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How much do you need for startup? CAUSE I'M READY
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How much do you need for startup? CAUSE I'M READY
Hi again, so sorry it has taken me so long to reply to this!
i’m definitely open to any input, enthusiasm is always appreciated. The biggest (basically only) obstacle to the project is the startup costs. Crowdfunding like a kickstarter seems to be the way forward but I also want a reserve of my own funds to invest into the project too.
I’m considering some smaller G2 inspired merch runs to raise money, potentially a stall at UK ponycon to tearfully sell off some of my duplicate ponies, as well as trying to save from my wages (not quite so easy during a cost of living crisis)
3d modelling is always super useful. I have a small bit of experience in modelling and my partner does it freelance (we’re both animators). I love dolls too and have printed a lot of doll accessories, but playing with the early 3d prints of the ponies was fun - even though unfortunately they weren’t viable as replica toys. Perhaps they’d make great high quality resin statues to sell though! And I have big dreams of all new G2 poses like laying down, sea ponies, wing styles, new accessories etc
so basically yeah! Welcome to this little niche, so excited you‘re here
also REALLY want to do an art trade with you when I’m not so busy at work
Wow, that is all SO COOL!
I haven’t actually done much merch production before but weirdly have done fashion production so I have a little knowledge on the sort of sourcing, quote, design etc process. Would definitely love your expertise though
I went to check out your etsy store yesterday and realised I’ve been following you for ages haha - I have lots of your files in my favourites for future Monster High custom projects. That G2 BJD is so cool, I literally just got a giant FDM and I’ve been dying to print out a giant pony! Love your horse / centaur doll - when Monster High did Avea Trotter I was ecstatic they were truly putting out wild designs back then in the best way!
I’m literally the same haha, lots of ideas just need to make em real. If I can produce enough stuff for a Ponycon stall this year I’m hoping that’d raise the funds for the G2 Re-do project
my instagram is @gracerubyarts but I’m going through the tedious job of uploading my work from like 2016 onwards and I’m currently at around 2018 so it’s oldddddd, my deviantart has all my newest stuff though let me find a link
I'm happy to be transparent about all of this because I'm not looking to make a profit or start some kind of business empire hahaHow much do you need for startup? CAUSE I'M READY
I want to make all my favourite G1s and G3s into pretty G2 ponies haha, and maybe some G4 and G5..... and my OCs ..... and other random thingsI've already bought about 10 HQG1C, so I would probably end up buying a ton of leedle G2's and putting the gems in their eyes ! I would make more metal themed ones!
I want to make all my favourite G1s and G3s into pretty G2 ponies haha, and maybe some G4 and G5..... and my OCs ..... and other random things
I'm thinking of making a franken-abomination Spanish Sea Breeze using Flash tails hahaI love G2 so much, and living in the US, I missed out on so many until later when internet showed me what OTHER PEOPLE HAD.
Now I have all of them* (*except Spanish Sea Breeze and a few of the color hair variants), and I want moooore!
I am proud to have helped with many of those accessories, lol. Still watching for the hat...I'm thinking of making a franken-abomination Spanish Sea Breeze using Flash tails haha
I think I have almost all actual ponies now, except a couple of babies and lady elegant, plus ones like the light-up versions like Silver Swirl with her light up horn. But accessories. Man. Are they tough haha. My endless quest for Tender Nuzzles' hat continues......
I'm happy to be transparent about all of this because I'm not looking to make a profit or start some kind of business empire haha
So for the first production run of ponies we're looking at about £7000 for 1000 pony blanks. Quotes for 500 ponies were coming in at around £6000 - so all things considered an order of 1000 actually makes the most sense. Also the idea of having 1000 ponies arrive at my house makes me way too excited.
I won't share any of Clipper's business information but I am aware this is a good industry price and comparable to HQG1C
So based on current (not set in stone) maths I was thinking of selling each blank for about £10-£12 (plus shipping which will vary depending on your country) which would mean we'd need to sell roughly 700 through Kickstarter or a safe pre-order system. I don't even know if there are 700 G2 collectors in the world haha, but I have had interest from HQG1C retailers for some wholesale orders, and hopefully there are a few of you who'd buy more than one pony
For the security of the project though, I'd rather have my own safety net fund of at least half the production cost (so £3500) for emergency costs, unexpected costs, and also the more money I can put into it upfront, the less kickstarter sales we'd need, and this increases the likelihood of the target being met and the project actually getting off the ground!
In the world of business, this is pocket change for a manufacturing venture. But in the world of just being one ambitious fan with bills to pay, obviously I can't magic this amount out of thin air haha. It is do-able, and I don't mind putting my own money in as I think they'll sell well and be successful but the worst case scenario is I end up with a lifetime supply of customisable ponies in my craft room.
All profit would go back into the project, I'm seriously not interested in making money from this and I don't think niche 90s ponies would be a good get rich scheme anyway. The money made from the first run would go straight into a second different run of ponies, and so on. I'm so desperate for a run of pegasus ponies, but also would love to offer different colour blanks, specially designed characters, new poses etc. Perhaps eventually even accessories - both replicas and all new ponywear.........dare I even say, in my wildest dreams, playsets?! Because why did we never get Sunsparkle's dance studio!!!
Ponies and dolls are my two big loves (I also collect Disney Princesses and Ever After High) and my obsession flip flops between them, or sometimes I'm intensely invested in both at the same time and I can't find enough time to do both hobbies at once hahaI was the exact same when I made some enamel pins, like, I just want to break even on the manu. costs LOL. Its scary, and pins were only $500
I can totally get you in touch with some of my manus for charms and etc! Feel free to PM at any time! I'm also happy you follow my store LOL.
I want to make more MH inspired stuff but Ponies have stolen my attention!!
When will you be attending Ponycon?
I'm with Darklys, we in the USA were robbed of adorable ponies!!
I'd also love to get at least like 5, pony blanks if you open up a kick starter lol.
Ponies and dolls are my two big loves (I also collect Disney Princesses and Ever After High) and my obsession flip flops between them, or sometimes I'm intensely invested in both at the same time and I can't find enough time to do both hobbies at once haha
Yeah the US got really missed out from G2 which is bizarre given that it's Hasbro. But even the UK didn't get a whole lot, I get almost all of mine from France and The Netherlands where they were SUPER common and still are!
Uk Ponycon is every October, and this year's theme is celebrating all the generations so that means its G2 inclusion time babeeeyyy
Also I'd definitely like to do some G2 style merch regardless because oh boy there wasn't much and I need that sweet 90s pastel weird font kitschy goodness aethetic on everything. I've even considered custom G2 wallpaper for the wall behind my pony shelves lol. I'm ambitious but I want pins, stickers, resin charms, plushies, stationery, tshirts, my own G2 lolita dress line (I used to design lolita dress prints). If a pony can be slapped on it, I wanna make it.
It was incredible last year, there was more G2 goodness than I expected and I got one of my grailsNow I definitely have to get my ukponycon tickets!
That sounds brilliant!It was incredible last year, there was more G2 goodness than I expected and I got one of my grails
OK, I hate that I missed that! I was deliberating but felt too shy.It was awesome, I got some G2 art of mine featured in the brochure too! (Last year's theme was Gothic)View attachment 68000