I recently quit my job at the sign shop where I had worked for the last eight years, or so. I took a month off and did a little world tour to visit friends, family, and de-stress. I'm back in Florida, ready to start pimpin myself out. Sign wise that is. This is my first week back. I've managed to keep myself busy, and pick up a few jobs. So far, so good. I can relate to Nettie's post about working alone. I've always been in a busy shop environment, with other employees (to harass), and a boss looking over my shoulder all day. It is a bigger adjustment than I anticipated. It's just me and my dog Bowie now. I have faith that everything will work out, and we'll be ok. I do have my moments of anxiety, and fear, but they pass. After all, this is a way of life for me, not just a job, or career. I bleed 1 Shot. Thanks to everyone for being here, and sharing. Your fellowship, expertise, and advise is appreciated. Wish me luck. WFO
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Good luck Luke! I know you can do it. You got what it takes to make it. Not only do you enjoy what you do and have a great talent but you got us to share it with. Judy
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
You will enjoy more of life and signs when you are able to spend more of yourself in the signs and the living. Being the "people person" that you already are. It should be a most rewarding experience.
hope this helps
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
Good move. I had a good job with insurance and was reluctant to go full time for a while. I had been doing signs part time for 3 years and was making more money at home. I finally did it and haven't looked back. I have been full time for over 10 years and have never had a day where I didn't have a job to do.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Good for you Luke!! And good luck on your adventure!
-dan
Posted by George Perkins (Member # 156) on :
Good luck. Are you still going to be doing work for the Garlits Museum?
[ July 02, 2004, 12:27 PM: Message edited by: George Perkins ]
Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
You'll never make it.
Hehehehe
Talk to ya soon homey.
Posted by W. R. Pickett (Member # 3842) on :
...Now design a real cool looking logo for yourself, get some business cards printed, and hand them out to everybody .
...That's what I did.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
And keep driving around in yer pimped out van! It's a good mobile billboard. You'll be just fine Lukie. Love...Jill
Posted by Amy Brown (Member # 1963) on :
Good luck Luke! You're not too far away. Stop by sometime.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Best of Luck to you Luke! You'll do good.
Nettie
Posted by Joe Endicott (Member # 628) on :
Congrats and Good Luck! I'm jealous! Someday...I shall do the same.
Posted by Luke Scanlan (Member # 2481) on :
Thanks for all the kind words, and encouragment. I did a few jobs this week, and have a couple of other good ones lined up. I made more $$ than what I did at my previous employment, made a deposit at the bank, and bought some groceries today. I can't complain at all. Brian you better hope it works out for me. I know where you live, and I'll be camping out on your doorstep, looking for work, if it doesn't George I spoke with Mr. Garlits the other day, and he said he has a car for me to do shortly. I spent a day with brother Cos in Pa. last week. He's as crazy as ever. Gotta love him!. Ok, back to work now.
Posted by Tony McDonald (Member # 1158) on :
Way to go Luke....and good luck.
Not long ago Rob Larkam posted here that he was quiting signs for a full time job with benefits and a steady paycheck. (UPS I think) At the time I was working a full time job of 23 years working every holiday except Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years. The last 8 years of that I was their sign maker. 7 years ago I opened up a little shop at my home and had toyed with doing it full time. It's hard to leave a steady paycheck, and in Rob's post I'm pretty sure I said I wouldn't quit my steady paycheck.....well, I was wrong. Last year my last kid graduated high school and I took the plunge. I didn't want to wait any longer to go on my own and ten years from now wish I would have. It's been a little scarey at times, but mostly fun and completely different. I am doing well, but will soon find out what winter is like.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Luke,
Congratulations on your career move. It was a real pleasure to be able to have lunch with you while you were on your sabbatical tour of the wayward sign people of the East coast.
Yoou don't need any luck. You have the tools to do what it takes. Your work is good and I believe you will have no trouble in your endeavor.
The best to you!
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
What? I thought you were already self-employed? Maybe it's your laid back personality.
I'm w/Brian; you'll never make it boy, this is a man's world out here, no backup paychecks on friday, the only advantage now is that you no longer have to back thru pay line....heh-heh...I know you know different....
Good luck, if there is anything I can do to help, ask someone else.....(payback for buzzards circling)......seriously Luke, good luck, to echo Bruce, ya gots the tools and the tude, you'll do fine, just keep being you and strive to do better each and every day....later brutha
Posted by Monte Jumper (Member # 1106) on :
Get the Money!
Welcome to the real world,I can tell you can handle it. Don't forget to take some time for yourself.
May the Forces be with you Luke! Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Luke you will do just fine pal.
I saw your ambition and determintaion at Brians last month and know you have what it takes to hustle the goods.
I will try to look you up first week of August when im down there for school.
Hey if you think about it, can you bleed me a 1/2 pint can of Process Green?
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Best of Luck Luke, Hey are you old enough to recongnize this place in Sunny downtown Ocala circa January 1976. I was staying with Jesse Tamblingson and decided to re-paint his wall for him. Painting in "skins" in January...what a concept for a kid from Edmonton! Gotta love the Bell Bottoms. Posted by Luke Scanlan (Member # 2481) on :
Harris, I might be in Alabama the first, or second week of August, lettering a couple of race cars. I'm not sure of the exact dates yet. Give me a shout if you're in the "neighborhood". Duncan, what a coincidence! My first job at a sign shop, and when I moved here to Fla. was at ABC signs! It wasn't owned by the Tamblinsons then. It's since closed.
Posted by Frank Magoo (Member # 3950) on :
So's that where you learned your ABC's... Posted by BrianTheBrush (Member # 1298) on :
Now if we can beat that whole "1-2-3" theory into him...
Posted by Tyler Malinky (Member # 4693) on :
Ocala, my sister lives down there (I am in Cleveland, Ohio). I have my business website, www.astepabovesigns.com, and a couple months ago I noticed someone had registered www.astepabovesigns.net. It is some guy based in Ocala, does a table at a swap meet part time there, his stuff looks pretty bad, not meaning to put him down, but I also don't like how he uses the same company name as me.. coincidence? maybe, but he registered the website about 4 years after I did, so probably not! anyway, enough ranting
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