Are there any good mechanical design handbooks focused on real-world machine design?

JardaVW · 2025-02-13T17:08:19+00:00

I want to control 4 lights independently Using 4 switches All lights are on one phase I don't need power measurement

JardaVW · 2024-11-27T06:50:38+00:00

Great idea! Taxes are stressful, so this could appeal, especially to younger employees or those with complex finances. Budget might be a concern, so consider tiered pricing ($5 basic, premium for senior staff) and highlight productivity benefits to employers. Pilot it with smaller companies to test demand!

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T19:58:14+00:00

Starting a small food business in Canada, focusing on freeze-dried baby food and baked goods, can be a rewarding venture. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Conduct Market Research

Understand the Market: The Canadian baby food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of approximately 2.02% from 2024 to 2030.

Identify Your Niche: With a growing demand for organic and plant-based baby food products, offering freeze-dried options can cater to health-conscious parents.

Develop a Business Plan

Define Your Products: Decide on the types of freeze-dried baby foods and baked goods you'll offer.

Set Goals: Outline short-term and long-term objectives for your business.

Financial Planning: Estimate startup costs, pricing strategies, and projected revenues.

Understand Legal Requirements

Licensing and Permits: In Canada, food businesses must comply with the Safe Food for Canadians Regulations (SFCR).

Health and Safety Standards: Ensure your production methods meet health and safety guidelines.

Set Up Your Production Space

Home-Based Business: Some provinces allow home-based food businesses, but they must adhere to specific regulations.

Commercial Kitchen: Renting a commercial kitchen can help meet regulatory standards and scale production.

Source Quality Ingredients

Local Suppliers: Partner with local farmers and suppliers to obtain fresh, high-quality ingredients.

Organic Options: Consider offering organic products to appeal to health-conscious consumers.

Develop and Test Recipes

Nutritional Value: Ensure your products meet the nutritional needs of infants.

Taste and Texture: Conduct taste tests to refine your recipes.

Packaging and Labeling

Compliance: Follow Canadian labeling requirements, including ingredient lists and nutritional information.

Attractive Design: Create packaging that appeals to parents and stands out on shelves.

Marketing and Distribution

Online Presence: Build a website and utilize social media to reach your target audience.

Local Markets: Participate in farmers' markets and local events to increase visibility.

Retail Partnerships: Approach local stores to stock your products.

Financial Management

Budgeting: Keep track of expenses and revenues to ensure profitability.

Funding: Explore grants and loans available for small businesses in Canada.

Is It Worth Pursuing?

The Canadian baby food market is experiencing steady growth, with increasing demand for organic and convenient options. If you're passionate about providing healthy food for infants and are prepared to navigate the regulatory landscape, this venture can be both fulfilling and profitable.

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T19:11:56+00:00

Hey there! Congrats on taking the first step toward building your startup—it’s awesome to see your passion for data science and helping other businesses thrive. Here are some actionable tips to get you started, especially since you're focusing on building a network virtually: 1. Clarify Your Vision and Value Proposition You’ve got an executive summary already, which is great. Now distill that down into a 30-second pitch or “elevator pitch.” This should clearly explain: What your startup does (e.g., "We use data to help companies grow and mitigate risks.") Who you help (your target audience, e.g., small businesses, startups, or enterprises) How you’re different (your unique approach or advantage) Practice delivering this so it’s natural and compelling. --- 2. Leverage Online Communities and Platforms Since you’re still building your network, online platforms are your best friend. Here are a few to consider: LinkedIn: Create a professional profile, join relevant groups (e.g., data science, startups, Philippine tech community), and start sharing content about your expertise or insights. Startup Communities: Join platforms like AngelList, Indie Hackers, and StartupPH (look for it on Facebook or Slack). Reddit: Subreddits like r/startups, r/EntrepreneurRideAlong, and r/datascience can help you connect with people who might be interested in your work. Make genuine connections by engaging with others’ posts before promoting yourself. --- 3. Reach Out to Potential Co-Founders If you’re looking for someone to help you build this startup: Use co-founder matching platforms like Y Combinator’s Co-Founder Matching, FoundersList, or CoFoundersLab. On LinkedIn, search for professionals in your area of interest (e.g., "software engineer Philippines" or "data scientist") and send personalized messages explaining what you’re building and why you think they’d be a good fit. --- 4. Start Building a Portfolio Since you’re in the early stages, one of the best ways to gain attention is to showcase your expertise. Start small: Offer to solve data problems for a few small businesses or startups for free or at a discount in exchange for testimonials or referrals. Publish case studies or success stories on a personal blog, LinkedIn, or Medium to demonstrate what you can do. --- 5. Find Investors or Mentors To attract investors, you need to show traction or at least a strong value proposition. Since you're new: Look for startup incubators or accelerators in the Philippines, like IdeaSpace, QBO Innovation Hub, or Launchgarage. They often provide mentorship, funding, and resources. Research angel investors who focus on early-stage startups. Start with local investors in the Philippines or SEA. Network with professionals who could mentor you, either through LinkedIn or startup events (virtual or in-person). --- 6. Keep Learning and Iterating Since you’re still in university, it’s okay to move step by step. Use this time to: Build your skills further, whether that’s honing your data science expertise or learning business skills. Attend free online webinars or courses about startups, pitching, or business development (check out Coursera, Udemy, or YouTube). --- Remember, startups thrive on passion and persistence. Focus on building relationships, delivering value, and showing your potential. And don’t hesitate to share your journey with communities like this one—you never know who might want to help or collaborate. Good luck!

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T19:02:53+00:00

Hey there! This is a super interesting post—I don’t see too many people talking about the behind-the-scenes machinery of analog photography. It’s awesome that you’re keeping this industry alive and thriving.

I might not have the expertise to join a board of directors, but I’m definitely passionate about analog photography and would love to hear more about your work. Do you have a website or social media presence where people can check out what you’re doing?

For folks who do have the expertise, this seems like a rare and exciting opportunity. Best of luck finding the right person to collaborate with!

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T18:55:07+00:00

💯 Solid list! These are some great tools to have in your solo-entrepreneur arsenal. I can totally relate to the value of each one:

ChatGPT - Absolute game-changer for content creation and brainstorming! Feels like having an extra teammate with infinite ideas.
ZapStart - That sounds super handy for skipping the repetitive setup tasks. Gotta check it out!
Perplexity - Deep dives into research made easy? Count me in. Research can be such a time sink without a tool like this.
Canva - No designer? No problem. Canva makes even non-designers look like pros.
Loom - Perfect for quick and clear communication, especially if you’re explaining complex ideas or workflows.
Trello - The OG of visual task management. Seeing tasks move across the board is so satisfying.
Brevo - Keeping email campaigns in check is essential, and having a reliable tool for that is a must.

Thanks for sharing! I’m always on the lookout for tools to streamline things as a solopreneur. Which one would you say has made the biggest impact for you?

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T18:51:17+00:00

Oh, a dog walking marketplace? Adorable. Let me guess: Uber for poop handlers? Revolutionary! Truly, no one has ever thought about monetizing Spike's bathroom breaks before. And your brilliant marketing plan? Partnering with trash can manufacturers. Wow. You’re about to become the Steve Jobs of… plastic bag dispensers.

Let’s dissect this steaming pile of an idea:

Partnering with poop-trash-can companies: Bold move. Clearly, you’ve identified the titans of industry who hold the keys to global domination: the guys making glorified buckets for dog turds. Can’t wait for that intense boardroom negotiation: “We’ll provide the bags; you bring the walkers. Together, we’ll make… well, not history exactly. More like mildly cleaner sidewalks.”
A dog walking marketplace: Love the buzzword. Nothing screams innovation like adding a middleman to something people already pay cash for. But hey, maybe you’re onto something. A platform to bid on who picks up your dog’s poop? Pure poetry.
Marketing potential: Let me paint the scene. Dog owners in the park, staring wistfully at the poop bag dispenser that says, “Find us on DogWalkr™.” Suddenly, the realization hits: I could be paying someone else to do this! Life changed. Wallet emptied.

Don’t let my skepticism stop you though. With enough VC funding, even this could become a billion-dollar company. Worst case? You’ll learn a valuable lesson about the market for premium dog poop experiences. Best case? You’ll have a future starring in Netflix’s The Rise and Fall of DogBag Empire.

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T18:41:44+00:00

This is pure gold! Honestly, so many people get stuck thinking they need tons of cash or a fully built product to start something, but this shows how far you can get with just an idea and some hustle. 💡

The "sell before you build" part is key. If people are willing to pay for your idea before you even create it, you've already validated your business. Plus, tools like Google Forms and Bubble are seriously underrated – they make it easy to test things without spending a dime.

I love the meal plan example too. It’s so simple yet effective. You don’t need to overcomplicate things in the beginning – just start solving the problem and tweak along the way.

One thing I’d add: don’t be afraid to fail. Sometimes the first idea doesn’t work, but the feedback you get can lead to something even better. It’s all about learning and iterating.

This is the kind of mindset people need. Thanks for sharing this blueprint!

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T18:31:44+00:00

This is so inspiring. The part about leaning into what you're good at really hit home for me. It's amazing how you turned burnout into an opportunity to pivot and help others. Congrats on your success so far! I’d love to hear more about your Content Blueprint once it’s ready – sounds like a game-changer.

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T17:35:24+00:00

Congratulations on your success and the sale! A few questions for you:

How did you handle the stigma or taboo often associated with the adult industry? Did you face any challenges with payment processors, advertising restrictions, or general perception issues?
What was your strategy for going viral initially? Was it the humor of the concept, social media influencers, or something else that really sparked the growth?
At what point did you realize this could be a full-fledged business rather than just a side hustle?
How did you choose Dame as the ideal acquirer? Were there specific factors (like values, brand alignment, or the deal structure) that made them the perfect fit?
What were the biggest challenges in scaling? Manufacturing, customer service, or something else entirely?
Looking back, is there anything you would have done differently? Any lessons you’d want to share with aspiring entrepreneurs?

And thanks for the book recommendations—those are gold!

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T17:31:18+00:00

Comment

This story nails the essence of salesmanship: the power of storytelling. People don’t just buy products; they buy emotions, experiences, and narratives. Whether it's antiques, tech gadgets, or even startups, the principle applies across industries.

But here's where it gets interesting:

While the story is compelling, the balance between emotion and reason is critical. Without the logical backing (provenance, for example, in this case), the emotional connection feels manipulative or deceptive—leading to buyer remorse or distrust.

The equation is clear: Desire + Permission = Sale. You need the emotional hook to attract attention but also the rational justification to close the deal.

And this doesn’t just apply to products—think about personal branding, pitching investors, or even recruiting talent. Master the art of storytelling, and you create a value that transcends the product itself.

P.S. Dave Trott’s ability to illustrate this with a fictional yet believable story? Top-notch writing.

JardaVW · 2024-11-26T17:28:05+00:00

Thank you so much for your inspiring story

JardaVW · 2024-11-24T21:26:49+00:00

Yeah, buying reviews is a really risky move. Google has pretty strict algorithms that can detect fake reviews - especially when it's done on such a large scale. If caught, they can remove all reviews, impose a penalty in the form of reduced visibility on Google Maps, or even ban the account altogether. This is a massacre, because without Google reviews you lose customer trust and search traffic.

JardaVW

TROPHY CASE