EP26: Mark Boysen, Co-Founder & CEO of Naware | "We Smoke Weeds"

In this episode, Kasey Devine interviews Mark Boysen, founder of Naware, a company dedicated to revolutionizing weed control using steam technology. Mark shares the story behind the inception of Naware, detailing his frustrations with traditional weed control methods and how he pivoted from a different startup to focus on creating a safer, more effective solution. The conversation explores the importance of customer feedback, the challenges of product development, and the lessons learned along the way. Mark emphasizes the significance of embracing failure and iterating quickly to refine their product. He also discusses future aspirations for Naware and the importance of building connections within the community to drive the mission forward.   Takeaways

• Mark Boysen is the founder of Naware, focused on innovative weed control.
• Nawareaims to change weed control using steam technology.
• The idea for Naware originated from personal frustrations with traditional weed control methods.
• Customer feedback is crucial for product development and commercialization.
• Mark emphasizes the importance of failing fast to refine the product.
• The company is looking for lighthouse accounts to test their product.
• There is a significant demand for safer, chemical-free weed control solutions.
• Mark's journey highlights the challenges of hardware development and the need for precision.
• The natural state of dirt is either grass or weeds, and grass is supposed to grow back after weeds are removed.
• Building connections and networking is essential for startup success.

Keywords: Naware, weed control, steam technology, lawn care, innovation, entrepreneurship, AI, sustainability, product development, startup

Sound Bites

• "We do smoke weeds."
• "You really got to know what you're doing."
• "The natural state of dirt isn't dirt."
• "It's okay to fail."
• "Your problems are getting smaller."
• "Follow us, we welcome connections."

Chapters 00:00 Introduction to Naware and Mark Boysen 02:53 The Origin Story of Naware 06:16 From Frustration to Innovation: The Steam Solution 12:39 Commercializing the Idea: Feedback and Demand 18:19 Navigating Early Challenges and Customer Feedback 23:09 Future Aspirations and Product Development 27:13 Lessons Learned: Embracing Failure 30:06 Connecting with the Audience and Call to Action