Connor Bush 🔋🖥📟's Linkedin Analytics

We all know the saying: "Hardware is hard." It’s true—building physical products comes with unique challenges, from prototyping to scaling. But here’s something we don’t talk about enough: Hardware is also incredibly nuanced. Recently, I’ve had more people reach out to me saying they enjoy my posts but hesitated to engage because they assumed we were competitors. After a conversation? Turns out, we weren’t. Just because we swim in the same pool (electronics development and manufacturing) doesn’t mean we swim in the same lane. Our businesses focus on: - Different stages of development - Different volumes & specialties - Different geographies & customer needs Instead of seeing each other as threats, we realized we were complementary. And because we connected, I’ve since referred deals to people I once thought were "competitors." The lesson? Get to know your peers in this space. The hardware ecosystem is vast, but the overlaps are smaller than you think. Collaboration—not competition—makes the industry stronger for everyone. Remember, none of us can do this alone. Who have you connected with lately that surprised you? Or who have you been hesitant to reach out to? Maybe it’s time to change that. #Hardware #Electronics #CollaborationOverCompetition #Manufacturing

A couple of weeks ago, I played 9 holes of golf. By the 8th hole, I was done. Shanked drives. Missed putts. Existential questions like, "Why do I pay to suffer?" and "Should’ve taken up pickleball." So, on the 9th, I mentally checked out and thought: Screw it. Let’s YOLO this. No overthinking—just swing. And what happened? Birdie. Perfect drive. Clutch approach. One putt. That one moment of brilliance? That’s why I keep coming back. When I look back, I won’t remember the messy first 8 holes. I’ll remember the 9th—the shot that made it all worth it. Golf is hard. But rewarding. Hardware is hard. But rewarding. The lesson? Keep pushing through the tough stretches. The pain is temporary; the payoff lasts. Whether it’s golf, hardware, or any challenge—sometimes you have to gaslight yourself into irrational belief. Because that stubborn confidence? That’s what gets you to the other side. Stay relentless. The good stuff is coming.

Trade shows for hardware startups... Cost center or revenue driver? Trade shows can be game-changers for hardware startups—or expensive wastes of time. The difference? Preparation. Why Go? ✔ Demos > Decks – Physical products need touch, not Zoom. ✔ Buyers Hunt Here – Retailers, distributors, and investors scout shows like CES. ✔ Press & Partners – Earn coverage and meet suppliers in days, not months. The Secret? Prep Like a Pro 1️⃣ Pre-Game (1-3+ Months Out) Scrape attendee lists (LinkedIn/Apollo.io). Target buyers, partners, press. Cold outreach: "Saw you’re attending [Event]. Let’s meet to discuss [X Problem]—demo at Booth #123?" 2️⃣ During the Show Schedule every hour (no hoping for drop-bys). Crash side events – Real deals happen after hours. 3️⃣ Post-Show (time kills, get on it) Tag leads (e.g., "Hot - CES - Sample Requested"). Follow up with personalized next steps. 🚫 Skip If… Your product isn’t demo-ready. You can’t commit to pre/post hustle. You don't have budget (10k-50k+) Hardware wins here—but only if you work the show, not just attend it. Agree? What’s your #1 trade show tip? 👇 #Electronics #Hardware #Tradeshow #Manufacturing

Had a fantastic lunch with Alex Gudilko yesterday —one of those connections that started with a simple LinkedIn message and grew into a real, meaningful relationship. Social media is incredible for planting the seeds of connection, but nothing replaces face-to-face conversations, shared laughs, and the kind of trust that only builds over a coffee (or in this case, frothy margs!). LinkedIn opens doors, but relationships thrive when we step into them. Who’s someone you’ve met online that you’d love to grab lunch with? Let’s make more virtual connections real in 2025! #Networking #Relationships #LinkedIn #InPersonMatters

Dear Hardware Founders: It is critical to get great service, timely responses, and accurate quotes from partners like: Engineering firms Product design studios Prototype shops Contract manufacturers You cannot do this alone. You will need good partners along the way. But here's the truth: the quality of THEIR work often depends on the clarity and quality of YOUR asks/inputs. Here are 13 things I’ve learned (sometimes the hard way!) that dramatically improve how these collaborations go: - Be ridiculously clear in your requirements - Research before you reach out - Provide as much documentation as you can - Ask for structured quotes—breakdowns matter - Build a relationship, not just a transaction - Be realistic about time and cost—pad your deadlines - Designate a clear point of contact - Clarify questions, then clarify them again - Use project management tools (organization is critical) - Vet references carefully—past behavior predicts future behavior - Structure the engagement in phases, if you can, to reduce risk - Get it in writing, or it didn't happen - Work. For. Pay. Nothing is ever really free Are there bad actors and incompetent providers out there? Sure. Is that most of them? No. Are there things you can do to improve your experience? Yes. Hardware is messy, timelines slip, and bumps in the road happen. But with the right setup, your partners can become a massive force multiplier, not a bottleneck. What has your experience been like building and scaling in the hardware industry? Has the tariff situation changed anything? As always, I’m happy to lend an ear. The only way the industry succeeds is together. #Hardware #Manufacturing #Engineering #Electronics

I made a mistake. I spent more than $1,200 on running shoes before getting a proper fitting and finding shoes that worked. $1,200 down the drain. multiple injuries. so much pain. delayed traning. massive ding against my 1/2 marathon time this june. and an ego hit 😅 BUT if you'd told me to get a fitting when I started this journey I wouldn't have listened to the advice. I didn't think I had a problem. I didn't know what I didn't know. Did I need a proper fitting? yes. Did I believe I needed one? no. This is a lesson to my fellow sales people (anyone selling anything really): Your prospect must believe and feel their pain before they can hear your solution. Coming out of the gates with all of the benefits will do NOTHING if your prospect doesn't think they have a problem. They don't know what they don't know. They must accept that they have a problem. Help them see. Help them learn. Help them understand the gravity of inaction. Oh, and if you plan to start running. Please get a proper analysis and fitting 😅