I honestly cannot think of any other business that I could have possibly landed in that has offered me the security, satisfaction and lifestyle that the sign business has. Working for the "man" in another sign company back in the late 80s I had no idea where that start would have taken me.
The progression of the industry. The equipment I would get to use and the skills to not only just do signs but brochures, logos, designing wrought iron patterns for fences, wedding invitations, etc. You follow me, I'm sure. Who would have thought this could branch out to so many other aspects of anything involving type and or pictures and layouts.
I say this because through the last 4 years of this absolute living we have all been thru with the economy, it's nice to emerge from the other side having the thoughts that "I made it!" while so many other sign shops closed.
I bitch, complain and fuss about customers, competition and whatever else is under the sun but I have always loved this area of work. There are too many people in this world that get up dreading going to their job, to me that's is a sick way to spend a short life, hell yes I would do it again!!
Posted by KARYN BUSH (Member # 1948) on :
I'll take it for as long as I can! I've been out straight and business is good...even in a bad economy. I suppose its because other people actually have to market themselves in difficult times....and we are the go to folks! yeah for us!
Posted by Deri Russell (Member # 119) on :
Amen.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
44 years ago I went to work for a sign shop ... after 4 months branched out on my own ... and said good bye to the corporate world.
I have enjoyed every minute of it and profited well enough to retire! (Except that I still do some jobs for old customers.)
Posted by Preston McCall (Member # 351) on :
It would almost be perfect, if they could only invent a brush with spell-check in it!
Seriously, I left a 90k a year job as manager of a Chevy store, 22 years ago, to try my hand at window splashes. Everyone thought I was half nuts. I have proven to all of them that their estimate of 'half' was only half right.
I do not have a store front. No employees and when things slow down, so do the expenses. Very low stress and now, many very loyal clients. It really is not just about talent, but more about giving reliable service and of course, staying involved with all of you here on Letterville!
Retirement? No way. I retired 22 years ago and this is hardly work. I held fast to the 3 rules: no stress, have fun and make money!
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
When I went to school for sign painting realizing then it was what I truly wanted to do and also till un-able and it is the greatest type of work least amount of stress, enjoyable by leaps, customers are the best, payment is quick, demand is strong.
How can you ask for anything better then that/
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
Si? Older than you clients? Wow! xxx
Bruce, oh so true!
Posted by Elaine Beauchemin (Member # 136) on :
Double post, sorry
[ July 29, 2011, 11:53 PM: Message edited by: Elaine Beauchemin ]
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Elaine ... most of my customers are now retired or deceased and the companies are run by the sons of my original customers!
[ July 30, 2011, 07:04 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
my only regret.........is i didnt start early enough!!!!! sorta))) i was taught sign painting in my early years 10-14, by 1st a "shakey jake" who showed up at my parents bar one day, with a 52 4 doored buick painted emerald green 1shot, yellow and silver lettering all over it. this was his office, home, and work vehicle. and he was so talented. my parents told me i would never amount to anything doin THAT kinda work. well...i listened to my parents and dabbled with the sign painting/art .........WHILE doin the "JOB" schit. construction labor(dad was one)steel mill worker(get a job, work 20 years retire) military. all thw while wanting to be like the guy in 52 buick. 1986, i had..HAD IT........WITH JOBS!!!! seems all the bosses i ever had was all dumber then me! and why was i wasting my life doin stuff i didnt really like? 1986, i got FIRED for the 1st time since i had been doing "jobs." i was done. dug out my brishes and few cans of 1 shot, got in my car and went lookin for SIGN WORK!!!! like i said my only regret is i didnt do it earlier. made good money, worked less hours, everyday was something new. diffident people places and vehicles/buildings/windows. wife was happy when i would give her rubies, emerald rings which i would take as payment for painting a pawn shop window/sign. and still got money + rings)))))) the plotter was just coming into play, but most who had one was charging way more then i did for paint. of course i didnt have a $30k investment in equipment and supplies, just my brush box and paints!!!!! iam still painting.........will till the pry the brush from my cold dead hand))))
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