Oregon is usually last to see any improvement in the economy, so I wanted to put some feelers out there across country for some feedback. How is business in your area? What changes, if any are you seeing in the type of work? Any other input?
Thanks
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
My work supply has steadily improved, although last year was really very OK with an increase, actually from the year before. My first quarter this year is up almost double from last year's first quarter with six days left to the month. My clients are all itchy to make something new happen. Love it!
Posted by Sonny Franks (Member # 588) on :
I'm busy here with some nice work - first sandblasted/gold leaf job I've had in 3 years. But I'm also counting my blessings because I was dead in the water there for awhile. No more cruise control for me - I'm back to hustle mode and thankful for every gig.......
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Sign business has been slow here. Screen printing and website design have been filling the gap.
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Busiest we've been ever. Looking to hire 3 more people. Just took over another 1000sq ft of space for new employees/workstations.
Trying not to implode.
Feel blessed to be this busy. We really spent a lot of time when we we're slow investing heavily back into marketing the company, and I knew when things were turning around we would be well positioned. Our new site has been bringing in a lot of work.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Things are looking up here and from those I talk to around Canada and the USA there is a lot more hope and optimism these days. We spent our slow time working hard to position ourselves for the future. It looks to be paying off handsomely already!
-grampa dan
Posted by bruce ward (Member # 1289) on :
someone flipped a switch back in february and its been constant calls and jobs. I havent seen this in 3 years. Got 3 large murals to paint, apartment complex package, and other jobs with front signage. I'm still in shock!
I have no idea where it came from BUT I'll take it and ride this wave out for as long as it lasts.
Posted by Jeff Wisdom (Member # 6193) on :
I am also starting to see steady growth, at least the phone is ringing now. As with Dan & Dan, I too have been working on marketing during this slow time. Great input! Thanks
Posted by Mike O'Neill (Member # 470) on :
Dancing as fast as we can...
Posted by Kevin Gaffney (Member # 4240) on :
No real pickup here yet. Got a new government though and customers are a lot more positive in the last few weeks. If we can start converting some of the quotes into work, we'll be fine
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
Picking up slow but sure And I've rode my bicycle for the past year still paying all the expenses of truck, lately new businesses have been opening up, most of this past year has been everybody having a sale, now the tempo is changing, still not secure but will see.
Posted by Judy Pate (Member # 237) on :
Since January 1, my business has been booming. My truck business was practically dead the past 2 years. Now truck & trailer lettering has been constant here. I am so blessed!
Posted by Louie Pascuzzi (Member # 1373) on :
Business has picked up quite a bit. We are also heavy into truck lettering so last year was slow. This year has been improving steadily and we are almost back to pre-recession numbers. Some new businesses are opening and there has been a good rebound in the truck lettering. We used to average at least two trucks a day when business was good and that dropped in half. We are now back up to 7-8 a week. One thing I have noticed is that the amount being spent per truck on lettering has increased. I think the contractors are realizing the value of a good job and spending their advertising money wisely.
Posted by Kissymatina (Member # 2028) on :
Pretty busy, but I think a large part of that is my move to a very visible location. Now I'm trying to play catch up from a slow winter. Would be nice if a couple customers that owe me money would pay or return phone calls.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Busy girl. And I have noticed the bigger electric sign company trucks doing work around town as well.
Posted by Steve Luck (Member # 5292) on :
So far we've had a great January and part of February (until a record snowfall) Then March picked up so things are looking better. I've been researching new equipment for the shop and will be adding a CNC router table soon. Having a slow period last year around this time forced me to downsize and make some changes. Doing a lot more quotes than ever because the customers are being more careful with their money. Now we have to sell them on quality and experience and not compete with the low-ballers.
Best of LUCK to everyone in 2011.
Sign-cerely, Steve
Posted by Jeff Wisdom (Member # 6193) on :
Thanks for the input on what type of signs are selling, it makes me think I should market to contractors,etc.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
Getting better. Still have price shoppers, and I'm still scrambling to play catchup on bills.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
The year ended with no work orders and no business in sight. Over the past months the work has continued to come in and shows promise for the future. Since I am working alone now, it doesn't take a lot to get me behind, but I'm adapting to doing it all again...and it's going to be fine.
Some of you remember my adventure with the IRS - that should be settled in the next few weeks and I will be even with the tax man once again.
There are still a lot of bills that fell behind, but they are being narrowed and will eventually be paid.
There is light at the end of the tunnel. And it's still fun to come to the studio. Jeanne and I are not rich (poor by the national average) but she still welcomes me at the door every evening and still says she loves me - in spite of what I do. (I think that is called grace)
Life is good.
[ March 29, 2011, 01:14 PM: Message edited by: Raymond Chapman ]
Posted by Debra Carr (Member # 6986) on :
Is there a "like" button? Great to read positive comments! Myself....staying busy. Just signed a contract on a piece of commerical land - with hopes of building a new sign shop. I am tired of renting, plus- we have outgrown this space.
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
22 years ago I had 56 employees, a 90k salary and a spoiled son of an owner for a boss who relied on my imagination, so he could take advantage of every dollar that came into our business. One day, I saw in LA, windows painted at all of the new car dealerships. A little light bulb went off in my head. "Let's see here...Quit my lofty big dog job and go splash winders for a living? Yeah, right."
Well, after all these years, I look at my absolutely fun business of painting winders and realize I no longer wear a ball and chain and get to make my own daily destiny. I catch these runs of work (like this year so far) and realize that just hearing that phone ring sounds pretty good, knowing that my repeat offenders are still calling me and at an even greater rate than ever before. The challenge now is how to make the next big splash better than the last. How to add that little animation or extra outline...how to make the message grab more eyeballs or cause someone to actually respond to the offer....and to think that in a couple months, they scrape it all off and call me again! At this stage, all I really have to worry about is spelling and remembering to show up when I promised.
Finding our own niche is the way. I see so many who think another piece of equipment or some special computer program will gain them the advantage. I am a dinosaur, for sure. I still rely on my bucket of paint and some old brushes. I work out of my truck and get to live in a pretty darn nice house. I keep my expenses and overhead down to less than ten percent and try my best to leave my every job as clean as when I showed up. No drips, no runs, now errors. They hand me a cup of coffee and a check and I smile back and simply say, "Thanks, CU Next time".
I just turned 60. To all of those here who are still struggling to find his or her way, just push back your doubts and do what your heart tells you will make you some dough and feel like you are giving your best. The secret is that there are so very few of us left out here who are not afraid of hard work and who can go hustle up another fun project, based on an overactive imagination. Why do they pay us money for this? Imagination! There appears to be a shortage right now and we happen to hold the bag. Smile like the Cheshire Cat, knowing that when you jump into the abyss, your character really does keep you aloft.....and to think: I could still be stuck behind some desk, wearing a ball and chain!
