April 13th 1987 I went to work on Monday morning and the boss told me that he had sold the business on Saturday, and they were closing it down. I was the general supervisor, and had not seen this coming. I said, Cool, I've always wanted to start my own business. Later that day I went to City Hall and paid for my business license, and Strokes by Don was up and running. I have been having a ball for the last 30 years, but then, I always did enjoy a good rollercoaster. It has had it's ups and downs, and a few loops, but for the most part it has been fun all the way.
I will be closing the doors tomorrow to take my wife to Garden of the Gods for her birthday, but I will be back on Monday morning with 4 new projects to start.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
i always look at the line.......FIND A JOB YOU ENJOY AND CAN DO TILL YA DROP....... we got that))) just look at BILL RIEDEL)))
Posted by Wayne Webb (Member # 1124) on :
Congratulations Don!
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Good story Don. Congrats.
Posted by Tom & Kathy Durham (Member # 776) on :
Congratulation Don on 30 years and happy birthday to your lovely wife. See you soon in Wisconsin.
Posted by Alicia B. Jennings (Member # 1272) on :
Big Congrats from the Mudflap! I to have been in business for 30 years.
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Most excellent!
Posted by Richard Heller (Member # 2443) on :
Mazel Tov Don, and Happy Birthday for your wife!
Posted by Duncan Wilkie (Member # 132) on :
Good going Don.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Congratulations on the 30th anniversary!
-grampa dan
Posted by Dennis Kiernan (Member # 12202) on :
Good for you, Don. The same kind of thing happened to me just about that same time. I started free-lancing in commercial art. I was good at the work (had been the main strength at my boss's place), but I was not good at hustling up the business. Struggled along for a few years with the help of some savings, but finally ended up as a San Francisco cab driver (which I loved). Did that until I retired. Now, I just paint for myself, whenever I find time between the chores.
Posted by Don Hulsey (Member # 128) on :
Thanks everybody.
I have been thinking about, "What IF Charlie had not sold the business."
I would not have found the one "job" that I actually look forward to going to "work" everyday.
I would not have found Letterville.
I probably would never have seen all the places where we have been for letterhead and walldog meets.
I would never have met all of the great friends I have "met" here or the ones I have met in person at all of the assorted meets.
I "might" have made more money in the last 30 years (not sure about that one), but I would not have been as happy. I would probably be looking forward to retirement now instead of looking forward to the next project and the next meet where I will get to see a lot of my friends again.
All in all I think it is a "SIGN" of more good things to come.
Posted by PatRaap (Member # 4290) on :
Congrats Don! That is awesome! Enjoy your travels too!
PS Please wish Dora a Happy Birthday for me!
[ April 17, 2017, 08:13 AM: Message edited by: PatRaap ]
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
Coongrats Don!
Another 16 years and you will have been in the biz as long as I did!
Posted by J & N Signs (Member # 901) on :
I still consider myself a newbie after 23 years. Go figure!
Posted by Brian Dish (Member # 10782) on :
Congratulations Don, now all you need to do is figure out how much longer you want to stay at it, now start to figure an exit strategy to help with your retirement.
Posted by Bob Kaschak (Member # 3146) on :
Congratulations Don!
Posted by Dave Sherby (Member # 698) on :
Congrats. That's quite a milestone. I started in 1981 but mine was just a part time hobby business until 1995. Getting ready to make this a part time thing again.
Posted by Deb Fowler (Member # 1039) on :
Don and Dora, I hope you had a wonderful time and congrats on running your own business that long, Don!
