innovative Method for Presenting, Persuading, and Winning the Deal * Resonate: Present Visual Stories that Transform Audiences Connect with Michael * @getstoried * Get Storied's Facebook [clear-line] Love the Show? Leave us a Review     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Today we're taking business and startup success to the next level when Dan Andrews of the TropicalMBA drops some serious insight on what it takes to build a million dollar product business and how find success sourcing and manufacturing products. Key Business Takeaways * Why you need to leverage your own business talents * How passion and purpose balance into business and life * How to find a balance in your startup * The reasons work/life balance isn't real * What happens starting two businesses simultaneously * Why you've got to make massive risks to build a business * How having multiple startups can save your company from failure * How to turn lifetime value into long term business success * The difference between B2B and B2C startups and how to succeed * Why you should sell your product for way more than you expect * Sourcing strategies and the best ways to find manufacturers * The reason getting your hands dirty is critical to a successful product * How long it takes once your prototypes are ready to get a product perfected for Kickstarter * Why sourcing products is hard and why you must take responsibility for the product * Growing and scaling a business post-Kickstarter * Why retail isn't a good experience for entrepreneurs * How to build a brand team and co-founder Links * tropicalmba.com * moderncatdesigns.com [clear-line] Epic Business Books * The 7 Day Startup: You Don't Learn Until You Launch * Mastering the Rockefeller Habits: What You Must Do to Increase the Value of Your Growing Firm * The Winds of War Connect with Dan * @tropicalmba * Tropical MBA's Facebook [clear-line][clear-line] [clear-line] My Coming Kickstarter The on-the-go laptop stand that doubles as your computer's case! [one-half-first][/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] [clear-line] [clear-line] Grab Yours When We Launch! Love the Show? Leave us a Review     [clear-line] Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

David's Kickstarter campaign didn't go as planned. Our entrepreneur launched and fell flat cause he didn't have the time and preparation necessary to succeed. Today we examine Kickstarter launches, when to pull an unsuccessful campaign and preparing to relaunch and crush your crowdfunding campaign. David's an awesome Art of the Kickstart listener and got a great product...now he's just working towards rocking it. Brushlogger's Kickstarter Bio Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why even average people can create successful Kickstarter products * How to startup business brainstorm products * How to know when to pull the plug on a Kickstarter campaign * The best way to validate your product idea * The reason intellectual property isn't an end all to success * Why great ideas in your head aren't always what people want to purchase * How to turn a silly adult problem into a profitable health product * Keep it simple stupid, get that product out there ASAP * How to react to an unsuccessful Kickstarter campaign * Advance strategies for viral product sharing * Why planning your project launch takes longer than anticipated * How to find incredible entrepreneurial communities for much needed startup support Succcess Quotes "When you wanna succeed as you wanna breath, then you will be successful." Links * brush-logger.com [clear-line] Epic Business Books * Think and Grow Rich: The Landmark Bestseller - Now Revised and Updated for the 21st Century * How to Win Friends & Influence People Connect with David * @brushlogger * @ionzenith * BrushLogger's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Looking to find incredible startup success post-Kickstarter? Synek System raised an ridiculous $650k, here's the story after crowdfunding of creating a powerful, partner focused distribution network and pitfalls to avoid post-funding. We cover pivots, partnership strategies and long term visions to uncover the secret maintaining momentum and business success after crushing your Kickstarter campaign...enjoy. The Synek Kickstarter Campa ign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What happens after a successful Kickstarter campaign * How to find effective post-Kickstarter partners to work with * The challenges of rapid growth after crowdfunding * Why entrepreneurs ought to explore the B2B market * The way create strategies and pivot points for a startup * Why large scale growth requires niched down * One incredible way to get backers involved in the company after your campaign * Why small commitments turn into profitable partnerships and sales * They dynamic of multi-mission companies and follow-up Kickstarter campaigns * How to keep backers in the loop * Why startups are anything but glamorous * How to eat, sleep, live and love your company Links * syneksystem.com Connect with Michael * @SynekSystem * Synek's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

How do you take a proven product and pivot, expand and enter new markets? Today Ecofarm founders Alex and Nacho are sharing their startup story inspired by American aquaponics and crowdfunding to create a similar sustainability focused success. If you've ever considered a cofounder we dig into the dynamics of business partners and best practices for finding a suitable startup teammate. The Ecofarm Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why your first idea is never your best * How to find cofounders for your startup to succeed * The reason it's challenging to build a crowdfunding business while based in Europe * Why entrepreneurs and individuals with different perspectives create a strong combination * The way to pivot products and ideas from other markets to match your target * Why founder fit is critical to startup success * The challenges of VC funding and how crowdfunding can create proven traction * How to effectively combine form and function * What the best way to create and perfect product design * How and where the sustainability focused movement of urban farming is taking people Success Quotes * "Make the life of the people better." Links * ecobird.eu Awesome Books The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich Connect with Alex and Nacho * @ecobird_team Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Want to turn your personal passion into a profitable business? Looking to innovate an industry with crowdfunding? Lucy Brown, founder of LUMO is on the line to share strategies for successfully building and growing a customer fashion and cycling safety brand and how to use Kickstarter to kickstart business success. The Lumo Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why personal problems motivate entrepreneurs for success * How to market a product effectively * The reason you must wake up having dreams about your business * Why you must pitch your ideas with customers for feedback * The way to reach the tipping point in your business * Why crowdfunding in Europe is kinda tough * The challenges of product development before Kickstarter * How to deal consumer electronics with clothing companies * Why aesthetics are selling proposition for Kickstarter backers * When you need to partner with industry experts Success Quotes * "Feel the fear the do it anyways." Links * lumo.cc * Hacking Kickstarter Awesome Books The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses YOUR FREE AUDIOBOOK [clear-line] Connect with Lucy * @LUMO_cc * LUMO's Facebook Kickstarter Startup Love * COBI * Soma Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Today we're turning personal problems into international, future focused brands. Nike Klansek, founder of FlyKly shares marketing and promotion strategies that led to a $700k Kickstarter campaign and significant business momentum post-crowdfunding. Tune in for customer discovery secrets, business pivots and direction and effective strategies to fully crowdfund. The FlyKly Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why personal problems can motivate entrepreneurs * How to turn a passion into an international product * The way crowdfunding has transformed the technology industry * Why you must always be pitching and sharing ideas with customers * The power of meetups and customer feedback for company direction * Why inventors must segment customers into different groupings * The challenge in changing customer behavior * How to deal with people problems when building a startup * Ways to use partnerships to spread an innovative product * When eco-friendly can create a Kickstarter boost * Why customers always have different reasons for buying a product * The three critical Kickstarter marketing channels * Communities * PR and social media * Advertising Success Quotes * "I've given up going to the supermarket two blocks down the street." -quote from a user Links * flykly.com Awesome Books The Lean Startup: How Today's Entrepreneurs Use Continuous Innovation to Create Radically Successful Businesses YOUR FREE AUDIOBOOK [clear-line] Connect with Niko * @flykly * @nklansek * FlyKly's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

Raising over $100k via crowdfunding to build a hardware startup while still in college, here's the Kickstarter success story of Chris Wentz with Everykey and how they did it. We team building, hardware tech challenges and ways to get exposure and customer feedback while building a revolutionary product. PS. Writing up this podcast post while in the airport. Moving to Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam...aka Saigon! Wanted to also let you know the podcast will be reduced down to bi-weekly. Three episodes per week is taking its toll and hopefully the newer format will lead to deeper, more beneficial content to help you with launching and funding. Happy New Year. The EveryKey Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What it's like building a business while in college * How entrepreneurs can motivate others to join their mission * The way common problems can create startup success * How to impress angel funding entrepreneurs * Why you should consider business fun * How founders come to agreements that lead towards success * Why accelerator programs are incredibly powerful for inventors * The challenge in launching a hardware wearable product * How to deal with people problems when building a startup * Why entrepreneurs need to listen to other people's advice to succeed * When to start pitching and pivoting a product * Why customer development and research is critical to success * How never giving up is the core to startup domination Success Quotes * "Do what makes you happy." Links * everykey.com [clear-line] Connect with Chris * @_everykey * Everykey's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

What happens after a successful Kickstarter campaign? What's the best way to deal with order fulfillment and expanding a business and brand once you fund? Today Michael Finizio is back to share Fonde's post-Kickstarter strategies to retail and ecommerce based success. If manufacturing and scaling up are your thing, this interview should help your startup grow. Where Are They Now - Fonde Ravioli Roller's 1st Interview [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What happens after a successful Kickstart campaign * How to figure out where post-Kickstarter customers are coming from * Why funding above and beyond expectations can be detrimental to startup success * The reason you should plan for success before launch * Why automation procedures can drastically speed up manufacturing production * When is it time to call it quits on the day job * Why crowdfunding can create incredible post-campaign momentum * What goes into wholesaling to retail stores * Why NYC is a challenging place to bootstrap a start * The reason retail can overwhelm any entrepreneur * How crowdfunding can create startup TV exposure * The reason a day job can hold a business back * How backer rewards and options can create a logistical nightmare for fulfillment * Why crowdfunding creates a unique opportunity for additional product development Links * Fonde's Kickstarter Campaign * repastsupplyco.com [clear-line] Connect with Michael * @MichaelFinizio * @RepastSupply * Fonde's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review  

It's Christmas Eve! Happy Holidays guys. Today we're doing crowdfunding craziness. Zack Miller of OurCrowd, a powerful Israeli based crowdequity platform's co-hosting in a sense the Art of the Kickstart. We're working to uncover the key differences between reward crowdfunding and equity crowdfunding to create a better understanding among inventors and entrepreneurs out there about the best strategies for business success. Hope our interesting chat in which I ask a couple too many questions creates some super startups! Our Crowd - Israeli Crowdequity Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What you need to know about crowdequity funding * How big business is changing the game of crowdfunding * Why equity crowdfunding is taking off outside the US * How to know when business are worth investing in * Why equity crowdfunding is pretty complex to consider * What goes into business investing and due diligence * Why equity crowdfunding can act as accelerator for startups * The way to leverage crowdfunding for venture capital * Why equity crowdfunding is more geared to B2B businesses * The reason founders matter more than the actual idea * Why crowdequity creates mutual goals for investors * The risk in equity crowdfunding * How to decide between equity and rewards based crowdfunding campaigns * Why crowdequity platforms need to show more traction to succeed Links * OurCrowd.com * This Week in Crowdfunding Connect with Zack aka Superman! * @newrulesinvest * @ourcrowd * OurCrowd's Facebook Another Awesome Kickstarter Creator * SCiO Sensor Love the Show? Leave us a Review    

Today brother Isaac and Ismail Degani, the incredible founders of SnapJet join Art of the Kickstart and unveils exactly what it takes to create a success startup in the competitive space of technology. We talk family dynamics, founder cooperation and dig deep into why doers also outperform talkers. Hope you enjoy this bad ass brother duo and their Kickstarter success story! The SnapJet Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * What it's like building a business with your brother * How entrepreneurs need to ask for help * The difference between doers and talker * How to know when to fully commit to a business idea * Why you should prototype and test before quitting * How founders come to agreements that lead towards success * Why there is no better market validator than crowdfunding * The best way to build and manufacture a complex tech product * How to overcome the challenges of hardware creation * The reason you should shop around for manufacturing * Why entrepreneurs need to dive right in to discover how to build a business * When to partner and hire freelancers * Why working around other entrepreneurs is incredibly important * Why access to prototyping is critical for efficiency Success Quotes * Do as much as you can. Learn as much as you can." Links * snapjet.com Influential Books * Patent It Yourself: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Filing at the U.S. Patent Office [clear-line] Connect with Isaac and Ismail * @snapjet * SnapJet's Facebook Another Awesome Kickstarter Creator * BrushLogger with Art of the Kickstart entrepreneur David Espinoza * Blue Eagle Labs 3D Printer Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

For college project to crushing Kickstarter to the tune of half a million dollars today's Art of the Kickstart interview highlights an incredibly young, motivated and successful entrepreneur revolutionizing wearable sleep technology. Daniel Lee, founder of Hush shares his lean startup secrets to success and how constantly pitching and pushing a product can help refine and revamp an idea in ways you never even imagine. Hope this one holds your attention! The Hush Kickstarter Campaign Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why some inventors do stumble into entrepreneurship * The challenges of building a successful startup while in college * How entrepreneurs can start businesses while in schoole * The power of business competitions in refining a pitch * How to bring on cofounders * Why traction is all that counts in startup success * The reason crowdfunding is critical for hardware companies * Why venture capitalists love seeing Kickstarter success before inventing * The best way to build a launch list * How to navigate the roller coaster of entrepreneurship * Strategies for Kickstarter marketing and hype * The reason you need a powerful push for crowdfunding success * How to use local pitch events to drive Kickstarter success * When to partner for manufacturing and engineering expertise * Why huge campaigns can motivate inventors everywhere * Why wearables will evolve into action based engagement Success Quotes * “Entrepreneurship wasn't even on my mind until it happened" Links * hush.technology Influential Books * The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich * Outliers: The Story of Success Connect with Daniel * @hushtechnology * Hush Technology's Facebook Daniel's Kickstarter Favs * Bibliotheca Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.

From near death experience to incredible entrepreneur Chris Landano is a hardworking inventor with an awesome crowdfunding story. Today's talk centers around the importance of surrounding yourself with inventors, innovators and business builders and how absolutely anyone with the guts to try can become an accomplished product creator. Check out TrakBelt360's crowdfunding case study here as well! The TrakBelt360 Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why near death experiences can create incredible business ideas * The reason loyalty is critical in entrepreneurship * How keep a cool head in uncontrollable situations * The importance of patents and IP in invention * How to use intellectual property to protect an invention * Why inventors are just problem solvers without realizing * The reason mentors are critical to startups * Why you need to join a mastermind or get around experienced entrepreneurs * How to research relevant products to pinpoint patenting * The challenges of prototyping and building products * Organizations that help inventors create physical products * The ways crowdfunding helps entrepreneurship unlike ever before * How to get manufacturing and production going * The challenges of Kickstarter delays and overseas manufacturing * Why licensing isn't always the best option for startups * What a coach can do to help entrepreneurs succeed Success Quotes * Integrity. Honesty. Loyalty. Links * trakbelt360.com Influential Books * Rich Dad Poor Dad: What The Rich Teach Their Kids About Money That the Poor and Middle Class Do Not! * Nothing to Lose, Everything to Gain: How I Went from Gang Member to Multimillionaire Entrepreneur [clear-line] Connect with Chris * @trakbelt360 * TrakBelt's Facebook Love the Show? Leave us a Review       [clear-line]

Note: Before we jump into the interview I want to issue an enormous apology to Justis Earle, today's incredible Kickstarter entrepreneur. His name is pronounced Justice and he was such a great guy that he didn't even call me out on getting wrong the ENTIRE interview. Thanks Justis for coming on and sharing an incredible story. Today's story breakdowns the fundamentals of launching a crowdfunding campaign, market validating products and even where potentially profitable business ideas can randomly come friend. Hope you enjoy! The Hansnap Kickstarter Campaign [one-half-first] [/one-half-first][one-half][/one-half] [clear-line] Key Crowdfunding Takeaways * Why supportive spouses are everything in entrepreneurship * The reason some inventors are always creating * How solve every day issues for profit * The reason passion is priceless in building a business * How to use intellectual property to protect an invention * What it feels like to be an inventor * The democratic power of crowdfunding * What you need to know about funding and manufacturing * Why entrepreneurship and invention is a long term log * How to navigate building a business on the side * Strategies for Kickstarter brand ambassadors * The need differentiate in startup branding * How to brainstorm businesses through spontaneous curiosity * When to showcase a product to backers * Balancing speed and perfection in product launches Success Quotes * “ Aim at heaven and you will get earth thrown in. Aim at earth and you get neither” by CS Lewis Links * hansnap.com Influential Books * The 4-Hour Workweek: Escape 9-5, Live Anywhere, and Join the New Rich * Outliers by Malcom Gladwell [clear-line] Connect with Justis * @hansnap_ * Hansnap's Facebook Justis' Kickstarter Favs * Bibliotheca Love the Show? Leave us a Review   Our Sponsor * eFulFillment Service: Want to get your rewards out to backers and eliminate the hassle of post-campaign shipping? EFS can help with tons of crowdfunding experience and special discounts for Art of the Kickstart listeners these guys are a great bet to help your business grow.