Well after spending the last few years building 2 CNC routers and purchasing a laser engraver I have quit my job to try setting up my own business.
I have already made a few mistakes.
I payed for a laser from a character in one of the zones forums and a year and 9 months later I'm still waiting for him to complete the machine. Yes, he is in China. He is still promising delivery and says he is having problems so I havent given up hope that I may get something from him eventually. I gave up waiting for him and purchased a second laser from Red Sail last December.
My next big mistake has been in the timing of my quiting and going it alone.
I picked the beginning of April. Just as the local economy started to stagnate.
The area I was trying to get into is giftware and tourism products.
Its been interesting. Ive learnt a lot but I'm not selling much at all.
I have been trying to diversify, looking for laser engraving work, plastic fabrication or anything I can do for a buck.
I have been trying to sell on Trademe, the local equivelent of ebay. Have hade a couple of sales here but need a lot more. I have a couple of shops stocking my product on a commision basis. The idea being I would find out what sells then concentrate on developing those lines. Not much help when the shops are not selling much of anything at all.
I have set up a web site
http://www.amazinwood.co.nz
I'm hoping by posting here Google search engine may pick it up without me having to pay to have it included. We will see.
I tried the local paper advertising laser engraving services. That has resulted in nothing. Not a single query.
Tried sending a flyer to all the local electricians looking for engraving work. Got a couple of small jobs but nothing that will keep the wolf from the door.
I'm working out of a small workshop in the back of an industrial area so I have no shop frontage to help with walk in trade.
And I confess to being the worlds worst salesman.
Any one got any ideas?