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How to start a business? Machine first or connection first?

socrates1

Plastic
Joined
Jul 1, 2013
Location
Alberta
Machine first or connection first for starting a business?

Hi, I'm a CNC programmer/machinist, can handle up to 11 axis mill turn. Right now I'm working in a big city's big university's research institute as a machinist(doing everything), pay is not that good, just easy life everyday and great pension and insurance plans. But I can't afford to buy a living place here.

I'm thinking to go back to the city I used to live to start my own business, but I only have machine shop experiences. I had a B.Sc before I came to North America, but never use it.

So should I buy a machine then start to look for potential customers or I should find some engineering company, get a drafting job first and build some connections?

Thanks,
 
Develop some saleable products now, when you have a market, buy some machines and go anywhere you want and make them

That's also the problem, I still couldn't figure out what I really like to make and also it's saleable..

So I'm thinking of getting into an engineering company and see what they do and try to find some ideas for myself.

But if I lease a machine I know what right now some companies really want and they also want to cut the cost, but I don't know if they will give me the job.
 
I know what right now some companies really want and they also want to cut the cost, but I don't know if they will give me the job.

This is typical of every field.
Sounds a tad to much like you want to poach the ripe apples from someone's basket right now. If that is the case then either you will not get job do to supplier loyalty or you will find that there is a major reason the product cost is high. Finding out after you give up job in academia and having a machine lease would not be the best situation.
 
Cut the cost. What you mean to say is cut your own throat.

Hot dog cart. Porno shop, beer hall, might try a race to the bottom with one of these. But not a machine shop.

Defiantly, for certain and without a doubt you don't want to be part of the race to the bottom, there is good paying work and good customers out there.
 
Cut the cost. What you mean to say is cut your own throat.

Hot dog cart. Porno shop, beer hall, might try a race to the bottom with one of these. But not a machine shop.

No, not that way, I won't compete the price that stupidly, it will be something like 5 axis vs 3 axis. :)
 
Anyone who wants to startup their own shop and is asking if they should buy a machine first or find customers first has already doomed themselves to almost certain failure.

A 5 axis machine can cost as much as a literal house. You can't afford a house right now and you want to buy a 5 axis mill? Yikes.

I can't buy a house either, but I also know that I am not in a position to start my own 5 axis shop
 
Machine VS customer is a stupid question. Surprising the number of times it gets asked here.

It is stupid because you need both. It's not a "which one do I choose" situation. You will have both or you won't have a business.
 
This gets asked (or something close) pretty much monthly if not more often. Use the search button.

I will tell you, all the people that crow about how great an idea it is and all the work they will send you will either send nothing or never pay.

Isn't that sad, but true.
 
Anyone who wants to startup their own shop and is asking if they should buy a machine first or find customers first has already doomed themselves to almost certain failure.

A 5 axis machine can cost as much as a literal house. You can't afford a house right now and you want to buy a 5 axis mill? Yikes.

I can't buy a house either, but I also know that I am not in a position to start my own 5 axis shop

You probably misunderstood the price for a single house in either Toronto or Vancouver..
 
Cant you just get some jobs and run it quietly on the university machine? That would be the best way to start out if you have neither a machine nor customers.

Now that's a profit margin.

Sent from my SM-G960U using Tapatalk

I am, I'm doing some jobs during the weekend, make some money to pay the rent here..
 
Hi, I'm a CNC programmer/machinist, can handle up to 11 axis mill turn. Right now I'm working in a big city's big university's research institute as a machinist(doing everything), pay is not that good, just easy life everyday and great pension and insurance plans. But I can't afford to buy a living place here.

I'm thinking to go back to the city I used to live to start my own business, but I only have machine shop experiences. I had a B.Sc before I came to North America, but never use it.

So should I buy a machine then start to look for potential customers or I should find some engineering company, get a drafting job first and build some connections?

Thanks,

Your customers are right there!

As a former shop manager in a state university, I speak from experience. Yes, they don't pay much but the benefits are good. Especially on a walk in the midafternoon on a spring day. But I digress. Check if it is ok for you to do consultation work. That is work after hours and weekends for researchers and professors on campus. The burden is allotting your time, documenting tools and materials as separate. Benefits are no overhead and use of machines and tools Not only will you make side money but will network with people who will hire you or recommend you for a better paying job. Or a partnership in business - both happened to me. No regrets!
 

Your customers are right there!

As a former shop manager in a state university, I speak from experience. Yes, they don't pay much but the benefits are good. Especially on a walk in the midafternoon on a spring day. But I digress. Check if it is ok for you to do consultation work. That is work after hours and weekends for researchers and professors on campus. The burden is allotting your time, documenting tools and materials as separate. Benefits are no overhead and use of machines and tools Not only will you make side money but will network with people who will hire you or recommend you for a better paying job. Or a partnership in business - both happened to me. No regrets!

Thanks for your suggestion sir~
 








 
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