posted
When it was all said and done, we made virtually the same amount in 2005 as 2004. I felt busier (but I'm not getting any younger). We didn't make any major equipment purchases, spend more on fixed overhead or advertising. How was your year?
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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05 was the best year since i started. i was shocked. of course what goes up must come down....
-------------------- You ever notice how easily accessible people are when they are requiring your services but once they get invoice you can't reach them anymore
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I rearranged my whole business last year. Our overall dollar spent vs. earned was much better, but gross sales were down. It's OK though - that was my intention.
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I had my best year yet. My gross sales went up 25%. I'm still not showing a huge net profit, but sure have alot of cool "tools" & necessary business trips! The addition of a digital printer turned out to be a godsend here. It frees up some much needed time for me to get other things out the door. My plan for this year is to develop 2 websites (finally) and utilize my printer even more.
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Wait . . . this question implies that I would know this because I've done my taxes . . . . .
BAHA~HAHAHHAHAHAHHAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA!!!
Anyway . . . .
I know I made more simply because I virtually did'nt work at all in 2004 (due to dealin' with the stuff after the death of my father in late 2003)
I bought a generator last year, so that was the only 'new' peice of 'equipment' I got. It's certainly already paid for itself. Had to replace a hammer drill . . .finally gotta scanner . . .
Next big purchase: Hope to get a new computer MABEY this year . . . .
posted
On a business level Fiscal year 2005 was fantastic/dramatic even; added new equipment (roland), replaced other old equipment (hi speed printers/copiers), added lots of smaller tools, bought more land, added an auxilary building, had a substancial increase in sales (40+%), Met a bunch of great people at Karyn's meet, met another bunch of great people at and during trip for roland training in Irvine Calif.
On a personal level it was a tough year, glad to say it's over, and glad to say that everything seems to have settled down and is working out.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
-------------------- 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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My sales were down dramatically from 2004. But I lost a valuable employee in Jan, went to a convention for 2 weeks in July, came back to a flooded shop and have been dealing with insurance agents, adjusters, contractors, my landlord and now illness from the molds. I did lots new equipment that is all paid for.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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We had a slower year than usual in 2005... but our bottom line wasn't too bad after the dust settled. It also was a great year to finish our new shop and get ready for the BOOMER year that 2006 promises to be!
-grampa dan
[ February 24, 2006, 02:50 PM: Message edited by: Dan Sawatzky ]
-------------------- 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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Was setting income recorrds. In Sept we planned on having a doubling of income after the marketing plan took effect. All was comming as planned until Katrina did her deads.. Will likely come up over $100 grand in losses ..
But this year looks optimistic. And after the winds stop blowing my gross will be who knows while income will be much higher but costs much lower.
Lets all get to gether and motivate ourselves into the best year ever. Personally I don't care what costs are because in the end I should have profit anyway..
-------------------- Leaper of Tall buildings.. If you find my posts divisive or otherwise snarky please ignore them. If you do not know how then PM me about it and I will demonstrate. Posts: 5274 | From: Im a nowhere man | Registered: Jul 2001
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We exceeded all of our goals in 2005. We also increased gross profit by 8% even though we lost an employee that year.
I think 2006 is going to be a banner year. Last January was the biggest January we've ever had in the past 27 years and we did with with 4 fewer employees on hand than we had during our previous biggest January.
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I think the reason our biz has been flat is mostly due to the weak economy in Michigan, coupled with the high unemployment rate here and the higher energy costs. In 2004, our material costs had increased (in relation to our profit margin), but we seem to have corrected that last year.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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2005 was a profitable year. More profitable than 2004.
However, nothing I make in the sign business compares to the increase in the value of my commercial buidling. Real estate values are skyrocketing here in New Jersey (as in many parts of the country). It would take me at least a decade of good years in the sign business to make enough profit to match the increase in value of my building in the last 3 years alone!
Anyone that has a sign business that can afford to buy a building should buy one. Just my 2 cents...
-------------------- Jim McLain McLain Studios 1203 Main Street Asbury Park, NJ 07712 jlm@mclainstudios.com Posts: 42 | From: New Jersey | Registered: Aug 2004
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We actually own our property, but real estate (certainly commercial) is at a stand still. My building may be worth twice what I originally paid for it, but no one's buying. Not that I want to sell. I know it will be a good long term investment.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Actually I just completed my paperwork. I brought in $26K. That was down $3K from '04. I had 254 jobs then, and 195 jobs in 2005. I brought in about $3K from my hardware store job so I guess I broke even? Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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Well Jill, by the number of jobs you did in 2004 compared to 2005, it looks like you're jobs were "bigger" if not as numerous. I was going to say more profitable, but I couldn't tell that from the dollar amount of each job. I know I've had $500 jobs that made me more money than some other $800 jobs. We're going to take a hard look this year to see which jobs are more profitable. It'll probably be magnetics.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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It was really less jobs Tim. A few jobs that I did were fairly big (for me) but I had far less work. This year I've already had my biggest job ever! ($2K profit) THAT was selling someone something marked up in a catalog! Easiest job I ever had. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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