Coming from a NASA engineering background, they either have a precise date when it will be launched through that exact window in time placing it perfectly in retail orbit for maximum market effect. Or, they are so sick of strict deadlines based on clockwork mentality that they'll go the route of that other Texas firm, id Software, and just release it when it's finished to their internal satisfaction, and it's none of your business ... thank you very much, please leave us alone. More likely a little of both and they are operating like most every other company in this regard.
Hope it's not the case that they are dealing with a bunch of wasted assemblers that over stress-test the product and go on endless surf breaks in the California sun (Chinese slave labor would have been so easy!).
Josh and I speak almost every day and what I can share with you is that the pre-launch phase is a very challenging time for any start-up company introducing its new product. As a father I can tell you this has been long and exciting road for Josh, beginning about 3 years ago when he resigned from a significant three digit salary and a senior engineering position (a startling event for his mother!).
We (all the soon-to-be Herbalizer pioneers) are now approaching that that exact window in time you refer to above that will place the Herbalizer perfectly in a retail orbit, but keep in mind that this started with only Josh's personal savings, a can do attitude, and a vision for engineering an entirely new device in perhaps the largest booming industry in American history. A slight segue, I was recently in Lowes discussing the Herbalizer with my friend who's the expert in their electrical department. I asked him about products in the store that were designed, engineered, manufactured, and sold by a company in the US, i.e., truly American made, and he said he couldn't think of any. So there's not really much of a precedent for planning this launch window, everything about it is innovative.
What Josh deals with on a daily basis now involves managing employees, directing an engineering company that has to coordinate with a manufacturing company that's designing assembly lines, that has to buy and inventory parts from many suppliers and other manufacturers of custom parts. But it's all coming together nicely, the engineering is for the most part complete with final testing continuing consistent with years as a practicing NASA engineer.
Not much of this is new for Josh, but the devil's in the detail when as expected 95% of the work shows up in the last 5% of the project. Satryday, you can be assured that with Josh at the helm with his personal fortune at stake, it's not the case that they are "dealing with a bunch of wasted assemblers that over stress-test the product". Building both the product and the company is like a string that you can pull, but you can't push it.
Josh just posted the following on facebook, but I really enjoy and want to share more with FC where I really appreciate the dialog, discussion, and content.
https://www.facebook.com/herbalizeit
Patient Pioneers
You soon-to-be Herbalizer pioneers are a patient bunch, and we owe you an update. With all the moving parts involved in launching a new, sophisticated luxury product, putting all the bits and pieces together has proven challenging. But, we are getting close and thought you’d like to know where we are in the process.
Right now, most of our electronics have been sourced, and scheduled for assembly next week. However, many of the components are custom, requiring a few more iterations and quality tests before we consider it perfect and ready to ship. So, when will we ship? Honestly, we don’t know—but we are getting mighty close to knowing. Let’s just say, we are hoping for a sunny summer, and not a dreary fall.
Thanks for your patience and continued support – and for sharing the Herbalizer with your friends. Your feedback, likes and evangelism keep us going.