posted
I hear here all to often people claiming they can't earn a living making signs in the area they live. Either because of competition or the economy of their local town.
If you truly felt you could'nt finacially survive, why would you not change your profession to something that would provide a better livelyhood or why not leave and find an area where you can earn a living doing what you love?
I just don't get staying in a bad situation for anything, any reason, or any person? I for one would not sit still and beat my head against the wall over and over. Is it fear of the unknown or that people are afaid to leave their comfort zone even if they are uncomfortable?
What's your take on this question?
[ November 20, 2004, 12:14 PM: Message edited by: Bob Stephens ]
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
posted
my take is there have been a lot of shops come and go during my 15 years as a sign maker. They all claim they can't make it. My wife and I turn work away because we can't keep up. I blame it on lack of design, business sense, building and engineering a sign, etc. why the other shops fail. Every once in a while I will loose a job to my competition, but usually it is a job, or a customer, I didn't want in the first place.
I would not leave because of the amount of work, or lack of it. BUT, winter is coming and southern regions do look inviting!! Maybe when the kids are grown I will become one of those snowbirds.
-------------------- 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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I want to clarify that I don't claim to be a sign wizard. I also don't want to say that the people here that have it bad don't have any design ability or building knowledge. I am only basing my opinion on the people that have had shops in my area.
-------------------- 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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Bob, I think for alot of people the reason they stay in a bad situation is FAMILY. I'm not saying I'm in a bad situation, but I know there are better areas for work. After my wife died 3 years ago, I seriously considered moving elsewhere, but I could't, or didn't, want to be far apart from my grandkids. I know a gal who has a sign business locally, and her grandkid is in California, and it's tearing her up to miss out on all the growing up that's going on.
I suppose if I was younger I would feel different about it... I was never shy about moving when I was 25-30. I went from NJ to NH for 4 years, then to Fla, and travelled alot of points in between.
I can say that if family is not an issue, moving to a new area can be quite refreshing, and exciting, so there really is nothing to fear about doing it, in case some of the folks reading this might be inclined to try it out. Go for it...what have you got to lose?
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
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Bob, First I must say that MONEY IS NOT EVERYTHING!
I guess for people that could care less about anything BUT money they could go anywhere they please.
I left a very lucrative business in the Great Smokies to come back home. Tourism has it's benefits and I exploited them as much as possible in the time I was there.
I have a good reason why I'm where I am now. I'm not going anywhere and will tolerate being broke for the sake of it.
I moved back home a few years ago to be near my aging parents. I happen to think FAMILY is a helluva lot more important than finances.
In the last few years I've had an extremely hard time making ends meet. But, I also lost my father to an accident in the home a couple of years ago. I'm glad I was here for a couple of years and had the time to be with him before it happened.
My mother was traumatized by the accident as she saw it happen. She still has a tough time coping with it all. I wouldn't leave here now for all the money in the world. Millions wouldn't make any difference.
Yes, I do good work. Better than most in this area. Some in this area have been in business for many years. I'm a newbie. I still have done more than most of the established shops around here thought I would. With exception of one or two, this town has been programmed for year after year that cheaper is better.
After 25-30 years of that it's kinda hard to break the mold. I'm working on it, but I have to have time. In time I hope to establish my own trustworthy clientele that won't really care what I charge because they know I'll give them a good product. Until then I'm gonna stay right here and keep banging away. Money doesn't mean THAT much to me.
See ya, R.T.
-------------------- R.T.Thomas,AirDesigns/Sign And Airbrush Studio rtart1@earthlink.net
Hattiesburg,MS 39401 Shop 601-584-1000 Cell 601-310-5901 Proud supporter of LETTERVILLE!
"Ahhhhhh.......Juicy Fruit." Posts: 547 | From: Hattiesburg,MS USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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We moved a couple hundred miles for a business opportunity a few years ago. We were tired of living on Vancouver Isand because of the high cost and inconvenience of the ferries. A wonderful business opportunity presented itself (after much research) here in the upper part of the valley.
Money (business opportunity) was only ONE consideration of many which influenced our move. We wanted to live in a small town, on acreage if possible. Proximity to a major highway was important. Costs of land was also a factor for our ultimate location choice.
It happened that some of our family (Janis' folks)lives within 30 miles of where we are now and that's very nice.
But we still have family back on the Island too.
Our son lives in the city (about 70 miles) from us and visits regularly. Our daughter and son-in-law live about 6 blocks away and both work for us. And our new grandaughter (IN ONLY 4 MORE WEEKS) will live right close by!
I understand both points of view in this argument and am fortunate in having the very best of all worlds.
Ultimately its about making the best of opportunity WHERE EVER YOU ARE. Except for a very few areas I think there is lots of opportunity.
Busines is what you make of it.
Family is what is important.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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For the last several years I've battered around the idea of moving to a larger market. Family is a big reason as to why I have never done so.
Very often it's been said here in Letterville..."Location, location, location."
Having just moved out of the home shop and into a new building on the main street (which is still a pretty remote place... ), I'd long debated if the move would be benificial. So far so good, but time will tell in the long run.
After 15 years of running around to job sites and building a decent reputation for my work, I was still hesitant to go to a bigger building. But there's another point I had to truly consider before all was decided.
Is location based on where the customers are? Or is it based on where YOU are? How long does it take to turn it to the latter?
After attending meets, I've gained a lot of confidence from so many supportive people I've met and, without that missing piece of the puzzle, I'd probably still be griping about where I live and not having enough work to make ends meet.
Not lately.... Rapid
-------------------- Ray Rheaume Rapidfire Design 543 Brushwood Road North Haverhill, NH 03774 rapidfiredesign@hotmail.com 603-787-6803
I like my paint shaken, not stirred. Posts: 5648 | From: North Haverhill, New Hampshire | Registered: Apr 2003
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In a heart-beat I would leave, wanna leave . . . but business is SO GREAT I need to stay a while longer . . .I'm just gonna hang on & SAVE-SAVE-SAVE.
Then take off . . . mabey sooner than later . . not immediately, but inevitabley, eventually. . . .and I think about it EVERYDAY.
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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My first thought on the title of this post didn't lead me to think about the biz aspect at all. As far as I'm concerned, what Dan says is right on....
Ultimately its about making the best of opportunity WHERE EVER YOU ARE. Except for a very few areas I think there is lots of opportunity.
Busines is what you make of it.
... I couldn't agree more.
Would I want to leave my area? It depended on what other options I had. Region wise, I love living in the mildest part of Canada and enjoying all mild versions of the 4 seasons available to us. I've always been here so this is home to me. I like going to hot areas for visits but I doubt I could handle and fully enjoy the heat. I need my fall leaves and soft falling snow on occasion.
posted
My little message is wearing sunglasses...why? Because we now live in sunny south eastern Arizona instead of in a tiny town on the western slope of Colorado. After almost 14 years of doing business as Valley Sign & Design in Paonia Colorado (2 of those years were spent working for a large sign shop in Mesa Az to make ends meet), we asked ourselves a big Dr Phil question "Is what you're doing working for you?". No, it wasn't. We weren't the most talented sort of sign people, but we did much better at it than our competitors, we learned alot as we went along and got better and better. Unfortunatly, our area was just too rural and small for us to be able to make a living on a consistant basis (and yeah, if Gary Anderson himself moved to Paonia, he'd be hard pressed to make it there too...people just don't have the $$ to spend on fancy sign work when they have to worry about feeding and clothing their family...the overwhelming majority are "Wal-Mart" shoppers for that same reason. Absolutely beautiful place to live, greatest people you'd ever want to meet & work with, perfect small town setting to raise your kids...but it was time to move on and get real jobs (ie: ones that have a steady paycheck and health insurance and maybe even a retirement plan). So, a couple of years ago, we made the decision to start looking at a different career that fit in more with what we wanted to achieve in life over the next several years (some financial security and peace of mind that we were doing what we could to preserve and protect the natural resources). Jeff started working for the National Park Service as a seasonal worker and that helped suppliment our sign shop work and has led to a permanent position at a National Park. I was able to get a regular job with a company that is a co-operating association with the National Park system and here we are today living happily at Chiricahua National Monument. We are paying off our debt, getting back on our feet with a shot at actually having something for retirement and living and working in a pristine place on the planet (and our jobs are making sure it stays that way). Will we do sign work again? Never full time again...future jobs will be done mostly for fun and on the side I still hang out in the shadows here in Letterville and still learn from this site (if not about signs, then about human nature). We gave it our best shot for alot of years, now we're on to a new phase in life. It's been a fun trip! Take care and don't be afraid to try new things!
Karen
-------------------- Karen Sartain,'Pisel' on chat 11699 E Hwy 181 Willcox, Arizona 85643
We are not human beings on a spiritual journey.We are spiritual beings on a human journey."-Stephen Covey Posts: 336 | From: Chiricahua National Monument, Az | Registered: Nov 1998
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ive lived in couple different places. learned to paint signs from an old drunk who made my mothers bar his office. and another artist who made signs from that area. in fact the guy who taught me was the only sign painter for 40 miles in any direction. there was never enought work in my town and surrounding towns to make a living at it full time as the artist would do signs now and then but still had an 8-5er. i lived in caribou maine 65-73. did some sign work there, on the side. one full time sign shop in town. then i went back to pa in 73. worked autoparts for awhile wound up goin to penn state 76-78, my mom dided left the bar to me, sold it in 80 and headed to sarasota fl. worked autoparts there till i got feed up and started paintin signs just as the computer started to take over. was tough, but i made a livin. did signs there till 98 and moved to pensacola fl. had a shop for 20 months...to many lowballers to stay in a storfront so i went home and bought a stepvan...now i got a mobile sign shop...and work from the house....and soon ill have my garage finished. you can make a livin anywhere you are....its called "adaptability!" very good human trait. most of us can do this with out battin an eye. i grew up in bar, watch my mother win money playin card, bingo, and cheating people on their bar tabs. my father on the other hand was a hard worker and busted his ass for every dollar he made. so i got the best of both of them, knowing how to make a dollar in an opportunity...and workin hard to make one. i pick and choose.....between the 2.
-------------------- 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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would i ever leave where i live??...i never say never...but i can't imagine leaving. i love the 4 seasons, i live in the mountains(we border national forest), i've lived here all my life so my business is established, i feel extremely blessed. i think its hard to make a living in this business because of the lack of business minded folks in this field...many are artists first...and starving because they either don't put enough value on the end product or they just don't want to deal with the money/business aspect of things. i doubt a real money mogul is gonna say, "i think i'll be a signmaker so i can get rich and retire young!" we obviously do what we do for a reason...some are in better markets, some would make it work no matter where they lived and some will continue to struggle.
-------------------- 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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I'd leave if I could get Jane to, but she's a home body. I've talked for years about selling our buildings, getting a motor home and traveling around doing festivals and living like a gypsy. I like doing the bike shows, and I would like to do more murals and wall stuff. I get along with just about everybody and enjoy the differences in the different regions of the good ole USA.
Another fantasy of mine would be to write a book about the people who letter and stripe trucks for a living. There are legendary sign painters about the world that I would like to profile. I think it would make for entertaining and interesting reading for anyone in the sign biz. I keep a book written by Charles Kurwalt in the bathroom that's filled with short stories about interesting people he met on his travels across the U.S.
Sometimes I get burned out in the same routine of repeat work, although I like the security of the steady work, and it does pay the bills, I would like to experiment more while I'm still young enough and able. Now that we're empty nesters these dreams seem more tangible. Who knows sometimes dreams do become reality.
[ November 20, 2004, 07:19 PM: Message edited by: Bill Diaz ]
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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When I was twenty years old, I left my hometown in northern Switzerland and moved South, to a completely different culture and language (italian). Eight years later we moved again, this time to Canada. Different language and culture all over again, rural (veeery rural) instead of city, self-employed instead of a regular paycheck. It was all good, it has taught me how to let go of things and places. I feel, I could live anywhere in the world and it wouldn't matter, it's all about people and relationships.
Another five years and our children will be on their own. We are thinking of cruising the continent trucking for a while, then maybe switch to a motor home. But it's not in our hands, we'll happily go wherever the Lord wants us to go...
posted
I moved 1500 miles away from my home town to start my "career" several years ago, just after graduating from college. After a short time of living there I decided I missed my daughter (divorced) too much and needed to be closer to her. My parents are getting older and also need help around their house fairly often.
So I ended up moving back to the Midwest back in 1996 so I could be closer to my family. Sometimes it takes major changes to drive home what is important.
Recently I applied for a job in Washington D.C. that I am waiting to hear back about. I am not sure about moving that far away again but I would like to keep my options open.
I have been to some places that I thought would be great to live in. Edmonton, Alberta is one of them. Just a real nice city....but thgen again I like many of the larger cities I have visited in Canada. Or my dream job would be moving to Montana and picking up trash or whatever in Glacier National Park...I'm a simple kind of guy...
I couldn't imagine moving too far South, as I am used to being in the cold winter weather up here. I was in Arizona during January once and it was just too darn hot! Give me the snow and cold. It just depends on what you are used to I guess.
There is a lot to be said about making the most of the place where you're currently are living. You can be about as happy as you make you mind up to be.....
posted
Interesting ques. Bob I'm torn between north or south, cold or warm. I've lived in western Massachusetts all my life except 4 yrs. in Air Force. We have a winter home in Charleston,SC I try to leave MA for the Atlantic City[USSC] sign show, then keep driving to SC. Return in spring by going to the Dixie Letterheads, then north to MA. I've only been going down south for a few years,for about 3 months at a time. Next year I will try to stay for 6 or 7 months. The winters never used to bother me,just hate the snow & ICE. Spent the summer of 03'[June,July,part of Aug] in Charleston & Orlando, Fl., HOT,very HOT & Humid...they say U get used to the heat? But I didn't slip & fall once. I haven't tested Sign waters yet in the area. Everyone tells me sign[any trade]prices are real low in the south, we'll see. What I like about the Charleston area, is that everyone seems to be from somewhere else in the country. I dreed the thought of having to set up a sign studio in each location, maybe a nice Dodge Sprinter[sign shop on wheels]would do nicelly.Have ta check w/ old paint about that. Maybe not,my wife picked out a house in a fancy 700 Club area, up here in some towns U can not park a commercial vehicle or boat,trailer etc, in your driveway or yard, has to be in garage. Plus I don't no if I can run a business from home, It's all a strange feeling, of the idea of starting from scratch in a all new area. Hey the first 39 years in the sign biz. have been a brizze, why should't the next 39 years.
-------------------- Kent Moss Greg Moss Signs Posts: 363 | From: Wilbraham, MA / Charleston,SC | Registered: Nov 2003
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I agree with just about everyone but Bill's post really struck a cord with me...and so did Dale's. I've moved several times in my lifetime. As of late, I've come to the realization that Home is where your heart is, and this world doesn't really impress me enough to invest my heart in it. I'm happy anywhere I go...and that IS a personal choice. My motives for relocating wouldn't be money oriented...As Lotti put it...It's wherever the Lord leads. (Life sure has gotten much more peaceful since I let Him lead too.) And besides, there's a world of difference between "making a living" ond "recieving a living". It's the same difference between chasing a dollar & having it chase you. One of the differences involves doing what you were purposed to do, and doing it with passion.(and doing it with excellence) The defining question is:
Would you do what you do even if you were not paid to do it? (and you didn't have to have the money to survive-like if you won the lottery or inheritited a fortune) Honestly, I have a driving need to paint. I consider it a calling. Our world is becoming so global that with the right marketing practices and the internet, you could probably make money living anywhere. The key to most success in business seems to be in the marketing...maintaining that success seems related to using wisdom & common sense (and probably discipline-something I'm still working on LOL!) My reason for staying where I am has more to do with my kids and what's best for them right now. Being their mom is more a important priority than my business. They'll be on their own soon enough and then I can focus on "other business".
-------------------- Nancie W. Phillips White Dove Painting Studio 74 Dacula Road, Dacula, GA 30019 678-887-3339
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It's all fear of the unknown keeping people from doing whatever. To me, that's what makes it interesting!
5 years ago I quit a steady job and moved across country, without housing or work prospects lined up. Just picked up and left because I was so unhappy at the time. Today, I'm almost sick of this town too. It's a great place to live, absolutely beautiful scenery, but the traffic and overcrowding is really getting to me. It should not take 30 minutes to travel 5 miles.
I'm working on a new location, I now have 80 acres of barren desert (recently acquired another 40 acres) - it's in a hot market right now even though there's absolutely nothing out there 'cept about 250 full time residents/ranch owners and some free-range cattle, and a couple bobcats. I see this as opportunity - services and products are SO limited out there right now I could pick ANY business I wanted and make a go of it!
I could do signs... metal gates (we're talking ranches here, they all need gates)... get a water truck and haul water! Install satellite TV and internet hook-ups, open a gas station, or convenience store. I could even push websites because everyone out there has their own businesses, photography to go along with those websites or the real estate agents selling the properties. I could get into road maintenance, or emergency roadside auto repair, or installing solar systems, water wells.. etc etc.. you get the hint.. but in reality, I would keep plugging away with my jetski stuff because all I need for that is internet access and UPS, and I fully enjoy doing this work.
No matter where you are or what you do, ya gotta make it work somehow!
[ November 21, 2004, 01:39 AM: Message edited by: Mike Pipes ]
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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quote: If you truly felt you could'nt finacially survive, ...
I love my community, my shop and my situation in life; however if I truly felt I couldn't financially survive and adequately provide for the needs of my family, and if I felt it was due the local market or economic conditions, I would leave for a better economic climate in a heartbeat.
Having said that, It's unlikely I'll leave here, things are going pretty well. I own both the building I'm in and the previous one, just signed a long lease for it with a national company. I bought 4 acres of commercial land 4 years ago for a pittance, I'm now ready to develop that as industrial warehousing, and I've got a new business venture perculating.
All in all it's likely that I'll be buried under caribou moss when I die.
posted
I spent 6 months backpacking around Europe, and often scoot all around Oz. There are lots of places where I often think that 'I could enjoy living here if I had to', but we have no wish to move - it's a really nice unique spot of happiness we've landed upon right here.
There might be more money elsewhere, lots more, but that's a different argument.
-------------------- "Stewey" on chat
"...there are no limits when you aim for perfection..." Jonathan Livingston Seagull Posts: 7014 | From: Highgrove via Toowoomba, Queensland, Australia | Registered: Dec 2002
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Having lived in 14 States and 4 Foreign countries, some more than once, I have done my share of moving.
When I watch the shows of the people in the slum areas of the big cities and the people complaining that they have nothing and no opportunities, I think, "why don't you get off your dead a** and walk down the road until opportunity whaps you up side of your head"?
Now that I am mostly retired and have gathered so much "stuff", as George Carlin calls it, I would hate to think of moving it all again. I think I would have a giant Estate Sale and start over somewhere else.
-------------------- Rove Gratz Gratz Signs 342 Walden Station Drive Macon, GA 31216 rovegratz@aol.com Home Page: http://rove-342.tripod.com Posts: 861 | From: Macon, GA 31216 | Registered: Jan 2004
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As much as I'd like to leave this area for financial gain, I wouldn't. And, if I did leave I wouldn't go far. Mostly, I guess, for the fear of the unknown and family.
All of mine and my wife's family is here. It's a real tough place to make a go of it sometimes, but I think in the long run it's worth it.
My kids attend good, safe schools and it's nice living in an area where things like crime/polution etc. are low.
I think I take for granted what we have here. So many people I know leave when they are young only to return to live the simple life here.
My wife and I live a very simple life. We don't have the biggest nicest home or the most expensive vehicles, but, we don't mind much.
As far as the sign business goes I'm doing it because I love it. I quit a pretty good paying job about a 18 months ago to pursue a dream. If it was all about money I never would have jumped ship.
We have our fair share of sign companys here and it can be very competitive (lotsa low ballers). Everyone scrambling for a piece of a very small, spread out pie. I stay diversified and try to make the money that I need to that way. I feel I have a lot to offer this area that has grown used to cheapo-depot type sign/design work.
For the most part people here don't put much value at all into signs/truck lettering etc.. so it's a long road to haul. However, I feel I'm making progress everyday. I pursue the clientele that is ready and willing to pay what I feel I deserve to be paid for my services.
If at the end of it all I can't find enough clientele, well then I would just return to that relativly good paying JOB or another like it.
posted
It's not fear of the unknown so much as for those that run from the known. It seems most here like where they live, enjoy community and family, so why change any of that. If it was all about money, how many would choose this business?
Why change a good thing?
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Quite a few different reasons and perspectives. I only ask this question because I did it 14 years ago. My reason was that I was unhappy where I was at both professionally and personally.
I had a gold mine business where I was at but I wanted to do more and I had very few options from a professional stand point. Living on the east end of Long Island I could only expand in one direction. Labor was impossibly high and commercial property could'nt be touched even with lottery winnings. It's difficult to be middle class when you live among the very wealthy rich and famous.
Moving to Florida I knew the opportunities would be endless in spite of all the warning from Florida sign shops telling me you could'nt get New York prices down here. Well Im still here and getting my old prices and watching all the quicky sticky shops open and close around me.
I've never feared anything so I never considered that I shouldnt hit the road and start life over. It was the best dicision I have ever made in my life. I know many who are unhappy in their lives and it makes no sense to me to choose to live that way. My life has always been about adventure and I realize that I am in the minority.
I'm not trying to judge people for the decisions they make as to why they stay in any given situation. I'm just curious more than anything.
I've already planned that I wont be here in ten more years, possibly five. I can't wait to get rid of all my crap and then visit the rest of the planet. There is so much more to this world than one small place. Again, my curiosity always gets the best of me. Good luck and happiness to everyone in the choices they make. Life is shorter than you realize.
[ November 21, 2004, 12:29 PM: Message edited by: Bob Stephens ]
-------------------- Bob Stephens Skywatch Signs Zephyrhills, FL
posted
In the decade I did primarily murals I travelled a great deal for the work. Many of the murals were painted in medium sized cities, some in pretty depressed areas. I witnessed a lot. I talked to a lot of people.
I found the folks who complained the bitterest about their lot in life, and how they had SO FEW options had generally travelled the least. Most had only seen perhaps a 50 mile radius from where they were born. No kidding. It amazed me.
These folks had no idea of what the world was like except for a few steps from their door. And I believe this was much of the cause of their discontent.
The more I travel and see the world around me, the more I LOVE living where I am.
Almost everywhere I travel is a great place to VISIT.
-dan
-------------------- Dan Sawatzky Imagination Corporation Yarrow, British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.com http://www.imaginationcorporation.com
Being a grampa is one of the the most wonderful things in the world!!! Posts: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Bob.....what Dan and Donna said! This from another B.C.er....I do travel on occasion, but am always amazed by the beauty of our province upon returning home. It is my Eye Candy. I appreciate the places and scenery I have seen elsewhere, but choose to live here. Most of my immediate family are within 30 miles, and we all get along. There was 15 of us here for dinner last night aging from 3 weeks to 81 years old.... The climate is perfect, the air is clean and business is good. Many sign shops come and go in our area for their own personal reasons, but there is still a lot of potential here. The downfall like Dan says, the ferries on and off the island can be a pain, but I still choose to live in our paradise. I beleive many people create their own happiness (or not). I never say 'never' either...I think we should always try new things.....how can we judge anything without trying something else? Be happy with you....and you will be happier with all your other decisions. Enjoy your choices....I am.
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Dan . . .that's pretty interesting that you said the more you travel and see the world around you, the more you LOVE living where you are . . .
I'm just the opposite . . The more places I go and the further I go . . . .
the more places I wanna go...and see how far I can get....
Sometimes I feel like if I can get in my truck and drive there, it's STILL too close. . .
I'm amazed at places & people that are really no different from, but at the same time, totally unlike anywhere else. I like the diverse auras, moods and vibes you get from a combination of, or the individual elements of the people, the landscape, and the architecture in different towns and cities...
posted
To answer Bob's original question, YES I would leave where I live. IF I wanted or needed to.
I was born in England and transported to Canada at age 4. Obviously I only have vague memories of England but I still have vivid memories of my "new" country.
Since my father tried several jobs and eventually found his niche in the army I found myself moving from city to city and town to town. I believe I attended about 15 different schools during the 13 years I was in the public education system.
As a result of dad's annual leaves I was also fortunate enough to have been able to visit all 48 of the continental United States, in addition to having lived in 5 of the provinces in Canada.
When I moved out of the nest and got married I swore I'd never move again. That was 40 years ago. Since then I have moved about 6 or 7 times. All the moves were close though.
Where I am right now is where I am happy, but Shirley and I have fallen in love with the part of Mexico that we have visited for the last 7 years. It is our expectation that we will soon be buying or renting a home there.
As others have said, life is an adventure and if one doesn't experience it, in my opinion, that person has missed out on a lot.
WE LOVE LIFE!!! and all the goals/temptations/rewards/downfalls that life offers!!!!
-------------------- Dave Grundy retired in Chelem,Yucatan,Mexico/Hensall,Ontario,Canada 1-519-262-3651 Canada 011-52-1-999-102-2923 Mexico cell 1-226-785-8957 Canada/Mexico home
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I moved from small-town eastern Pennsylvania to New England in my early twenties, as much to get away as to find anything at the time.
28 years later I'm still living in New England, in this lovely corner of south eastern Connecticut, with almost exactly the sort of shop I wanted when I started in business. In the past year I have also moved in with my best friend and lover in her little home near the beach, and in so many ways, life couldn't be better.
Back in the 80's I spent some time in the Southwest, and in September we took a nice long vacation, traveling the backroads of Arizona and Utah. (Including the Chiricahua National Monument - what a great area!) I'd like to buy some land and retire there, at least for the winters, but I don't seriously think I'll ever leave New England.
-------------------- "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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Goody, I get to follow Cam, because I did follow Cam, I moved from Seattle WA when I was 19 and ended up in a small town eastern Pennslyvania, with 1 small suitcase and $200.00! Took the first job I could (not in the sign industry- because I had no experiance) Taught myself how to Pinstripe and Hand Letter Signs, Been Here ever since, don't see a pressing need to move on just yet because after 25 years I'm having way too much fun! As for money I make more than some not as much as others, however I read a quote once ---don't know who to credit---" I started out with nothing and I still have most of it left"
-------------------- DeWayne Connot DOA Flatliners Pinstriping To Die For! Northwales, Pa dconnot@verizon.net Posts: 28 | From: Northwales, PA | Registered: Jan 2004
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I've visited or worked in areas that I would consider moving to and in areas that you couldn't pay me to live in. My biggest issues, being from a rural area are traffic, noise and overall sense of safety. If I don't feel safe walking around outside by myself at night, I could not live there.
Bob, I've also heard people complaining that they can't make a living where they are. Some of these people have been given ideas on how they can change their situation but instead of attempting to improve it, they just want to whine and moan about it being everyone else's fault.
Negativity breeds negativity. A positive attitude can make a world of difference but they won't attempt that.
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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Always loving the heat,I finally took the plunge and moved to Fla a year after my first year of junior college for art/interior design. As soon as I was married, and my dad was already in the Keys, I returned there for 15 years, having already fallen in love with the place on family vacations.
There, I learned a lot about folks from all over, you know how S. Fla is a melting pot. And, I learned about myself.
There also being a young mother married to a jazz musician, I fell in love with nature and we had the opportunity to combine the arts and music, meeting some very famous people who turned out to be just like you and me, having them in our home, and getting to know just about everybody.
And there was raising kids with no winter garb, living near the ocean, learning new cultures and still living simply with little money. Then, learning to finally paint with a quill and enamels instead of bristle brushes and fine oils and acrylics.
The sign biz brought me from sea level to high scaffolds, beach strips to everglades, and also the wildlife was always around poking their noses into everything. (especially in the everglades one day I had a lot of company while painting a produce truck with lovely fruits and veggies wondering if I was going to be the later dessert for the gator, or his main dish). Signpainting brought me many ocean trips and offers to the islands, France and around the world commissioned to work on the boats, but, I had little children in school and would never leave even for a week. After fifteen years, it was time for my third child and we moved to Ohio and stayed another 15 years. Of course we traveled back and forth home all the time, as we loved driving, and had more time being self employed than not. My clientele had built up again, but, finally it was time to come home. Eventually, I got here as planned and am not going to ever leave my family again. My Mother and Father and sister have passed away, and I still have one sis and brother and their families, and also blessed with three children, and three granddaughters. It's heavenly and so easy to find signwork, as long as I stay versatile. If you paint, draw, do shocards, banners, truck lettering, electric faces, and wooden or aluminum signs for contractors, then why go without work? Everyone needs something, whether it be for the schools or businesses, and there's plenty of ideas, just step in and propose! And, I would love to have a travel home and go to visit all my loved ones, from Mass to San Diego and in between! My youngest son is 16 and a half and I think it's getting time for a vacation with them before they grow up too much and get set in their ways. Maybe out west to the cousins in Idaho? Maybe to California or Disney World. That would be my start and it would be together with family. See, the Good Lord has blessed me and straightened me around to preserve what's important, and that's family all the way.
[ November 22, 2004, 10:57 PM: Message edited by: Deb Fowler ]
-------------------- Deb Fowler
"It's kind of fun to do the impossible - Walt Disney (1901-1966) Posts: 5373 | From: Loves Park, Illinois | Registered: Aug 1999
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Oh, hell, Stevo, just c'mon down. Our guvmint hardly ever chases down English-speaking white people, no matter where they are from.
-------------------- "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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quote:Originally posted by Cam Bortz: Oh, hell, Stevo, just c'mon down. Our guvmint hardly ever chases down English-speaking white people, no matter where they are from.
They don't even chase down non-english speaking non-white illegals.
-------------------- "If I share all my wisdom I won't have any left for myself."
Mike Pipes stickerpimp.com Lake Havasu, AZ mike@stickerpimp.com Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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), I'd long debated if the move would be benificial.
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