(Background story, skip down if you want the short story.)
In the recent years, I have thought of millions of possibilities to make my dream come true, which is owning and operating my own business. Many ideas came, but most of them required knowledge and skills which honestly I didn't have, and didn't have any interest in acquiring them. In addition, many business ideas were way out of my financial power to fund. About two years ago, a friend mentioned how most of the machine shops around the area weren't able to make a die for him (he is in the label printing business.) because they were very busy. This caught my attention and started looking into machining, specifically CNC manufacturing.
I eventually signed up for some classes for CAD/CAM which I took, and found them honestly quite easy. We mainly focused on modeling parts using 3D wire, surfaces, etc.. and also created basic tool paths. After I took the classes I found a job as a CNC Operator, mainly working on HAAS VF mills and lathes, and had a ton of fun while working there and gained lots of valuable knowledge. My supervisor at the time, (and I really hate to brag) mentioned many times how I was the fastest trainee he has had in all of his 20 something year career, which brings me to the meat of my post.
I want to start a job shop in the San Diego, CA area and would like any suggestions from current business owners, any problems with my plan, or anything that could help me go forward with this.
I have about a year worth of experience between programming and cnc operation, and have about 200k to spend on the following;
a Haas VF2, or VF3 mill, and a Haas st-20 to start off with.
A hexagon bridge CMM.
All the supporting tooling for both the mill and the lathe, and metrology tools such as calipers, micrometers, etc..
I'll probably be working with mastercam, or solid works and the mastercam plug in since is what I'm familiar with.
Lease a location with about 2,000 sq warehouse.
At first it will be just me, but will be hiring an operator within the first few months of opening the business.
It is worth mentioning that I currently manage a business my wife and I own (childcare.) I do all the of the accounting, taxes, payroll, etc.. so I have some experience running a business. Also, my wife and I clear more than enough money every month to pay for the lease, an employee and utilities I will have to cover to operate the business.
I don't have any customers, but my main marketing strategy will be through the internet (google, yelp, etc..), calling machine shops around the area to see if they have jobs they don't want, and contacting my previous employer (where I worked as an operator) to see if they might have anything for me. I will also try to get government contracts, as I am a disable veteran, and it is my understanding that the government does set aside contracts specifically for small businesses owned by disable veterans.
any suggestions, problems with my plan, or way to improve my chances surviving please let me know. Thank you in advance.
In the recent years, I have thought of millions of possibilities to make my dream come true, which is owning and operating my own business. Many ideas came, but most of them required knowledge and skills which honestly I didn't have, and didn't have any interest in acquiring them. In addition, many business ideas were way out of my financial power to fund. About two years ago, a friend mentioned how most of the machine shops around the area weren't able to make a die for him (he is in the label printing business.) because they were very busy. This caught my attention and started looking into machining, specifically CNC manufacturing.
I eventually signed up for some classes for CAD/CAM which I took, and found them honestly quite easy. We mainly focused on modeling parts using 3D wire, surfaces, etc.. and also created basic tool paths. After I took the classes I found a job as a CNC Operator, mainly working on HAAS VF mills and lathes, and had a ton of fun while working there and gained lots of valuable knowledge. My supervisor at the time, (and I really hate to brag) mentioned many times how I was the fastest trainee he has had in all of his 20 something year career, which brings me to the meat of my post.
I want to start a job shop in the San Diego, CA area and would like any suggestions from current business owners, any problems with my plan, or anything that could help me go forward with this.
I have about a year worth of experience between programming and cnc operation, and have about 200k to spend on the following;
a Haas VF2, or VF3 mill, and a Haas st-20 to start off with.
A hexagon bridge CMM.
All the supporting tooling for both the mill and the lathe, and metrology tools such as calipers, micrometers, etc..
I'll probably be working with mastercam, or solid works and the mastercam plug in since is what I'm familiar with.
Lease a location with about 2,000 sq warehouse.
At first it will be just me, but will be hiring an operator within the first few months of opening the business.
It is worth mentioning that I currently manage a business my wife and I own (childcare.) I do all the of the accounting, taxes, payroll, etc.. so I have some experience running a business. Also, my wife and I clear more than enough money every month to pay for the lease, an employee and utilities I will have to cover to operate the business.
I don't have any customers, but my main marketing strategy will be through the internet (google, yelp, etc..), calling machine shops around the area to see if they have jobs they don't want, and contacting my previous employer (where I worked as an operator) to see if they might have anything for me. I will also try to get government contracts, as I am a disable veteran, and it is my understanding that the government does set aside contracts specifically for small businesses owned by disable veterans.
any suggestions, problems with my plan, or way to improve my chances surviving please let me know. Thank you in advance.