Subscribe in iTunes | Download
When Something is Broken...
What do you do about it?
When you see a problem, what's the first thing you do?
Most of us probably Google a solution and if we don’t find something in a few minutes we learn to deal with the problem and move on.
But not Nate Kutsko.
When Nate sees a problem that no one has solved, he solves it himself.
The Art of Inventing
Nate spent most of his life inventing solutions to common (and sometimes not so common) problems.
A couple years ago, Nate noticed that a power tool he owned had no proper belt holding solution on the market. Most of us would be forced to deal with this problem or try to rig a regular belt to make it fit.
Not Nate: he invented a holding clip solution for the product.
Nate is also a golf enthusiast. One day, he was wondering why there wasn't a way to properly teach yourself to golf rather than pay for expensive coaches. Most of us would simply spend more time on the driving range or play more rounds of golf.
That wasn't good enough for Nate. Instead, he invented a real time camera recording system that allows the golfer to view himself while he golfs using advanced eye-wear and recording technology.
More recently, Nate recognized a major shortcoming in the design of all cutting boards on the market. Instead of dealing with these shortcomings, he designed an elegant solution and created a business out of it.
For Nate Kutsko, solving problems isn't a thing to be avoided; it's what creating your life's work is all about.
About Nate Kutsko
Nate is an inventor, designer, artisan craftsman and serial entrepreneur.
Nate is the founder and CEO of Kutsko Kitchen, a company that not only invents incredible products for your home and kitchen, but also teaches aspiring chefs and kitchen artists how master their craft.
Nate has a civil engineering degree from the United States Military Academy at West Point and is an Operation Iraqi Freedom veteran.
He started making cutting boards in 2011 to fix some of the problems he experienced while making meals at home.
His practical solution developed into a series of beautiful, boutique boards and other kitchen tools.
Things we talk about:
- Why developing creativity from a young age is a big advantage as an entrepreneur
- Why solving your own problems is the best way to solve other people's problems
- Why ‘there’s gotta be a better way’ is always true
- The benefit of an engineering background to create truly versatile and useful products
- The power of false starts on improving and honing our skills
- Why creating a catalog of EXPERIENCE is essential to long term success
- Why it helps to have a nest egg before you transition to full time entrepreneurship
- The power of having side income while design, growing and expanding your business
- Why the best avenue for a successful start-up is to be married (true story!)
- The difficulty of inventing and selling physical products (and why it’s worth it)
- How to come up with great ideas (a simple, powerful two step formula you shouldn't miss)
- Why fear is ever-present when you’re an entrepreneur and how to deal with it
- How everyone is faking it and why this should be a reassuring thought
- The most effective way to market (hint: it has to do with trust)
- The power of grit and never quitting
- Finding inspiration through Kickstarter campaigns
In The Trenches with Tom Morkes on YouTube:
Great Quotes From the Interview:
It’s easy to look at a book and learn from it, but until you’ve done it, you don’t really understand the fears and insecurities – all the things that go into taking action.
I developed a knack for connecting experiences in my life...I’m always looking outside of the box – into other industries, other unrelated fields that may have an idea that I can connect with the problem I’m trying to solve.
The idea of getting a job would be great for many reasons, but at the end of the day, I don’t think I’d be satisfied as a person. I’ve got this itch I have to scratch.
Everyone has a breaking point, but if I reached it, I forgot and kept going. (definitely tweet this)
Everyone is out there kind of faking it – even the big corporations...we're all winging it.
Do stuff. If you’re a cook then cook...never quit on the first try...you've just got to do it, over and over again until you get the results you want. (tweet this)
You should create for yourself, first and foremost. (tweeeeet)