Uploaded April 2026 | Updated September 2026, 18 minutes ago
Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal, joins Jim to talk about how a hands-on approach to building led him from early 3D printing and MakerBot to helping companies bring real products to life. What started as curiosity turned into a career built on experimenting and learning directly from the manufacturing process.
They get into the messy reality of hardware, from the gap between prototype and production to the importance of communication, proximity, and experience when working with suppliers. Sam breaks down why most projects fail in execution, not ideas, and how Informal helps teams move faster by connecting them with the right people at the right time.
Sam talks about what it takes to get started today and why building real things early matters more than credentials, and how accessible tools have changed the landscape for hardware founders.
Key Takeaways
•Start building early. Hands-on experience beats waiting for the perfect plan.
• The gap is execution. Most failures happen between prototype and production.
• Experience compounds fast. Reps across different projects build real intuition.
• Communication is critical. Distance from manufacturing creates expensive mistakes.
• People matter most. The right team solves problems faster than any process.
• Hardware is more accessible than ever. Tools are not the bottleneck anymore.
• Move fast and learn. Progress comes from doing, not overthinking.
Additional Resources:
Informal: informal.cc
Donut Hole-der: donutholeder.com
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00: Introduction
02:45: What Informal does
08:18: Career Journey
10:54: Challenges in Product Development
13:45: The Importance of Communication in Engineering
19:19: Early Interests and Education in Engineering
22:09: Insights on Manufacturing in China
26:57: Cultural Differences in Manufacturing Practices
30:34: Exploring New Manufacturing Technologies
33:03: The Journey of Entrepreneurship
36:15: Innovative Product Design and Development
43:25: Advice for Aspiring Engineers and Entrepreneurs
Custom sheet metal manufacturing and processing. From prototype to large production runs, get sale and assembly ready custom parts shipped in as little as 2 days; No minimum quantities; free US shipping on orders over $39; made In the USA: bit.ly/4dwW6rU
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/sendcutsend
Sam Holland, co-founder of Informal, joins Jim to talk about how a hands-on approach to building led him from early 3D printing and MakerBot to helping companies bring real products to life. What started as curiosity turned into a career built on experimenting and learning directly from the manufacturing process.
They get into the messy reality of hardware, from the gap between prototype and production to the importance of communication, proximity, and experience when working with suppliers. Sam breaks down why most projects fail in execution, not ideas, and how Informal helps teams move faster by connecting them with the right people at the right time.
Sam talks about what it takes to get started today and why building real things early matters more than credentials, and how accessible tools have changed the landscape for hardware founders.
Key Takeaways
•Start building early. Hands-on experience beats waiting for the perfect plan.
• The gap is execution. Most failures happen between prototype and production.
• Experience compounds fast. Reps across different projects build real intuition.
• Communication is critical. Distance from manufacturing creates expensive mistakes.
• People matter most. The right team solves problems faster than any process.
• Hardware is more accessible than ever. Tools are not the bottleneck anymore.
• Move fast and learn. Progress comes from doing, not overthinking.
Additional Resources:
Informal: informal.cc
Donut Hole-der: donutholeder.com
⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00: Introduction
02:45: What Informal does
08:18: Career Journey
10:54: Challenges in Product Development
13:45: The Importance of Communication in Engineering
19:19: Early Interests and Education in Engineering
22:09: Insights on Manufacturing in China
26:57: Cultural Differences in Manufacturing Practices
30:34: Exploring New Manufacturing Technologies
33:03: The Journey of Entrepreneurship
36:15: Innovative Product Design and Development
43:25: Advice for Aspiring Engineers and Entrepreneurs
Custom sheet metal manufacturing and processing. From prototype to large production runs, get sale and assembly ready custom parts shipped in as little as 2 days; No minimum quantities; free US shipping on orders over $39; made In the USA: bit.ly/4dwW6rU
Follow us on Instagram: instagram.com/sendcutsend
