Turning Builds into Business: Still Worth the Grind in 2025?

[EasyKasting]

Reading through past discussions here (like D.W. Verts' thread from Jan '24) about turning a passion for lure building into a business is always insightful. The core challenge – enjoyment vs. 'work' – seems timeless.

But the landscape shifts. With component costs, market saturation from new builders post-COVID, and the demands of online visibility, is the calculation different today?

For those currently selling custom baits (like the work seen from builders such as Scott W.), or seriously considering it: What are the biggest current hurdles making you question if it's worth the effort versus just building for yourself?

[Mike Cork]

I like to say in the 1900's because it seems so long ago... But in the 1990's my wife and I made hand poured plastic worms on the west coast. I was stationed at Beale AFB just outside Sacramento California. A 6" worm was considered a large bait and making all the smaller stuff was extremely cheap and could be flipped for a profit. At first we sold to the bass club members to cover the costs of materials and keep us in free baits if you will. It didn't take long and my wife was out soliciting sales at the local tackle stores. With in a year we were making very good money.

All that said there were two factors that led to us making a good profit. First was sales to tackle stores, now a days online sales are the tackle store for the most part. The other that led to success was lack of competition. There just weren't / wasn't anyone making true hand poured hand salted extremely soft plastic baits. I got stationed to Louisiana and we sold the business as baits in Louisiana had to be 10 inches before anyone wanted them and that cut the profits in half before we even started.

Switch to 2025 and so many things are different. The World Wide Web can put your product into everyone's living room, however that is very expensive to do. Google, Facebook, and the other available platforms charge quite a bit per view when you start looking and the numbers you'll need. Let's say you get 1 purchase per 1000 views (which would be extremely good) you'll need 100,000 views to get 100 purchases. How much does each purchase have to be to cover the cost of buying 100,000 view? again I'm being very generous on the numbers there...

How much local business can you generate? Depends on your area. I live in NW Louisiana, I can throw a rock and hit water. If you get known as a quality product that catches fish, your local market can sustain a small business and then internet sales can help you make a living at it.

The biggest problem is market saturation and the internet isn't helping. Only those that can get investors to spend big money on ad space are the ones that make it.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, new start ups make it every year!!!  I say run with it, try to offer something different as well as the same; keep the quality up; be quick with builds and shipping.... If it's your dream don't take no for an answer and get some folks to help with advertising

Custom builds is where it's at now, you have to be able to build the little secret weapon everyone has in their head.

[EasyKasting]

I like to say in the 1900's because it seems so long ago... But in the 1990's my wife and I made hand poured plastic worms on the west coast. I was stationed at Beale AFB just outside Sacramento California. A 6" worm was considered a large bait and making all the smaller stuff was extremely cheap and could be flipped for a profit. At first we sold to the bass club members to cover the costs of materials and keep us in free baits if you will. It didn't take long and my wife was out soliciting sales at the local tackle stores. With in a year we were making very good money.

All that said there were two factors that led to us making a good profit. First was sales to tackle stores, now a days online sales are the tackle store for the most part. The other that led to success was lack of competition. There just weren't / wasn't anyone making true hand poured hand salted extremely soft plastic baits. I got stationed to Louisiana and we sold the business as baits in Louisiana had to be 10 inches before anyone wanted them and that cut the profits in half before we even started.

Switch to 2025 and so many things are different. The World Wide Web can put your product into everyone's living room, however that is very expensive to do. Google, Facebook, and the other available platforms charge quite a bit per view when you start looking and the numbers you'll need. Let's say you get 1 purchase per 1000 views (which would be extremely good) you'll need 100,000 views to get 100 purchases. How much does each purchase have to be to cover the cost of buying 100,000 view? again I'm being very generous on the numbers there...

How much local business can you generate? Depends on your area. I live in NW Louisiana, I can throw a rock and hit water. If you get known as a quality product that catches fish, your local market can sustain a small business and then internet sales can help you make a living at it.

The biggest problem is market saturation and the internet isn't helping. Only those that can get investors to spend big money on ad space are the ones that make it.

I don't want to be a Debbie Downer, new start ups make it every year!!!  I say run with it, try to offer something different as well as the same; keep the quality up; be quick with builds and shipping.... If it's your dream don't take no for an answer and get some folks to help with advertising

Custom builds is where it's at now, you have to be able to build the little secret weapon everyone has in their head.

Mike Cork - That's a valuable perspective comparing the hand-pour business then versus now. The shift from local relationships to fighting for online visibility changes the game entirely. Agree that finding that niche, like true custom builds, is critical to cut through the noise today. Plus, the accessibility of quality molds and pouring tools means almost anyone can produce baits at home now, further intensifying that market saturation.

[D.W. Verts]

Well, the idea is not a novel one at all, but I've decided after almost two years of R&D and soul searching that it's "full speed ahead" anyway... I've been working on inventory and designs for that whole time. My problem is this- I've been building my own baits since 1981 and I literally make EVERYTHING. In reality I need to concentrate on one style to begin with. Sigh. I've been doing my first orders this week, and I'm currently working on Wacky Worms, crankbaits and spinnerbaits.

A lot of interest has some from my YouTube channel. And it's a slow process. Officially, I'm not even "open" yet. Working on a website (started on that yesterday) and when it's up an running I'll be bona fide. I guess.

There's a TON of folks making and selling baits. Oh well, I've never been all that bright. Best of luck to you!

P.S. Don't forget you have to pay the Government for this!

Dale

[EasyKasting]

Dale - Good seeing the decision made for "full speed ahead" after the R&D and soul searching. That focus issue – making everything vs. concentrating – is a common hurdle; narrowing down initially often helps streamline things.

You're absolutely right to mention the tax side (P.S.). It's a critical point. Dealing with the business side properly, including taxes, separates legitimate operations from the under-the-table sellers that contribute significantly to market saturation and undercut builders trying to do it right. Glad you highlighted it.

Building the website is a key step. If technical questions pop up during that process, feel free to ask – lots of collective experience here on my side building numerous sites with hosting. Sounds like you're pulling good insights from others in the thread too, like Mike Cork's points earlier.

Best of luck as you get things officially rolling.

[D.W. Verts]

Parker, in your bio it says "skirt tabs". I may have bought supplies from you...?

Dale

[EasyKasting]

Dale - Correct, Easy Kasting's core focus is skirt tabs and related components. Entirely possible you've ordered from EK in the past – appreciate the business if so.

[D.W. Verts]

Awesome. I will make SURE that is who I go with from now on.

Dale

[EasyKasting]

Awesome. I will make SURE that is who I go with from now on.

Dale

Dale - Understood. Appreciate the decision. Supporting builders taking the leap to launch their operations is what EK is about.

[D.W. Verts]

Hey Mr. Cork, does this ring any bells? Some 5" hand pours I did today in PINK with blue flake. Awww...



Dale