Handmade Car Furniture

[bespoke]

Not sure if this is in the correct section, but please move it if not. I also hope it isn’t going to cause offence. I’m just looking for feed-back.

You will see I’m new to the forum, but I’m trying to see what comments people have for my bespoke car themed furniture (web link below). As a complete car-nut I’m looking into the possibility of starting new business doing something I will enjoy, and that is producing hand-made bespoke pieces of car-furniture for other car enthusiasts. The website has pictures of the few examples I’ve already done (no renault yet!), but I want to expand my portfolio.

http://www.car-furniture.co.uk

Please feel free to let me have your feed-back as I need to add to my portfolio, and your comments may help guide me.

Thanks,
Lee

 

[pepper]

I want some Top Gear chairs!! I've got a lovely old Vanden Plas seat set in blue leather sitting doing nothing, I'm just not good enough to make the frame work for it!

 

[bespoke]

Do it. I aim to start a revolution!

 

[benchseat]

As a Chartered Accountant I have seen several people try to convert a hobby into a viable source of income, and go down the drain. Pleasure does not necessarily imply business.
I would advise that if you do want to try, you must ensure that you don't commit yourself financially any further than you can absolutely help. Putting forward a Business Plan to the bank, obtaining finance, spending those funds upfront, and then seeing zero (or quasi-zero) sales is a sad story that results in disillusionment as well as insolvency.
If you can start the business out of your own funds and sell online (few advertising costs), then word-of-mouth will do your advertising for you.

 

[Lobster]

Agreed with the above in terms of business. Start small doing what you can afford with your own money and build up slowly letting the business grow organically. Don't borrow money or spend money you haven't got. You can build something you love into a viable business but it takes time, a huge amount of effort and very real commitment. If you can do it alongside an existing job until you can properly go full time then all the better.

The other thing is - who is your potential market? I'd quite like some car-part-furniture but I'm absolutely certain that Mrs Lobster would see it a bit differently! That said, I would have some proper car seat chairs for my office, that'd be acceptable I imagine

 

[bespoke]

Thanks guys. I completely agree with what you are saying. The cost to get me to this stage is minimal. It is taking a lot of time doing research such as this, but it isn't costing me anything. When I started I thought it might be something that would sell to individuals. As time has gone on I think it is more likely to businesses, i.e. dealerships, showrooms etc.

Thanks again for taking the time to have a look and post your comments, I appreciate it. But rest assured it isn't a 'eggs in one basket' situation.

Lee