Hey guys, I dont know if this is the right section, but....
I was sent here from another member who found my site. Anyway! Its good to see that there finally is a 'support site' for us sign makers. As for myself, I dont know if I am considered a sign maker, yet. I am only 6 or so months into this business. I have always been into graphic design, webdesign, and well...online businesses. It has spawned into stickercutting.com, my site that I have developed. It has been quite a learning experience, but I have had no complaints yet, so I guess im doing something right! I have a roland CX-24 machine, it does great, but I would really like to have a PC-600 thermal printer or something larger! TO much cash for right now!
Back to the topic, I feel so young around you guys after reading this board today. Most of you have 20-30 years on me. I am 19 and a full time student at West Virginia University getting my business degree. To my friends and family I come out looking like some kind of genius, in school full time, running a business, etc... but around you guys, I might look like im special-ed compared to your wealth of knowledge!
The business is home based right now since its not to large, but advertising on some big name sites lately is changing that. Some friends and I straddle the workload....but hopefully it can turn into something big bad and successful! But, I dont think I will ever consider it that..things are never 'big enough' Im always thinking bigger and better.
Enough of my rambling! Glad to of found this site, everyone have a good Christmas, I will be around!
Nathan.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Welcome. We all have to start somewhere. When I was 19 (forty years ago) I was a full time student and also operating a sign shop out of the little duplex in which my wife and I lived.
Now, forty years later I'm still operating a sign shop (although I have moved off the kitchen table) and am still married to the same woman.
Good luck. You will find a weatlth of information here. From time to time some of us may step on your toes....take it all in stride.
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Hey Nathan..Welcome! When I was 19 I began making signs too. What a great age! At 21 I started my own business. Still at it today 27 years later. I am not rich money wise, but feel very fortunate to be earning a living at what I love to do.
Posted by Roy Frisby (Member # 736) on :
Welcome aboard Nathan. What a journey you have embarked upon! Sometimes tranquil, sometimes rocky, but always interesting! 32 years of going down that road myself. Again welcome.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
YOU ARE IN SPECIAL-ED ....at WVU (PENN STATE, ART MAJOR, FAYETTE CAMPUS 76-78) hahahahahahahahahah and i went there when i was 32.......youll learn....thers hope for west "by god" virginians...
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Welcome aboard Nathan. Is it legal to cut & resell other companies logos for profit? I know some of the logo compliation CD distributors (like where you got your files) have went through some of the major expense & hassle to get authorization & are still being sued &/or shutdown.
Just hoping you've done your homework & will not have your hard work on the nice website compromised by legal challenges.
Posted by Nathan Ferguson (Member # 3489) on :
As for that, thats a very touchy subject. I was debating on taking that down. If you look on ebay, there is nothing but corporate logos being sold, cut and made in various forms. Other sites run it freely and dont seem to have any hassles about it. The question remains in the back of my mind about that. Its free advertising for them!
So I am waiting to be asked to take it down, but I think I am such a small threat right now that it doesnt really matter. But as things get larger, that section will definitely come down.
Im sooooo new at all of this, so thats why its kind of learn as I leap. I have learned a ton in the past couple of months, but you live and you learn and thats what its all going to be about for now.
I envy your guy's experience in the field, I wish I could snap my fingers and be like that!
Nathan.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
Welcome Nathan.
I STILL FEEL SO YOUNG.
I had my own sign business when I was a mere 15 years old and have been at it since... now to the ripe old age of 48 (for two more weeks, anyway)
Good luck in your ventures!
-dan
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
you are "pushin the envelope" so to speak with the corparte logos....big NO NO....and you wont just be asked to take down the stuff on the web site....NIKE, HARLEY, DISNEY, WARNER BROS. you dont want these people even talkin to you....the will take all you have...and then expect to get your 1st born!!!!! we all have cut these logos..but its not advertised.....ive cut harley logos for some of my friends but never would i do it for some guy with an email addy....lesson 1 - everybody is not your friend.
Posted by Nathan Ferguson (Member # 3489) on :
Thanks for the recommendations. The page is going to come down. The site is about to get a revamp, and I will leave that section out. I will advertise lightly, but nothing heavily to specify that I have those exact logos. I want to create traffic, but I dont want to create traffic in that sense!
Its good to hear from people who KNOW what their talking about, so far the judgement has come strictly from me, learning as I go.
Nathan.
Posted by Janette Balogh (Member # 192) on :
I still feel young too!
As my business keeps evolving, I find new ways to keep it fresh and new. Always something different to learn, and that keeps me feeling like a newbie. (Dave bought me a wacom tablet for my birthday, I'll be enthusiastically fumbling to learn that now.)
The inspiration I draw from this board keeps me wanting to know more. Think I'll just plan on being a career student in this trade!
Welcome Nathan! Nettie
Posted by Joe Rees (Member # 211) on :
Hi Nathan, Everybody who just replied to you is at least a local if not national legend in this field. (in their own heads) hehe.
My advice was going to be keep an open mind - but you have already exhibited that you are, so keep up the good attitude. Look and listen and Welcome.
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