I've tried doing this. It may be OK for some fields like software, where the cost to entry for materials is low. However, for someone like me who wants to do me

I've tried doing this. It may be OK for some fields like software, where the cost to entry for materials is low. However, for someone like me who wants to do mechanical and bioengineering, there still is a huge cost for equipment (CNC machines, upkeep, IACUC protocols and a certified lab for some animal testing). While maker spaces have started to address some of these issues, it is still somewhat difficult to keep profitable. It's one thing to learn from a virtual electronics testing tutorial; it's another to physically use the equipment and get exposed to the nuanced details of learning.