Kitchens #5: I'll never get it done!

Dennis -

It sounds like you are working really hard. I sure do like your rustic / artistic work. I do hope that niche opens up for you. I know your kitchens have the same craftsmanship although not as satisfying as letting the creative juices flow. Hang in there!

-- http://foldingrule.blogspot.com

Hi Dennis;
—-well I’m glad to hear that the work is going good!

I know what you mean about the other stuff as concerning the ‘junk’ that is massed produced and then sold ‘as is’ to folks who think they are getting ‘quality’. I guess this is the woodworkers nightmare of how to equations, of physics and geometry equals ‘quantity’ or ‘quality’! Whenever I visit the ‘plastic container’ at HD, I am always amazed at the content of where this thing we call ‘wood’ has gone.

And then in the hiring of help, one also has to spend the time to raise the workers level of craftsmanship up to your own, while always realizing that after all that time spent, they may just learn the ropes enough to go off and do it themselves.

Great blog story Dennis….!
GODSPEED,
Frank

-- --frank, NH, http://frank.wordpress.com/

Dennis,
Keep on plugging away, you’ll get there someday.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

I wish you could get some help for your back – that has to be a real bummer – I imagine you have been through all of the various medical and alternative techniques that are available in your area. I hope you can mend soon and balance your work load and your quality of life.

Some seem to think more “things” are better than a few quality items.

Maybe they don’t check or don’t know to check that the cabinets that they have spent good money are not made well. Too “busy” maybe.

Unless/until they run into a guy like you, Dennis, they probably don’t even know what good quality is…

-- John

I guess there could be worse things happening to you besides being swamped Dennis. Being busy is good but being to busy can be stressful too. I sincerely hope you find the time to keep up with your rustic furniture… actually, you MUST make the time. It will put your other efforts in a better perspective I think.

Good luck growing the business. Having owned one myself for 25+ years I found that as it got bigger, I was pulled away from the things I enjoyed doing and got bogged down running the thing… getting new work to keep the emplyees payed, dealing with employee problems, scheduling, bookkeeping, meetings, meetings, meetings… arg. After many years, and the cost of a marriage, I downsized it dramatically… and finally got out. It simply wasn’t worth the stress. Remember why you’re trying to make that money. Set goals, keep your focus on those goals… and absolutely keep private/family time a top priority.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Very good advice Chip.

-- Dick Cain, Hibbing, MN. http://www.woodcarvingillustrated.com/gallery/member.php?uid=3627&protype=1

Thanks Dick. A lesson learned… at a very high price.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

just add some pictures of your rustic wood to the top of their bill … they’ll say “wow.. what’s this??? ” and the word will start to spread.

Good luck with the hiring/expanding business. I guess, as always, there’s the “good news/bad news” components of any venture.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

Deb, that is a terrific idea. (Dennis, hire Deb as your Marketing Director!)

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

I am very reluctant to expand and don’t have any plans for an empire. I will hire someone who wants to learn woodworking, but I’m not interested in anyone who just wants to make the big bucks. My business plan consists of just getting by financially and at every chance, try something new. Guess I’m easily distracted. I’ve spent too many years getting 60 hour paychecks and never seeming to find the time to enjoy it.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Dennis, I wish this was 10 years ago… I’d love to learn from someone who wanted to teach woodworking vs. hire someone just to get it done. Best of luck with this endeavor and take care of that back!

-- Jeff, St. Paul, MN

Guess I should add that it is very importain for me to pay a fair wage. If I expect an honest wage I should be willing to pay one.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

I wish I was closer Dennis, working with you would be an education! But, right now the commute would be a killer! haha But, to learn from a mentor, that would be great.

I admire your stand on the fair wage. Too many others out there take advantage of their workers by getting them as cheaply as possible. On the flip side, their products are not of the same quality either.

Hang in there and keep working and thinking about it. Things usually have a way of opening up opportunities and working out for the best. I am sure you will find the right solution soon.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com

Dennis, have you ever checked out HGTV PRO web site they have calculators, forms, just about everything a guy needs to get started, even forms to keep track of hours your employees work and you work. When you go to the site I think its in the upper right hand corner, the link that is. Give it a look, Its HTVOPRO.com at the top of the page it says toos, click on that, they have all sorts of tools you could use, all downloadable and free, sheathing calculator,rafter length calcul., cost calc.,draw request calc., concrete volume calc., estimater calc.,% of completion spreadsheet, draw request tracking form progress payment reminder,standardized chart of accouts, customer comment cards, cost sheets. well you get my drift. and its all free and easy.downloadable. check it out. mike

-- Mike. Profisher50@yahoo.com

I guess I am a dieing breed but I still believe that if someone does quality work for a descent wage they will be successful. Just hang in there Dennis and keep believing in yourself. No matter what, you have the right combination of great talent and outstanding character.

-- Better to say nothing and be thought the fool... then to speak and erase all doubt.

Dennis

My advice is to hire a seasoned, experienced craftsman, that can be your mentor. It would be beneficial to pay someone that knows what he/she is doing, and maybe teach you a few tricks. With your bad back, I know because I have the same problem, and more, there are all kinds of easy ways to do things that another person having those skills would be of a benefit.

My thinking is this: What is better than being able to clone yourself.

Cabinetman

You have a good point. Journyman level skills are very valuable. I’m not at all opposed to that idea.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

Dennis

I don’t know what skill level you consider yourself, but what I was referring to was not a “Journeyman” type level, but more on the “Master” level. When I got busy enough to hire someone, I tried to get the most experienced individual I could find. I ran an ad in the newspaper, and must have interviewed 20 or more people. I don’t know what the pay scale is these days, but to have an employee that can just go to work is a plus. That person may be able to teach you some things that would be invaluable.

Your reply to my suggestion seemed a a little downplayed. I know the difficulty in making a payroll every week, and I also know what it cost me in time and projects that either I had to do over or work with someone to train them. Time is in the end money. The question is what skill level to hire. If you just need an extra pair of hands, that’s one thing. To have a “craftsman” is something else. That individual could be working in the event you couldn’t. Like if you got sick, had meetings, or out on estimates, or maybe just a vacation. In other words, does the extra cost warrant the proficiency you might get. My reference to cloning yourself is what ran through my mind in my shop. I always thought how great it would be to have another me out there.

Cabinetman
I think of a journeyman as a professional who would is experienced in all phases of cabinetry. A person fully capable of running a crew or managing a shop. I was trained by men such as these. Last time I built custom kitchens I had a partner who is one of the finest craftsmen I know. He had over 25 years experience. In this area we are real short on skilled workers. I’d love to find somebody like that.

-- http://www.woodsongsfurniture.com

kinda makes me think of Rick – retired but wanting something to do. He’s not a woodworker/carpenter by trade but boy is his boss thrilled to have him on the site. He’s a wealth of knowledge, has good work ethics, and is a mentor/guide/etc to the young guys working there.

If I was closer I’d be volunteering to be your volunteer floor sweep.

-- "Functional WoodArt" by Debbie, Canada (http://www.execulink.com/~yohan)

If I was closer, would be Dennis’ labor man. As long as I could learn what he knows and make a few dollars, it would be worth it.

-- Bill, Turlock California, http://www.brookswoodworks.com