We have been busy this week tying up loose ends. We still had a little backlog in the shop- a dining room table to refinish, 2 antique rockers, a couple of nightstands, and a few other pieces. We have not taken on any more work- no appointments, nothing, just work on these jobs and discuss the future.
One thing that is dawning on me is that I will get my hobby back! The whole reason I went pro is because I love woodworking. Man, that is a quick way to kill your hobby. Instead of working on a project on my timeline, being pro puts you on your customer’s timeline, and that one is always shorter.
The job search is going very well. I have a couple of interviews coming up with some very nice companies in the area. All the old Quality Engineering stuff is still in my head, as is the old Process Engineering stuff. I can easily wear both hats. Tommy (my son and partner) has put in for a nice job at a local church camp. If you’re the praying type, a couple on our behalf would be appreciated.
We have had a lot of good conversations about the business- what went wrong, what we should have done differently, will we ever try again. A lot of what went wrong was just the economic downturn. Folks started hanging on to their money. We kept spending more and more on advertising and marketing- at one point we were spending nearly $2,000 a month. In good times, that should have brought in $20,000/month worth of business. Instead, we were doing a fraction of that.
What would I do differently? Start on the side, working nights and weekends. No franchise. Build a good website and use Adwords to pull traffic to it. Work the commercial market- residential sucks, plain and simple. Network locally and on-line. I got a lot of traffic from social networking sites.
Will I ever try again? Maybe…
-- The days are long and the years are short...
13 comments so far
Douglas Bordner
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3421 posts in 957 days
posted 121 days ago
Good Luck, Myron. “If you’re the praying type, a couple on our behalf would be appreciated.” – Done.
It sounds to me that you have your head on straight, and a plan to move forward. That’s all you need for now.
-- "Bordnerizing" perfectly good lumber for over a decade.
Scott Bryan
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20629 posts in 716 days
posted 121 days ago
It does sound as if you have a clear plan on where you are going, Myron. I hope that you and your son will find something soon. It appears as if this has been an invaluable learning experience and I wish you nothing but the best.
-- With God's help all things are possible- even woodworking. Woodworking is not just a hobby, it is an (expletive deleted) expensive hobby.
Zuki
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1229 posts in 971 days
posted 121 days ago
This may sound strange Myron . . . but with a winning attitude like that you and your son will bounce back in no time.
-- The significant problems we face cannot be solved by the same level of thinking that created them
patron
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2379 posts in 235 days
posted 121 days ago
prayers be with you !
the hardest part being pro ,
was keeping my love of woodworking ,
alive .
inspite of the nesesities of the meatmarket work !
and not inly their timeline ,
their wimsical knowledge too !
best of luck to you both .
-- david ,new mexico ,allheart
Rob Drown
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324 posts in 727 days
posted 121 days ago
Our Prayers are with you. Change is tough but the Guy upstairs is faithful.
-- Sharp tools and thin whispy shavings make woodworking a joy.
Kent Shepherd
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813 posts in 180 days
posted 121 days ago
God is faithful—-hang in there.
-- Kent Shepherd * The goal is-----More Tools!
jockmike2
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7302 posts in 1140 days
posted 121 days ago
I have a lot of payback praying to do. Let it begin with you Myron. You know what they say about one door closing and another one opening. I’ve lost a lot of jobs through layoffs and shutdowns, never fired, believe it or not, but something always opened up for me. He will look after you, if you stay out of the way. God Bless, mike
-- Mike. mwurm13@yahoo.com
ND2ELK
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6174 posts in 668 days
posted 121 days ago
Good luck to you and your son. My thoughts and prayers go out to you guys and the family.
God Bless
tom
-- Mc Bridge Cabinets, Iowa
Thos. Angle
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4013 posts in 856 days
posted 121 days ago
Good luck, Myron. I know a little of how you feel.
-- Thos. Angle
Milo
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100 posts in 213 days
posted 121 days ago
HiNdsight is always 20/20. Has FM started in on you yet? I be praying for you!
-- Beer, Beer, Thank God for Beer. It's my way of keeping my mind fresh and clear...
kolwdwrkr
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2249 posts in 484 days
posted 121 days ago
sorry to hear of your situation. You are right about doing it professionally killing it as a hobby. There’s nothing worse then loving to do something, but hating it because of others restrictions, deadlines, etc.
I wish you luck on your future endeavors.
-- ~ Inspiring those who inspire me ~
Myron Wooley
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220 posts in 790 days
posted 121 days ago
Milo, apparently the HO has cut me off from bulletin board access. Guess they don’t want the last royalty payment! (yeah, right!)
-- The days are long and the years are short...
Karson
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25793 posts in 1294 days
posted 121 days ago
Myron: Our prayers are with you and your family. Good luck in the job search and in the relaxation in your new hobby.
-- What happens in the workshop stays in the workshop. No wait that doesn't sound right. Karson Southern Delaware karson_morrison@bigfoot.com †