Could you pass along a couple of thoughts?
First: LAY THE HECK DOWN & GET WELL!!! Having destroyed my health at least twice trying to get businesses launched, in the long run it AIN'T worth it -- if you're dead, you're no good to anyone.
Second: GET A PARTNER. Find someone young & healthy to do half the work for 5%-10% of your personal cut -- it's MUCH better than clinging to 100% of nothing. I speak from experience: either I can do financials really well, or I can do marketing really well... but when I try to do both at the same time, I'm horrible.
For the audience-at-large: that $250 is for designs they have on-file. All they've got to do it stuff a body blank into the CNC router, select the right file on the computer screen, & press Enter. For hand-building an electric, that's the heavy lifting!! After that, it's down to paint, wiring, & a few screws.
Given the plethora of cool low-end electrics on the market, that may look inflated... until you remember that a custom repaint will set you back easily $200+. If you can get the body style & guts you want, with little or no compromise, & with a color that's perfect for you, you're WAAAAY ahead of the game for $250.
