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Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @07:53PM (#25853975)
Oh and this is what I worked on: https://Loodio.com
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by batmaniam on Thursday January 21, 2021 @01:36PM (#25862280)
Cool, I'm curious about the manufacturing part. Would you mind sharing that process?

How did you find a manufacturer willing to build your product? Did you negotiate the price per unit?

Do they require a minimum purchase amount (ie, like 1000 units)?

If you do not have enough backers, are you planning on using your own money to buy up to the minimum purchase number, or cancel the entire project?

How do you plan on validating the build quality before settling on a specific manufacturer to build your product?

Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Thursday January 21, 2021 @04:00PM (#25864170)
Thanks! Sure. Circuit boards are easy. Many suppliers. The tricky part is the casing. Currently we are using Toolless that mill the units with CNC. That’s pricy per unit but we can order lower number of units. If we reach enough funding we go for injection moulding. This is the way to go. Start small and expensive, worry about cutting costs and scaling later.

We have already built a final prototype that looks and works like final product together with our plastics manufacturer. Circuit boards from Pcbway currently but larger order will come from other company most likely. Again there are many. And same with injection moulding; lots of companies do it.

I think we will reach crowdfunding goals but if not we may get external funding.

Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by aim4min on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @10:35PM (#25855060)
This is really cool! But, I think the clock needs to be bigger and brighter, and maybe graphical. Or be a VFD -- OR -- what would be really cool, is combine it with a pico projector, and shine the clock/UI onto a wall. Good luck!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Thursday January 21, 2021 @02:28AM (#25856440)
You’re right and we are looking for alternatives already but need to launch Kickstarter first because cash is run out!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by aim4min on Saturday January 23, 2021 @08:17PM (#25887859)
Actually, I just had another idea. It may be just me, but I already have an Alexa echo, and Smart Home controlled lights and fan in the bathroom. All you really need is an WIFI-enabled motion sensor - and then, an easy way for it to start playing music on my alexa - bonus if it would automatically turn on the lights and fan when I enter, and turn fan of 15 minutes after I leave. Maybe even just an integration with IFTTT or Home Assistant.
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by yNeolh on Thursday January 21, 2021 @09:19AM (#25859038)
As a side note, maybe you already know it but that name in Spanish can be separated as "Lo Odio" which means "I Hate It" At first I though it was some kind of web where people put things they hate, so... Just FYI
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Thursday January 21, 2021 @09:56AM (#25859431)
Yeah we found out later (but before we took final decision). We thought it was funny because everyone hates bathroom noises so we went with it!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by yNeolh on Thursday January 21, 2021 @07:46PM (#25866815)
Good to hear! Good luck with the project!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Friday January 22, 2021 @06:43PM (#25877813)
Thank you!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by abda0180 on Thursday January 21, 2021 @06:18AM (#25857737)
Looks cool. Nice motion graphic on the site!

Have you considered launching on Kickstarter or another crowdfunding site?

Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Thursday January 21, 2021 @09:57AM (#25859438)
Thanks! Yes we are doing a Kickstarter in February!

Demo video: https://youtu.be/SOPZ8-Ptk2E

Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by abda0180 on Friday January 22, 2021 @10:57AM (#25872726)
Nice!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by asdev on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @08:22PM (#25854196)
wow, this looks hard to build(any hardware product does to me). how long have you spent overall on this?
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @08:44PM (#25854317)
Took us about 14 months with me having no hardware experience so I hired a friend and some consultants.

Spent around $50k of my own money to seed fund it.

Demo video: https://youtu.be/SOPZ8-Ptk2E

Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by SwEEpCollidE on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @09:06PM (#25854464)
This is really cool! It has a lot of potential in the market. Wish you the best of luck!
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @09:49PM (#25854729)
Thank you! I hope so but it doesn’t matter because me and my dad REALLY need it (shy poopers) :P
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by electriclove on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @09:22PM (#25854562)
How is it powered?
Re:Ask HN: Who has started a successful side business while ... by testmasterflex on Wednesday January 20, 2021 @09:47PM (#25854715)
Rechargeable Li-ion batteries through MicroUSB port. Check the demo video in my other comment for more info!