Re: How much investment do i need to get started ?

[walter biscardi] "I've had a very VERY bad experience with a partner and will never do that again."

Ditto. (Although a junior partner may be in my future. The closer you get to equal the bigger the headaches.)

[walter biscardi] "I've never used an investor and never will. I answer to myself and nobody else."

Double ditto. I would much rather build something up than being put in the position of immediately having to start paying off a fully equipped facility.

The simple answer to how much is probably more than you think. Add a healthy amount of contingency funds to your plan.

I also authored an article on going into business for yourself which ran in the last issue of the COW Magazine. Not as detailed as Walter's four part tome, but might be helpful with some additional insights.

One big question you have to ask first of yourself and then of the investor is What's in it for him?? Post production is about as far from a rock solid investment as one can get. Some make it, many fail, many just get by. Almost all of us do it for love of the art and craft. OK, the gadgets, too.

And the biggest of the big questions are: How solid is your source of business? Do you enjoy selling? If not you better have someone who does -- a LOT. Could your investor direct a lot of business your way? The very last thing you want is a partner, an investor and you sitting around arguing about who is responsible for bringing in the business which will keep you in operation.