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So you think you can go pro ? :)

23K views 89 replies 47 participants last post by  kajunkraft 
#1 ·
Introduction to your new business

Good evening LJ's I am writing this blog to be totally transparent about being in business, not so much as what conventional business people teach (this varies locally) or sugar cote and tell you it is easy street, because if it is I still haven't found the map or the street. But this blog series is to show some of the learning experiences I been fortunate to learn. One of the first things you need to ask yourself is "am I willing to lose" if you aren't willing to lose things you won't be very successful, Some of the things I have lost are the support of some of my family, and friends, time, happiness, and some of my sanity!!! Second you must be willing to say no and mean it, Saying no to neighbors, friends, and family when they expect free or low cost labor or materials. Third you must be willing to accept punishment for your choices, Sources come from not conventional sources that you expect but places like your job not liking you running a business on the side, your friends criticizing you for not hanging out, risk of losing your savings, 401k or even your equipment (loans ie:) ! As my friend Diettra put it- people will not always agree with what you do, But you can't let them determine your destiny or what you do is let them tell you how far you can go.
Make sure before any papers are signed who's on board, who's not. Assemble a team of advisers, this can be friends, family, or acquaintances professional or personal who share your vision and are willing to see you succeed '
this makes the process easier and lessens failure's opportunity to creep in :)
As a final thought before I let you go ask yourself these 7 questions that successful business people ask themselve on a daily basis
1. Who am I-( Am I strong enough, Where are my weaknesses, How can I improve them)
2. What do I do- ( What am I in business to do- ie: woodworking, coffee shop)
3. What is going to make me successful at what I do
4. How am I going to accomplish this goal
5. What are my resources available to use to accomplish this goal
6. When am I going to do this
7. Am I willing to accept failing everyday in order to learn

In the next part I will cover how to start from ground zero
until then take care
 
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#3 ·
Knowing when to say NO is a biggie if you are going to survive in business; not only to family and friends expecting a dirt cheap deal, but regular customers who expect too much for too little. All of the contractors in my little niche of the electrical world who were competitors in 1985 when I started have long since gone under. Most of them were gone by the early 90s just before the boom years and the dot com easy money.

There are a couple more questions I would add to your list:

How do I get out? Before you get into any deal of contract, find out how to get out of it, even if the only out is 100 % performance on you part.

What are the consequences of failure? Failure to complete the job, failure to perform due to sickness or injury, failure of employees to do the quality work that is expected of you personally doing the job.
 
#5 ·
Lots of good information sawblade1. There is only one area that I have a slightly different take on. I definitely agree that you must know how to say no because there are people that will abuse you given the opportunity. At the same time, there are people you would like to help. You definitely have to be careful because you are making a living with your skills but sometimes you want to cut someone a break to help them out. Also, sometimes you want to build things for people you care about. I keep it clear for myself by determining when I want to help someone and avoiding those who are pushing me for something free or cheap. I also consider how I'm treated. Those who value my work and support my activities have an opportunity for consideration, other don't. Of course, that certainly involves knowing how to say no, as you indicated in your post. I look forward to your future posts. Thanks.
 
#6 ·
You should also mention that one should watch out for employees undercutting you and quitting and taking the good customer away from you which happened to me. There is almost no defense for this when it happens.

Erwin, Jacksonville, FL
 
#7 ·
It is my observation that a person will go pro in three situations-
1.) They have saved enough, have a business plan, and have the business savvy to the point where it makes economic sense.
2.) They have lost their job and the rent/mortgage is due.
3.) They think it will be "fun"

Very few people do #1, most people (in a good economy) may choose #3, but most people get the straw with #2 (especially in a poor economy).

The people that have lost their jobs normally have 300 things on their mind other than starting a business but do this to make a few dollars, pay the rent and bide their time until they get a job. If the business works out, they keep it going and learn the hard way of what to charge, customer service, sales and marketing, in short, building a business. The learning curve is very short and the failure rate is high.

Tell me I am wrong, but from the peole that I have met, this has been the case.

The purpose of your blogs, for the folks that find it, are very helpful and give people a different perspective
 
#8 ·
Until you spread your wings (only then you know how far you can walk )

Good evening LJ's,
The smell of sawdust is in your nose, coffee aroma smells the air, those baked pies sure look good, your sure people are going to buy because it's you right ? Wrong these days people have options (cheap ones to boot) to the small business- You have to sell yourself to people to prove how you can give them value.
What's in it for me? attitudes come along from most want cheap, fast, and easy greasy lemon pleasey thank you but no thank you types frustrate all of us coming by our booths not buying but nitpicking about price. This is especially true in flea market and lower end craft shows.
But how do I get people to buy without frustrating me?, Good customers that pay, that give me referred work? Glad you asked a good friend in marketing really took me under his wing to show me the mysterious side of his work, His words to me were firm but informing- QUIT WASTING YOUR D#$@ TIME AND STATIONARY. Handmade items are a quirky market to understand and if you think everyone will buy just because it's hand made by you, you are making the biggest mistake that limits growth, opens up more risk, and generally make business miserable.
Customers who buy these items without hesitation usually are people who understand and appreciate what you do, have the funds, and are willing to spread wealth. These people are referred to as a target market they are a group of individuals located in towns,and cities that purchase from people like you and have a history of doing so.
Demographics the study and mapping of people helps define who these unique individuals are they are classed by What they make (money), What they buy, and how often they do it. For example high end coffee shops don't market to someone who is not going to buy a $3.00 cup of special coffee, but they are going to market to coffee drinkers that enjoy specialty cups of Joe, the same is for woodworkers Take for example A Great LJ's project cutting boards, One thing I see is a lot of people complain they can't sell them, well craft shows are not good options, nor is general flea markets.
High end flea markets help but most people that buy cutting boards are usually into cooking or prepping food this market is usually restaurants, chefs, and people who are into culinary arts.(cooking) BTW
Selling to the right crowd is one of the key issues and before you even open your doors Do your homework find out where these special customers are and market to them you will be glad you did :)
This is one of the biggest mistakes I made with my business for the past two years and now I love to share this secret with everyone, it helps before even making the first move toward achieving your goals, it save time, stationary, money, and frustration :) I hope this helps those who are willing:)
Until next time take care

If your reading this blog series either you started or thinking of starting a business, well welcome back :)
 
#14 ·
TIME !!!!!

Good Evening LJ's
One of the biggest challenges facing small businesses in my eyes is not money but time. Time? but why well after starting my business I learned the most valuable asset is time And also one of the most mismanaged ones also.
My father put in plain English Time will buy you money, but money will not buy you time. Time comes and it goes never returns or goes back, is never recovered or recycled, once it is gone you can't change it or bring it back,
but you can control what you do with the future time you get!!!! Most small businesses utilize cost savings but fail anyway!! Why? TIME!!! misused time is a waste of resources and a great way to not grow take example ME :)
I get approx 4-5 hours daily in my shop depending how I feel or 16-20 Hours per week translated Into a job that takes 60 hours to complete may take me upwards of 4 weeks to complete Customers in this society may wait or most likely not.
So how do I remain successful without a lot of time?

1. Limit projects to one you know you can accomplish in a reasonable amount of time and without rushing through them.

2. If you get a customer who insist on you doing the project ( they won't accept no and have the cash at hand)
Then inform them upfront about the time needed and have them (in writing) accept it.

3. Enlist family and friends to help you in your venture you don't have the time in most cases to handle everything Read the Book Of Nehemiah when he rebuilt the wall, Even if you don't look at it from a biblical point it still explains how to get great Task completed without doing everything yourself.

4. Set aside time for tasks, such as e-mail responds, facebook postings, Customer relations (callbacks) You do call back in a reasonable time don't you? Marketing and bookkeeping task as well if you are doing everything right you shouldn't be over 45 hours a week ( unless you want to) Resist the shut down and run projects allover town routine set aside a day to do all of your deliveries or cleaning task.

So my final question to you is How are you using your time??
 
#15 ·
Many times folks I have worked with have wanted me to either consult or work in their consulting business, but my time management skills suck so I know that I would be a lousy consultant. As I get older the time management thing is getting better but I agree with you that time is a crucial aspect to having a successful business. I've done some project management work and really have to stay on top of the time aspect, the more tangible elements like stock delivery, task completion etc are far easier to manage than time.
 
#28 ·
Burnout

Good evening LJ's

This weeks post focuses on something that unless controlled can sneak up on you in a hurry and cause serious injury to you, your family, your business and potential customers!! What Is this threat? How can I prevent it?
Well I'm glad you asked :) It is called burnout a(n) epidemic that plagues small business owners, it is a level of fatigue and frustration that no man can describe. It isn't a fast all of a sudden type of attack it creeps up over time, slowly
easing it's ugly self right in under your watchful eye!! It starts off with you making mistakes small ones and you letting them getting to you or more pronounced with you trying to get things going without being properly set up or running as smooth as you want to :) Sometimes it comes from trying to do too much at one time or too much work load or improperly balancing family/ business life. How do I know this well from personal experience :( Last week I was standing out in my shop waiting for my propane heater to warm the shop up and I just couldn't bring myself to do anything (kinda depressed anyway) Frustrated with not making anything this year and getting my lumber to late for my chairs, pushing to get my templates finished, tested, and trying to rearrange my shop, coupled with my job giving me problems, fatigue from the hours I work and finally not feeling the greatest. I said to myself why am I doing this? I literally wanted to quit woodworking all together and say forget it. Thank God for rational friends who told me to take a break that what I was feeling was burnout normal for most entrepreneurs but not the end as I thought, So I took my vacation pay and spent it on my other hobby I totally ignored (my trains) taking a week off did me wonders limiting my shop time to 1 hr per day even slowing down on LJ's and working on my trains I seemed to have bounced back a little and plan on taking the rest of this year to reflect and plan (in my own time) for next year. I think this was a close call, Too close !!!
So how Do you prevent yourself from getting this way?
Here are my solutions below :)

1. Do not focus on one thing (projects, finances, or goals) to the point you lose focus, if you lose focus you lose the true purpose of your intent.

2. Take breaks, Play a little a managed disruption (as long as you have the time, in which you should) will allow you to achieve the A-HA to the problems you need or to plan without haste.

3. Learn to say NO NO AND I REPEAT NO saying yes all the time only leads up to this, and customers, family members, and associates may not like this initially but will thank you in the end (just explain why) a.k.a I have to much on my plate right now.

4. Set your goals realistically, Break up larger goals into manageable tasks

5. Realize you are only one person and know your potential and your limits

I hope this helps, Until next week take care :)
 
#40 ·
MVP'S, VIP'S, And Logo's

Merry Christmas LJ's,

Now you've started your business and worked hard at it right? Still not going anywhere? customers having doubt's ? Do you do great work? Use Good materials ? Got all your ducks in a row? What's Wrong? Why me?
Well my friend it isn't your work or you personally it is the way you present your business (now don't take it Personal) But just take a look around at any major fortune 500 or successful American business They have MVP'S and VIP'S and I am not talking about sports or people Let me explain :)

M Mission statement- What your sole purpose is as a business Whether it be fine furniture or Coffee :) Always make a statement of being a leader in the field you are in :)

V Vision - Where you see yourself in 5 or more years, Make sure you share this with everyone Family, employees, and any one else who is capable of helping you obtain the goals you want to reach, this also Gives you a sense of direction when all seems to fall awry ;)

P Purpose- What you do personally to impact or make a difference in this world!! Plain and simple :)

V Victory- Accepting the mindset that you will win no matter What, This also affects how people see your vision :)

I Integrity- Being Honest in business and leading the way (just not being the follower)

P Pride- Taking pride in your work, business and life this zeal can be seen by all :)

The next step is getting a Logo they are becoming more affordable and many designs available, Why do I need a Logo? Simple Coca-Cola, Goodyear, McDonald's, and other companies have one!! Why to give something people relate to and Believe you me your customers will recognize you faster with one than without one Plus it give you the ability to look established rather than a fly by night back yard operator Even though you may be one ;P
Remember these things and you will succeed at what ever you pursue.
Until next time Happy New year
 
#44 ·
If you buld it they will come :)

Good evening LJ's,

Earlier this evening I was reading Jim Hamilton's blog #25 and it touched a subject that causes a lot of woodworkers to fail (getting business). As woodworkers some of us dream getting up in the morning and grabbing a cup of Joe and working in our shops all day to get paid for it :) Well as good as a dream it seems to be if you don't take it serious you will never be!! In this blog I am talking from personal experiences and what I really feel it takes. One thing is if you want to succeed is separate yourself from the rest, Yes Leave em alone, Leave who alone? Flea-bay, low quality flea markets and consignment shops. After doing several of these before I Started my business I learned one thing people attend these things to save a buck. The same for e-bay, How can you seriously be professional, building high quality furniture, and a craftsman and the guy down the row from you is selling cheap Knock-offs of what you work so hard to do :) I remember one such show I was doing a plaques out of wood, Scroll sawn Scriptures and pictures only charging $35 per piece which I thought to be a fair price but Low and Behold a knuckle head down the row in his booth had found cheap Chinese made plaques at Family Dollar, bought them for a dollar closeout price, brought them in marked them up to 8.00 and was making a killing!!!! 800% profit. This my friends is why I stay away from low end flea markets. E-bay is the same way only worse is people sell A&E any and everything and cheap to boot. I did a little research around me and found out people are sensual sight, feel, and smell. Just look around you would you buy from lee valley if they never produced of all things a catalog!! People need to see what you do Just not being told what you do People don't care about you ( sorry for the abrasiveness) they want to see Product. I always have done traditional marketing Fliers, postcards etc. Only to get no work but recently I did some work for my church Pro-bono after this people began asking if I could build them things!! Why? they saw what I did Higher end Flea markets are a great thing to due to the fact the keep out ones like my friend earlier (well not really my friend) but you get my drift. Go to where your customer is build it and they will come. Build model samples of your work or if it don't cost to much full size versions. But show off Being in business is about being a show off!!!! Other things are take quality Photos of your work A co- worker showed me how to do it with a cardboard box, a white bed-sheet and natural sunlight without costing a fortune Only cost is a camera and 35mm throw away types aren't that expensive However you must present yourself in a better manner. Another thing that works is brochures featuring your products They can be simple as a 8.5"x11.00" sheet of paper printed both sides and folded in half But once again they show the customer things he or she might be interested in. Before you say Show me the Money you gotta show the goods and that my friends was my biggest mistake, One case study before I go was using my chairs for example. almost for a year I have told people I build outdoor furniture, have I got a sale NO!! I took one of the chairs to a community event in October in a park where most people were selling food, Avon, and other hand made Knick-nacks. After sitting along the busiest street within an hour folks were dropping by to see chairs that they told me their grandparents had, after getting them to sit in them they fell in love with them and I had to pass out over 100 Brochures that day plus a sore throat to boot. I brought business to the show Why didn't I make a profit well I am in OHIO and people don't buy outdoor furniture when it is not the season for it. Point plain and simple Build it and they will Come, and show you the money:)
 
#50 ·
Do what you love ( but please don't kill yourself to get there)

Good evening,
As I write this blog I am dedicating it to my co worker Beverly who passed away Monday February 15 2011from cancer.
Achieving Goals have been a given for mankind since the beginning of time, as humans we desire things that we work hard sometimes too hard to achieve. Maybe a new tool, truck, house, or a business, the list is endless but one thing we must remember is these are material things and are replaceable or can be attained at a later date.
One thing about knowing Bev was that you had to get to know her to actually like or love her, She was always mean and grumpy snapping at times just because she was tired. What made her tired is she was working two jobs to try and achieve and keep a certain lifestyle and goal, unfortunately she departed this earth before reaching her goal with only 2.5 years left to go. I remember three years ago she was complaining about a hurt in her side by her stomach with a small lump or knot. we told her then to go but she refused stating it cost to much and she couldn't afford the time off. Well in October of last year she went to the hospital and they found a mass on her stomach, It was cancer, and it was too late Four months later we lost our friend her family lost a mother, grand mother, sister and a aunt. we lost one of the best workers we had, a friend and a union sister.
Which brings me to this quote by Byran Dyson Former CEO of Coca-Cola

Imagine Life as a game in which you are juggling five balls in the air, They are Work, Family, Friends, and spirit and you are keeping all of these in the air
You will soon understand that Work is a rubber ball. If you drop it it will bounce back But the other four balls- Family,Health, Friends, and Spirit are made of Glass. If you drop one of these the will be irrevocably scuffed,marked,nicked,damaged, or even shattered.
They will never be the same You must understand this and strive for it. Because value has a value only if it is valued.
Small businesses traditionally take long hours, time, money, and sacrifice but they should never consume you as this is classed as work!!! if you are working and don't have the time for your family, hobbies or your friends Please take the time to reconsider what you are doing Don't kill yourself over material things the people in your life are counting in you and you should count yourself in there as well to
Work at what you love or want But do it reasonably, you still have time :)
 
#51 ·
Too bad. I knew a fellow whose drs didn't believe him. By the timie they found his cancer it was to late too. Gone in about 4 months. After surviving Topamax posioning, I can tellyoiu it is best to llve as if each day were yoiur lst. p
 
#60 ·
Watch Out Lest ye get your finger smacked by Murphy's hammer

Good evening LJ's

I know it's been a while but I really haven't had much to write about but here is a scoop load of info based upon my learning experience.
Two weeks ago I was commissioned to build a bathroom cabinet not much three drawers, two doors so I quoted a price of around $320.00 :) The customer loved the price, But Boy did I sell myself short, After a Google search I found out it was called a vanity and boy was there a price difference Paint grade sell for $650.00 and up for Oak and other hardwoods :) Now I would have been profitable except for a few quirks I did not expect. One was the lumberyard I deal with delivered Chinese Plywood :( Boy did this crap give me fits Splinter city. Second Blum drawer glides require a special jig to be productive and square Not easy without it. Third and most important was my utter Clutter and disorganization On one such occasion I counted 15 Minutes looking for a square I laid down After figuring a cost analysis I figured out I lost money due to this check this out.
As hobbyist we really don't account for time because we really don't need to, Organizing is an option and our work methods and tools really don't matter.

Well do the math if your shop rate is $35.00 per hour a fair rate by today's standard and you spend 15 minutes per day looking for tools supplies and Etc. Look how much you can lose

$35.00 per hour Divided by 4 OR 15 minute quarters

This boils down to $8.75 per 15 minutes

Over a 40 hour 5 day week this is $43.75 out of your profit margin

Add more for effect 1/2 hour per day and it double's to $87.50

On a profit margin of 170.00 you just ate up all but $82.50


Really I got my fingers smacked by Murphy's Hammer on this one next week I hope to cover how to bid profitably and I really learned my lesson about jumping the gun without any bullets :)
If you want to figure out how much things go for do a Google search on what you are building, Stay away from the stuff less than normal as this is most likely Chinese made stuff but look for the American handcrafted items Boy will you be surprised :)
As I leave here is a picture of the cabinet in my shop
Wood Gas Rectangle Table Room
 

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#61 ·
Watch Out Lest ye get your finger smacked by Murphy's hammer

Good evening LJ's

I know it's been a while but I really haven't had much to write about but here is a scoop load of info based upon my learning experience.
Two weeks ago I was commissioned to build a bathroom cabinet not much three drawers, two doors so I quoted a price of around $320.00 :) The customer loved the price, But Boy did I sell myself short, After a Google search I found out it was called a vanity and boy was there a price difference Paint grade sell for $650.00 and up for Oak and other hardwoods :) Now I would have been profitable except for a few quirks I did not expect. One was the lumberyard I deal with delivered Chinese Plywood :( Boy did this crap give me fits Splinter city. Second Blum drawer glides require a special jig to be productive and square Not easy without it. Third and most important was my utter Clutter and disorganization On one such occasion I counted 15 Minutes looking for a square I laid down After figuring a cost analysis I figured out I lost money due to this check this out.
As hobbyist we really don't account for time because we really don't need to, Organizing is an option and our work methods and tools really don't matter.

Well do the math if your shop rate is $35.00 per hour a fair rate by today's standard and you spend 15 minutes per day looking for tools supplies and Etc. Look how much you can lose

$35.00 per hour Divided by 4 OR 15 minute quarters

This boils down to $8.75 per 15 minutes

Over a 40 hour 5 day week this is $43.75 out of your profit margin

Add more for effect 1/2 hour per day and it double's to $87.50

On a profit margin of 170.00 you just ate up all but $82.50


Really I got my fingers smacked by Murphy's Hammer on this one next week I hope to cover how to bid profitably and I really learned my lesson about jumping the gun without any bullets :)
If you want to figure out how much things go for do a Google search on what you are building, Stay away from the stuff less than normal as this is most likely Chinese made stuff but look for the American handcrafted items Boy will you be surprised :)
As I leave here is a picture of the cabinet in my shop
Wood Gas Rectangle Table Room
The hardest part of woodworking is sometimes pricing the work. Some prople are gifted with this but most are not. I find it hard and a bit frustrating to manage. Thanks for sharing.
 

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#71 ·
Hens and Biddies

Good evening LJ'

This weeks subject is about bidding or Job cost not only from a professional standpoint, but from a hobby point if you want to build or asked to build cabinets :)
One of the most annoying things I hate to do is bids for a cabinet(s) a lot of work from design to final finish choices
One of my secret weapons is a free cabinetware program it will take you about 4.5 hours to learn and set up but will save you countless hours in headache of bidding :) I will post a link at the end of this blog.

OK you just downloaded this software got asked to build a cabinet vanity, got your bid, and cut-list in your hand, Ready right? Slow down !! Now that you have your biddy in your hand make sure you keep it away from the hens. What are the hens? Well anyone knows that a hen will peck at the ground till there is nothing but dirt left especially if there is not a whole lot left. Well sometimes customers, shop inefficiencies, and time will pick away at your shops profit. (This economy really brings the hens out )
Here are the three biggest hens

Customers

You seemed to have found the Ideal customer right? Well that depends upon where you found them I found mine at a rummage sale basically. Low end flea markets, community yard sales, and fairs are bad Ideas to begin with. They are loaded with hens that pick at everything from material cost to your labor. Sometimes you don't always find these hens until they are in your barnyard :) They could be great customers cash paying, energetic, and helpful but then comes the delivery day, one spouse likes it the other don't ( they both agreed to the terms of the bid) and they want a discount. Standard business says don't But here is a twist FEED THE HEN Give a discount but not too much, a little peck will hurt but not as much as the clucking of a angry hen or customer!!!! Future jobs will bring a higher price as you know the hen will need extra food, and you will learn to identify hens in the future :)

Shop Inefficiencies

This is another hen if you don't keep it in the coop will peck away at your profit bag :) One good example was when I went to install drawer guides. As a hobbyist taking 1/2 hour installing and adjusting pair is fine but In production work it won't fly A drawer guide jig will bring it down to 45 seconds per side!!! Cost? 25.00 Without one? 1/2 hour @ 35.00 = 17.50 2.5 hours = 87.50
Who is gonna pay NOT THE CUSTOMER BUT YOU !!!!!
Other inefficiencies range from not having cut-lists to machine problems these vary from shop to shop so start looking to coop these Hens :)

Time

This is the biggest Hen of all that will eat away without you even thinking about it. Time is money :) Now before passing judgement on this subject let me explain. Per say you are doing a 10'x10' kitchen well developing a drawing, materials list and Cut-list can eat up precious time this is the reason a CAD program like e-cabinet systems will save you big time Although limited will save you countless hours of work at your cost :)
Covet your cut-list it is your guide to make all of the parts right the first time!!! As far as installations are concerned. Feed the hen again I f the job will take less than 15 min just do it for free but if it seems the barnyard is large then you must get more seed and charge for the installation the cost should be equal to your shop rate or less, LESS ? Yes less you don't have any real overhead ie: electric, tools, Etc. so charge less Feed the hen :)

If you keep all of the hens in the coop they won't be eating up everything. As we all learn biddies are baby chickens, that turn into hens and we all know the fate of most chickens :) Do well and your biddies will grow and feed you well as a woodworker Next week I will be starting part one of Production tips for wood workers Pro or amateur.

P.S. I would like to see how many smart aleck LJ's can make this threat a good laugh too :)

Here is the link for the Cabinet ware program http://www.ecabinetsystems.com/
 
#73 ·
Deep thoughts about a woodworking business

Good evening, LJ's
I apologize for not posting recently due to going on the sabbatical with woodworking . After posting my fish board project I went to the Heartville flea market expecting to do good taking two Adirondack chairs, a swing, and a few fish boards. Going on two hours of sleep, no help, and my friend having car trouble so she couldn't come and help out :( So how did I do? It sucked plain and simple weather was rainy/sunny and holding back the crowd in the morning. then this guy shows up in two Large pickups with trailers full of outdoor furniture. Welcome competition I thought, WELL THINK AGAIN he was selling them like McDonald's sells Big Mac's finally after watching him for an hour I asked my new found friend next to me (she was selling baby items) to watch my booth and I walked to get some lunch and coffee, As I went I passed his booth the work looked like a high school Freshman did it as I grabbed one of his flyers. Not Until I sat down in one of my chairs eating my lunch and reading one of his flyers did I realize how he was doing it HE WAS UNDERPRICING ME BY A MERE 15.00 on my cedar ones and selling pine chairs for a WHOPPING 125.00 with less than 50.00 in material. So that day crushed me I lost 250.00 and never seemed to want to do woodworking again I gave two of the fish boards away kept a third for a reminder of a bad day, left the shop in a mess and seemed to just walk away ;( After praying and deep thought I decided to order a book called Business By the Book After reading it boy did I realize where I was going wrong, one of the main reasons I was failing was I didn't try hard enough and I was doing it wrong By God's way and Listening to the SBDC only got me in more trouble (in the line of failure) Two years I have not made a profit By doing what they said to do. So I went back to my old business plan only 6 pages long, back to the original vision, back to what seemed to work. Last week out at work I struck up a conversation with a manager and mentioned I did woodworking and mentioned about my cutting boards I had HE BOUGHT ONE FOR $25.00 :) As I got paid I mentioned I was getting ready to build a blanket chest, he was also interested in it. I went out this evening and prayed before I started this project and I estimated 5.5 hours to break down and mill lumber I finished tonight with rough milling in 45 Minutes and looking to finish in 2 hours. :) I found out I was headed in the wrong direction I may have a lot to reclaim but not impossible with God's help I remember a quote by Theodore Roosevelt It says
"It is not the critic who counts: not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles or where the doer of deeds could have done better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood, who strives valiantly, who errs and comes up short again and again, because there is no effort without error or shortcoming, but who knows the great enthusiasms, the great devotions, who spends himself for a worthy cause; who, at the best, knows, in the end, the triumph of high achievement, and who, at the worst, if he fails, at least he fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who knew neither victory nor defeat."
In closing this is my lesson Two years wasted but not lost, I have a long road ahead but I am at least headed in the right direction :)
 
#82 ·
12.60 per ft Cherry :( But Then again :)

Good evening LJ's,

It has been a while since I was last on here, not much to talk about been chasing down leads and coming up with some work but nothing big yet !!! Today I was roaming a different Lowe's and found a queen Anne Leg 19 7/8" in length for only $20 really? found out from reading the carton made in China !!! Solid cherry, Good sanding Job Best of all I didn't have to make it :) Here is where the line blurs. To make such a leg would cost about $45 from Osborne wood products WTH?? Why? well my friend here is why using a spreadsheet downloaded from This Is Carpentry I will explain. Assuming the Chinese Mfr. got the wood at the price of 7.50 Ft retail of the lumber at $14.50 cost figuring the going wages are .65 an hour And assume two hours production cost of $2 PER Capita for a cost of 3.30 per leg $17.80 total Net cost mark it up to $18.50 with shipping add $1.50 Profit or $6.00 per table assume 100 people buy 4 legs at $19.50 making a profit of $600 up it to 100 stores and profit goes up to $60,000!!!! In this country people don't want to pay Why? Well figure out The labor cost from My company Impressions woodcraft :) Lets figure if I have one of those fancy automated machines that can whip out one in an Hour ( the Chinese Don't have One LOL ) Well I may get a break of $1.50 off the wood from buying it bulk Labor cost of 15.00 Per Hour Plus FICA, SS, And taxes total $21.50 or 17.50per (divided in half by employee/company) $32.50 plus add in overhead of $10.00 per hour and it rises to $42.50 add a modest profit of $ 3.25 for a grand total of $45.75 now here is where the kick in the nut's come Lets say you have a total of $75 of lumber before legs add in the legs from Lowe's for a total of $80 total $155.00 add in 6 hours Labor at $35 per hour totaling $210 for a grand total of of $365.00 A dollar a Day :) or Going with Impressions Woodcraft's legs the same table would be $468.00!!!! My Question is it ethical or not to use these legs regularly, Occasionally, or not at all Just would like to hear from my LJ's and I will post my answer in my next Blog Just thought I would throw the bait out there Goodnight :)
 
#87 ·
Bapitizing the cat

Good evening,

Now and days I hear woodwork from home, business opportunity, be your own boss build furniture all day without ever leaving your home. Now and days everybody has a system that works for a business some will sell you a book on it others will send you plans, and one will even give you your own 800 # tied to your cell phone. Now I know right now you are dreaming of making dust and it magically turning into money. Well let me fill you in on a little secret. No system you buy will ever work 100% let me explain One of the things is we as hobbyist do is run to the nearest lumberyard for our material well we pay retail or get a small discount on what we use well when you get into a system you tend to do the same thing sometimes you luck up on a small time operator lumberyard that works with you and gives you a 20% discount WOW your rolling big now Right? NOT
What separates the pros from the DIYer's is where we get the material, the hardware, and the knowledge to work with. right now I know your thinking like this cat right here
Footwear Sports equipment Sports uniform Shorts Soccer


My God he is killing my dream, my little business, my hopes!!!! Well to tell you the truth I am I was thinking the same thing was running the same game as the books I read said to do. I followed some of them to a tee but I asked for advice and it sometimes worked but I always seemed to fall short as a woodworker till I got baptized not by no preacher or water but by a sales rep in the cabinet industry in knowledge Knowledge I hated to hear but soon became sweetness I tried to fight and reason to stay dry hoping to not get doused with this seemingly painful words tearing my little world apart but it made sense. What was this holy grail I was handed? Well it is simple 1. just because you do woodworking does not mean crap to anyone I know you do but no one cares you do woodworking it is what you can do for them. 2. Buying big box most of the time they try to kill the little guy distributors that work with woodworking shops are the way to go (note: you need to be a licensed business)
3. The three P' not the pigs but Products, Place, And Perceived value it all boils down to this one if you are offering the same things the competition is or using retail materials that any common store sells then you are just asking to be the laughing stock of the town and get beat up on labor cost. Why would I pay $65 dollars for imported cheap plywood when I can get domestic grade top of the shelf for about the same cost. The place sometimes we run into friends and family that support us but that is not always the way for some some just can't afford you or the materials putting up flyers only pisses people off or gets the cops called, ads bring in the common crowd but one of the things I learned from a jobs class is networking basically starts with you finding people who appreciate nice built things, and are willing to buy but be warned to #1 again put your business out first (what you offer) then elaborate on your self and finally Perceived value If you show up dirty don't have the displays, products and the ability to show and explain then you will always be the garage woodworker who can never get that new toy because no one values me because I am always competing on price instead of value and as a executive one told me Value only has value if it is valued !! Now sometimes I am like the cat in the picture but then that is a good thing sometimes we need to Know that we are in the wrong area going the wrong way even if the fields are green and grassy I hope this is some help and in 2013 the tide will change I will post more on this here in this Blog So yo think you can go pro Stay tuned
 

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#88 ·
Bapitizing the cat

Good evening,

Now and days I hear woodwork from home, business opportunity, be your own boss build furniture all day without ever leaving your home. Now and days everybody has a system that works for a business some will sell you a book on it others will send you plans, and one will even give you your own 800 # tied to your cell phone. Now I know right now you are dreaming of making dust and it magically turning into money. Well let me fill you in on a little secret. No system you buy will ever work 100% let me explain One of the things is we as hobbyist do is run to the nearest lumberyard for our material well we pay retail or get a small discount on what we use well when you get into a system you tend to do the same thing sometimes you luck up on a small time operator lumberyard that works with you and gives you a 20% discount WOW your rolling big now Right? NOT
What separates the pros from the DIYer's is where we get the material, the hardware, and the knowledge to work with. right now I know your thinking like this cat right here
Footwear Sports equipment Sports uniform Shorts Soccer


My God he is killing my dream, my little business, my hopes!!!! Well to tell you the truth I am I was thinking the same thing was running the same game as the books I read said to do. I followed some of them to a tee but I asked for advice and it sometimes worked but I always seemed to fall short as a woodworker till I got baptized not by no preacher or water but by a sales rep in the cabinet industry in knowledge Knowledge I hated to hear but soon became sweetness I tried to fight and reason to stay dry hoping to not get doused with this seemingly painful words tearing my little world apart but it made sense. What was this holy grail I was handed? Well it is simple 1. just because you do woodworking does not mean crap to anyone I know you do but no one cares you do woodworking it is what you can do for them. 2. Buying big box most of the time they try to kill the little guy distributors that work with woodworking shops are the way to go (note: you need to be a licensed business)
3. The three P' not the pigs but Products, Place, And Perceived value it all boils down to this one if you are offering the same things the competition is or using retail materials that any common store sells then you are just asking to be the laughing stock of the town and get beat up on labor cost. Why would I pay $65 dollars for imported cheap plywood when I can get domestic grade top of the shelf for about the same cost. The place sometimes we run into friends and family that support us but that is not always the way for some some just can't afford you or the materials putting up flyers only pisses people off or gets the cops called, ads bring in the common crowd but one of the things I learned from a jobs class is networking basically starts with you finding people who appreciate nice built things, and are willing to buy but be warned to #1 again put your business out first (what you offer) then elaborate on your self and finally Perceived value If you show up dirty don't have the displays, products and the ability to show and explain then you will always be the garage woodworker who can never get that new toy because no one values me because I am always competing on price instead of value and as a executive one told me Value only has value if it is valued !! Now sometimes I am like the cat in the picture but then that is a good thing sometimes we need to Know that we are in the wrong area going the wrong way even if the fields are green and grassy I hope this is some help and in 2013 the tide will change I will post more on this here in this Blog So yo think you can go pro Stay tuned
I wish you success in your woodworking endeavors.

However, I might suggest you refrain from perusing a career in writing. That was one of the most difficult blogs I ever tried to read.
 

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