So maybe you’re making some progress…
You’ve done the research, maybe built an early prototype, or filed a patent.
But now you’re staring down what comes next: custom development, certifications, manufacturing, testing, logistics, marketing, and more.
And you’re starting to realize just how much you don’t know.
Why would you know all this if you’ve never launched an electronic product before?
So you fall back on what feels safe.
I call it the 3 P’s trap: Prototype, Patent, Pitch deck.
These things often feel like progress. But is it the right kind?
Real progress only comes when you can clearly see the bigger picture.
One small mistake now can turn into a big, expensive problem later.
In hardware, the most expensive mistakes are usually the technical ones you didn't know to look for, the kind that cost months and thousands of dollars to undo.
And when the path ahead is unclear, moving forward feels overwhelming.
What makes it even harder?
Most days, it feels like you’re doing it all alone.
The people closest to you might support you, but they don’t really understand what you’re trying to do.
So you stay stuck and isolated. I've been there.
Years ago, even as an experienced engineer, I was struggling to bring my own product to life all by myself.
Eventually, it was on shelves in hundreds of stores across the US and Canada.
But it took way too long, cost far too much, and I made so many costly mistakes.
My suggestions for you?
Start by getting outside perspectives.
Not from friends or family, because they’re biased (hopefully in your favor, but not always).
Instead, seek outside perspectives from:
- Potential customers - who you don’t already know
- Someone who’s been involved in developing or launching a hardware product
- Experienced engineers who can review your actual design and give you feedback
- Other entrepreneurs doing something similar - learn from and connect with others on the same path.
That might sound a little intimidating, but it doesn’t have to be.
Even just hearing from one or two knowledgeable people who understand what you're doing can make a big difference.
I wish I would’ve learned that sooner.
Worried you're overlooking something critical before you spend more on your product? This may help.