Hey everyone, I’m considering starting a small manufacturing business based on a very basic, high-demand product that’s widely used where I live. It’s not trendy or high-tech—just something practical that’s constantly needed, and where local supply is often unreliable or overpriced or just not available.
I’ve done some research and found that I can buy the machinery to produce it from Alibaba at a relatively affordable price. The startup costs would be manageable, and there’s clearly a gap in the market. The only issue is… I have no technical experience in this area. I’ve never operated industrial machines before, and I don’t really know the production process in detail.
The idea itself is straightforward. I know there’s a local market for it, and I’ve even gotten informal interest from a few small businesses that would buy it if I can produce it reliably. But I’m hesitating because I don’t know if it’s realistic to start without technical skills. Would it be a mistake to buy the equipment and try to learn as I go? Or should I be trying to find a partner or hire someone with manufacturing experience from day one?
Has anyone here started a product-based or machinery-driven business with no hands-on knowledge at the start? What helped you get through that learning curve?
Would really appreciate honest advice—especially from anyone who’s taken a similar leap into the unknown. Thanks!
submitted by /u/freelance_writer123
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