In this episode of the podcast, Sahand Dilmaghani, the CEO and founder of Terra Kaffe—an upscale espresso machine company—shares his entrepreneurial journey. He talks about the hurdles and victories he's faced while building a hardware business, particularly focusing on direct-to-consumer sales and fostering a sense of community. Sahand dives into his marketing strategy, underscoring the need to understand customer needs and the power of word-of-mouth marketing, which drives about 30% of his sales. He also discusses the lengthy decision-making process for high-priced items and the importance of post-purchase surveys for gathering crucial customer insights. Listeners will discover valuable lessons on creating a strong brand in a competitive landscape and the significance of nurturing close customer relationships to enhance sales and product development.