I'll throw this out there.
As a guy who used to collect custom blades, it's never the basic technical competence that sells your product. That is taken for granted.
You have to have a design aesthetic that appeals to people and makes them think "I want that !"
You then have to be able to deliver that at a painful but affordable price.
People will push themselves for something they really want, but not for something that is just better made IKEA.
Like photography, the starting point is a good technical competence. If it's out of focus, too bright or dim, etc it gets deleted the first time it's looked at.
First build competence.
Then build speed - aka the chance of being profitable.
Finally, you need a design aesthetic, edge, something unique to make you stand out. Start exploring that from day 1, but aesthetic without speed and competence won't survive.
It's hard because you could spend years developing the skill to satisfy (i) and (ii) but if you don't find a (iii) that appeals to people, you'll never really succeed.
Along the way, shows, exhibitions, etc may help.
The only bespoke furniture I ever bought was inspired by seeing a young craftsman's work at a show. He had a piece that appealed to my wife and I and we visited and had him adapt the design of a slim hall table to work as a dressing table set with mirror and stool.
Simple, elegant, not IKEA.
Would I have bought that online ? Not a chance.
If you are buying bespoke, there needs to be a relationship, so at some point there needs to be hands on / face to face. That means selling through shows, exhibitions, or getting your name in front of people who live or visit near enough to your workshop.
You have to be where there is money to buy, or you have to go to where it is.
If you don't intend to be good and don't intend to be serious, you won't make it.
