re: Customer Discovery

I run the full gambit of projects in terms of time spent. I build things for friends and family and myself. I also take on commissioned pieces if their is a profit to be made. I have trouble finding local materials at all because I live on an island. I own 5 routers 2 of which are plunge. I like working with exotic woods when I can get them. On every project I build I make a point of purchasing a tool. I buy something needed to build it with before beginning and use the profit from any jobs to also re supply the shop materials. The pricing formula that I use is: whatever I spend in materials including fasteners, is what I charge in labour. The formula makes money in the long run and makes it simple for me to price a job. I am now retired and disabled so the projects are limited to ones that time to complete is not a concern as some days I can’t work at all and the most I work in a day is a couple of hours. I have 2 plunge routers and have done very little inlay work at all. I have never tried insert routing but would like to try. I like the idea of a project kit that includes wood, provided the price is right and the items are useful. I tend to make things that are not usually decorative, but more ultiatiarin in nature. Furniture and tools are at the top of the list. Hardwoods and some decorative woods are the norm, and exotic are very rare. I guarantee everything I make for life, if you are not happy at anytime I will buy it back at the original price, no questions asked. I mostly work with birch, maple, and, oak. These are what is available locally. Most of what I have built over the years is furniture as people have a dislike for Chinese or Swedish made pressed wood products that don’t last. I hope this helps in some of your decision making.