Hey, Heads. I've officially shut the doors for the last time yesterday. Way too hard to make way too little. Anyway, anyone interested in either the entire shop/business or just the components (Router Table, Gerber EdgeII, enVision plotter, etc.etc. Call 413-644-9944 and leave a message.
Thanks, Good knowing you all.
Mark
PS: I'm not sure a posting like this is OK with Steve & Barb, but I hope they let it go. I'm too tired to try and get in touch with all of you seperately.
Mark
Posted by Rick Chavez (Member # 2146) on :
I'm sorry to hear that Mark, I hope it is for a better situation, if not, I guess it's a part of life that we all go through our ups and downs, it's the not trying that is regretable, wishing you the best.
Posted by Kelly Thorson (Member # 2958) on :
Sorry to hear you are leaving our circle, Mark. Come back and visit sometimes. Good luck in whatever you take on - I'm sure you will do well.
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
Not in the market for any sign stuff but you sound like you could use a hug. <<<big hug>>>
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Have you considered downsizing for the time being, like going back to the huddle to regroup and come up with a new gameplan, but not leaving the field?
I always enjoyed your posts and loved the radio spots.
Posted by Joe Crumley (Member # 2307) on :
M,
I'm also not pleased to hear you've chosen another path, but youre a sharp guy and know you will do well.
I have a deep appreciation for you and your background in advertising. The work you have produced in the last two years is tops.
You'll allways be my friend.
J.
Posted by Jillbeans (Member # 1912) on :
Mark, This saddens me, but I can see the wisdom in following your heart and your gut. Life is too short to waste time worrying about money. You are a good sign guy and a great person. I'm sure that you will find success in other ways. Love ya Cuz. Jill
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
i know this must have been a hard decision for you...and i agree its way too much work for the money, especially when having to learn all the ropes at the same time. i also know that you are a really talented guy and will start something that is more profitable for a fraction of the startup and learning curve. i hope i get to meet you in person someday...you know where i am if you are ever up this way! please keep us posted on your plans and don't be a stranger.
[ October 09, 2004, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
sorry to hear this mark, you are a talented guy and should be doing this work.....and iam sure you understand why i say "idiots and a vinyl cutter".....have taken this vocation down, down and down....because they have no understanding of the value of talent.....and what it is worth. you need to down size and just keep doig the good stuff you do...the others will be gone...
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Yukk Mark, sorry to hear this - I know you had a lot riding on it and looked up to you as someone to emulate in the self-promotion end. I'd kind of like to know more about what went wrong if you will share...Couldn't get enough work in the door? Couldn't make enough profit on the work you got? Overheads or payroll eat you up? Damn shame says I.
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Repost to enable the "email notification" button. Spill it.
Posted by Rick Beisiegel (Member # 3723) on :
Mark
So sorry to read this thread! My hope is that you will find something that will make it easy to pay your bills, and that you really love to do.
Happy trails, and have fun.
Rick Posted by TransLab (Member # 470) on :
Mark,
I've enjoyed your posts over the past year and a half, and I've developed a great respect for you and your talents.
I wish you the best in your future endeavors, please keep us posted.
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
So sorry to hear of a fellow "head" giving up the ship. The loss will be felt here as well as all the killer signs, that now, will not be made by you. Damn shame. Good luck in your new venture.
Posted by Jerry VanHorn (Member # 4704) on :
mark
I stopped at your web site. You do awesome work. Sorry to see you go. Good luck in your new ventures.
Posted by Harris Kohen (Member # 2139) on :
Mark Im sorry to hear of your decision but I am sure you fought hard to make that decision.
Hopefully you will come back with your head high above the water and perhaps can continue doing nice work.
Good Luck in wherever life takes you next
Posted by Gene Golden (Member # 3934) on :
Mark, I guess you already made your mind up long before posting this. No one can understand exactly what your particular circumstances are. As I know you are still going to check out this post, maybe you can see something in it that may give you a little boost. You are not alone in any decision you make here. I guess a little bit in each of us feels, that at any point, "this could be me"! I think this is why it stings a little bit. To see someone with a talent like yours, steer away from this field, I'm sure a few of us are wondering why. We don't really have to know, that's personal, but we wonder just the same. Looking at your web site, I see the talent and the skills. I see a lot of work that goes into your products. Now, with that said, might there be a way to balance the quality of the work with the "bread & butter" signs, and remain in a business that you obviously are good at (and probably enjoyed at one time). Maybe a way of streamlining the processes of signmaking so that you are making more in less time? Were you possibly offering services way above and beyond the quoted job in order to have show pieces? We are all guilty of giving away too much at one time or another. It's possible to adjust many of the variables in your workplace to enable you to be more profitable. These letterheads can be a great help in that case. I haven't been here in Letterville long enough to know your history. I can speak from experience though. Someone mentioned 2 years. If that's so, you are just beginning. Your equipment list says that you have a tough nut to crack. Maybe it's a matter of scaling down the operation to where it is more profitable and less taxing, at least while you build your customer base (which, judging by your work, you will). Anyway, no matter WHAT the outcome, I wish you the best.
Gene
Posted by Ron Wakefield (Member # 4816) on :
Hi Mark, I checked out your site and you do great work. I don't know you or your situation but it seems a shame for you to be leaving the biz. Perhaps you would consider scaling it down to a sideline; keep a few pieces of paid off equipment? Move to your basement? Assuming signmaking is part of you, like wetness is part of water, you might not want to totally let it go. It could be a great diversion and creative release from whatever other career you choose. Just some thoughts. All the best in whatever lies ahead for you.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Mark,
It was a great pleasure to meet you at the Winter Muster in Mazeppa. That was one of the highlights of a truly awesome meet.
You are an extremely talented person and I have no doubt that you will land on your feet and hit the decks a-arunning in whatever endeavor you persue from here out.
I hope that you don't completely stop making signs because that would be a loss for our Craft as a whole. I hope that you will come out to meets and keep coming around here whether to ask questions, post answers, or just generally keep in touch.
I wish you and yours only the best!
Posted by John Lennig (Member # 2455) on :
Mark, we worked elbows away at the bench at the Gold Rush this Spring. I learned how to "smunch" the leaf when doing oil size, thanks.
I hope you can realign yourself and find that place for yourself where the money and the satisfaction can work together for you. Whatever it takes.
John Lennig / SignRider
Posted by Murray MacDonald (Member # 3558) on :
Mark, I was shocked when I saw your post,after meeting you at mazeppa and knowing what a talented guy you are. I surely hope you find your way to at least keep your hand in, and don't be a stranger to Letterville. Same thing happened to me many years ago, but I eventually found my way back to the craft I love, and if it can happen to me, there's sure hope for a talented artist like you. Keep on keepin' on! MUR
Posted by Ray Rheaume (Member # 3794) on :
Mark,
I've enjoyed your posts and talking with you in the past and have long hoped we would would meet. I hope someday we do.
One door closes and another opens.
Best of luck and success in all your future endevors. Rapid
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
quote: I'd kind of like to know more about what went wrong if you will share...Couldn't get enough work in the door? Couldn't make enough profit on the work you got? Overheads or payroll eat you up? Damn shame says I.
It will be very difficult Mark, but if you can sometime bring yourself to share your thoughts on Joe's questions you will probably do a lot of good people a lot of good. In the process, I would hope it would release some of your burden. It takes a strong person to know when it's time to move on. I've come close too many times to count. We probably should have gone back to a Mom and Pop only operation years ago.Except for the design part...forget technology. I wannabe like Mur or Si...well not in all respects. ...but most. Take back control and reap what you sow. Being the Bank's best friend sucks!
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
Really sorry to hear this news, especially from one with so much Talent, Good Luck in the future, and I really hope your talent does'nt go to waste.
Posted by Jon Aston (Member # 1725) on :
Mark:
As has been stated above, it is a shame to see this happen.
You are obviously a talented guy who clearly should be able to make a decent living running your own sign business if that is what you really love and want.
quote:"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -- Sir Winston Churchill
Your (first?) business failed. As dissappointing as that is, try to keep things in perspective. The odds are stacked (heavily) against start-ups surviving past two years (statistics bare this out).
If you decide that signmaking is still your calling(?), don't give up on it! Look at this as an opportunity to take well-deserved a break from owning your own shop, while you go to work for an established sign company. Take your time to regroup / re-tool. Be objective about what you could have done differently...all the while learning everything you can, and carefully planning your next venture.
Whatever you ultimately decide to do: best of luck to you!
Drop in from time-to-time and let us know how you are making out.
[ October 11, 2004, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
Posted by John Deaton III (Member # 925) on :
Sorry to hear that Mark. I have considered the same thing, especially of late. I hope everything works out for you. You're a very talented individual.
Posted by Michael Latham (Member # 4477) on :
Even though I do not post much, I will miss the Barrington Connection. I like the idea expressed by many here, go smaller. I started small and am still fairly small but enjoying every minute of it! Find the nitche you like and do it for a while. (another job to live on...)
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Mark - sorry to hear of you leaving. I guess we all have that thought from time to time. My wishes for all the best for you, whatever you decide to do. It's a short life, enjoy it while you're here.
Posted by Bill Diaz (Member # 2549) on :
Sorry to hear this, Mark. I wish you luck in the future. This ain't an easy business to make fly. You need some luck.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Mark, having met you at the Butler workshop, I felt you had the drive and intelligence to do well. Sorry to hear of this setback. Sometimes the best-laid plans....
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Mark Good Luck with any future endeavors you decide to take.
Posted by Scott Telfer (Member # 3949) on :
Mark.....never got the chance to chat with you at the Winter Muster but I recognised you from your Signcraft Article and remember some of the Ecxcellent work you did... All the best for the future....
Posted by Bill Foshay (Member # 4526) on :
I'll bet location had a WHOLE lot to do with it. Gt Barrington isn't exactly what I perceive as a hotbed of strong businesses needing signs. In fact the whole Northeast is pretty tough to make a living doing any small business what with the expense of living here and paying crazy taxes.
Ask any local antique dealer what they think of the business climate here compared to ten years ago. Nobody seems to have any money to spend. There are a whole lot of price shoppers too. (In every field)...
Well , best of luck in any future endeavor. I'd sure love to buy some equipment but for now I'm broke too.
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Take back control and reap what you sow. Being the Bank's best friend sucks!