A few questions for ski builders

so the cult is pretty much dead, and I am doing my senior project on building skis. It would be really helpful if anyone who has experience building skis could take the time to answer a few questions, so that I can use some of the stuff either to help me with physically making them, or in my paper.

Name
Email Address
Affiliation (did you start a company etc.)
Background
Hardest Part of making skis?
Describe your first time, how did it go?
What is the biggest variable?
What is the most important thing and/or lesson you have learned from it?
Anything else you feel that you need to share?

thanks!