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Hey, Heads. I've officially shut the doors for the last time yesterday. Way too hard to make way too little. Anyway, anyone interested in either the entire shop/business or just the components (Router Table, Gerber EdgeII, enVision plotter, etc.etc. Call 413-644-9944 and leave a message.
Thanks, Good knowing you all.
Mark
PS: I'm not sure a posting like this is OK with Steve & Barb, but I hope they let it go. I'm too tired to try and get in touch with all of you seperately.
Mark
-------------------- Mark Rogan The Great Barrington Sign Company 2 Stilwell Street, Great Barrington, MA 01230 mark@gbsignco.com
"Sometimes I think my head is so big because it is so full of fonts" Posts: 332 | From: Great Barrington, MA | Registered: Mar 2003
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I'm sorry to hear that Mark, I hope it is for a better situation, if not, I guess it's a part of life that we all go through our ups and downs, it's the not trying that is regretable, wishing you the best.
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1538 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Sorry to hear you are leaving our circle, Mark. Come back and visit sometimes. Good luck in whatever you take on - I'm sure you will do well.
-------------------- “Did you ever stop to think, and forget to start again?” -Winnie the Pooh & A.A. Milne
Kelly Thorson Kel-T-Grafix 801 Main St. Holdfast, SK S0G 2H0 ktg@sasktel.net Posts: 5496 | From: Penzance, Saskatchewan | Registered: May 2002
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Not in the market for any sign stuff but you sound like you could use a hug. <<<big hug>>>
-------------------- Kimberly Zanetti Purcell www.amethystProductivity.com Folsom, CA email: Kimberly@AmethystProductivity.com
“Organizing is what you do before you do something, so that when you do it, it is not all mixed up.” AA Milne Posts: 3722 | From: Folsom, CA | Registered: Dec 2001
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Have you considered downsizing for the time being, like going back to the huddle to regroup and come up with a new gameplan, but not leaving the field?
I always enjoyed your posts and loved the radio spots.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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I'm also not pleased to hear you've chosen another path, but youre a sharp guy and know you will do well.
I have a deep appreciation for you and your background in advertising. The work you have produced in the last two years is tops.
You'll allways be my friend.
J.
-------------------- Joe Crumley Norman Sign Company 2200 Research Park Blvd. Norman, OK 73069 Posts: 1428 | From: 2200 Research Park Blvd. | Registered: Sep 2001
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Mark, This saddens me, but I can see the wisdom in following your heart and your gut. Life is too short to waste time worrying about money. You are a good sign guy and a great person. I'm sure that you will find success in other ways. Love ya Cuz. Jill
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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i know this must have been a hard decision for you...and i agree its way too much work for the money, especially when having to learn all the ropes at the same time. i also know that you are a really talented guy and will start something that is more profitable for a fraction of the startup and learning curve. i hope i get to meet you in person someday...you know where i am if you are ever up this way! please keep us posted on your plans and don't be a stranger.
[ October 09, 2004, 02:49 PM: Message edited by: KARYN BUSH ]
-------------------- Karyn Bush Simply Not Ordinary, LLC Bartlett, NH 603-383-9955 www.snosigns.com info@snosigns.com Posts: 3516 | From: Bartlett, NH USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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sorry to hear this mark, you are a talented guy and should be doing this work.....and iam sure you understand why i say "idiots and a vinyl cutter".....have taken this vocation down, down and down....because they have no understanding of the value of talent.....and what it is worth. you need to down size and just keep doig the good stuff you do...the others will be gone...
-------------------- joe pribish-A SIGN MINT 2811 longleaf Dr. pensacola, fl 32526 850-637-1519 BEWARE THE TRUTH.....YOU MAY NOT LIKE WHAT YOU FIND Posts: 11582 | From: pensacola, fl. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yukk Mark, sorry to hear this - I know you had a lot riding on it and looked up to you as someone to emulate in the self-promotion end. I'd kind of like to know more about what went wrong if you will share...Couldn't get enough work in the door? Couldn't make enough profit on the work you got? Overheads or payroll eat you up? Damn shame says I.
SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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SONGPAINTER Original Sign Music by Sign People NOW AVAILABLE on CD and the proceeds go to Letterville's favorite charity! Click Here for Sound Clips! Posts: 1974 | From: Orleans, MA, Cape Cod, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3485 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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So sorry to hear of a fellow "head" giving up the ship. The loss will be felt here as well as all the killer signs, that now, will not be made by you. Damn shame. Good luck in your new venture.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5397 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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I stopped at your web site. You do awesome work. Sorry to see you go. Good luck in your new ventures.
-------------------- Jerry VanHorn, Pres. Pure Sports Designs, LLC Pro Sign Design / United Wholesale Signs www.prosigndesign.comwww.unitedwholesalesigns.com West Liberty, OH 937-465-0595 866-942-3990 Since 1990 Posts: 925 | From: West :Liberty, OH | Registered: May 2004
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Mark Im sorry to hear of your decision but I am sure you fought hard to make that decision.
Hopefully you will come back with your head high above the water and perhaps can continue doing nice work.
Good Luck in wherever life takes you next
-------------------- Harris Kohen K-Man Pinstriping and Graphix Trenton, NJ "Showing the world that even I can strategically place the pigment where its got to go." Posts: 1739 | From: Trenton, NJ, USA | Registered: Jun 2001
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Mark, I guess you already made your mind up long before posting this. No one can understand exactly what your particular circumstances are. As I know you are still going to check out this post, maybe you can see something in it that may give you a little boost. You are not alone in any decision you make here. I guess a little bit in each of us feels, that at any point, "this could be me"! I think this is why it stings a little bit. To see someone with a talent like yours, steer away from this field, I'm sure a few of us are wondering why. We don't really have to know, that's personal, but we wonder just the same. Looking at your web site, I see the talent and the skills. I see a lot of work that goes into your products. Now, with that said, might there be a way to balance the quality of the work with the "bread & butter" signs, and remain in a business that you obviously are good at (and probably enjoyed at one time). Maybe a way of streamlining the processes of signmaking so that you are making more in less time? Were you possibly offering services way above and beyond the quoted job in order to have show pieces? We are all guilty of giving away too much at one time or another. It's possible to adjust many of the variables in your workplace to enable you to be more profitable. These letterheads can be a great help in that case. I haven't been here in Letterville long enough to know your history. I can speak from experience though. Someone mentioned 2 years. If that's so, you are just beginning. Your equipment list says that you have a tough nut to crack. Maybe it's a matter of scaling down the operation to where it is more profitable and less taxing, at least while you build your customer base (which, judging by your work, you will). Anyway, no matter WHAT the outcome, I wish you the best.
Gene
-------------------- Gene Golden Gettysburg Signs Gettysburg PA 17325 717-334-0200 genegolden@gettysburgsigns.com
"Art is knowing when to stop." Posts: 1578 | From: Gettysburg, PA | Registered: Jun 2003
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Hi Mark, I checked out your site and you do great work. I don't know you or your situation but it seems a shame for you to be leaving the biz. Perhaps you would consider scaling it down to a sideline; keep a few pieces of paid off equipment? Move to your basement? Assuming signmaking is part of you, like wetness is part of water, you might not want to totally let it go. It could be a great diversion and creative release from whatever other career you choose. Just some thoughts. All the best in whatever lies ahead for you.
-------------------- Ron Wakefield Signs by Ron Southington, CT ron@signsbyron.com Posts: 71 | From: Southington, CT | Registered: Jul 2004
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It was a great pleasure to meet you at the Winter Muster in Mazeppa. That was one of the highlights of a truly awesome meet.
You are an extremely talented person and I have no doubt that you will land on your feet and hit the decks a-arunning in whatever endeavor you persue from here out.
I hope that you don't completely stop making signs because that would be a loss for our Craft as a whole. I hope that you will come out to meets and keep coming around here whether to ask questions, post answers, or just generally keep in touch.
I wish you and yours only the best!
-------------------- Bruce Bowers
DrCAS Custom Lettering and Design Saint Cloud, Minnesota
"Things work out best for the people who make the best of the way things work out." - Art Linkletter Posts: 6451 | From: Saint Cloud, Minnesota | Registered: Jun 1999
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Mark, we worked elbows away at the bench at the Gold Rush this Spring. I learned how to "smunch" the leaf when doing oil size, thanks.
I hope you can realign yourself and find that place for yourself where the money and the satisfaction can work together for you. Whatever it takes.
John Lennig / SignRider
-------------------- John Lennig / Big Top Sign Arts 5668 Ewart Street, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada bigtopya@hotmail.com 604.451.0006 Posts: 2184 | From: Burnaby, British Columbia,Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Mark, I was shocked when I saw your post,after meeting you at mazeppa and knowing what a talented guy you are. I surely hope you find your way to at least keep your hand in, and don't be a stranger to Letterville. Same thing happened to me many years ago, but I eventually found my way back to the craft I love, and if it can happen to me, there's sure hope for a talented artist like you. Keep on keepin' on! MUR
-------------------- Murray MacDonald OldTime Signs 529 Third Ave S Kenora, ON. P9N 1Y3 oldtimesigns@gokenora.com Posts: 781 | From: Kenora, ON | Registered: Jan 2003
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quote: I'd kind of like to know more about what went wrong if you will share...Couldn't get enough work in the door? Couldn't make enough profit on the work you got? Overheads or payroll eat you up? Damn shame says I.
It will be very difficult Mark, but if you can sometime bring yourself to share your thoughts on Joe's questions you will probably do a lot of good people a lot of good. In the process, I would hope it would release some of your burden. It takes a strong person to know when it's time to move on. I've come close too many times to count. We probably should have gone back to a Mom and Pop only operation years ago.Except for the design part...forget technology. I wannabe like Mur or Si...well not in all respects. ...but most. Take back control and reap what you sow. Being the Bank's best friend sucks!
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Really sorry to hear this news, especially from one with so much Talent, Good Luck in the future, and I really hope your talent does'nt go to waste.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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As has been stated above, it is a shame to see this happen.
You are obviously a talented guy who clearly should be able to make a decent living running your own sign business if that is what you really love and want.
quote:"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." -- Sir Winston Churchill
Your (first?) business failed. As dissappointing as that is, try to keep things in perspective. The odds are stacked (heavily) against start-ups surviving past two years (statistics bare this out).
If you decide that signmaking is still your calling(?), don't give up on it! Look at this as an opportunity to take well-deserved a break from owning your own shop, while you go to work for an established sign company. Take your time to regroup / re-tool. Be objective about what you could have done differently...all the while learning everything you can, and carefully planning your next venture.
Whatever you ultimately decide to do: best of luck to you!
Drop in from time-to-time and let us know how you are making out.
[ October 11, 2004, 09:46 AM: Message edited by: Jon Aston ]
-------------------- Jon Aston MARKETING PARTNERS "Strategy, Marketing and Business Development" Tel 705-719-9209 Posts: 1724 | From: Barrie, ON, CANADA | Registered: Sep 2000
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Sorry to hear that Mark. I have considered the same thing, especially of late. I hope everything works out for you. You're a very talented individual.
-------------------- Maker of fine signs and other creative stuff. Located at 109 N. Cumberland ave. Harlan, Ky. 40831 606-837-0242 Posts: 4172 | From: Ages-Brookside, Ky. Up the Holler... | Registered: Jul 1999
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Even though I do not post much, I will miss the Barrington Connection. I like the idea expressed by many here, go smaller. I started small and am still fairly small but enjoying every minute of it! Find the nitche you like and do it for a while. (another job to live on...)
-------------------- Michael A Latham Tee's Me Shirt & Sign 16462 Jefferson Davis Highway Colonial Heights Va. 804-835-3299 signdogopie@aol.com Posts: 379 | From: Colonial Heights, Virginia | Registered: Feb 2004
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Mark - sorry to hear of you leaving. I guess we all have that thought from time to time. My wishes for all the best for you, whatever you decide to do. It's a short life, enjoy it while you're here.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mark, having met you at the Butler workshop, I felt you had the drive and intelligence to do well. Sorry to hear of this setback. Sometimes the best-laid plans....
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Mark.....never got the chance to chat with you at the Winter Muster but I recognised you from your Signcraft Article and remember some of the Ecxcellent work you did... All the best for the future....
posted
I'll bet location had a WHOLE lot to do with it. Gt Barrington isn't exactly what I perceive as a hotbed of strong businesses needing signs. In fact the whole Northeast is pretty tough to make a living doing any small business what with the expense of living here and paying crazy taxes.
Ask any local antique dealer what they think of the business climate here compared to ten years ago. Nobody seems to have any money to spend. There are a whole lot of price shoppers too. (In every field)...
Well , best of luck in any future endeavor. I'd sure love to buy some equipment but for now I'm broke too.
-------------------- Bill Foshay Stephentown, NY ------------------------ "That's not a junkyard, It's my museum!" Posts: 40 | From: Stephentown, NY | Registered: Mar 2004
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Take back control and reap what you sow. Being the Bank's best friend sucks!
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