Some great ideas, especially the 3D printer rental concept. One theme runs through all of this. You’re an idea guy AND a builder/coder. You’re an invaluable part of what can be a successful team. You’re not a team. Most successful startups (but you know this) consist of the “nerd” (you) and some people who know business strategy, sales, finance, and the rest cold and who have done it all before. They bring these things to the table:
- Specific knowledge you lack (finance, marketing, sales, executive, etc.)
- Investment ecosystem experience you lack (though you may have some by now!); they’ve been there; they presumably know people & connections are important
- A few extra pairs of hands. Incredibly hard for 1 person to do it all alone, especially when that one person has a full-time job.
- Objectivity. You may think your concept is awesome (and it may be) but if it’s just you & friends and family weighing in it might be a big echo chamber —co-founders who know the industry and are investing their time and expertise are going to be more objective and less resistant to pivoting when necessary.
I’d focus on your new addition/family for a while, build up some cash reserves (just in case) and slowly start networking with people who have executive and financial skills and are at least connected to money (on first name basis with potential investors, for example). Find people who value your skills as an idea and tech guy. A specific idea, very early stage, may be less important than a really great, balanced team that compliments each other and includes an executive type (who’s also an evangelist — or maybe you do that well!), and a financial person (or one person with both skills, though I think 3 is the ideal number).