Mitch AltmanCo-founder of Noisebridge (San Francisco hacker

space)Inventor of TV-B-Gone universal remote controlsAuthor of The Brain Machine project (MAKE

Magazine #10)CEO of Cornfield Electronicsemail: mitch@CornfieldElectronics.com

http://www.CornfieldElectronics.com

CodebitsDecember 4, 2009

Make A Living Doing What You Love:How to Bring Your Project

from Idea to Reality

I Love My Job!

Idea to Reality

Inventing TV-B-Gone

1. Problem: TVs in public places

2. Idea to solve problem: One-button universal remote control

3. Implementation: TV-B-Gone

Ideas: What to Do??? ??

or

Project of Love

Project Questions• User Interface?

Simple!• Physical form?

Follow function• Color?

Implied with function• Method for implemention?

Simple!• Tasks?

As few as possible• Name?

Catchy, Informative, Unique

Implementatation

Takes way longer than you think!

So, make time…

Lots To Do!That’s what friends are for

• Pete – PCB layout design• Bob – plastic case• John – mechanical drawing for the case• Nina – graphics for packaging and website• Peter – website and packaging layouts• Chris – shopping cart for the website• Rod – web-hosting, and other IT stuff• Carol – incorporate my company• Pat – accounting• Penni – bookkeeping• Betsy and Jean – publicity• Alex and Jeremie – order fulfillment

And Things You Didn’t Think Of

• Bar-code

• Package design

• Carton design

• Trademark ®

• Lots more stuff for after your product is manufactured!

Where To Manufacture?

Contract Manufacturer (CM): a company you pay to manufacture your thing

My criteria for a good CM:• Good quality production• Treat their employees well• Pay their employees well• Have and adhere to safety standards• Treat the environment well• Give me a price I can afford

(including shipping price)

Funding

$ ?• VCs suck!

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Before assembly line:• Order parts that aren’t made at the CM• Make plastic cases• Print blister-cards• Make cartons and carton inserts• Make plastic “clam-shells”• Make PCBs• Automatic manufacture of PCB assembly

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly lineProject Managers

Assembly line

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: Hand Soldering

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: Insert Batteries

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: Insert into housing, with keychain

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: Screw together

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: Test

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: units in clam-shell, with blister-card

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: seal clam-shell

A Look At Manufacturing Process

Assembly line: package

Sell It!

Publicity

Answer Sales Calls!

Customer Support

Mitch’s One Ruleof Doing Business

Mitch’s One Ruleof Doing Business

(never to be violated!)

Mitch’s One Ruleof Doing Business

(never to be violated!)(Really!):

Mitch’s One Ruleof Doing Business

(never to be violated!)(Really!):

(Are you listening?)

Mitch’s One Ruleof Doing Business

(never to be violated!)(Really!):

Never do business with people you don’t

like!!

Running A BusinessIsn’t All Fun

Conclusion:Life: What a Trip!

CodebitsDecember 4, 2009

Make A Living Doing What You Love:How to Bring Your Project From Idea To Reality

Q & AMitch Altman

Co-founder of Noisebridge (San Francisco hacker space)

Inventor of TV-B-Gone universal remote controlsAuthor of The Brain Machine project (MAKE

Magazine #10)CEO of Cornfield Electronicsemail: mitch@CornfieldElectronics.com

http://www.CornfieldElectronics.com