davecooper
3rd March 2006, 08:48
Hi, my name is Dave Cooper and I am an Engineer living in Cumbria, working in the Shipbuilding industry. I have many interests including Cycling, HiFi, Music, Cars and Motor Racing but probably by greatest interest is design and innovation. Over the past 20 odd years I have designed and built many original and diverse items ranging from Games Toys, Furniture and Giftware to HiFi equipment and Car accessories. This has been done mostly for my own amusement but in some cases I have tried to gain commercial interest, which there has been. Unfortunately the costs to me were going to be fairly prohibitive so I did not pursue this.
However, recently, after doing a business course I decided to take a different tack. I felt that I had ideas that were marketable, maybe limited, but worth looking at again.
My idea was to start in a very small way with the simplest and easiest item to produce. If this was a success it would fund the next project etc. The item in question was a wooden game, which I felt had some merit. To keep down costs, I would carry out work such as assembling, painting, packaging, advertising, selling etc but I wanted to get some parts made by a local company. If they could give me help with other aspects then all the better. And this where all the problems have arisen. I have been looking for a small company who are willing to help me on this and possibly future projects and I cannot find any. I have advertised in the papers, I have tried to find one through our local Enterprise Agency and I have knocked on a few doors. Nothing! No one seems interested. I am not looking for any financial help, just some expertise and a chance to share in any future success. I don't think I am going to find anyone locally so I am looking further afield now. Am I asking too much?
Anyway, that is enough griping. I have decided to use these forums in an effort to find other like minded people who can give me advice and help. Thanks for listening and lookout for threads from me soon.
However, recently, after doing a business course I decided to take a different tack. I felt that I had ideas that were marketable, maybe limited, but worth looking at again.
My idea was to start in a very small way with the simplest and easiest item to produce. If this was a success it would fund the next project etc. The item in question was a wooden game, which I felt had some merit. To keep down costs, I would carry out work such as assembling, painting, packaging, advertising, selling etc but I wanted to get some parts made by a local company. If they could give me help with other aspects then all the better. And this where all the problems have arisen. I have been looking for a small company who are willing to help me on this and possibly future projects and I cannot find any. I have advertised in the papers, I have tried to find one through our local Enterprise Agency and I have knocked on a few doors. Nothing! No one seems interested. I am not looking for any financial help, just some expertise and a chance to share in any future success. I don't think I am going to find anyone locally so I am looking further afield now. Am I asking too much?
Anyway, that is enough griping. I have decided to use these forums in an effort to find other like minded people who can give me advice and help. Thanks for listening and lookout for threads from me soon.