Jake asked me this question today and I promised him an answer.
I live in beautiful downtown Yarrow.... population 1100 - by choice. Its not exactly the mecca of theme sign design... far from it in fact. We are 90 miles from the nearest big city. Even so we do just fine here and from this location get work that is exactly what we are looking to do. How is the big question.
Lets take a few of our current projects and analize them. They might give Jake the answers he's looking for.
Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our getting this project started about 12 years ago. We were just starting into the theme sign and environment business... not much work under our belt at that point. The call came from an aquaintance of a client who was looking for some theme work for a client of theirs. I was asked to go to Edmonton for an interview - a thousand miles distance. I polished up my portfolio and jumped on a plane. When I got there I bluffed my way through (Positive attitude in overdrive) the interview, letting them know I could do pretty much anything they wanted. I also listened to their needs for the area they wanted themed.
On the way home I did some sketching and within a day or so had faxed them a complete plan for the project along with a price. The project wasn't large but it looked promising. In the next 30 days I worked more hours than I had ever done or done since. We exceeded the customer's expectations by a mile and the client was pleased. That project was the first of many at West Edmontoin Mall over the next decade and it amounted to well over 3 million dollars worth of work when the dust settled.
WHile some say I was in the right place at the right time that certainly wasn't all there was to it. I had a good (but small) portfolio. I convinced the client I could do the work... and most importantly we performed as promised.
Fast forward 12 years... this same client bought Mall of America... and when they needed some theme work we got the call. Once again I flew down for an interview... with some outrageous proposals in hand. I was meeting a whole new set of people and once again had to prove our worth and abilities. I promised the moon and was prepared to deliver... no matter what it took. With the shipment yesterday we have met our obligations and exceeded our clients expecatations by a mile.
112 signs for MultiCam
First off we purchased a MultiCam Router... but it could have been pretty much any brand... I suspect the story would read much the same. I set about making sample pieces to learn the ins and outs of routing. And I learned it with a vengeance! I did them for two reasons... to learn and to have examples to sell with. ANd sell I did!
Last year when I went to the ISA show in Orlando I brought some samples with me to the show. I gave them to EnRoute, MultiCam and Precision Board as examples of just what could be accomplished with their products. Those samples got my feet into the door and allowed me to do my sales pitch. And I pitched with confidence. I explained to them that these samples would work great for them and perhaps even allow them to sell their products.
I followed up a couple of times through emails and phone calls in the next year, building a relationship with the contacts on a hersonal level.
In December my followup phone call netted me the opportunity to send a presentation of ideas for possible signs... at my risk. That presentation made the sale.
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf
Eight years ago we built Giggle Ridgge Adventure Golf. We did it pedal to the metal, intent on building a showcase for our work. Most folks thought us crazy to build so extravagantly. I was confident it would bring us more work and also be a viable business.
A manager of a local restaurant who sometimes brought his family to Giggle Ridge took a job opportunity in Alberta managing a new business. I didn't know him personally. His boss had a prime piece of property in a resort town and was looking for ideas... I got the call.
I flew out to Alberta for a meeting at my risk, bringing my newly polished protfolio with me... you know the story from here.
Today a fellow drove up the driveway. He was intrigued by what he saw from the road... amazed by what he saw inside. He ordered a sign today and promised a bunch more down the road. We'll see how that works out.
The one I posted yesterday in regard to router wars was sold to a person Rebecca knows. I've never even talked to them. But they liked our work and wanted a sign so we made one for them. It may just lead to some more work down the road.
In those same months I could tell you of fifty other similar opportunities that presented themselves. I persued them no less vigorously and yet the jobs didn't materialise. It works out that way.
As I've said before I am looking for one business in a thousand to work for. And that is probably optomistic... Of the hundred potential clients I actually talk to only four or so will be serious and only one of these will actually be a project we build.
I've never been asked to do one single ordinary sign for I am not known for that type work. I only get the outrageous jobs because that is all we do. I firmly believe that if you build it and they WILL come.
I bat one in a thousand... and while I may miss nine hundered and ninety times I seem to hit a home run when I finally do connect. That beats real work every time!
Hoping for the next big one in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ April 21, 2007, 08:13 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Ian Stewart-Koster (Member # 3500) on :
Thanks for the humble answers, Dan!
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan Sawatzky: I've never been asked to do one single ordinary sign for I am not known for that type work. [/QB]
Oooooooookay, then! Exactly whatis or is not an "ordinary sign", in your opinion? (This oughta be good!)
[ April 22, 2007, 06:08 AM: Message edited by: Mark Tucker ]
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Dan's description pretty much fits how we've been getting the work we've been doing.
Currently, about 60% of the work we do is from out-of-town (out-of-state and out-of-country)all of which was from word of mouth. I don't advertise in India or Romania or New Hampshire.
Carved/routed signage has picked up quite a bit here of late. I have 3 separate carved projects in-house right now all of which were derived from someone seeing a job we did for someone else.
Positive attitudes and on-time delivery are key to getting (and keeping) the kind of customers I want.
.
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
Glenn, when you say "carved/routed", are you referring to 3D only? That's my question for Dan, because he seems to infer that anything not "3D" is an "ordinary sign". I'm sure many in here would beg to differ, if that's the case.
At any rate, the following is for anyone reading this that might be contemplating the investment into CNC flat-bed router tables:
1. They are great tools. Fantastic! Anyone serious about the sign business and doing dimensional work should get one.
2. They can be expensive and can have a rather steep learning curve if you're not familiar with a lot of things, including cutting speeds for different materials, the proper bit to use, learning the software to make tool paths, etc. Mistakes on expensive materials can come from a variety of reasons and simply KILL your expected profits. If the machine is set up and running correctly, it's gonna do EXACTLY what you tell it to with your file work. "Garbage in, garbage out." If you make a mistake in your file work, you may have just ruined a $400.00 sheet of HDU. But if your machine is NOT set up and running right, you're gonna toast that material anyways!
3. What Dan doesn't tell you is that cutting large and detailed 3D objects can take an exceedingly long time, even with his mighty MultiCam. Dan's work is gorgeous, but in the "ordinary" everyday work of CNC in the sign business, you're gonna be doing much more basic stuff, because that's where 90% of the the everyday money is at: 2.5D, flat cut-outs, V carving, simple to complex 2D shapes, all that. Dan says he refuses to do any of that type work and that's fine. More power to him! But when someone comes to YOU and offers, say, $500.00 to cut the faces and backs of a set of plastic faced channel letters, supply you the materials and the file, and you figure it may take you all of an hour (maybe 2?), to accomplish the task, whatcha gonna do? I know what I'm gonna do!
4. The large ( 4x8 and larger) CNC machines have a huge footprint, meaning that they take up a lot of room with all that they need, including a dust collection system, vacuum table vacuum's, computer station, etc. If you have a small shop like me (20x24), there's not a lot of room left for a work table, saw stations, panel saw, paint sprayers and paint, storage, etc. My 20x24 is doable, but only barely. If my ShopBot were any bigger, or my shop any smaller, forget it! And while ShopBot offers a table-top model CNC, it ain't gonna cut the mustard in the real world of sign making. You need a 48" x 96" minimum!
And that's all I have to say right now about CNC.
[ April 22, 2007, 08:43 AM: Message edited by: Mark Tucker ]
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Mark,
I don't read Dan that way. To me, an ordinary sign is something that we see on an everyday basis. This can include 3-deminsional work. I've done a lot of flat signs that would be considered "out of the ordinary".
What makes Dan's signage extraordinary isn't the fact that so much of it is 3D, but rather the concepts and thoughts that go into the work that he does.
The same could be said for John Deaton's cartoon work. There is something unique and extraordinary about his style that not everyone can do.
As for Dan's post, I'm not reading it the way you seem to be. What I'm reading is about HOW he gets the work he gets. He's proof that you don't have to be in some big city and that you can get the kind of work you want. IMHO.
[ April 22, 2007, 08:49 AM: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Taylor: Mark,
I don't read Dan that way. To me, an ordinary sign is something that we see on an everyday basis. This can include 3-deminsional work. I've done a lot of flat signs that would be considered "out of the ordinary".
What makes Dan's signage extraordinary isn't the fact that so much of it is 3D, but rather the concepts and thoughts that go into the work that he does.
The same could be said for John Deaton's cartoon work. There is something unique and extraordinary about his style that not everyone can do.
.
Understood. But by the same token, I don't really consider Dan's work as "signs". I consider it "sculpture" that may or may not have some copy in it. I love to look at it, it's beautiful, but it's sculpture and hardly "signs" as we think about signs. It's a whole different animal that derives from a true fine and gifted artist that has mastered CNC 3D and found his market but still considers himself a sign man. But in the everyday world of sign making, for the vast majority of us, it's just not reality as far as earning a living.
Dan, I love your work, man, but you ain't no sign maker. You're a true artist, a sculptor, a dang Michael Angelo. So please stop with the "Look at the 'sign' I made this week! Why aren't you ALL making 'signs' like this? Think positive! Live your dreams! Look at me!"
Man,...please!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
What is a "sign"?
I screen print t-shirts. Aren't they signs, too?
.
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Taylor: What is a "sign"?
I screen print t-shirts. Aren't they signs, too?
.
Yes, but they're very "ordinary". Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
"Hi, I'm Donna and I'm just a vynull chick."
But I happen to be creating these crazy over the top creations from materials anyone can get their hands on. For those that don't know, I also work with Dan part time.
Remember, I do ordinary at home. I do extraordinary at Dan's. I am doing it, but granted, not from the ground up. I don't yet have the training and ability to weld, cut steel, know about the intricacy of framework. But when I do, I know too I can do anything I want that's inside my head. It's my bet many of you do know all that already. If you do, you're half way there.
You have to start somewhere in order to create what Dan does. It indeed starts with design, but we all can vision things in our heads we don't know how to create, correct?? I sure can.
So there's step one, dream it up.
Step two, think about how to build it, what components will work? Will that chunk of styrofoam or that tube do? Bet I can get a deal on that cracked dirty thing over there...
Step 3, just do it. If it doesn't work, try it again. Try different methods and products. It's out there for everyone. We are trying new stuff never tampered with before all the time. Sometimes it works, other times it fails but then we try something else.
Step 4, How to sell it? Someone has to see it first. They can't see what's in your head. So dream up your crazy idea and make it. Put it out there. Do up something in the community you wish to sell your work. Get it on a website. Someone WILL see it and will eventually call and inquire about it.
Step 5, Selling out of area? Website and word of mouth. It will eventually happen. Yarrow is the tiniest town ever with one bank, one 3 way stop, 1 tiny library, you get the idea. The work isn't being sold here, trust me. Build your 'thing' so it can be taken apart and shipped.
I am not wishing to speak for Dan, but this is for myself. You just have to do it and not worry about that the work won't follow. It won't for awhile. But when it does, it doesn't stop. If you achieve something unique and incredible, others WILL want it. Word takes time to get around so don't expect results overnight. Dan suggests generally a 2 year plan.
So while we cut vynull and do those ordinary things, do something incredible on the side to get it going. IF that's WHAT you want to do of course.
2 months ago I wasn't in this mindframe at all. Working with and seeing these things being pumped out is incredibly inspiring. That's why you are seeing so many step by steps on HOW to do this stuff. If you are seeing it as, "Look what he's done, it'll never happen for me." then it won't. If you see it as, "That's easy to build!" you are on the right track and are understanding WHY these posts are all over this bb.
Just build it.
Posted by Fred Floyd (Member # 2251) on :
quote:Originally posted by Glenn Taylor: What is a "sign"?
I screen print t-shirts. Aren't they signs, too?
.
Yes, but they're very "ordinary". [Razz]
Yep, but I can tell you aint seen some of his special-Ts.
Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
Each person comes to this forum with a different set of goals in mind. One of my main interests is to learn how to be better at business. It's not something I'm naturally good at, and I like to get the viewpoint of those who do it well.
Keep up those positive posts Dan. I'm a big fan of yours, and I enjoy your enthusiasm and willingness to share ideas. Your posts get me thinking about how I can improve on what I'm doing, and what steps are needed to make it happen.
Posted by Dale Manor (Member # 4858) on :
I have had the opporunity to sit down with Grampa Dan a few times and talk about the business of making "signs" and how to be better at what you wish to create.
I too appreciate his posts because I need to be reminded of what is possible if one puts their whole being into it.....From what I've seen, Grampa Dan gives about 200% to everything he does and it shows!
About 6 months ago I sat down at my new job to learn FexiSign Enroute and from that create tool paths for our MultiCam router. All I could do was sit there shaking my head and think.... why aren't more people using this program to it's full potential? Most "3D" signs I see people create are layered letters on some blocky substrate. Why not blow some holes clean through the thing?....layer sliced 3D objets to create something extraordinary? Why can't a sign be more like sculpture? You're just cutting something out any way, might as well make it beautiful. It can all be done with a little imagination. Dan is about the only person I've seen who is thinking outside the block. His "signs" are truly unique...but everyone with the same equipment could produce the same type of work.
Presently, the company I work for isn't making signs, but they did produce cold casted metal "signs" for several years. Now their focus has shifted to someting more profitable.....Cast Metal and stone tile.....basically beautiful little "signs" sometimes with but mostly without letters. Detailed textures and decorative elements which could all be applied to a "sign".
If the company I worked for were making "real" signs right now instead of tile, I would be pushing the envelope as to what people consider a sign.
My part-time work for the last 7 - 8 years has been mural painting....some might say...."that's a lost art... why bother, large formats the way to go"..... because to me, mural painting is the most fun, so that is what I want to do!
Give me a big wall on a bright sunny day....and I'm in heaven!
Thanks for helping me think outside the block Grampa Dan.
[ April 22, 2007, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: Dale Manor ]
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
Let the records show that my comments about Dan's work are in no way intended to be a put-down of any type. I have stated repeatedly how much I admire his stuff. Rather, I am merely asking a question:
"Is it a 'sign' or isn't it a 'sign'?". That is the question. I see choo-choo trains, funky looking trucks, wonderful goofy monsters and dinosaurs, etc., etc. I don't see a sign as I understand what a sign is, but maybe I'm just not thinking "outside the box". I do agree with the notion, however, that many of Dan's tricks and methods can be incorporated into our everyday applications of routing/carving/building more beautiful work.
Tell ya what,...I have been commissioned by my neighborhood to build us a new sign (4' x 4'), sometime this summer after ongoing road improvements are finished. The name of our subdivision (if you can call it that!), is "Hole in the Woods". I think it needs to be 3D with wildlife, perhaps a raccoon peering out of a knot hole, something like that. I shall polish up with ArtCam Pro, run a few test cuts, and go for it. I'll post a pic in here when it's done and up. Fair enough?
Meanwhile, Dan, carry on, friend. Carry on!
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
This is the type of discussion that should go on all the time... its about thinking... challenging where we are... what we are doing on a constant basis.
I don't care if you agree with me or not... and if you think I'm full of crap that's OK too.
As I stated above I think the way I get our jobs at our shop isn't that different than anybody else. There is no magic formula that I am aware of. Ultimately we get our work from people we know or via jobs we have done in the past. The internet has changed that a little, but even there the portfolio speak for us in a big way based on work we have done previously.
To clarify my personal definition of 'ordinary signs'... drive down the road and look at all the signs... that's ordinary. Not bad signs... just ordinary. If you are operating in that marketplace you will find lots of competition because that is what everyone in your area is producing. ORDINARY. By enlarge the work we all do daily is 'ordinary' unless we constantly strive to learn new things, experiment, read, and work with passion. Even in my shop what I did yesterday is ordinary... for tomorrow we will go further, try new things, build on what we learned on the last project. THAT is what makes our owrk less ordinary.
If you can produce work that is radically different than what you see around you or that you even did yesterday you will find yourself in a much lonelier place as far as competition. There may well be less customers in the immediate area, but your marketplace will soon be the world for what you produce can only be gotten from one source... your shop and customers WILL seek you out.
As far as my definition of a "SIGN"... "a sign is something that draws attention to the customers product or service". While the world may think of a sign as a square panel with flat letters stuck on it I choose to think of that as ordinary and I WILL NOT go there. Everyone else can... no problem.
What I do does NOT make me a better person, more talented, nor a better sign maker, not better anything than anyone else. I'm just walking a different path... one of my own choosing. And I'm having a LOT of fun doing it.
As Donna points out what I do is not that hard. And she is right in believing she is capable of doing the same thing... proabably even better. She can certainly paint better than I as she will happily point out in a hurry. But as she also points out she has a big learning curve to go through in the next while. She'll do it too! And while she is passionately learning we will be constantly pushing the envelope, discovering new things, learning new ways to make our SIGNS better.
My point in posting the posts I do on this BB is to poke those around me... my friends, into not doing ordinary... and I'm speaking of things they do in their lives as a matter of routine. I'm challenging them to break away from that... try new things daily, learn, experiment... go wild and to have fun doing it.
I'm not afraid to share, my sincere hope is that otehrs learn from our way of doing things. We'll be passionately learning new stuff at the same time. I'll also be learning from others who share their discoveries with us.
A router is a wonderful tool without a doubt. When I first saw one in action at a trade show it was cutting letters out.. just like they do at most sign shops. I pulled up a stool and watched the machine work for more than an hour... not seeing what it was doing, but rather than what it could do in my hands. As I further researched my purchase and the available software I asked the same question as Dale did above... why aren't more people using the routers to their full potential??
And Mark is right in that routing full blown 3D files can be time consuming. But the work produced is far faster and far more accurate than I could ever hope to do myself. For every hour my MultiCam runs I figure it saves me 4-5 hours of hand work. We do not price on time and materials in our shop but rather value. So my MultiCam was a sound investment that makes us a great deal of money. More importantly it allows us to make things which I could only dream of before... boosting the creative abilities of our shop and in the process further separating us from the ordinary ' marketplace. So 'taking a long time' to route a 3D file is a relative term. Yesterday I cut 17 sheets of plywood into a multitude of shapes... all flat work. It was speedy and efficient to use the router. And those many flat shapes will make great boxes for the 3D routed work which will be packed into them. While I charged what the boxes were worth, (and they are very nice boxes) the real money we made on the job was on the routed 3D work.
Mark points out that he makes good money cutting out basic shapes with his router... GREAT! I'm glad. And he's happy doing that job getting his kicks with a fishing pole in his hands. Again Good for him. He makes great money AND he has lots of time for fishing. He's a smart man for he has figured out a way to satisfy his needs. I'm glad.
I'm not a fisherman. I SIMPLY HAVE TO CREATE to be happy. The more creative the better. I've figured out a way to satisfy my creative needs AND make great money doing it. For those who wish to be creative I challenge you to do the same in your own fashion. It CAN be done.
If you choose to NOT do that or if my posts are just irritating... don't go there. No problem.
Doing it my way in Yarrow...
-grampa dan
[ April 22, 2007, 08:06 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan Sawatzky: This is the type of discussion that should go on all the time... its about thinking... challenging where we are... what we are doing on a constant basis. -grampa dan
...and I can't argue with that, Danny!
Rethinking my place in the Universe in Gainesville, Ga.
Posted by Ricky Jackson (Member # 5082) on :
I don't care if it's "signs", blimps and moose or funky airplanes and boats, Dan is one of the most amazingly creative people I've never met. ...and to think that you get to live where you want - in a tiny little community where three vehicles at the traffic light is considered rush hour! I also think I admire your passion almost as much as your creativity and talent. It's gotta be great to have that much fun doing what you want to do and not having to put up with dozens of people coming in every week getting "prices". At least your clients know there is more to the picture than just the lowest price.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
quote: If you can produce work that is radically different than what you see around you or that you even did yesterday you will find yourself in a much lonelier place as far as competition. There may well be less customers in the immediate area, but your marketplace will soon be the world for what you produce can only be gotten from one source... your shop and customers WILL seek you out.
Precisely!
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
LOL Donna, while I'm experimenting with different methods and substrates, .... failing, ... and trying again. Um ...how will my bills be getting paid?
I think it's great that you are working for Dan and learning such cool things. To this day, I feel incredibly grateful for having the experience I had, while making a paycheck, at Joe Rees' shop, many moons ago. Trials and errors were on his watch and dime back then. I would not be doing what I'm doing had it not been for Joe.
Now, with a full schedule of "ordinary" stuff, being a sole income household, and having so many interests outside of work, it gets abit overwhelming to get too adventurous and experimental with my livlihood. I commend those who pull this off.
Wow, this board sure has become the "Dan Show" lately eh? Not a bad thing.
While I'm definately very much on the "Dan Fan" wagon, I'm also incredibly inspired by many people on here who don't seem to reap so much of the limelight. I just want to take a second to say thanks to all those who fan the fire for me in my creative endeavours and keep me challenged and thinking.
Embracing small victories and pleasures each and every day in Florida. ~nettie
Posted by Suelynn Sedor (Member # 442) on :
You're welcome Nettie!! Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
yeah, that mean't you too Suelynn!
Posted by Todd Gill (Member # 2569) on :
Well, I would agree that Dan is a very creative and talented craftsman....love his sketches, and love his line of work....and am always anxious and amazed to see what he's working on next.
It all has the same look to me, which is still extraordinary and that's not to belittle it, because again, I think it's awesome....but it does go for that niche market and has the Dan style signature you've come to expect.
Someone could say that it is "ordinary" for his particular genre of sculpting. Although I wouldn't call it ordinary because it's always fun to look at...I never get tired of seeing it, but isn't it the same kind of look{style} from job to job? The kind of 3D cartoon genre as I might think of it? In that sense, it has it's usual appearance.
I'm not sure I like the term "ordinary signs" because, while many people work in that genre of signmaking - I assume they/we view it as very creative and rewarding in no different way than the feeling Dan gets from his work: Creative satisfaction, visual pride, a feeling of making others happy and feeling you've done a good job.
I personally, somewhat like Mr. Tucker would view Dan's work more as an emphasis on sculpting, yet combining sign features as an integral part of that sculpting - sort of a hybrid in which neither facet could be eliminated. Kind of a Walt Disney World theme park fantasy sculpture thing, really isn't it?
In any event....I like seeing it all....I'm just as inspired by "ordinary" signs as "unordinary" projects. Everyone has their specialty, and I'm sure have just as much fun as the guy doing theme park sculptures or the retired senior citizen whittling animals out of a chunk of wood. If you feel good about what you do, it's all good. Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Nettie, some people (ahem.. Dan) are just crazy enough to accept jobs and wing it with new materials and methods never tried before. Some fail, some don't. He keeps saying something about confidence, but I'm too busy messing stuff up to listen...
As for myself, I go home and work on my own biz at night. Not much time left to experiment but I do the experimenting on my downtime (weekends) on the house. Why, just last weekend I was brushing up on carpentry skills (which I don't have)... got me some finishing nails and a nail sinker deal and was bashing up the moldings very nicely! Split some too! Yep, just makin' the ol house a little uglier everytime I practice on it. LOL
Posted by Gerald Lauze' (Member # 6443) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan Sawatzky: How on earth does Dan get the work he does?
clip.. I firmly believe that if you build it and they WILL come.
clip..
-grampa dan
I've read and been personally told by Dan the above quote. I'm aproaching 2 years in business and I'm finally working hard on just that. The quote may be over simplified because it doesn't say HOW. If I can't build it because of money, time or lack of skill (I pretend to be a carpenter)I had to look at why. I've finally figured out why couldn't do it. I was hemmoraging $$. So I fixed that. Now I can get on with it. Well, at least the build it part. Then on to blatantly showing it off. If I keep it a secret, no one will come.
So while Dan get's credit for implanting this into my brain, I've had clients push the hell out of me and my machine to make my business grow..and now they're talkin' ..and so are we.
Cheers everyone
Posted by Paul Bierce (Member # 5412) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan Sawatzky: How on earth does Dan get the work he does?
Moose Mountain Adventure Golf, Mall of America, Minneapolis, Minnesota. Our getting this project started about 12 years ago.
------------------------
Last year when I went to the ISA show in Orlando…I followed up a couple of times through emails and phone calls in the next year…
-------------------------
Pirate's Cove Adventure Golf. Eight years ago we built Giggle Ridgge Adventure Golf.
-grampa dan
One thing I notice is that none of the these projects came into being overnight, and there's a lesson to be learned there.
Like anything worthwhile, it takes time, committment and the belief that it WILL happen (eventually).
To use a cliché, it's like planting seeds. They don't grow overnight (Well, Jack's beans did, and look at the trouble they got him into!).
Posted by Paul Luszcz (Member # 4042) on :
I've mentioned this before, probably in response to one of Dan's threads.
Dan does Dan better than anyone else could ever hope to. I dare you to try. This separates him from his "competitors" and keeps his margins healthy, allowing Dan to do be the only one to do better than the old Dan.
My specialty will never be wiggly lines and I'll never try. But I'm very good at storefront design and comprehensive sign systems. We do a lot of "ordinary signs" for customers who request them, but never market that or expect to get rich doing that.
We look for and find shop owners and developers who want, appreciate and are willing to pay for comprehensively designed sign programs. Nobody does me better than me.
The better I get at what I do, the harder it is for someone else to do me as well as me. That strikes me as Dan's message.
Find something you do well that someone is willing to pay for. If there aren't enough potential customers in your trading area, expand your trading area. From everything I see and read on this board, I'm convinced this is the critical common element of success. The lack of this approach seems to predetermine frustration and eventual failure.
Nobody can do exactly what you do well as well as you do it. Find that something and exploit it. Continue to get better at it and it'll be impossible to catch you.
That something may be signs, theme park sculpture or wiggly lines (or vehicle wraps or pinstriping or airbrushed race cars).
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
That was very well put Paul!
A good message.
~nettie
(both Paul's expressed great thoughts)
[ April 24, 2007, 10:30 AM: Message edited by: Janette Balogh ]
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
Nettie, you've always been my fav logo designer. All your work looks different, you swap elements rather than repeat. When is the book coming out?? I want one! Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Ditto.
Posted by Mike Pipes (Member # 1573) on :
quote:Originally posted by Paul Luszcz:
Dan does Dan better than anyone else could ever hope to.
Nobody does me better than me.
Funny you should put it this way. Russell Simmons, the man that essentially created the whole Hip Hop industry/lifestyle, has a new book which is released TODAY titled:
"Do You! 12 Laws To Access The Power In You To Achieve Happiness And Success"
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Wait -- I thought I did Dan better than anyone else. I am Dan.
Sheesh.... just when I thought I had my own identity!!
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
quote:Originally posted by Dan Antonelli: Wait -- I thought I did Dan better than anyone else. I am Dan.
Sheesh.... just when I thought I had my own identity!!
Sorry, Dan, but you ain't no Dan!
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Mark- I'm not sure how to take that but I'll assume thats a compliment. Posted by Tracie Johnson (Member # 6117) on :
I'm not sure what you mean by that, Mark, but both Dans on this board are each amazing in their own right and extremely successful at what they do.
We can all learn a great deal from what they have to share.
Maybe there's something in that name... Posted by Russ McMullin (Member # 5617) on :
I'm contemplating changing my name to Dan.
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Mark, are you doing your Lloyd Bentsen impersonations again?
.
Posted by Mark Tucker (Member # 6461) on :
Just messin', y'all! Posted by Paul Bierce (Member # 5412) on :
quote:Originally posted by Russ McMullin: I'm contemplating changing my name to Dan.
I'm considering "Dan Daniels"
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
My brother's name is Dan. Will some of it rub off on me?
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