Description

Christian Reed, CEO of Reekon Tools, shares how he bootstrapped a hardware company from a side project to a multi-million dollar (8 figure) business without any VC funding. Learn how a $1.2M Kickstarter campaign validated his digital tape measure, the manufacturing lessons from his time at Formlabs, and how 30 minutes of daily social media posting built a 3 million-follower audience.

Key Topics:

• Turning a side project into a viable business through Kickstarter validation
• Why bootstrapping forces better discipline than VC funding
• Finding and vetting contract manufacturers as a startup
• Building 3M+ social media followers with consistency and raw content
• Overcoming user adoption challenges in traditional construction industry
• Hardware horror story: When your chip supplier's factory literally burns down
• Why engineers need to think like entrepreneurs, not just inventors

What You'll Learn:

• How to scale hardware manufacturing without VC backing
• Proven social media strategies for B2C hardware products
• The importance of focusing on product benefits over features
• Why marketing is often harder than engineering in hardware
• How to build authentic brand presence in traditional industries

Connect & Learn More:

• Follow the show’s Substack for hardware tools, frameworks, and tips: https://substack.com/@thebuildercircle
• Reach out to our LinkedIn Page if you have any topics you'd like for us to do a deep dive in!

Music by: Tom Stoke

DISCLAIMER Creators of this show are independent and not affiliated with or endorsed by any other company. All views expressed are solely those of the guests. Content is for informational purposes only and does not constitute legal, financial, or any professional advice. Listeners are responsible for their own decisions and should consult qualified professionals. By listening, you agree we are not liable for any outcomes.