Ask HN: A programmer and engineer to make a competing consumer device (advice)

Specifically I'm thinking about a GSM phone. Something marketed at people who miss the old Nokia 3210 phone.

If any of the WakeMate guys could share their experience with marketing and designing. Did you hire an industrial designer? How big is your team? Did you have bad experiences with manufacturers before you found a good one?

Thanks in advance. Also if you know of other "Ask HN" in this veine please post the link.