a little in the dark here about doors

First, to start a business, you have to understand, research and test the market before you invest yourself. Carved doors I wouldn’t think has a very big market.

Second, the fact no one is responding should make you re-consider.

To your last question, I would think build it like a normal door and apply the carving separately.

-- Everything is a prototype thats why its one of a kind!!

Get a free copy of the USDA’s “Wood Handbook, Wood as an Engineering Material”. Google it and download it. It will tell you EVERYTHING you want to know about wood’s physical properties.

Take a course.

-- The hump with the stump and the pump!

I don’t know anyone you could talk to, sorry, what I have done that works well is to find someone who is doing something that I want to learn, and offer them some money for consulting. Asking someone who is successful for free advice usually doesn’t work very well, and IMO it’s rather arse. That kind of knowledge is worth paying for, it saves tons of time and expensive mistakes. I think you can find a market for this, but running even the smallest business is complex and there are a zillion ways to shoot yourself in both feet.

Think about who you already know that you can network with. The trades are interdependent, and your best referrals and paying work come from other tradespeople. Of course you want customer referrals, but chances are you’ll get more work from other tradespeople.

-- "wood" and "good" rhyme, but not "food"

Best of luck going forward.

“I want to start a small business manufacturing custom hand carved wooden entry doors complete with stained glass and hardware. “

Do want, just do it, trust your gut and you’ll find out quickly what works and what doesn’t.

Build a showcase door for your house using quarter sawn teak and use all the hand carved embellishments you like.
People will see your work and word will get out. Pass out brochures and emails to realtors, contractors, and architects.

You should have your website, business cards, email account set up and ready to go.

Start building.

https://www.lumberjocks.com/topics/312209

Here’s an opportunity for the wood carving part.

Best of luck!