How do you build a brand from scratch that’s known to tens of thousands of households? Honza Fabini on the podcast ‘From the Cellar to the World’ #7
From an idea sketched on paper to a company with a turnover of over 150 million crowns a year. In the seventh episode of the podcast From the cellar to the world Honza Fabini, founder of the premium cookware brand of the same name, accepted the invitation and speaks openly about building the company, developing hardware products, the role of design, and why it is important to get the product to customers as soon as possible.
From student projects to a premium brand
Honza started doing business while still studying at grammar school. Through web projects and e-shops, he gradually got into the cookware segment, which at the time seemed to him relatively conservative and full of established rules.
Yet he saw an opportunity precisely in this. He wanted to create a product that would combine quality craftsmanship, thoughtful design and modern communication. From the very beginning, the Fabini brand was thus built not only on the products themselves, but also on strong branding and an emphasis on the customer experience.
In the interview, Honza also looks back at the period when cooking began to move from kitchens to social media and television screens. Chefs became influencers and food became a visual experience. It is precisely this change that has significantly influenced how Fabini thinks about brand communication and community engagement.
3D printing as a standard development tool
Much of the interview is devoted to product development itself. At Fabini, they use 3D printing as a standard part of the design process. It helps them verify ergonomics, proportions and the overall impression of the product before production even begins.
„We print all our products ourselves, all those concepts, and it helps us a lot both in terms of ergonomics, such as handles, and in terms of being able to look at the product and see how it feels. So we've been using that for years.“
According to Honza, the development of a new product typically takes six to twelve months, sometimes even longer. Thanks to rapid prototyping, however, they can test individual ideas much sooner and avoid costly mistakes in later stages.
Equally important for Fabini is the selection of manufacturing partners. They work with both European and Asian suppliers, but the lowest price is not the main criterion. Quality, reliability and the ability to deliver the product exactly as envisioned are decisive.
Your own path and market feedback
Throughout the entire interview, one theme repeats itself: the need to find one's own path.
„I think it's terribly important in business, in the product, and in communication to find your own path, above all.“
He speaks just as openly about what he would advise startup beginners and people developing their own hardware.
„Get it out there as soon as possible. I think that's probably the most fundamental thing. Because it very often happens that the person feels it's not quite ready yet, it still needs finishing, it still needs improving. But actually, feedback from the market is terribly important.“
It is precisely the ability to quickly test ideas, listen to customers and not be afraid to iterate that is very close to us in PrusaLab as well.
The whole podcast episode From the cellar to the world you can listen below or on all standard podcast platforms.
And if you have your own product idea and want to get it to market, check out PrusaLab Hardware Accelerator. We help startups on their journey from the first prototype to a real product and their first customers.
