The process Of turning an Idea into a reality is the focus Of Matt Kawiecki’s book Making Something From Nothing
Doug Noll’s Interview
Our “Making Something From Nothing” series featured an interview with Matt Kawiecki
The co-founders are just like any other individual Matt Kawiecki Is a parent who frequently seeks solutions to everyday problems?. He is an engineer who values problem-solving and innovative design
The most apparent manifestation was the difficulty in feeding and chopping up the 8-month-old. With the help of his business-minded colleagues and friends, Matt incorporated an ulu set and measuring tool to ensure parents can quickly measure their child’s bites after her dinner waschoked. The reimagining transformed into totchop, serving as a life-saving measure to prevent hazards like those encountered by Matt’s family (hopefully with good fortune!)
Our appreciation goes out to you! Before we begin our discussion, let’s explore a bit more about you. What is your background and childhood story?
My upbringing was centered around family gatherings. With over 50 cousins, massive family gatherings were a regular occurrence on weekends. As I get older, I realize that my upbringing in the past has transformed me into a family-oriented individual. My parents prioritized family values, hard work, and living within our means, as we were never too rich. Growing up, my parents were deeply involved and caring, which helped me form strong bonds during my childhood. After appearing in totchop’s Kickstarter video, Mom passed away unexpectedly in January of 2024, only a month later. It was extremely difficult to face this loss while launching a new business. In December, she expressed pride in me by saying “Matt, I’m so proud of you” referring to my decision to pursue a startup. Her belief in me, as evidenced by her three recent Facebook posts, has inspired me to believe in myself
What is the “Life Lesson Quote” that you find most inspiring? Can you elaborate on how it has impacted your life?
Your own happiness is a product of your imagination. As an engineer, pursuing positive outcomes through a particular process (i. E. E. T he practice of manufacturing has enabled me to pursue happiness in a systematic manner. The manufacturing process is characterized by the ability of satisfied individuals to produce high-quality items at affordable prices. I am surrounded by optimistic individuals and aim to make informed decisions while keeping my finances in check. Doing these things leads to a more positive experience in life. This approach to understanding life has enabled me to steer clear of worries and skepticism about my career, finances, and loved ones
Which book, podcast or movie inspired you the most? Can you tell me about your personal story? Why did it influence you so deeply?
Shoe Dog By Phil Knight. Phil’s guidance on building products, teams, and culture was incredibly motivating. He stated that he was deeply saddened to have not been more present for his son, who passed away at the young age of 34. He admitted that his intense dedication to building Nike often resulted in a loss of time spent with his family, which was one of his most difficult lessons in life. Upon reflection, I aim to prevent making the same error again. I have a favorite family tradition of making “home video” videos every year to remember the time we spent together over the past year
Ok super. Let’s move on to the topic of discussion. There are plenty of good ideas out there. Many people have good ideas at all times. Taking an idea and turning it into a successful business seems to be difficult for people. Can you provide some tips from your experience on how to tackle this issue?
Collaborate with individuals you hold in high regard and demonstrate your commitment to changing the world through problem-solving rather than formulating a solution. Individuals are not concerned with solutions, but rather with their own problems
Don’t hide a flaw, either. Launching a new product or brand can be daunting, and your idea may be stolen by others. Don’t be. Have a strong belief in yourself and your idea, which makes you aware that no one else can do it better than you
Just make it. Get rid of the items you purchase at Walmart. Construct it out of cardboard. Implement and encourage authentic individuals to give it a go. Subsequently, consult experts to determine if your idea is innovative and conduct research on potential competitors. Have others attempted to create something similar but have been unsuccessful? What were the reasons for their failure?
Discuss with AI all the details of your idea from suppliers, material selection, and business structure. These LLMs act as an excellent advisor that you can access for free! I propose utilizing the AI to connect with real-world experts and establish trust. An AI co-pilot is a must-have for every entrepreneur building their business
In conclusion, I suggest finding individuals who have achieved significant milestones and establishing connections. Entrepreneurs have a passion for supporting one another. Don’t be shy
It is common for people to dismiss new ideas, assuming they were thought of something else by someone before they came up with it. Is it possible for someone to research whether or not their idea has already been developed?
Talk to AI first. Following that, make sure to consult with a patent attorney as needed, particularly for e. G. P atentDrawAI and other AI-powered products are among the innovative tools available for searching patent databases
Don’t be discouraged by the fact that something like this has happened before. Did it hit the market in a different market? What did they say? If you are confidently solving ‘the problem at hand, don’t be deterred by previous inventions or products. Find out why they didn’t succeed and concentrate on improving the task
Our readers would appreciate it if you could provide an overview of the steps involved In patenting an idea, finding a suitable manufacturer, and shopping for retailers
Sketching ideas on a notepad was the first step in creating totchop’s debut product. The drawings centered on an ulu knife design and a cutting board that had measuring tools. Once we had incorporated these speed and safety elements into our CAD models, we utilized a local engineer with 3D printers to print prototypes. Then, we gathered feedback from other parents and modified the components more than 100 times. The strength of genuine feedback with a physical prototype cannot be adequately emphasized
During the development of totchop’s knife and board, we reached out to patent attorneys to initiate the IP protection process. We obtained a trademark for our name and logo, and filed for design patents on our product. You can do these things by yourself, but there is a risk of not knowing how to draw illustrations or navigate the process properly. You don’t want to mess up this part
It’s tough to find a manufacturer, but we set an initial objective of manufacturing as much as possible in the US A. T o get recommendations, I suggest reaching out to a sales representative from local manufacturing firms. These individuals frequently collaborate with multiple manufacturers at the same time, resulting in connections across various industries. The key point is to make inquiries on the phone and ask for samples before committing to manufacturing in other countries. Specialist teams in different countries are available to vet manufacturers for you
We opted for DTC to facilitate sales. When dealing with a tight budget, it’s crucial to prioritize earning profits at an early stage. While traditional retail margins are reasonable at scale, DTC margin is more suitable for startups looking to expand their business
If you’re not able to market DTC yourself, I suggest finding a good agency that has experience in doing the same type of work and can provide proven results
Can you share the five key pieces of advice you Wish Someone would give you When starting out as a CEO?
Numerous consultants specialize in the development of inventions. Would you suggest hiring a consultant for someone with an innovative idea, or is it better for them to explore their own options?
I had experience in manufacturing and research and development, so I knew I could create a product myself. If you or your team are struggling to create a product on their own, seek assistance from skilled consultants who specialize in creating innovative products. Rather than spending money on designing, prototyping, testing, and iterating, consider making products yourself. Learning from your own mistakes will be more beneficial
How do you perceive the differences between bootstrapping and venture capital search? What is the most effective approach to determine if you should pursue one or the other?
I and five of my friends partnered to launch Tot Chop’ s. Not only did they donate money, but these people have skills that we can use to kick off our launch. We were aware of the risk, but we never made more contributions than we could bear to lose. We ensured alignment on this before contributing money, as we have 16 children
After 6 months of launch, we acknowledged the potential for external funding to enable scaling. The more money you put into ads, the more revenue you generate. We have learned that investors prefer remuneration for founders, which helps us avoid being distracted by another job
With the right experience and connections, investors can accelerate your business growth and become profitable. Is it possible for the investor to assist you within the next 6 months? If so, then you should consider making an investment
Ok. We are nearly done. Our final queries are outlined below. In what ways have you contributed to improving the world as a result of your achievements?
I am passionate about helping families spend more time together in the kitchen, without having to deal with the stress of cooking. While our first product is designed to save parents time by helping them prep healthy meals ahead of time, we are excited to roll out new products that kids can try at home. Using safe and effective tools, children experience a sense of purpose and accomplishment. Our focus is on bringing products to market that encourage participation and involvement
I also have a passion for motivating children. Recently, I’ve been engaging with elementary school students to illustrate how real-world problems can be tackled. My narrative features a combination of friendship, invention, education, teamwork, and storytelling, as well as their imaginative games during recess
Many people find inspiration in you. If You could create a movement that would bring maximum impact, what idea would You choose to create? It seems impossible to predict when your idea will be successful
Prep together. Eat together. With the right team, motivated by passion, and great ideas, we can bring products to kitchens across the nation that encourage families to prep meals and enjoy their communal moments. Family time is more valuable in the kitchen than in front of TV screens. The kitchen is the ideal location for family gatherings, and we can assist in making healthy, fresh food preparation more accessible
It is fortunate that a group of prominent figures in Business, Venture Capital, Sports, and Entertainment have taken the time to read this column. Is there someone in your world or the US who you would like to have a private breakfast or lunch with, and why? They might be surprised to see us tag them
It would be great if I could have the opportunity to meet Tony Faddell. His book Build Had a great impact on me due to his ability to relate to team building and daily challenges faced by the family
I appreciate your efforts in conveying such remarkable information. Thank you for dedicating so much time to this task
