There are some cynical repackaging jobs that go on, for sure, especially with cabling. Zero offence taken.
For me, I was a long time member here under the name Redkiwi, till I got to the point where my own cables were better to my ears than my favourite brand Jena Labs. So at that point I more or less stopped posting here and began producing my cables in the weekends. At that stage I bought everything in, but the cables were unique in terms of using what I call our antipodal geometry - very simple but effective. Then I researched every part of the cable and developed my own view as to what sounded best. So we now make our own wire, make the insulation and make the sleeving. The only thing we don't make from raw materials is the connector - though that will be next.
It has been maybe an obsession, but definitely based on my enthusiasm for audio and my love of music. Making it into a business was mainly a way of funding the obsession, not the other way around. As you say, I think a great many audio firms start out like this.
