More on mass production

Hi all,
Several days ago I posted a photo of seventy or so pens in different states of completion.
I didn't say much, most of us born Mainers don't use a lot of words. My doctor, he's a PFA (people from away) asked me if I was alright with the six foot social distancing...I replied, "We Mainers, under normal circumstances, think that's too close."
Anyway, here's a photo of twenty two ready for market. Yes, I'm in this for profit, I want to make money. I would like to pay for the tools in my shop so I watch my time and costs. I probably don't spend any more time at the bench than most of you. US auto manufacturers don't build one car at at time. I don't build pens one at a time.
New people come here wondering if they can start a business. The perception given by older crowd is rather negative and discouraging...How can you sell pens when the bank gives them away for free? Please...the free pens don't write worth a crap! I believe that's a lame argument.
If you want to start a business, do your own research, come up with a plan, have a product that is unique, have a lot of energy and give it a go.
You won't succeed if you don't try.

Pen_man_ship said:

Hi all,
...
If you want to start a business, do your own research, come up with a plan, have a product that is unique, have a lot of energy and give it a go.
You won't succeed if you don't try.

Click to expand...

Amen! It's not easy, but there is no success without lots of try.

Maybe put "... come up with a plan..." in bold capital letters twice the size of everything else. Probably not appropriate for Mainer understatement, but there are hundreds, if not thousands, of PFAs in the audience.

My knives and pens, and other stuff, are a hobby. BUT...I can do my hobby and make it pay for itself without having to dip into the family budget. It's been that way since I started 10+ years ago. I do have a business plan that I did pretty early on that probably needs to be revised some, but I still try to follow it as best I can. I learned a long time ago when people give you the "Bank pens are free" story just to nicely reach over, remove the pen from their hand, nicely, and express, with a smile, your thankfulness for them telling you that (Barry Gross taught me that one kinda). Then as they walk away, and you're still smiling, say under your breath "Do I look like a bank to you?" You'll feel much better and you've gained control of the situation. Good luck, I think you've got it!