Heath's Model Works six month update
It is hard to believe only six months ago I took the plunge into opening my own business. Over this time Heath's Model Works has been able to develop and produce some really unique products, but I have also personally learned a great deal about running the business and also about myself.
I'll say out of the gate that running a successful one-person business that designs and sells 3D printed model car parts and accessories is more than knowing about the cars you are designing parts for, more than being an experienced CAD designer and engineer. It requires you to become a budget manager, a salesperson, a risk assessor, a listener and a meticulous researcher among other things. While I am a CAD person and engineer, historically these other things are not my strengths (ok I am a good researcher!). It's not that I consciously didn't like these other things, it's just that I never really had to be good at them in my "real job". However, when it's your time and money on the line, it is funny how you are quickly motivated to learn. I am so glad I did, as what I have found is how much I enjoy these other aspects of the business.
That aside, it also quickly became evident that I needed to determine how to become more efficient at everything...designing, filing, printing, storing, packaging, and finishing work. No longer could I just take my sweet time to get it done, I have customers who want to buy my stuff, and they don't usually want to wait! This learning has challenged me to put in place solid and realistic growth goals. I will not grow my business at the expense of quality or the personal experience I want my customers to feel when they are reading my product pages and hopefully deciding to make a purchase.
Each of my products has a story, and represents something more than the physical product I spend hours replicating in CAD at miniature scale. I presume that, in a similar way, most of my customers have a story that has driven them to seek the part they are looking for. For me, sometimes that story is obvious and I'll write about it on the product page, but sometimes it is intentionally left out. Either way, everything I design and print is done with an internal passion to give people a great modeling experience and the ability to make their work something unique and personal.
Thank you to all who have been my 'first customers' and I look forward to providing the market with more products to help others tell their story through modeling.
I'd love to hear from you! What's the story behind your current modeling project? Are you recreating a childhood memory, honoring a family car, or building something that just speaks to you? Drop me a line and share your modeling journey – your story might just inspire my next design!
Happy Modeling!
Heath