How Not to Start a Business: Lessons from our Journey

In our 2024 Christmas special we relive a past project where we crafted the ultimate Christmas party event. It involved launching flower pots with a one of a kind vertical rail gun launch system! The budget was small, the team needed a celebration and we took it upon ourselves to create a day which no one could forget. Links to stuff mentioned in this episode* ⁠⁠Never Split the Difference⁠⁠ - https://amzn.to/3YECEEE Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562376242834 ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.instagram.com/theinventionjunkies/ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.youtube.com/@TheInventionJunkies ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.tiktok.com/@theinventionjunkies?lang=en ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://x.com/inventionjunki ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ - https://www.linkedin.com/company/the-invention-junkies *Books we’ve recommended in the Podcast ⁠⁠The Really Good Idea Test⁠⁠ - https://amzn.to/4i6GY7c ⁠⁠Never Split the Difference⁠⁠ - https://amzn.to/3YECEEE ⁠⁠Sprint⁠⁠ - https://amzn.to/3Z3yS6S The 4 hour work week book - ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/49eMjoZ⁠⁠ Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

This week we talk about what to expect when using paid ads on LinkedIn, we discuss User Personas (what they are and how to use them) and we fight spiders, our most important problem of the week so far Links to stuff mentioned in this episode* Spider catcher: ⁠https://amzn.to/3Zn10lA⁠ Plus X: https://www.plusxinnovation.com/ BLOQS: https://bloqslondon.com/?gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiA3sq6BhD2ARIsAJ8MRwVSqyXZIl9KxA7Hu7LHaZ84ZhV7ZkUqCjXuSCGgTJ3JHF9BETntFLkaArZYEALw_wcB Coyote Peterson Black Widow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l5E4o0iRoPc PassivHause: https://www.passivhaustrust.org.uk/what_is_passivhaus.php Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Books we recommend ⁠⁠- The Really Good Idea Test⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Never Split the Difference⁠⁠ ⁠⁠Sprint⁠⁠ The 4 hour work week book - ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/49eMjoZ⁠⁠ Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠  *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

This week we talk everything we found out about selling on Amazon, the problem with gift giving and we solve the issue with household bins. Links to stuff mentioned in this episode* The 4 hour work week book - https://amzn.to/49eMjoZ Rail based bin system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VhYEOG9LOIk Switzerland underground bin system https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LA9FsJXU66w Amazon fee calculator https://sellercentral-europe.amazon.com/fba/profitabilitycalculator/index?lang=en_GB Martin Lewis article on gift giving https://www.moneysavingexpert.com/news/2022/11/martin-lewis-christmas-gifts-help-or-hindrance/ Who Gives a crap video: https://www.instagram.com/whogivesacraptp/reel/DBPad33Cfjl/ Their website: https://uk.whogivesacrap.org/ Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Books we recommend ⁠- The Really Good Idea Test⁠ - ⁠Never Split the Difference⁠ - ⁠Sprint⁠ - The 4 hour work week book - ⁠https://amzn.to/49eMjoZ⁠ Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠⁠  *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

In this weeks episode we discuss a recent motivation black hole, why it happened, and how to get out of it. We cover proper planning, shooting from the hip as well as the balance between time, quality, and cost. Links to stuff mentioned in this episode* Sprint Book - https://amzn.to/3Z3yS6S Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠ *Books we recommend - The Really Good Idea Test - Never Split the Difference - Sprint Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠  *Please note that some referral links areaffiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which weare using.

Listen-in this week to find out how we're coping with our latest failure... pricing strategy - and how we've tried to fix it. We'll also cover a great new problem of the week and hopefully leave you looking for the brilliant or disastrous designs in your own life! Invention Junkies out! Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠   Links Simone Giertz YouTube https://www.youtube.com/@simonegiertz Yetch Store https://yetch.store/en-gbp/ The mug that hits your eyes https://www.reddit.com/r/CrappyDesign/comments/b258xv/nothing_like_the_smell_of_coffee_and_a_good/?rdt=48514  Our Kallax insert storage solution  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header⁠⁠⁠    *Books we recommend - The Really Good Idea Test - Never Split the Difference   Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠    *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

This is a quick into into who we are, what we're doing, and why you should listen to our journey!

This week, we’re taking on the world of breakable tech and sneaky business tactics! Ever wonder why your gadgets don’t seem to last? We’ve got stories from the lightbulb conspiracy to phone fails, all exposing how products are designed to keep you buying. But here’s the twist: we’re trying to change all that. Join us as we chat about our journey to creating products meant to last (and we'll maybe throw in a few rants and laughs along the way) Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠   Links The Google glasses prototype video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5_h1VuwD6g     Our Kallax insert storage solution  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header⁠⁠⁠    *Books we recommend - The Really Good Idea Test - Never Split the Difference   Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠ 

This week we explore our unfortunate financial situation, how to bring our your creativity and discuss everything wrong with scooters. Listen now!   Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠   Our Kallax insert storage solution  ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header⁠⁠⁠⁠  *Books we recommend - ⁠The Really Good Idea Test ⁠ - ⁠Never Split the Difference⁠   Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠⁠    *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

In this week's episode the business has made it to user interviews, we're preparing for Kickstarter and in problem of the week we discuss how to solve a real problem: Sewage! Tune in to find out why Matt calls an end to the episode early!   Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠⁠   Links Exploding Kittens & The Key to Running a Successful Kickstarter https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nCIgcvK8elo   The Norovirus in Oyster Report https://www.food.gov.uk/research/foodborne-disease/investigation-into-the-prevalence-distribution-and-levels-of-norovirus-titre-in-oyster-harvesting-areas-in-the-uk   Sewage Spill Maps Overview map of previous data https://theriverstrust.org/sewage-map Map of live alerts https://www.sas.org.uk/water-quality/sewage-pollution-alerts/ Map of live alerts + river downstream prediction https://www.sewagemap.co.uk/   Our Kallax insert storage solution  ⁠⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header⁠⁠⁠  *Books we recommend - The Really Good Idea Test - Never Split the Difference   Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠⁠    *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using. 

In this week’s episode we discuss the double diamond process, celebrate more sales and discuss our findings from our feedback survey.  We talk about the pain of unloading the dishwasher and what we would design to solve this problem.  Follow us on ⁠⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠TikTok⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠X⁠⁠⁠⁠ ⁠⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠ Our Kallax insert storage solution  ⁠⁠https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header⁠⁠  *The Really Good Idea Test book: ⁠⁠https://amzn.to/4dEPDuk⁠⁠  Our course on modern leadership ⁠⁠https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77⁠⁠  *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using. 

In this weeks episode we celebrate our first sale and talk though the process of testing ideas and testing our products with real users. We talk about the pain of getting a hair cut and what we would design to mean we never had to go to a hairdressers ever again! Take our survey! https://forms.gle/665SjoWedfwUo24P8 Follow us on ⁠Facebook⁠ ⁠Instagram⁠ ⁠YouTube⁠ ⁠TikTok⁠ ⁠X⁠ ⁠LinkedIn Visit our Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header *The Really Good Idea Test book: https://amzn.to/4dEPDuk Our course on modern leadership https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77 *Please note that some referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on referring products which we are using.

The new business is underway, in this episode we look back over the many failures that brought us here and discuss the latest failures of the week. Follow us on Facebook Instagram YouTube Tiktok X LinkedIn Visit our Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/shop/TheInventionJunkies?ref=dashboard-header *The Really Good Idea Test book: https://amzn.to/4dEPDuk Our course on modern leadership https://www.udemy.com/course/a-crash-course-to-mastering-modern-leadership/?referralCode=0DA0574A5F7FAE07DC77 *Some of our referral links are affiliate links where we earn a small commission on product referrals.

We've been given our P45s, the clock is ticking and we've got a business to launch. This is Episode 1, where we talk about how we got here and why we're so determined to make it work!