In this episode of TradeOffs we connect with Tom George, former Head of Pebble at Sidewalk Labs, and now a Product Team Lead at Google focusing on Sustainable Cities. We’ll hear about Tom’s journey from working on speech compression technology for BlackBerry accessories to developing satellite communication systems for ships, and eventually leading hardware teams at Quadlogic and Sidewalk Labs. He shares some insightful lessons about product development, team building, and making difficult decisions.

You can learn more about what Tom is working on at: https://sustainability.google

For more information on the podcast, check out https://tradeoffs.fm

In this episode of TradeOffs we connect with Christina Perla, co-founder and CEO of Makelab, an on-demand 3D printing service. Christina discusses her journey from working in corporate design at Converse to co-founding Makelab, emphasizing the challenges and successes of running a hardware startup. She highlights Makelab's growth strategy, including a hub-and-spoke model for expansion and the importance of community building in client acquisition. Christina also shares insights into the 3D printing industry's challenges, her experiences with venture funding, and the dynamics of working with her business and life partner.

Learn more about Makelab at: https://www.makelab.com use code TRADEOFFS15 for 15% off your first order.

For more information on the podcast, check out https://tradeoffs.fm

In this episode of TradeOffs, we sit down with Kevin Lavelle, founder of Mizzen and Main and Harbor, to discuss the challenges of building and scaling two very different companies—one in apparel and the other in pediatric telemedicine. Lavelle shares candid insights on navigating U.S. manufacturing hurdles, the importance of strategic networking, and the relentless persistence needed to bring innovative products to market. He dives into Harbor's mission to create a failsafe baby monitor, highlighting the technical complexities and lessons learned from his entrepreneurial journey. Lavelle also touches on the shifting dynamics of raising capital for hardware startups and the importance of building long-term trust with customers.

Learn more about Harbor at: https://harbor.co

For more information on the podcast, check out https://tradeoffs.fm

In this first episode we speak with Haytham Elhawary. Haytham is a founder of Kinetic Insurance and has a PhD in Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering from the Imperial College of London. He has been working at the intersection of hardware and biomechanics for close to a decade, and we sat down to discuss his connected product journey and his team's transition to hardware-enabled insurance.

Find out more at https://tradeoffs.fm

Trade-Offs explores the trials and tribulations of designing, building, and manufacturing hardware, and the people that make it. Each month, we sit down with founders, engineers, and other hardware professionals to understand the unique trade offs inherent in building a business that makes physical products. Join hosts Chris Rill and Nate Padgett as they dig deeper into the complexities of hardware product development. Trade-offs premieres February 2024.

Find out more at https://tradeoffs.fm