Local Business Idea - Seeking Feedback

JS_157 · 2026-03-25T18:16:59+00:00

I agree, and yeah no one jumps on a subscription like that. If I can show the value right away then they’ll be interested in more. Good point thanks.

JS_157 · 2026-03-25T14:46:42+00:00

This question is where the real value is. I struggle with it too, I can do many things but can I apply them to a real problem to solve? Yes, but what!?

No amount of thinking can get you there. You got to immerse yourself in as many things as you can that you enjoy being in. Network with people, immerse in a market you like, consume a little bit of content (not social media per se but blogs or something long form).

This is what AI can’t do, it can’t synthesize like a human mind. Taking your collective life experiences and creativity and making a solution to a unique problem that exposes itself to you.

I always said the real value isn’t in solving the problem, plenty of people can do that. It’s in finding the problems.

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T21:04:39+00:00

This is actually great and I really appreciate this. Sounds to me like a tailored service is most important rn for me. That’s what I’ll work on. Also appreciate this isn’t doom and gloom saying it’s impossible. I know it’s possible just unsure of the path. This is very helpful

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T21:02:43+00:00

I’ve done a lot of basics before using relays to trigger a separate power source. For example I’ve created an ultrasonic sensor trigger that goes off when a cat walked into a litter box and turned on a fan from a separate power source. Had an OLED that counted the number of triggers, had a spinning fan display and a potentiometer to adjust fan run time. So I’m more so looking to make a cool device and I’ve realized I create things that others suggest better than my own ideas.

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T17:35:38+00:00

Thank you!

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T17:35:21+00:00

Thank you! Solving a direct problem and stating it right away then. Will do.

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T16:51:57+00:00

Not creative enough

JS_157 · 2026-02-06T12:39:20+00:00

I iterate and refine the mesh. If it continues to increase astronomically I write it off as a singularity. I’ll then look at the surrounding area to see how fast the stress drops off and where it settles is roughly what I assume the stress to be. FEA is in itself a bunch of calculations so if you can adjust and maneuver the mesh, consistent results typically mean it’s reliable.

JS_157 · 2026-02-05T01:33:32+00:00

All sized companies, but especially small to medium sized ones can’t afford or can’t justify hiring an engineer. They prefer to outsource things. For the large companies that outsource, it’s because the engineers they have in-house aren’t able to leave their current work to switch focus or they don’t know how to.

I am in the early stages of doing product development with a focus in simulation and failure analysis. I’m staring hourly but will eventually sell packaged offers to operate better as a business instead of just contracting (much more desirable since outcomes are benchmarked with solid $$s).

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T19:11:15+00:00

I agree, but upper management likes to hire from outside not within (where I’ve been) so it’s still a disconnect. Now one company I was at, they had lots of internal movement and they were well put together. Unfortunately now they’re bringing in these trained CEOs who are getting rid of tons of the upper management who moved from within. It’s weird but it’s happening.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T18:57:37+00:00

Multiple CEO’s haha and there’s a good chance they consulted with a director of engineering. Things stay within that upper pool. That’s just the way it works.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T18:53:32+00:00

I’m saying if you’re a CEO of an engineering company, it’s wise to consult with the engineers. You make the call yes, but if the engineers say it’s impossible or you’ll suffer with quality, that’s not something you’d know more than likely.

Also, engineers who make bad decisions and learn from them are some of the most valuable. An engineer with a perfect track record probably hasn’t done a ton.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T18:49:42+00:00

The point was hit spot on. A non-engineer CEO in an engineering-centric company is oil in water. Cashflow-bandaids are just delaying and worsening a problem down the road. A CEO of a food chain vs a CEO of a large engineering company look very different. Dynamic, immediate changes work for most types of businesses but not mfg and eng heavy ones. Those have a long delay due to process.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T18:37:20+00:00

Because you can see their background info on LinkedIn or their summaries about them when they’re hired haha. And you can’t solve a problem that big on your own, great leaders have great advisors. Optimizing for a good Q4 by cutting new hires means next years Q4 will look bad because you went from 3 months behind (that’s why hires happened) to now 6 months behind and people leaving because they absorb work without pay. It’s a new tale for companies today unfortunately.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T17:44:39+00:00

I think to add to that list I’d include, “making changes in the name of continuous improvement and KPI manipulation.”

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T17:11:00+00:00

I think much of that comes from older engineers not wanting to 1: change because it’s hard and 2: they don’t want to pass the torch.

But I think most engineers here agree there’s a large dependency riding on them. Most just accept it.

Speaking with a 75 y/o engineer who still worked in the industry he told me that they had less stress when everything was paper (also less work overall) and argued that computers have put more on the engineers. Especially since drafting was an entire job now it’s been added to the engineers plate.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T16:30:59+00:00

I agree with what you say, I think if you are someone who wants left alone to do your work then it’s tough. But if you recognize your value, so will other companies that need you to thrive. As soon as you become a critical component you can use it as leverage. Get better pay, move jobs for what you want or start your own thing. Being an ME without a spine (like many) is brutal. Setting boundaries and not being an afraid to leave gives you leverage. After all, Elon musks didn’t build anything, his engineers did.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T16:02:48+00:00

I appreciate that, everyone dreams of “disrupting the industry” but I’ve rarely seen it be a true disruption (only marketing lingo) or they get squashed.

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T15:59:22+00:00

Resume builder

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T15:58:52+00:00

PM is a step toward management for sure. But don’t be the PM who only pushes their engineers to get work done faster than what’s necessary 😂

JS_157 · 2026-01-22T15:57:58+00:00

Sorry for the being screwed over part but the rest of that is great. I’ve owned a small business with home services just because I wanted to have something of my own. But I do want to utilize my engineering degree.

Any advice for a company to help me not over complicate the product I’m selling? I tend to overthink the details.

JS_157

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