We Design & Build Your Hardware

We design & manufacture
Industrial, medical, & consumer electronics
Small enough to fit in an oven

HQ in San Diego, CA. Manufacturing at our wholly-owned factories in Tijuana, Mexico and Dongguan, China.

Connor Bush

Post-CES Saturday. ✈️

Thoughts from the airport. 🛅

Every year CES shows us what’s new.
This year felt different. It showed us what’s back.

After years of pause, uncertainty, and “hurry up and wait,” the energy felt tangible. Hardware is back. People are moving. Projects are real. Deals are happening.

Yes, there was incredible technology on the expo floor. But what really stood out was where the most meaningful shifts were happening. In the hallways. Over meals. At happy hours. In the conversations between meetings.

Those in-between moments felt catalytic. Real problems, real timelines, real collaboration. The kind that actually turns ideas into products.

Software and AI are still everywhere, (and robot lawnmowers 🚜🤖) but this time hardware is leading the charge. The buzz wasn’t theoretical. It was practical, human, and fast-moving.

For the first time in quite a while, I’m walking away from #CES feeling deeply optimistic about the year ahead for all of us.

Connor Bush 🔋🖥📟

We Manufacture Your Hardware at Scale (USA, Mexico, & China) | Ecosystem, Pipeline & Partner Strategy

Happy #CES Week!

The goal this week is simple: overwhelm our industry with enthusiasm and optimism.

People don’t buy what we sell. They buy why we sell it, and who we are. You represent your company culture everywhere this week: in the airport, at happy hour, on the show floor, at the blackjack tables, and everywhere in between.

At the same time, the real work doesn’t pause. Open projects still need momentum. That may mean earlier mornings, a laptop in your backpack, or sneaking work in between meetings. CES is chaotic ... and chaos is where mistakes can happen.

Not for the faint of heart.
But for those up to the challenge, the rewards can be significant.

Grateful to work in this industry & with our peers. Let’s make it a great week in Vegas. 🎲✨

Behind every email, meeting, and deadline is a human life in motion.

Over the past month, I had to say goodbye to my dog on Christmas Eve and my cat just yesterday. It’s been heavy, but it’s also been a reminder I wanted to share here.

LinkedIn isn’t Facebook, and this isn’t about sympathy. It’s about perspective. Everyone you interact with is carrying something you can’t see.

So if someone is slow to respond, short on a call, or having an off day, try not to take it personally. Life is always happening in the background.

A little patience and grace go a long way, especially in professional settings.

Happy first Monday after CES.

The expo matters.

But in hardware and manufacturing, the pre-show and post-show matter even more.
#CES conversations are fun.

January and February decisions are what determine whether anything actually ships this year.

In our world, momentum is fragile. If we haven’t engaged by late January or early February, most “let’s ship in 2026” ideas quietly turn into “maybe next year.”

The recipe is simple:

Diligent pre-research

Clear, honest conversations during the show

Timely follow-up before momentum fades
Miss one ingredient and the whole dish falls apart.

If we talked at CES about shipping in 2026… now is the moment. For your own good 😅

I've NPI'd in places you couldn't even dream of DFM'ing from.

It’s Friday.

The flu is plaguing society.
Winter storms are looming.

Life is short.

Go outside and touch some grass.
Hug someone you care about.
Watch a show you’ve already seen twice.

Before all the deadlines, decks, and deliverables, remember:

We’re humans first.

Hustle culture has a time and place.
Tonight probably isn’t it.

Your project will still be there Monday.

I'm not ignoring anyone.

The CES flu-pocolypse struck me down yesterday. 

Take your vitamins!

co-founder & CEO @ Beacons AI | helping 8m+ creators build smarter businesses | Stanford AI PhD

my top takeaway from CES this year was...




the flu 🫠

I am registered for the 2026 AHR Expo! Learn more about HVACR's main event and join me in Vegas! https://lnkd.in/gTd8ZC33
#2026AHREXPO #AHREXPO2026 #AHREXPO

Choosing an electronics contract manufacturer isn’t about “best.”

It’s about best for your stage.

If you came from Google, Meta, or Microsoft, it can feel natural to go straight to a Tier 1 CM.

But many Tier 1s now require $25M+ annual spend and even then, you may not get the A-team.

That can mean slower responses, less prioritization, and limited access to leadership.

On the other end, choosing a small, fast, low-volume partner can be perfect early on but painful if you need to scale quickly. Not every agile shop can grow with you.

Too big and you lose agility.
Too small and you hit a ceiling.
Wrong fit and you risk delays or even getting “fired” by your manufacturer.

Often the healthiest path looks like:

⚪ Quick-turn / low-volume CM early
⚪ Overlap with a mass-production CM as you scale
⚪ Graduate to Tier 1 when volume truly justifies it

At scale, diversification matters too. Multiple geographies, multiple partners, and shared volume can reduce risk and increase resilience.

There’s no one-size-fits-all answer.

And the most dangerous mindset in manufacturing is black-and-white thinking.

This is a multi-year (sometimes multi-decade) partnership.

🤝 Choose accordingly.

The EMS ecosystem in Mexico is alive and well. 

AND 

Thrilled to see all of the crazy growth from orgs in-region. 

Curious about nearshoring your production in 2026 and beyond? 

DMs are open!

#EMS #CM #ElectronicsManufacturing #nearshoring

Strategic Business Development Director | Driving Growth & Partnerships

In our Mexico factory today.
Assemblies moving out. Machines humming. Teams locked in.

The photo attached is just Building 1 of 3. All connected. Nearly 80,000 square feet moving in sync.

This is the part people don’t always see. The coordination. The discipline. The repetition done right. Boxes stacked because schedules were hit and quality held.

There’s something timeless about a shop floor that’s running the way it should. Materials flowing. People executing. Work leaving the building on time.

This is what excites me.
Real manufacturing. Real output. Real momentum.

AI notetakers. 

Which one is elite? 

tysm in advance <3

Must work across Zoom, Google Meet, Teams, etc.

Planning 2026 event travel.

Where do I need to go? What do I need to see? Who do I need to meet?

Historically, I have done: CES, CEDIA, AHR, TechConSoCal, LA Tech Week, Seattle Tech Week, and SF Tech Week. 

What am I missing?

What are the best shows to mix and mingle with all folks doing great things in consumer, medical, and industrial electronic devices? 

TYSMIA <3

Thinking about heading to #NAMM on the 23rd w/ the homie Scott Cole .

I’ve never attended, so I’m curious to hear from the network.

From the perspective of a mass-production EMS/CM supporting consumer, medical, and industrial electronic devices with factories in China and Mexico, is NAMM a show worth attending?

Is there meaningful overlap with teams thinking about scaling hardware, supply chain, or next-gen product launches?

Would love any firsthand takes. TYSM

I'm renting a car and driving out to #AHR2026 on Sunday. 

Anyone else going to be in Vegas for the expo?

I am bringing the good word of mass production #electronics #manufacturing in China and Mexico. 

Also, going to be playing some Padel at P1 Padel Las Vegas on Sunday.

If you work in the electronics industry, and find yourself in Vegas on Sunday, and want to play some friendly competition with other folks in the hardware space, please drop a comment or send a DM!

I'll be walking the floor all day Monday and Tuesday. 

This is my first time back at #AHR in a few years. I am excited to see what is new and trending.

Andy Mewborn

Distribute.so

I use to be young & cool. Now I do b2b SaaS. 

Husband. Dad. Ironman. Pilot. Taco lover. 

Founder of Distribute // Co-founder of Taplio (acq. by Lemlist) // Early @ Outreach.io.

Creator

A community of over 4,000+ B2B professionals growing together on Linkedin.

• "Brand30 absolutely did wonders for my business." -Maritha Koortzen

• "Brand30 changed the trajectory of my life...To say it’s opening doors for me is an understatement" - Amanda Stern

• "Brand30 provided the group accountability and expert advice I needed to more than double my LinkedIn engagement in just one month" 

🚀 Start Building An Audience Of Potential Buyers On LinkedIn In 30 Days👇

• https://www.brand30.io/

Sellers

What's more valuable: relationship selling or solution selling?

A) Relationships first – People buy from people they trust
B) Solutions first – Buyers want problems solved, not friends
C) Value selling – ROI conversations close deals faster
D) Consultative approach – Be an advisor, not a vendor

P.S. - Still writing follow-ups manually? This 60-second quiz builds you an AI system that does it for you: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Andrew Mewborn

What's more valuable: relationship selling or solution selling?

Sellers 

You're in a slump. First thing you fix?

A) Activity levels
B) Mindset
C) Messaging
D) Target accounts

P.S. - Still writing follow-ups manually? This 60-second quiz builds you an AI system that does it for you: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Sellers

Should you ask about budget in the first call?

A) Always - It qualifies prospects immediately and saves time
B) Sometimes - Only after establishing clear interest and need
C) Rarely - Money talk too early creates resistance
D) Never - Discussing budget before value cheapens your solution

P.S. - If your follow-ups take longer than 60 seconds, you're doing it wrong. Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Should you ask about budget in the first call?

Sellers

What’s the worst sales advice you’ve received?

A) “Always be closing” – Aggressive pressure turns prospects off
B) “Fake it till you make it” – Authenticity matters more than acting
C) “Price isn’t a problem” – Dismissing budget concerns backfires
D) “Never take no for an answer” – Respect boundaries to build rapport

P.S. - Still writing follow-ups manually? This 60-second quiz builds you an AI system that does it for you: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

What’s the worst sales advice you’ve received?

Sellers

Commission vs. salary: What motivates salespeople best?

A) Pure commission – High risk, high reward drives peak performance
B) Base + commission – Security with upside creates optimal motivation
C) Straight salary – Removes pressure, focuses on customer success
D) Team bonuses – Shared success eliminates internal competition

P.S. - Steal my 1-pager email follow-ups: https://lnkd.in/eQr9JQhq

Commission vs. salary: What motivates salespeople best?

Sellers

Should sales managers still carry a quota?

A) Full quota – Can't coach what you don't practice 
B) Half quota – Need skin in the game 
C) Token quota – Just enough to stay sharp 
D) Zero quota – Let leaders lead, sellers sell

P.S. - Took me 2 min to find out I was wasting 11 hrs/week on follow-ups. Take the quiz, get your number: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Should sales managers still carry a quota?

Sellers

How much does luck contribute to success in sales?

A) Significantly – Being at the right place at the right time often makes all the difference.
B) Moderately – Luck plays a role, but skill and effort are more important.
C) Minimally – Success is mostly the result of hard work, strategy, and persistence.
D) Not at all – It's all about skills, planning, and execution. Luck doesn't come into it.

P.S. - Still writing follow-ups manually? This 60-second quiz builds you an AI system that does it for you: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

How much does luck contribute to success in sales?

Sellers

Which comp structure would you rather live on?

A) 70 % base / 30 % commission – stability rules
B) 50 / 50 – balanced risk-reward
C) 30 / 70 – big swings, big wins
D) 0 / 100 – eat what you kill, baby

P.S. - Steal my 1-pager email follow-ups: https://lnkd.in/eQr9JQhq

Which comp structure would you rather live on?

Sellers

Is AI replacing salespeople or empowering them?

A) Replacing – Only top 20% of reps will survive automation
B) Empowering – AI handles admin, humans handle relationships
C) Overhyped – Human psychology can't be automated
D) Transforming – The role evolves but never disappears

P.S. - 15,000 sellers stopped writing follow-ups. Take the 2-min quiz to see what they switched to: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Is AI replacing salespeople or empowering them?

Sellers 

How far would you go to close a high-value deal?

A) Bend policies – Adjust terms slightly to meet client demands
B) Offer extras – Throw in freebies or extended support
C) Escalate internally – Loop in execs to approve exceptions
D) Never compromise – Stick to standard offerings to maintain integrity

P.S. - Took me 2 min to find out I was wasting 11 hrs/week on follow-ups. Take the quiz, get your number: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

How far would you go to close a high-value deal?

Sellers

Do sales reps really need to use the CRM?

A) Every detail – Data is the new oil 
B) Key stuff only – Quality over quantity 
C) Bare minimum – Just enough to not get fired 
D) CRMs kill deals – I track my pipeline in my head

P.S. - 15,000 sellers stopped writing follow-ups. Take the 2-min quiz to see what they switched to: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Do sales reps really need to use the CRM?

Sellers

Remote selling vs. in-person: Which closes more deals?

A) Remote wins – Efficiency and scale beat face-to-face
B) In-person dominates – Trust requires physical presence
C) Hybrid approach – Use both strategically based on deal size
D) Industry dependent – Complex B2B needs in-person relationships

P.S. - If your follow-ups take longer than 60 seconds, you're doing it wrong. Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Remote selling vs. in-person: Which closes more deals?

Sellers

Do good looks matter in sales?

A) 100 % – Beauty opens doors before product does
B) A bit – Looks earn attention, skill seals the deal
C) Barely – Confidence > cheekbones
D) Zero – Quota is blind to pretty faces

P.S. - Still writing follow-ups manually? This 60-second quiz builds you an AI system that does it for you: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Sellers

Worst thing a manager can say?

A) "Just trust the process"
B) "What's your plan to hit quota?"
C) "Let me join your next call"
D) "Top reps aren't struggling"

P.S. - If your follow-ups take longer than 60 seconds, you're doing it wrong. Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Sellers

Which role do you think is the hardest in sales?

A) SDR 
B) Account Executive 
C) Account Manager 
D) Sales Manager 

P.S. - Steal my 1-pager email follow-ups: https://lnkd.in/eQr9JQhq

Which role do you think is the hardest in sales?

Sellers

What's the biggest lie in B2B sales?

A) "I'll circle back next quarter" (They won't) 
B) "Budget isn't an issue" (It always is) 
C) "We're the decision maker" (Committee of 12 enters chat) 
D) "Your product is perfect" (Here comes the ghosting)

P.S. - Steal my 1-pager email follow-ups: https://lnkd.in/eQr9JQhq

Sellers

Is "fake it till you make it" acceptable in enterprise sales?

A) Essential – Confidence sells more than competence 
B) Sometimes – Strategic bluffing is part of the game 
C) Risky – One Google search can tank your credibility
D) Never – Authenticity beats artifice every time

P.S. - Took me 2 min to find out I was wasting 11 hrs/week on follow-ups. Take the quiz, get your number: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Is "fake it till you make it" acceptable in enterprise sales?

Sellers

Who's harder to sell to?

A) CFOs – Every penny is their first-born child 
B) CTOs – They'd rather build than buy 
C) CEOs – Good luck getting past their gatekeepers
D) Procurement – Where deals go to die slowly

P.S. - Took me 2 min to find out I was wasting 11 hrs/week on follow-ups. Take the quiz, get your number: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

Sellers

How do you respond when a prospect ghosts you late in the deal?

A) Persistence: Keep following up until you get a response, showing your commitment to helping them.
B) Pause and Reflect: Give them space for a while, then reach out with a new angle or valuable insight.
C) Closure Attempt: Send a "break-up" email to prompt a final decision, making it clear you're moving on.
D) Seek Feedback: Reach out for feedback to understand what went wrong and learn for the future.

P.S. - If your follow-ups take longer than 60 seconds, you're doing it wrong. Take the quiz: https://lnkd.in/eNYQ3DeQ

How do you respond when a prospect ghosts you late in the deal?

most sales reps kill deals with their follow-ups (here’s how to fix it)

so i’ve been in sales for a while, and the one thing that still blows my mind? how many reps completely tank their chances with shitty follow-ups. not because they’re spamming people, because they’re sending nothing.

"just checking in"
"wanted to circle back"
"following up on my last email"

like, checking in on what? you never gave them anything to actually respond to. prospects aren’t mind readers. if you don’t say something useful, they’re gonna ignore you.

so what actually works? here’s what i’ve seen:

instead of "just following up," try:

"i recorded a 2-min video showing how [similar company] cut their onboarding time by 40%. thought of you because you mentioned this was a bottleneck last time we talked."

instead of "wanted to circle back," try:

"saw this article about [industry trend] and immediately thought of our convo. the part about [specific insight] lines up with what you said about [their challenge]."

instead of "any updates?" try:
"quick question, are you still focused on [goal they mentioned], or have priorities shifted? context changed, so i don’t want to waste your time."

the pattern here is simple:

• give value first
• show you actually listened
• make it about them, not your quota
• make it easy to respond (ask a specific question)

i built a tool that does this automatically. it pulls call recordings, videos, and docs into one link so you’re not just sending another empty "checking in" email. not because reps are lazy, because prospects are busy, and they don’t have time to guess what you want.

taplio

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The Battle

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