need advice about starting an electronic-related business

[e0ne199]

Hello everyone,
I want to open a business about electronics design (and could be more mechatronic-related), especially those that need microcontroller for automation...
Since i am still too newbie at this (and so my skills at electronics, probably)  would you want to give me some pieces of advice or probably some ides about where to start?
I know it is currently in pandemic situation but i want to try to make a little bit income for my living..this is also my hobby...and i see there are so many electronic experts whose career is in electronics..
could i perhaps need to learn more than microcontroller, for example FPGA??
I am sorry if my question is so stupid, any answer is really appreciated, thx 

[bob91343]

The main problem is finding work.  Not that it's scarce, but you need a way to let the world know you are looking.  In the old days one might advertise in the telephone yellow pages.  Or newspapers or magazines.  The few of those that are still around are too expensive so you need to find a different medium.

I guess the first thing would be to create a website.  Then post messages on this or that forum, or Facebook, or other social medium.  Your presentation is very important.  You might need professional help with that.  First look at existing websites that advertise and see how it could be done.

[Ed.Kloonk]

One idea is to model yourself after http://www.inmojo.com/store/krida-electronics/

Since it's your hobby, target the hobby audience. Scour the internet for common problems that beginners are having and solve it with a good product.

Easier said than done, I know. But beginners are craving more than blinking LEDs.

[bob91343]

Here is an example.  I own a ham transceiver, Kenwood TS-520S.  It's not my main radio but is a throwback from 40 years ago.  One of the problems is that it's an analog radio and the frequency readout is not very precise.

A friend of mine suggested I use an arduino to measure the frequency.  So that's what I have.  Parts cost very low but it does an amazing job.  I suggested he build it as an add-on or a kit and sell it to hams.  The parts cost a few dollars and it's small and runs from 5 V.  There is a display of the frequency and it's a big improvement over the radio dial.

Rather than wait for someone to ask you to design something, you might make a gadget like this and try to sell it.  I once worked for a company that put a model number on every unit they made and put them all into a catalog.  That's one way to develop a product line.

[e0ne199]

lol, thx for the idea, everyone 
i think i need to find an idea for my business model first 

[RJSV]

   I'm the technical geek, so it's often I've heard:  Folks say, with a smirk, "technical types hide in the back room...while the (neatly dressed business suited) accounting types run the business.
   Only partly true, but someone like me fits that concept, of somehow never aquires enough practical everyday business skills.
   So the 'calculator / pocket protector' Engineer types think they generate the revenue, while the Accountant 'bean counters' think they generate the revenue.
Actually, it's the CUSTOMER generating 'the revenue'.

   I'm curious about 'Mechatronics' example meaning, and for example, what kind of percentage mix, across those different skills; like are you 20 % software, 40 percent hard circuitry...that sort of thing.

   I had idea, more of a product plan than an invention, the consumer product w/b (that means 'would be') a POCKET SHOWER. I could say 'Go for It!' but that little portable thing would cost $ to develop, and safety certification(s).
   Plus not sure, but could get into Patent status issues, if you could develop some novel improved pump or heater, for the hand-held Pocket Shower.
   I tried going the (US) Patent route, to riches. Heck we've all tried routes to get the gold.
   Whenever I contemplate starting a small business I :shutter, quietly,...and make funny noise, softly.
   I was: Burglarized, (local meth addict most likely), I got extortion, (and that was the 'friendly staff' in the building), lost a lot of friends (they said I needed to get a job), and generally went 'grey haired'.
   BUT, thats the 'badges of honor' you endure, it ain't for the meek, IMHO.

   Preparation-wise you could possibly benefit from taking some more school courses, if you have a Community College or University nearby.
Try adding, possibly, a Business Major curriculum to your skill set. In past years, folks liked to find a Mentor,
someone older / successful.  Try to look for companies that offer 'apprentrice' stints, like 6 months working at a bio-sciences business.
  You have to look at everything, such as availability of appropriate travel or re-location depending on opportunity. (Sounded like you maybe would rather run your own biz, rather than getting job at XYZ Corp.)
   Don't forget luck: luck can be at work, if you let it.

I'm better at purely technical stuff. Any reasonable PM questions, from a beginner, send your questions. There is a HUGE quantity of expertise, hanging out on this EEVBLOG.

[dietert1]

My business started about 25 years ago after many years of freelancer projects, so there was some money.
At the time i read an essay about how innovation arises and the infrastructure necessary for that and understood that we needed space for a lab. My wive found a building and it was ours after five years. I remember fixing the roof on weekends and things like that. A lot of test equipment and furniture was acquired over the years.
We found a 75-year old tax adviser, whose son is a physicist like me. He taught us the basics. Meanwhile there are established procedures and it's all going well. Health and sports are important, too. You can't force it.

Regards, Dieter