I am business dumb, but I have a very unique mix of skills I would like to turn into a side hustle. Needless to say, there is going to be a huge learning curve for me.
Sure, I could just sell 3D prints on Etsy, but I would rather focus on B2B type work with a more hands on approach than the Chinese print farms/PCB manufacturers. (I’ll start an Etsy shop for practice, but that particular market seems extremely saturated.)
So, if you have started a business before, what are some basic things that you wish someone had told you before you did? Are there good books or other references I could use?
Well anyone can 3D print something, but it’s the modeling of a printable object that is your skill. However modeling and designing are two different things.
If I had your equipment and skills right now I would start printing bathtub jet plugs. Convert a jetted tub into a non-jetted. Probably only a few different brands and designs to cover.
Aside from that, I’d get into mold making. You can 3d print a mold, or even a mold of a mold. Or a mold of a mold of a mold. Then you can cast objects in metal or ceramic, or silicone or even plastic (haha) or other materials that can be a liquid. Way more interesting than plastic shapes. Plus molds can be used many times.
As far as the business goes? No idea. Start by making useful objects that people want to buy. But that’s kind of a different skill of “inventor”.
General purpose printing will just be a filler, of sorts, and I can basically do that in my sleep. The only goal of that is to utilize equipment that would otherwise be idle.
The 3D scanning and reverse engineering is going to be the main focus but decent paying jobs will likely be sporadic for a while. The main function of the printers will be to prototype as to allow clients to test fit designs before they are finalized with proper materials.
When it comes to mold making, that is probably going to be part of what I do. However, that is its own science and takes a ton of experience to make viable commercial molds. (Simple molds are probably the only thing I could do at this point.)
Still, those are some good ideas so thanks.