It's only a Prototype
It's only a Prototype
Podcast Description
Bringing a physical product to market is never a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable and full of costly mistakes. It’s only a Prototype is the podcast that tells the real stories behind product innovation. No hype. No polished PR spins. Just honest, hard-won insight from people who’ve lived it.
Hosted by Phil Staunton (Founder of D2M product design agency: https://www.design2market.co.uk/) who brings with him a wealth of industry experience and Tom Constable a seasoned podcast host and serial entrepreneur.
This show explores the unfiltered reality of designing, prototyping, manufacturing, and launching physical products.
Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leads, engineers and innovation specialists who have faced down challenges in new product development (NPD). We learn what separates commercially successful products from costly flops, exploring real-world decisions, moments of uncertainty, and the lessons learned through failure.
This podcast is for you if you’re serious about turning good ideas into great products. Whether you’re:
- Leading innovation, product or R&D teams
- Founding and growing a product-based business
- Managing design and manufacturing processes
- Supporting product success through marketing, strategy or operations
…you’ll gain practical insight into the challenges that really matter.
We cover questions like:
- How do you balance innovation with commercial viability?
- How can you validate an idea before investing heavily?
- How do you manage stakeholder conflict, evolving product requirements or manufacturing risk?
- When do you push forward and when do you pivot or walk away?
From idea to shelf (and every stage in between), It’s only a Prototype is your behind-the-scenes guide to what it really takes to bring a physical product to life... and make it work.
Podcast Insights
Content Themes
The podcast delves into real stories around product innovation, focusing on topics like designing, prototyping, manufacturing, and launching products; episodes cover themes such as navigating stakeholder conflicts, balancing innovation with commercial viability, and learning from costly mistakes, illustrated by case studies like the journey of Rockit, a sleep-saving device for babies.
Bringing a physical product to market is never a straight line. It’s messy, unpredictable and full of costly mistakes. It’s only a Prototype is the podcast that tells the real stories behind product innovation. No hype. No polished PR spins. Just honest, hard-won insight from people who’ve lived it.
Hosted by Phil Staunton (Founder of D2M product design agency: https://www.design2market.co.uk/) who brings with him a wealth of industry experience and Tom Constable a seasoned podcast host and serial entrepreneur.
This show explores the unfiltered reality of designing, prototyping, manufacturing, and launching physical products.
Each episode features candid conversations with founders, product leads, engineers and innovation specialists who have faced down challenges in new product development (NPD). We learn what separates commercially successful products from costly flops, exploring real-world decisions, moments of uncertainty, and the lessons learned through failure.
This podcast is for you if you’re serious about turning good ideas into great products. Whether you’re:
– Leading innovation, product or R&D teams
– Founding and growing a product-based business
– Managing design and manufacturing processes
– Supporting product success through marketing, strategy or operations
…you’ll gain practical insight into the challenges that really matter.
We cover questions like:
– How do you balance innovation with commercial viability?
– How can you validate an idea before investing heavily?
– How do you manage stakeholder conflict, evolving product requirements or manufacturing risk?
– When do you push forward and when do you pivot or walk away?
From idea to shelf (and every stage in between), It’s only a Prototype is your behind-the-scenes guide to what it really takes to bring a physical product to life… and make it work.
In this episode of the podcast, hosts Tom Constable and Phil Staunton engage in a deep conversation with Sarah Giblin, the founder of RiutBag. They explore Sarah’s journey as a solopreneur, the challenges she faced, and the lessons learned along the way. The discussion covers the importance of customer feedback, the impact of burnout, and the role of social media in marketing. Sarah shares her experiences with crowdfunding, product development, and the significance of building a community around her brand. The episode concludes with insights on navigating external challenges and the importance of extreme ownership in entrepreneurship.
Takeaways:
- The importance of listening to customer feedback in product design.
- Burnout can be a significant challenge for solopreneurs.
- Success is not linear; it involves ups and downs.
- Social media can be a powerful tool for marketing and engagement.
- Building a community around your product is crucial.
- Frugality can help sustain a business during tough times.
- Effective communication with manufacturers is key to product quality.
- Utilising platforms like TikTok can enhance visibility and sales.
- Extreme ownership is essential for personal and business growth.
Guest Bio:
Sarah Giblin is the founder of RiutBag, the revolutionary backwards backpack designed for safer urban travel. With no background in product design, Sarah turned a personal frustration into a global product, selling over 35,000 units through Kickstarter and beyond. She continues to run Riut as a solopreneur, hand-checking every production batch and sharing her journey with refreshing honesty. Explore her designs at www.riut.co.uk.
🔗 Connect with Sarah on LinkedIn
Sponsor Details:
This episode is sponsored by MIKA Group – global experts in taking your product from concept to mass production. With over 45 years of experience in NPI, engineering, quality assurance, supply chain, and cost reduction, MIKA Group supports entrepreneurs and businesses with everything from design and tooling to final assembly and logistics. If you’re serious about scaling your hardware product, visit rc-mikagroup.com to find out how they can help.
Meet the Hosts:
Phil Staunton is the founder of D2M, a product design consultancy with over 20 years of experience bringing physical products to market. He blends deep design knowledge with commercial realism:
📺 Check out D2M’s YouTube Channel
Tom Constable is a former British Army officer turned entrepreneur and podcast producer. Tom brings curiosity and challenge to every conversation, making sure no lesson goes unshared.
About the Show:
It’s Only a Prototype uncovers the real stories behind physical product innovation. No polish. No sugar-coating. Just raw, insightful conversations with people who’ve built (and broken) real things.
Perfect For:
- Product innovators & hardware entrepreneurs
- Founders scaling physical product businesses
- Heads of product, design and R&D
- Commercial leaders navigating NPD and manufacturing
Stay Connected:
🌍 Website: https://www.design2market.co.uk/its-only-a-prototype/
📱 LinkedIn: Follow us here
🎥 YouTube: Watch full episodes and clips
🎧 Subscribe: On Apple Podcasts, Spotify & more
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Chapters:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
03:00 The Journey of Sarah Giblin and Riot Bag
05:52 The Concept of Solopreneurship
08:57 Success Metrics and Early Challenges
11:53 Marketing Strategies and Customer Engagement
14:45 Burnout and Recovery
17:46 Lessons Learned from Challenges
20:45 Product Development and Customer Feedback
23:39 The Role of Social Media in Business
26:52 Navigating External Challenges
29:37 The Importance of Community and Support
32:55 Final Thoughts and Future Directions
Mentioned in this episode:
Manufacturing Partner Sponsor: Mika Group
MIKA Group delivers global production and business solutions backed by 45+ years of expertise in development, project management and NPI.
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