How about this idea:

Set up some production subcontractors from the Former Soviet Union or Eastern Bloc since it seems they have enough technical skill to machine decent quality components at low prices. And they are desperate to make inroads into the US market place. They might even work on a commision basis so you wouldn`t have to pay for product that you haven`t sold.

Import all the parts and warehouse them in Mexico where labor and commercial costs are cheap. Plus there are no tariffs thank you, NAFTA.

Sell them only through catalogs or the internet. Especially hammer into Ebay with a "Buy Me Now" price that is at least 25% over the overall cost of goods sold.

Don`t sell to pro-shops or retail outlets who would interfere with the producer/consumer interface and increase prices.

Designs for bow components would be taken from other manufacturers non-patent protected designs or would be altered enough not to violate patents. Keep no R&D staff.

Each bow would be ordered by the customer using a menu system much like you would custom order a computer: style "a" riser, type "3" limbs, cam design "alpha", etc. Compatability of parts would be verified using a simple online computer program much like Dell Computer has on its website.

Ship the bow to the customers unassembled so they could "build it themselves" and save you a bunch of money you would spend on trained assemblers.

Promote the bows through BBS systems by creating numerous user ID`s and touting the enlighening "experience of building it yourself." Establish a mythology about the company even before you ship the first product.

Establish a "900" number for tech support for those ham-fisted individuals who can`t follow the basic assembly instructions.

The target market would be archers who want to experiment with the more technical side of compound bow building. A complete "custom bow kit" would probably retail between $300 and $400 dollars which is high enough to imply quality but low enough to exhibit affordability. A net profit per unit of 25% over cost should be the goal.

DIY Bows, LLC.
For the Technically Advanced Archer.
"Who built your bow?"

The Mouse