“It is possible for a One Person Shop to TAKE HOME $100,000.00…and more…each year.”
So…….is there anyone out there who is doing this, or coming close…….perhaps exceeding this.
it seem to have some good sound advice
Posted by Lettercraft (Member # 268) on :
YOU'RE KIDDING....RIGHT?
Posted by kevinlandry (Member # 1352) on :
You said "take home". Well to take home $100,000 a year you couldn't possibly fabricate by yourself and sell signs by yourself. If you become a broker and then it would be possible. Then we are still talking market development, accounting and the rest of running a business. You cannot sum up the amount of work that is required by a business to clear $100,000 in a year. Especially in our type of business. I don't know who writes these books but business is about relationship building. You find clients and they like you and you like them and it goes from there. That takes time and effort. Lots of both.
Kevin Landry KnL Signs
Posted by Ron Carper (Member # 999) on :
Yes, it is possible. Become an efficency expert. Lay out your shop and your schedule to make the most of the 10 hour day that you can. Work at home, no commute, lower overhead. (just a 15 min. commute turns into 5 hrs. a week or 260 hrs. yr., at $60 hr thats $15,000 in lost productivity.) There are 2 parts to the equation. The time it takes you to get the job and the time it takes you to do the job. Work on minimizing both. Invest in high quality, fast equipment. The longer you are in business the more regular customers you will have-less selling time, more productive time. I'll bill out $200,000 as a one man, home based shop this year.
Posted by bronzeo (Member # 1408) on :
I would say "possible", but probably not on a regular basis, considering economies, weather putoffs, etc. I would say that it would take the fun out of it, if you find any in it. It would be with your nose to the grindstone instead of your chisels. It would be much easier to accomplish in the higher economy areas like the Northeast, California, and coastal areas, but shop rates here in the midwest are about half of those areas. On the other hand, people in those areas would die to own property for what we do. Our average wage base for non executive is around 8.00 per hour. Though their will be many exceptions, this is about what the average sign laborer will receive here. A little higher in the high metro areas. Bronzeo
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
Why would anyone want to? It means choosing to di it faster and cheaper and in greater volume,or narrowing things down to two customers that keep you blazing and wanting to hire help. This is a silly question
Posted by Ryan E Young (Member # 2325) on :
Are we supposed to get paid for this! Thats what I must be doing wrong.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Chip Carter wrote that book and yes, he does take home that much money. If you look at this month's Sign Business magazine (Portfolio winners) you will see some of his work. And he lives in Florida, an area that has the reputation of having the cheapest signs around.
He has some great ideas for organizing your business. There are several single man sign shops that are making that kind of money, and some with just one or two employees - I'm not one of them, by the way. And they are doing quality work.
Just because I am not doing it does not mean that it can't be done. Too many have proven that it is possible.
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
if one's profit margin is 40%. that means that this one person shop has to gross $250,000 per year in order to "bring home" $100,000! (this translates into a few cents over $5,208 per week.)
if any one person shop is grossing $250,000 per year i sure would like to hear from them.
Posted by Felix Marcano (Member # 1833) on :
Hey I got a relative that could do WAY better than that. Did I mention his 8 year membership at Club Fed just expired?
Posted by cheryl nordby (Member # 1100) on :
Well I think it IS possible. Not saying I have ever come even close...but I do know that by subbing out certain work you can make a huge profit by doing absolutely nothing. I think with all the competition these days (depending on your location) it is getting harder and harder to make a great living doing just vinyl signs especially with a one woman show.
Posted by Raymond Chapman (Member # 361) on :
Chip explains how it is possible in his book. And Mark, if you want to talk to someone who has done it, call Chip.
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
To bill out $250000 a year the breakdown is @ $50/hour 14.88 hours a day 5 Days a week 416.66 hours on a 28 day month 5000 hours a year on a 50 week year By billing $244/a day for percentage markup ready bought items you can bring in $61000. A fully billed 10 hour day will get you the rest. Or any other combination that groses $744/day. Averages will work also.
Ron can you tell me what your work mix is? How much sales of products such as bought letters sold at a profit? What's type of work is your most profitable?
[ December 06, 2001: Message edited by: Santo ]
Posted by Mark Fair Signs (Member # 289) on :
Hey Ray, I tried to call Chip and got his answering machine with a message that said, "Sorry, I can't come to the phone right now, leave your name and number and a brief message and i will return your call between the hours of 3 am and 4 am january 1st, 2002."
then there was a deep sigh and a gunshot!!!!
LOL
mark
just a joke ray
Posted by ScooterX (Member # 2023) on :
maybe whoever has the book could post some of Chip's salient tips (it might motivate me to buy the book).
i made more money this month brokering work than i made producing work. i'm a better salesman than signmaker. (well, i'm working on improving the latter, and i thank the goddess for the former). yes, a one man shop can net well over $100K in signage- but probably NOT by making the signs. (not, that is, unless you've got special talents and special clients)
my experience with the letterheads over the last six years is that most of us prefer to be craftspeople, and the money is secondary. in my own business, i sub-out what i can in order to pay myself to play with paint.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
1st off...you belive all the people makin all that money stealing realestate...from old, destutute people....then you would believe this...also has any of you ever seen the area that chip carter cornered?(cheryl has a sign shop in ft myers and can attest to what i say here) its not about how much work a 1 man shop can do but in the area you live and the work you do. chip carter is from ft myers fl. his ONE big markets is SANIBELL ISLAND, he sits on the board of sign committy for that place, there are no corplast, a-frames, magnetics, or "CHEAP" sign on that island. all the businesses conform to a strict sign code(and chip is the main producer of these sign)all business signs are double faced sandblasted mahogany$$$$$$$$$$$$ each sign cost more then most of us make in a week. so thers your 1st thing you need to do...FIND A PLACE THAT YOU CAN PRODUCE ONLY HIGH DOLLAR SIGNS....AND YOU TO CAN MAKE $100,000 A YEAR!!!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
I bought his book. It is worth every penny. And yes, it can be done. If it weren't for the SBA/Flood loans that we are trying to pay off right now, I'd be right up there with Chip.
Here's a thought.....
The average business has its doors open 240 a year. Can you do $1000 per day? Sure you can. Can you do it with what you are doing now? Maybe. Maybe not. Its up to you to look at your market's needs and find out what sells (and at the best profit).
Posted by Steve Shortreed (Member # 436) on :
I've known Chip for many years and spent time with him at his home. In my opinion, everything he says is true. It's really just a matter of attitude. If you believe you can or can't, you are right.
At this Summer's Milwaukee Meet, everyone gathered together to form a "Circle Of Knowledge." This was an opportunity to ask everyone else in the group questions. It's a great idea that I would love to see become part of every meet.
When Gary Anderson's turn came, he asked what everyone thought a small shop owner should clear after expenses. I've heard this discussed before and quickly looked for a safe spot to take shelter when the poop hit the fan.
Over the years, we have had the opportunity to meet many of you in person. We also owned and operated our own sign business for almost 25 years. The biggest single challenge we hear about is making money in this business.
I have a simple theory for success. Find the person who is doing, or has what you desire and find out what they are doing different from you. Let me be the first to admit that I am not the one to tell you how to make money making signs. That is a skill I have never mastered. Like many of you, I have some self esteem issues I still struggle with, along with a ridiculous notion that making money is somehow wrong. I'm working on that.
If you are open to a change in the way you think. If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired of being broke, I urge you to invest in Chip Carter. Find some motivational books and audio tapes! Do whatever it takes to break out of this cycle of working for peanuts. You deserve it! Come to think of it...I do to.
To start with, I am the person who wrote the book being discussed.
I made over $100,000.00 net (take home, into my personal bank account) for the first time in 1998. I did it, first, to prove that I could do it, (I knew others that were already doing it), and also to have a nice round number when writing the book, (having the money isn’t all that bad either). Some clarification may help. I had one part time non-sign maker helper. I worked about 40 hours per week. I also did not do all the work myself.
I wrote the book to help others in the business be more successful and at the same time to try and dispel some of the myths about art and money. Part of the book deals with how much money do you really need. Another part deals with what to do with it once you get it. I did not write the book to get rich quick. While I have sold hundreds of copies, I am still baffled as to why more people have chosen not to purchase the book. It has a 3-month no questions asked money back guarantee. Alas, but it takes effort. I have found that in most cases the line between success and mediocrity is just a matter of effort. Put in the effort and you can achieve almost anything you want.
In my research since writing the book I discovered that there were two main groups of people that are buying the book. The first group is sincerely looking for a way to improve their business, and from the feedback they overwhelmingly have. The other group is people whose businesses are already doing well but want to continue their reading on the subject to improve even more.
There was a reason for putting "it is possible" in the information about the book. There is no magic wand or free lunch. It takes you doing business based on sound business principles, having your business organized where things flow smoothly and watching your numbers like a hawk. If any of these are missing it is going to make your goal much harder.
My priorities in life are these: Life, business, art. If your life is out of whack, your business will be too. The same goes the other way around. In both cases the joy you get from your art will suffer. Don’t let it.
quote:It's really just a matter of attitude. If you believe you can or can't, you are right.
BINGO!
Posted by Santo (Member # 411) on :
Thanks Chip, I have read excepts from the book. I'll remind others that excerpt are availabe on Chips website. I do believe in his message. I don't think the dollar amount is the main topic.
Posted by Dan Sawatzky (Member # 88) on :
I don't believe in being a starving artist. I do believe it is possible to do just about anything one believes in.
You must really believe and not just wish. This also means that you have to work hard at it.
Success is 10% dream and 90% action. The 10% is easy-- the 90% the kicker. If it were easy everyone would be able to achieve it.
It doesn't mean you can't have fun on the journey.
I got a chance to meet Chip a while back. I had no idea of what he acccomplished until this post. He stuck me as a great guy whith a great sense of humor. Sounds like he has his priorities in the right order.
-dan
Posted by Ron Carper (Member # 999) on :
A reply to Santo's question. About 95% of my sales are signs that I make. Hardly any Gemini letters, almost no electrics. I don't sub-contract except for installations. 25% of my volume goes to material cost, about 20% to overhead. I do alot of truck lettering, edge work, dimentional signs (sabre router) and basic everyday types of signs. To bill out a $1000 day is not that hard. I don't do on site bids, I never do drawings on speculation. My time is to valuable, if you want me, you come see me. That cuts down on my unproductive time and allows me to charge less for the jobs that paying customers have already ordered. This didn't happen overnight. It's been over 20 years building up a steady customer base. Last year I did over 850 jobs for 350 customers, my biggest account was less that 5% of my gross. There are 2 things that give me great satisfaction in this business: One is to take a Sir Speedy business card from a new customer and come up with a realy great layout for their new truck or sign and see their eyes light up as they see their new look unfold before their eyes. The second is to have a job running on the router, the edge, the vinyl cutter all at the same time. One soothes the soul, the other soothes the wallet. It is possible to do both.
Posted by PKing (Member # 337) on :
I bought Chips book after meeting him in Melbourne at Pat Neves Migration. GOOD sound advise and works too! My "Duck Soup Splatter Jam" is a testimonial of that. I TARGET market and Specialize, I don't live beyond my means, I take vacations(shop closed) Attend Letterhead Meets(shop closed)
Of course I ain't rolling in dough,BUT... I am living life better than I ever was.
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
It really is about attitude. Those who are successful in this trade are proactive, involved in their communities, offering a top-quality product at a high price, and most of all, believe in themselves, their abilities and their right to live a full life and make a profit on their abilities.
Then there are those who do nothing but bitch and whine about how tough it is, while resenting anyone who does what it takes to be successful.
Hey, everybody knows success is just luck. Ask any failure, they'll tell you.
Posted by Jim Hansen (Member # 1927) on :
Hi all, Some great responses here. As a one man sign shop I have found that making a good living is not really a problem. What I am struggling with right now is the family issue. What would my family do without me? Why should I work so hard to build up a business that will be worth nothing if i want to sell it someday, because a one man operation is'nt worth squat without the you, because you ARE the business. Right now I'm exploring expanding the business so it's not so dependant on just me. I'm probably asking for a lot more headaches than i have right now, but i just might sleep a little better.
Posted by Gavin Chachere (Member # 1443) on :
Chip...I own the book,but I can tell you why its not selling like you expect.....#1,its $67 price tag,#2 its not as much a book as it is a downloadable document,if you want it in concrete book form,you have to print it out then bring it to be spiral bound at kinkos or somewhere else so figure between paper and binding about another $12...you're now up near the $80 range for something thats not a workshop or a class. And when you can walk into Barnes and Noble and buy 100's of marketing,finance and buisness manuals for generally $22 or less,it's gonna be hard to convince someone to spend $40 or more for something they can't hold in their hand. I fully understand where you're coming from with the money back guarantee...but thats not always an enticement to purchase....think about it,when you bought your last home would have come up with the full amount up front just b/c there was a money back guarantee? prob not.... Now b4 everyone has a conniption and emails me,do a BB search on the book and you'll see that many people posted a similar response when it first came out,more people wanted to see it as a book and not a download....so this was just my .02
And,everyone else is right...attitude and desire is everything.
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
Thanks Chip, just downloaded my FREE trial!!
Only problem, I feel guilty spending potentially productive time on this BB.
Well I do learn plenty here as well as finding out about your book, so I guess this is productive time. At least I don't waste as much time on TV now that I've found letterville.
Posted by Tyler (Member # 2093) on :
Doug, You shouldn't feel that the bullboard is wasting time, there is so many great people to learn from here. I 'found' the bullboard just under a year ago, and my work has improved 100x. I look at my work from last year (I have been in business two years, in the sign/printing field for 4) and while it is solid, quality work, it wasn't getting the amount of referrals and responses I get now that I give serious effort in the design end.
Posted by Mikes Mischeif (Member # 1744) on :
Here's how I got rich:
Everyday I take a $100 dollar bill to a pawn shop. I pawn the $100 for $75 bucks (the pawn shop makes $25)
I then sell the $75 pawn ticket to another person for $50 bucks. I now have $125 bucks for doing nothing.
The person doubles thier money when they redeem the ticket for the $100.
Everybody gets rich! Why Work at all?
Posted by Chip Carter (Member # 1464) on :
Let's test a theory.
Take the investment amount of the book and divide it by 365 days. (By the way it is 47.00 not 67.00). That’s .12 cents per day. Then do the same thing after figuring how many days you have left in the sign trade. For instance; ten years x 365 days = 3650 days. That’s less than .01 cent per day. This does not even take into account the extra money you can make by reading and applying the principles in the book. Do you really think price is the problem?
I’ll sweeten the deal. For anyone who orders the book between now and December 12, 2001 8:00 AM Eastern Standard Time, I will print out the book and ship it to their location at no additional charge just for the asking. Just e-mail me from the site saying so. You will still get the download version. The one thing I do ask in trade is that for anyone getting the book in printed form is that there is no money back guarantee.
With the New Year and some time off coming up, this can be a great time to invest in your future. Click the link to order. http://www.sign-consultants.com
Sincerely,
Chip Carter Author of: “Make Your Sign Business Successful”
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
in "THEORY" communisium is a wonderful form of govt., in practice....its a whole nother thing. then throw in "variables", like, area, economics, unemployment/employment, the intelectual level of the people who live their, what they expect in return for their investment. start a sign shop in the middle of "everglades" or start one in "south beach"....which will be successful....its a no brainer...
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Joe,
I put his theory into practice. It works.
Yes, location does have have some effect on the outcome, but only if you let it.
Today, I estimate that about 70% of my business is now from out of town. I don't do any advertising outside of Wilson. While the local shops are in a price war for 3x8 banners for $50, I'm working on other projects that are a heck of a lot more profitable.
I don't mean to be disrespectful (I used to feel the same way you do now), but blaming location or your competition for your situation is a cop-out. You are responsible for your success. No one else. The same goes for me, too.
Posted by Dan Antonelli (Member # 86) on :
Well said Glen.
Only YOU are responsible for your success or failure. It maddening how much gets blamed at everything else.
More effort should be spent on improving one's self instead of blaming everything else on failures.
Books like Chip's are valuable resources for those who want to expand their business. 47 bucks? And we're thinking thats a lot of money?
Try putting a price tag on ignorance. You may find $47 to be a real bargain.
It's self serving to say I applaud the efforts of Chip, and others seeking to educate others. But, profits from such endeavors do not diminish the value of the message.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
also i forgot to add....years in the location and your own reputation....is 75% of haveing a good business
Posted by Mike Languein (Member # 319) on :
I figured it out - if I were to take home 100 Grand I would have to pay myself $167,000, because I'm single/self employed/no dependents and so I'm in the 40% bracket. Well, it might be above THAT, even, at 100k, I don't know? But the only catch is being self employed they want the tax IN ADVANCE of me getting it. I can't win.
Mike, I love the pawn shop deal.
3 guys go to a convention in a crowded small town and all the hotels are full. They come to the last place possible and the night manager says he has one small single left that he gets $10 for. The 3 guys all agree they are so tired and desperate that they'll take it and draw straws for the bed. The Mgr. charges them EACH $10 - and they pay up.
As the bell hop is taking them to the room the Mgr. has some second thoughts and decides $30 for the room is hitting them too hard. When the bell hop returns he says, "Here's $5. Go give those 3 guys a refund for me, my conscience is bothering me." O.K., but on the way the bell hop says to himself "Hey, I can't divide $5 equally between 3 guys. They aren't expecting anything back at all, I'll just keep $2 for my trouble and give them each a dollar back and everybody will be happy."
They paid $30. They got back 3. $9 each times 3 = $27.00 the bell hop has $2 27 and 2 = 29 ____________________________ Where's the other dollar?
Posted by RonniesTintSigns (Member # 1669) on :
Old Paint, I agree that location is everything, more true if your just starting. Glenn, Your also right, you can make it without a great location, determination, sound business practices, good signmaking skills etc. but it's a lot harder. Not that harder is bad, it's just harder. I prefer easy but life is not always easy. Is it?
Posted by Cam Bortz (Member # 55) on :
Chip's book strikes a deep chord in a lot of people, because the issues it deals with go a lot deeper than making money in the sign business.
What kind of life do you want? Are you in control of your destiny? Or do you abdicate that control to everyone and everything around you? You are what you believe. If you believe you are in control, you will be. If you believe you are a victim, you'll be a victim. It's not hard to tell the difference, either: we all reveal ourselves in our words and actions, whether we know it or not.
Posted by VICTORGEORGIOU (Member # 474) on :
We "buy" this site from Steve once a year for $50. If you are like me, you pick up tips that improve your business many times over the $50 investment. Sometimes a single tip recovers the annual investment.
So, if you believed that Chip's book would improve your business even $500 over the course of the year, why wouldn't you jump at it?
I have difficulty believing that if every one man shop followed Chip's advice to the letter, they would all break $100,000. But if even 10% broke the $100k barrier, and half improved their business by just 10%, it would still be a pretty fine book.
I would like to turn the question back to John Martin Robson - John, you have the book, how do you feel about your prospects for the big bucks?
Vic G
Posted by John Martin Robson (Member # 1686) on :
VICTORGEORGIOU
You’re absolutely right…….great insight
Its such a small amount to pay considering how much one has to gain. I’m speaking with respect to both the book and my recent residency here at Letterville ………. as Homer would say ………….YIHOO!
But to answer your question VICTORGEORGIOU.
“The big bucks”, yes I believe that the book (Lettleville too, for that matter) can guide me towards “The big bucks” …….but, what I really want is probably what we all want…………work at what we enjoy, make great money doing it, and leave enough time to share it all.
Thanks all, I mean that………..even you hard liners out there have shown me a better way.
quote:you can't keep it, unless you give it away
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
I like what u said in yer book. it is a good guidline for other businesses too.
I d'loaded yer book last spring, since then i had to redo my HD and lost yer book.. How do i get another d'load of it
curtis hammond tangsooman@hotmail.com
Posted by Robb Lowe (Member # 2121) on :
I'm going to play the spoiler here, and say that from what I read of the free download (40 pages worth of the book...) it's just a rehash of 98% of the other 'self-help' books out there today. It also sort of struck me funny how it talks about 'your team' and handling employees - when its suppose to be about 'one-man sign shops'. The formatting of the book leaves much to be desired for an E-book, with a thin serif font, double spacing, page size (8.5x11 is fine for printing, but hard to read on screen) etc. The splashes of cheesy low-rent clipart were a red flag, coming from a $100k/yr signman, I expected at least a few splashes of author-created imagery or higher-end clipart at least. (I know this has nothing to do with the 'message' of the book, but as in signage, presentation and visual communication go a long way, at least with me)
I'll decide later this week to take up the 3-month money-back guarantee. Perhaps the jewels are in the other pages, but from what I read, you can get the same bits of wisdom from any of the $3 books at your local B&N.
If you want to spend the least amount of money for the biggest return on your investment, I would recommend two books :
Think And Grow Rich by Napoleon Hill. This book is a timeless piece, and the granddad of ALL self-help books. A copy can be had for around $5.
The Richest Man In Babylon by George S. Clason. Another timeless piece, can be had for about $5 as well.
I've yet to find the will power to put the full "Think & Grow Rich" doctrine into effect, perhaps that will be my new years resolution... but I do believe whole-heartedly that if you follow that book to the letter, you could be a millionaire just driving a cab.
As always, like all of the previous posts, these are my opinions and your mileage may vary.
[ December 10, 2001: Message edited by: Robb Lowe ]
Posted by John Martin Robson (Member # 1686) on :
Robb Lowe
Its obvious Chip has drawn information from others,….I too gathered that. Its no secret…………. he even provides those sources at the back of the book. If chip’s book is 98% rehash, what does that make your work?…………….nothing you do is yours, there is only one source. So why negate those who choose to re-present it?
Posted by Brian Cornwell (Member # 2509) on :
While we're on the subject or "rehash" . . .
I don't know if any of you are familiar with it or not but when I came across the site it reminded foremost of the Make My Site Sell series and layout. And I'm sorry to say that SiteSell and the rest of the hype online turns my stomach.
I too was turned off by the clouded wording and the cheapassed graphics and making a hundred large from a one man "sign" shop is the kicker that turned the page for me.
I'd say this:
Allow the download of the book for free to residents of Letterville.
IF anyone who downloads and applies the priinciples and increases their cash flow by just 25% or more I will pay for that book!
Posted by Glenn Taylor (Member # 162) on :
Yep....some of you have proven me right. We in this industry are our own worst enemies.
I tell you what, somebody make me a $500 sign and if it increases my business by a mere $5,000, I'll pay you for it.
Sheeesh....The book clearly says it is possible to take home $100k. How can it say that? Because somebody did it. If you spend $50 for the book and you increase your take home pay by only 1%, doesn't that make it worth it? I don't know about the rest of you, but that is still more than my passbook savings account makes for me.
I've got a question for you naysayers......If you are so smart, why aren't you making as much money as Chip?
[ December 10, 2001: Message edited by: Glenn Taylor ]
Posted by David Wright (Member # 111) on :
Making money for most has very little to do with intelligence and more to do with initiative and common sense. Set rules and guidelines, schedule, plan, use good materials, be on time. You can go on and on about the basics we talk about everyday. If Chip's book is about anything, maybe it is reinforcing and prioritizing what we all know and need to hear more often. Does that differ from a million other self help or business books? Probably not. Why are there thousands of diet books telling us how to do what we all know how to?
Another thing, why are all failed Amway salesman told that they didn't try hard enough or implement the procedures correctly? They are pointed to those that were very successful and there is no reason they shouldn't be too. Not all will achieve the level that others do no matter what they do. Too many human variables in personality, skill and outlook I guess. That doesn't mean that one can't be successful, just that they won't achieve an arbitrary number such as $100,000.
I am not one that likes to use the word "can't" to limit myself in areas I think I can go further. I also don't like the polyanna attitude that nothing is impossible, that if you set your mind to something you can achive it. Baloney, there are limits in life, unfortunately we just don't know what some of them are.
I still can't break 80 in golf, and no book has helped me there, though I have improved.
Posted by Donna in BC (Member # 130) on :
I downloaded the trial version and found the info easy to read and found myself nodding in agreement many times.
Chip's angle is directed to sign shops which I find enticing. I also think employees were included in the mix simply because if you are bringing home $100,000 a year, you can do it alot easier WITH employee help, which of course is your call to make. Many one man sign shops have never had an employee before, so I think the employee info has a place in the book.
I'm not personally looking to increase my own personal biz at this time until my little guy is in school, however if I was geared up for fulltime work, I'd definately have this book on my shelf. The organization tips are good, even if they are reminders.
P.S. If you wana make more money and have more of a life, trust me, get at least one employee. You can easily double your income with twice the work going through at once! Been there!
Posted by Chuck Peterson (Member # 70) on :
I think its possible make $100,000 a year with a 40 hr work week. I think you would need a part time helper, a good one, be very efficient, have several regular accounts so you just keep busy being productive and not out on sales calls.
Posted by Brian Snyder (Member # 41) on :
I did not read the book or even go to Chip's website (I get a laugh every time I think about George Carlin's bit about names like Skip and Chip.) It certainly is possible to make $100k or more a year with a one person shop. Nuff said on that.
Lets talk about how. Here is my $.02
***Reduce your expenses.*** I profit (pre-tax) approximately 66% of my sales dollars. I am very conscious of the money I spend with my business so I can waste it later on myself. In Y2K my profit went up 30% while my sales only went up 10% Cut your expenses and make more money!
Posted by Chip Carter (Member # 1464) on :
It is very interesting to read the different opinions about my book. I appreciate all the feedback.
A portion of the book is available for everyone as a free download. This can help you decide if the book is for you.
The entire book can be downloaded, read, used, printed out and changed in format. You can delete the graphics, add your own graphics but most importantly you can test it to see if it works.
There is a 3-month no questions asked 100% money back guarantee. In addition to that, if you order between now and 8:00 AM EST Wed 12/12/01 I will send you a printed copy at no extra charge just by sending me an e-mail requesting one.
Chip Carter Author of: “Make Your Sign Business Successful”
(The one thing I do ask in trade is that for anyone getting the book in printed form is that there is no money back guarantee.)
Posted by Jerry Steward (Member # 2420) on :
I think you have to subtract the $2 the bell-hop stole, so you get the bosses adjusted price of 25 smackeroos. Clever though!.....
Posted by Curtis hammond (Member # 2170) on :
i purchased the book. Because it had a money back guarantee. I figured it was just another brag book i'd ask for my money back. However, it is a good tool. And, im kept it. I use it as a tool when i do a marketing seminar too!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by Jeff Ogden (Member # 3184) on :
I have been on this website for a little over a year, and in that time I have doubled what I made last year. Why? I believe it's because being around other sign people has made me more confident. Confident in my own abilities, confident enough to charge what a sign is worth, and confident that the word of mouth network is working. I think that before I was exposed to other sign folks through this site, I was sort of a reluctant businessman, feeling that the act of doing business was a necessary evil, and just accepting whatever came along jobwise. Now after seeing others succeeding with businesses the same size as mine, my attitude has gotten a whole lot more positive, and my income is reflecting that. There is no doubt I have much room for improvement, but at least now I can enjoy what I'm doing more than ever, and the areas for improvement are no longer obstacles, but rather tasks that have to be sheduled in so the work flows more smoothly.
Posted by Matt Fontaine (Member # 3405) on :
most people on here want to say making signs is a art form. Yes it is ... but people must relize that business comes firts ...making signs is a business not a hobby ... using that aproach will make u money no matter how u do it . Posted by Joey Madden (Member # 1192) on :
I use an ol'saying I learned way back. " Money comes to those, who make money come to them "
Posted by Sunny Holtzlander (Member # 4012) on :
This topic was started way before I became a member. Since it was brought back up to the top, it piqued my interest. But the link to Chips site is not available. Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
he must of went out of business
no, I meant retired... on a world cruise now.. yeah, thats the ticket Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
I'd like to find out more about the book, but everytime I go to the link, I get this message;
www.sign-consultants.com Not Available. The domain www.sign-consultants.com which you are trying to access is currently unavailable. This may occur for several reasons -- the name may have changed, or it may have moved to a new location. Please try to access the site later, or contact the site's administrator.
Does anyone have an alternate address or phone number?
Thanks!
Posted by Terry Whynott (Member # 1622) on :
Here's a link to Chip's other website. I'm sure you could contact him through it.
Ohhh Terry you're bad... now go sit in the corner for some timeout (ha, ha) Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
. . .Had to click on this topic. . .first instinct (and intellectual) answer was "HAHAHAHHAHAHA!!!" (Altho' I sincerely believe very few things are impossible except the fact the I simply did not have time to read ALL the replies . . .hence,a couple of (pro'ly already answered) questions: Was that 100 grand'e net or gross? And, at what physical/mental cost does one person do that? Oh yeh, and in what towns/areas? New York? Greater L.A.? Dallas/ Ft.Worth Metro? And, how many sign shops in one area (or in the nation for ex.) can really do it? Je's curious...... heh,heh, I ought'a get the book, huh?
Posted by Greg McRoberts (Member # 3501) on :
Howdy,
I'm interested in finding out more about Chip's book, but everytime I try his link, I get this message;
www.sign-consultants.com Not Available The domain www.sign-consultants.com which you are trying to access is currently unavailable. This may occur for several reasons -- the name may have changed, or it may have moved to a new location. Please try to access the site later, or contact the site's administrator.
Does anyone have any other info on how to contact him? I tried a Google search and found a phone number that is no longer in service in Captiva FL.
Thanks!
Posted by Barb. Shortreed (Member # 1730) on :
Hi Greg....to get ahold of Chip call him at 239-395-2222 or e-mail him at chip@islanddesignssigns.com
Posted by Bob Timmerman (Member # 2503) on :
Chip, Sign me up......I went to you e-mail address and it was 'unavailable'. Tell me where to send the money. Bob Timmerman Sunshine Sign Co. Box 792 52 North St. Dryden, NY 13053 607-844-8960 Timmerman@clarityconnect.co
Posted by captain ken (Member # 742) on :
Remember the real estate guru on late night TV selling how to become a millionare? you know how he did it? SELLING the secret of his sucsess! same theroy.... wanna make 100,000 in the sign business? write a book and sell it to 2,000 suckers at 50 bucks a whack, next open a sign shop on a island where tourism is booming and you got no competition.
Posted by jimmy chatham (Member # 525) on :
i have done it in the past. then i had to hire help.
Posted by Sheila Ferrell (Member # 3741) on :
....Heh,heh...a salute to the Captain Posted by Miles Cullinane (Member # 980) on :
chip i clicked your link but i get a message saying that your site is down
Will you ship to Ireland? if so you have a sale!
Posted by Gene Uselman (Member # 2508) on :
Chip- your old link does't work- is there a newer one?
Posted by Doug Allan (Member # 2247) on :
hey guys, go back up about 7 or 8 posts & read Barb's
Posted by Chip Carter (Member # 1464) on :
At present I am only selling copies of my book by email request. I have lowered the price of the book to 27.00 USD until I am finished with writing and producing a revised edition. When the revised edition comes out, it will be at the original amount. (I put USD because people have purchased my book from every continent on the planet with the exception of Antarctica).
If you want a copy of the present book just contact me at chip@islanddesignscreative.com and put BOOK in the subject line. I will email you a copy of the book and then you can send me a check by mail. It's sort of the honor system. By the way, I have the same mailing address P.O. Box 114 Captiva Island, FL 33924, and phone number,(new area code)239-395-2222.
In fact if you order a copy of the present book now at the reduced rate of 27.00 USD and then respond to the announcement of the release of the revised book on this site, I will send you a copy of the revised book for only 10.00 more. That will be 10.00 less than full price for the revised edition and you get both editions. How's that for a deal?
At Sign consultants we are presently doing more one on one consulting for both sign companies and sign buyers. Some of what we are doing is putting sign buyers in touch with the right sign company and in other cases we are assisting sign companies in marketing their services to get the customers they want. If you want a more information on this service just contact me at chip@islanddesignscreative.com and put SELL MORE SIGNS in the subject line. I am also revamping the Sign Consultants website to have more information about our expanded services. This will be up before too long.
Over the last two years I have been setting up my sign company, Island Designs Signs, to run almost completely without me. I have now reached that point. Island Designs Signs has one full time employee, a part time bookkeeper and a part time marketing person. Last year it grossed 285k with a net profit of over 100k. It can be done!
Three years ago I started another division of my company, Island Designs Creative. It is an advertising, marketing and PR agency. This and doing sign consulting is where I spend much of my work time though I still don't work more than a 40 hour week. Within the next month we will be shifting Creative from a start up level to the next level. This is something the whole group is really excited about.
In summation, no, we are not dead, just busy and having a great time. We will be letting everyone know when we are done with the revised book and the new website through Steve and Barb here on the Letterville BB as well as some advertising on the Letterville site. In the meantime email me and get a great deal on both the present book and the revised edition.
Chip
Chip Carter President Island Designs Creative 239-481-8585 V 239-481-8522 F chip@islanddesignscreative.com How may we help you reach your goals?
Posted by John Martin Robson (Member # 1686) on :
Good to see this post is alive again.
I will hit the $100,000 mark in sales this year.
So I'm well on my way.
It's mostly attitude and action.
Work smarter not harder.
Letterville helped alot too.
Good for you Chip!
Posted by David Harding (Member # 108) on :
I had planned on getting Chip’s book a couple of years ago but other things got in the way and... “out of sight, out of mind.” This thread piqued my interest. I got my copy a few days ago.
It is an easy read and there is much practical wisdom in it. It has made me rethink the way I do many things. We have been hit hard by this economy like so many others but reading the book helped me realize some of what we have endured has been my own fault for not managing certain aspects of my business more efficiently. While true that much of the information is available from other sources, at times we all need to have restated what may be obvious to someone else, or should be to ourselves, if we will honestly look at our own personal improvement list.
Chip’s publication is slanted to the sign industry and comes from his own experience. Chip is a very talented sign maker, as are many of us, but he is also a capable businessman, a skill we sometimes neglect in our love of the craft.
On this BullBoard, I have had many “Eureka!” moments–a technique or tip will be mentioned that, in itself, merited my $50 residence fee. Chip’s book also has the same–it is well worth the price. I look forward to his second edition.
just a joke ray
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