Author
Robert Pytell
Founder of GodKey MFG and owner of Aurora Lites LLC, a small maker of fire starters, fire colorants and cedar gift crates in Concrete, Washington.
Why he writes about costing
Robert Pytell runs Aurora Lites, which makes its products in batches and ships them across the country. Aurora Lites ran on spreadsheets until he built GodKey MFG to work out its stock, batch costs and books. The guides on this site come from that work: what a small maker has to count to know what a product really costs.
Experience
- Associate degree in Computer Information Systems from Skagit Valley College, and an associate in Advanced Avionics from Redstone College.
- Studied Information Technology Administrative Management and cyber security at Central Washington University. CompTIA A+ certified.
- Sole Director of IT for a small consumer-products brand: built its online store with Square and Clover point-of-sale inventory, organized SKUs and variants, and designed labels and packaging.
- Business and IT consultant for a specialty retail store: point of sale, online and in-store inventory, and buy online, pick up in store.
- Co-owner of Skagit Safety Services, a Washington security and fire watch company, where he runs technology, finance and information security.
More about how GodKey MFG started is on the About page.
Guides by Robert Pytell
- How to calculate cost per unit for small-batch productsPublished Read the guide
- How to Calculate Cost of Goods Sold for a Small Manufacturer or MakerPublished Read the guide
- How to Price Handmade Products: Cost, Margin, Wholesale and RetailPublished Read the guide
- Bill of Materials for Small Manufacturers: What It Is and How to Build OnePublished Read the guide
Stop rebuilding your costs in a spreadsheet.
The beta is open. Free until March 31, 2027 — no card needed. Seats are limited.