[sdiy] Advice for a Startup

[Jonathan Lippard]

It's like starting a microbrewery.

The minute you do it, you're no longer in the business of *making* synths, you're in the business of *selling* synths, which is an entirely different and more difficult beast to tame.

I forget the exact wording of the quote, but someone influential on the order of Leo Fender or Bob Moog is attributed to have said "The best way of making $1 million building musical instruments is to start with $10 million."

-J

> On 02/21/2023 12:53 AM Roman Sowa <modular at go2.pl> wrote:
> 
>  
> Hi
> 
> in short - Don't do it! You'll thank me later
> 
> Running an electronic hardware business requires around 5% of 
> time/resources related to electronics, and 95% is general business hassle.
> If you have prior experience managing a bakery, car dealer, shoe factory 
> or construction building company, you will get succesfull making synths 
> too. Electronic knowledge or experience is not essential, I dare to say, 
> not important at all.
> 
> If you feel more like an engineer rather than businessman, maybe it's 
> better to join already existing company, or talk to friends who know 
> that business shit inside out.
> 
> Roman
> 
> W dniu 2023-02-21 o 01:25, Ashlyn Black pisze:
> > Hi friends,
> > 
> > I'm aiming to start my own business this year, doing standalone / 
> > modular synth kits, plus associated gizmos like LCR testers, transistor 
> > matchers, tuners and the like. I'll be placing a lot of focus on 
> > documentation. I've noticed most kits merely provide assembly 
> > instructions, however I also want to cover the underlying theory of 
> > operation, mathematics, design process and such with most of the project 
> > files (ie schematics, 3D models, source code if applicable) publicly 
> > accessible.
> > 
> > What I really need help with though is advice on the commerce side of 
> > the equation, as I am currently constructing my business plan. Topics 
> > such as cost breakdowns, budgeting, who buys what and where they buy it 
> > from etc. Essentially, information that someone currently or formerly 
> > working in the industry would know from experience or at least be privy to.
> > 
> > General feedback on the state (rise? decline?) of synth/hobby 
> > electronics is also very welcome and helpful. :)
> > 
> > Thanks,
> > 
> > Ashlyn
> > 
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