posted
Business here has gradually been going down for some time now. Other friends in the business are feeling a crunch also. The area here is basically impoverished and doesnt seem to be getting better. Other ventures I have had haven't panned out well either, so it may be time to move on. Ive worked for myself for a long time now, and it wont be easy working for someone else, but I have to bring money in for my family. The area is so engorged with people using plotters and selling things so cheap, its hard to justify my prices even when they know I have been doing this a long time and my work is good. Im just tired of living this way, worrying about getting paid, worrying about getting the jobs I bid on, worrying about having enough to pay the bills, etc. I was reading Raymonds post last week about him having a slow first three months, and then a really nice job came in. Ive had a hard first three months and nothing really big in the works at all. Ive made calls, visited businesses, placed ads, but still work is just dribbling in. I love the work that I do, but I cant live on that. Right now, it looks like I will be looking for a day job to meet the bills and put everything else on the backburner for awhile. I dont look forward to it, but theres nothing else I can think of. Crap.
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
Looking at your shop overall, is there anything you can do with your equipment that would allow you to expand into other similar fields of interest thereby expanding your client base?
posted
I really get bummed when I hear of sign folks like yourself, that have so much more talent than most and produce such incredible work, struggling to make it pay. When I look at your portfolio I just can't believe people aren't beating your door down. But economics are a major obstacle and sometimes we have to adjust to meet conditions we have no control over. Good luck John.
posted
John don't feel bad about wanting to be a good provider for your family. And working for someone else, you're going to find, will be a "Peace of Mind". If you can keep what equipment you have, you can do this work as a sideline. With the guaranteed income of your dayjob, supplemented with the Skill that you possess you will probably wonder why you did'nt do this before. I know that there's a certain amount of Ego involved with having to work at something else, but I know of No One who have ever looked down at someone who wants to work and make their way in this world.
I'm sure with your Talent things will most certainly work themselves out over time.
Keep your chin up, and your head held high.
Good Luck!
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
| IP: Logged |
posted
I hate to hear that John...won't the warmer spring weather cause business to pick up...it usually does, doesn't it? When I lived up north, it always seems the late winter time was the hardest on everybody, just before spring arrived.
-------------------- Jeff Ogden 8727 NE 68 Terr. Gainesville FL, 32609 Posts: 2138 | From: 8827 NE 68 Terr Gainesville Fl 32609 | Registered: Aug 2002
| IP: Logged |
Sorry to hear things are slow. I FEEL THE SAME WAY ALOT. I keep plugging away when it seems every one else is getting ahead and I'm in the slow lane. You are a talented man. Don't give up until you absolutely have to, hopefully NEVER.
Things will get better!
-------------------- Ron Bingham Bingham Signs 402 S. Prairie Russell ,Ia. Posts: 10 | From: Russell ,Iowa | Registered: Feb 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I feel bad for you, Tater. I know exactly where you are coming from, as I have a lot of competiton too. Have you considered marketing yourself as a logo designer? You really do have a knack. And some people who have all the equipment but little talent really could use someone like you.
I know you've built yourself up a niche market with your gorgeous church signs...is there a way you can expand upon that skill in further reaching locations than Kentucky? Travel time and installation could be factored into the cost of the sign. I know lots of churches that have that cookie-cutter kind of sign who may not even realize that there is another option available to them. (the only drawback there would be committees) Could you make a new website advertising something like that?
If all else fails, there is no shame in getting a day job. Food has to come from somewhere, and you have to have your bills paid up. If it's any comfort, for some reason right now, my business is booming after barely staying above water for almost 3 hard years.
Good luck buddy. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
John, I was in your same shoes about 4 years ago. I shut down my Home based and went to the big orange box(home depot). After they ate me up and spit me out, I decided to look for work in the trade and called on a guy I knew in the biz who ran a large commercial shop (Zeke Lemanski). I have been here a year and a half and I'm quite happy. I have steady money comming in to support my family and my weekends are for me, my wife and kids. I miss my own gig sometimes but payday always snaps me back to reality. Good Luck with your endeavors.
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
I hate to hear that things are slow for you John; you are such a talented and skilled guy and deserve so much better. I agree that you need to be in a better place demographically. Do your research first tho; the times, they are achangin'. I wish you the very best.
-------------------- Ricky Jackson Signs Now 614 Russell Parkway Warner Robins, GA (478) 923-7722 signpimp50@hotmail.com
"If I have seen further it is by standing on the shoulders of giants." Sir Issac Newton Posts: 3528 | From: Warner Robins, GA | Registered: Oct 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
I wnt to a meeting last night. There were three people who are sign makers who are really brokers. They deal with a few signmakers who turned to wholesale supplying. IT seems to be working for them. They seem to be building a co-op type relationship.
One was a woman who was really good at the layout stuff but not so good at the building stuff. Is there a path in somehint like that for you?
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
John, I hope for prosperity to come your way. Your toons are awesome and your layouts rock. It should be a no brainer. take a part time job at the neighborhood hardware store. Whut works for one might work for you too.
-------------------- Mike gatlinburg Sign Crafters Posts: 1051 | From: Gatlinburg, TN | Registered: Oct 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
Chin up John. your talent will win out in the end. Keep the grub on the table for awhile with something else and regroup. A clear mind might open up doors you didn't think of.
Me and Faig up there feel the pain about the "other shop" cranking out the cheap. Just got our new phone book for Sevier county. 37 listings under signs!
Just keep that pencil sharp and your brush wet. Your FAR to good to fade away.
-------------------- Snow's Sign Works 865-908-0076 snowman@planetc.com www.snowsigns.com
I'm out of my mind, but feel free to leave a message... Posts: 1640 | From: Sevierville, TN | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged |
posted
John...I wish I could give you some magic advice that would make everything turn out perfect, but the simple truth is that there are lots of folks that are exactly in the same spot as you. Even though we just sold a large job, it will in no way make up for the last three dry months....but it will be a start on the road to recovery.
Between the lines that you wrote we all feel the hurt that you have right now. If nothing else, please know that there are a lot of people that care about you and wish you the best. That doesn't help much, I know.
Just this past week a local sign shop just closed the doors and disappeared into the night. I had gone by to have them do some digital printing for me and left a CD and nothing indicated that they were having trouble, but that weekend the shop was emptied and the lights turned out. I have no idea what happened to them or where they went.
Yesterday I got a letter from another local business that was selling out. They had a digital printer and a bunch of supplies and just wanted to unload everything.
Also, a few days ago I got an email asking about what was a good price to put on some equipment that a sign person in another state was putting up for sale. He was closing his shop and going to work for someone else in another state.
I wish I had the answer. As I talk to folks around the country, some are just snowed with work (and not cheap stuff by any means) and others are struggling to just pay the rent (and their work is outstanding...just like John's).
This business has always been a roller coaster, but this was the first time in over 40 years that I ever came to the studio and there was absolutely nothing to do. We have some jobs trickling in now, along with a rather large project, so I am thankful that the tide is beginning to turn. No matter what happens, doing this still beats working for a living.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
ok, john in ky. ray is in tx. rob is in mass. curt is in mich. iam in fl. now i think that give a wide eye on the economy of most of this country. some east/west coast places are consistantly busy. ive been feeling this NO WORK/CHEAP COMPETION since JULY of last year. i had surgury july 20& 27 so i wasnt really to upset with no work as i recovered. AUG i was hungry and lookin for something to make up for the JULY loss. didnt happen. since then i have just barly made most of my bills. hennie did a re-fi on the property in sept/oct so it helped and kept us afloat. christmas was not good and then i found out i had to have another surgury in feb didnt help. so i just let it be what it would be and had the surgury feb 19. since then i have been on a roll. i got well drilling rig sittin in the yard(to letter) did 4 4'x8' on alum this week, ordered 25 silk screened mags, got a couple other small jobs to get done and the BASEBALL PARK has assured me that iam doin all their field signs again this year, so i can plan on bein busy for a while and i also need to get down to SOCIAL SECURITY...as i turn 62 in may.....$700.00 more a month!!!!!!! ill continue to work, but i see this business going deeper into CHEAP...with the people getting printers and doin retail work for less then i sell VINYL. john you need to just get youre name into the right places, youre more talented then some who are in the spotlight. you and FOOSE are in the same talent pool that boy can draw too.
[ March 06, 2007, 03:39 PM: Message edited by: old paint ]
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
i have a friend who had a good business with digital printer and everything he was offered a job doing something totally different so he just closed the shop. talked to him last week and he said he was making more money than he has made in his life.
-------------------- Jimmy Chatham Chatham Signs 468 stark st Commerce, Ga 30529 Posts: 1766 | From: Commerce, GA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
John, I too feel your pain. It upsets me so when I read of someone like you, who is a great talent, hurting. I, like Ray, wish I had an answer. My business has been slow for too long now. It seems I'll get something new going and that soon dries up for one reason or another, yet I just keep plugging away. I'm fortunate in that all our family is grown or I'b probably be punching a clock somewhere and there is no disgrace in that my friend.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
My husband keeps trying to talk me into moving the business to our house instead of renting at $1200. a month. Unfortunately, business wise, we are way out in the country and I don't think that it is feasiable.
[ March 06, 2007, 05:16 PM: Message edited by: Laura Butler ]
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't give up just yet, John. I have been oh so s-l-o-w the past couple of months, & yesterday I got 2 calls for layouts. You just never do know....
-------------------- The Word in Signs Bobbie Rochow Jamestown, PA 16134
724-927-6471
thewordinsigns@alltel.net Posts: 3485 | From: Jamestown, PA 16134 | Registered: Oct 2002
| IP: Logged |
posted
There's always a tendacy to try and fix the blame instead of the problem in these cases. I still feel guilty about closing our shop down back in 1994. It's not easy to accept change.
Everyone gets burnt out John. It's too easy to look at others that appear to be doing so well, and come to the conclusion that there is something "wrong" with us that struggle. I hope that you are able to get past these feelings, focus on doing what you need to do, and don't give a damn about what others think.
We're big John Deaton fans! If you never touch a brush again in your life, we'll still be John Deaton fans.
-------------------- Steve Shortreed 144 Hill St., E. Fergus, Ontario Canada N1M 1G9 519-787-2673
If it means a side job to keep on going, do it! Just don't give up on yer 1st love! You have way too much talent to give up this crazy game.
I can sympathize with your problem because I've been through a few tough times, but luckily, I am in a much bigger market area, and work never completely stopped.
Wishing ya some good luck!
[ March 06, 2007, 06:15 PM: Message edited by: Si Allen ]
-------------------- Si Allen #562 La Mirada, CA. USA
(714) 521-4810
si.allen on Skype
siallen@dslextreme.com
"SignPainters do It with Longer Strokes!"
Never mess with your profile while in a drunken stupor!!!
Brushasaurus on Chat Posts: 8831 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
John I closed shop this year and I work for the school board as a custodian.Might not sound like a great alternative but at $40,000.00 plus $20,000.00 a year in signs and Banners ordered by the other schools ,why have a shop.Wish you all the best,Randy
-------------------- Randall Campbell Randy's Graphics, 420 Fairfield N. Hamilton Ontario Canada Posts: 2857 | From: Hamilton Ontario Canada | Registered: Jan 2002
| IP: Logged |
We all go through these ups and downs and it really bites. I think what Jake said in another thread replying to Glenn makes a lot of sense about regional economy and market having more to do with problems than diversification or lack thereof. I've been in rather strange situation myself this winter. I don't think there has been a busier winter in 15 years of being in my own sign business, however with a number of factors involved, it doesn't necessarily mean I haven't struggled to make it through the typical tough winter months. I can't quite put a handle on what's going on... cold weather, high heat bills, high gas cost, insurance, all that typical overhead stuff keeps creeping higher.
I have a truly excellent employee who works hard and does a great job for me at work, so I'm thankful for that. I work hard here every day and sometimes into the night and a few Saturdays just like a lot of us do, but it seems I have to work awfully hard for what I have compared to some of the assembly line workers and manual laborers who are overpaid for their lack of talent. I can guarantee you that we are not the cheapest shop in town, but the mentality of more and more customers is based on the bottom line of CHEAP COST, and not the value of a well designed sign and I think that hurts more and more.
I seem to be getting pretty decent money for work we do, but overhead is the toughest battle... it just seems to be inching up and up and I can't keep it in check. I don't want to price myself out of the market norm, and let's face it, there are just some parts of the country that are in tougher shape than others.
Hopefully, this is just a bump in the road for you and things pick up. I scratch my head and wonder quite a bit about what I can do to make better money without having to work so hard, but I'm just not sure because there are so many factors that come into play. I saw quite a few replies from people that are good sign people and they are struggling a bit too... at least I don't feel alone.
Good luck, I hope things turn around for you.
-------------------- Kurt Gaber Chippewa Falls, WI Thank You Letterheads for being a part of both Brush Bashes in '02 & '06!
I stood in those shoes you wearing. I know that pain. I wanted to stay in the sign biz, but there was not enough $$.
So, like you we, we tried offering what we do best to other sign shops. Did a trade show. Started getting busy. While the retail regular sign biz is slow, the wholesale end has shot out the top. We made 10 monuments in 6 weeks and have orders for 6 more in the works after coming back from a 2 week vacation.
The work is out there. Some are finding it.
When we were in Florida, we stayed in a rental vacation home in the Clairmont area (straight south of the Disney Animal Kingdom Lodge about 2 miles as the crow, er buzzards, fly) There are NO SIGN BUSINESSES in that area, even though it is a very thriving tourist trap. Hundreds of businesses, lawn care services, apartment complexes, contractors, retail stores, restaurants...AND NO SIGN SHOP WITH IN A 60 MILE ROUND TRIP DRIVE! GO FIGURE!
The property managers of the rental home asked us to makes signs for them and send them UPS because they were so frustrated trying to get signs. He gave us an order for 30 signs. Then the next day, while moving my daughter out of her apartment, a lady who owned a local store wanted us to come over and letter up her store front...she couldn't find anybody. "Mam, I sorry but I didn't bring my brushes or my 54 inch Versacam on this trip!"
John, you are in the wrong darn town! PERIOD! What you do is worth big bucks in a resort / tourist area. MOVE! PULL up and MOVE! The store owners down ther pay artists to mural and letter the whole freaking buildings and the roofs! I never seen so much lettering on 1 building in my life...and there are a lot of them!
Move your butt down to highway 192 & RT 27 now! Get an apartment, go make sales calls and start doing what you do best!
I went over to see "Nevman" in Melbourn...that guy is busy as heck! He keeps a whole crew of sign guys going! Again its a resort community.
Or go drive a dump truck and regret it the rest of your life!
posted
Move. I mean... who am I to suggest something like that? We can't know what keeps you there, and there are so many important non-career factors, but you're way too great to not be appreciated or working at your potential. Your signs (cover of SignCraft May/June 2006) must be making somebody money, and somewhere else they'd make more money for more people so you can stay on at the craft if you want to, without a doubt. I'd love to hear that you looked on-line at one of those surveys of the best places to live, with the best growth economies and hey, SignCraft follow-up, or that you put the word out to 25 great shops around the country and are still at it. It's do-able. Right optimists? Totally!
-------------------- Steve Vigeant Berkeley Signs Oakland, CA. Posts: 55 | From: Oakland, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
I want to add to the suggestions to move. I think it may not be the right choice for some people, but if keeping the kids in their same school with the same friends is a big part of whatmight tie you to that town... well, I say, any man willing to work all the time to be a bread winner for a family, has got to be willing to adimit when it looks as though the family might need to share in the making of sacrifices. If we're all as big of John Deaton fans as we are... we know your family is even bigger fans... so do a little brainstorming & allow yourself to forget about the reasons NOT to for long enough to at least give the notion some serious consideration. Good luck whatever happens!
posted
Sometimes moving is not an option (kids, elderly parents nearby) It's easy to suggest a move, but sometimes not practical at all to move. And if you are so broke you can't pay your bills, how, pray tell, can you afford to move?
Ever hear of the saying "Bloom where you're planted"?
I still say John needs to start a church sign division. I mentioned installing them earlier...heck, he could just crate-n-ship and let the church folks install them.
Look at the signs on this joke site and tell me that John's are not a million times nicer:
Love....Jill (was just looking for an example of other church signs, not trying to make light of a serious situation)
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
| IP: Logged |
I hope the best for you Big Guy...can i tell you my story? I was in a similar situation but had planty of work, just got fed up with where I was at (last summer) the shallacking I took from the city organizations hosting the Sign Painter's Show took a heavy toll on me. They promised to finacially support the effort, but falling short in the thousands. Who picks up the rest? ME. It hurt. and it still hurts, but I wanted a change, so I went to nearby Hudson Wisconsin to work for MAtt Rolli...It was a great experience, I am so glad I did it! After awhile I longed for my old routine, my customers....It wasn't greener on the other side. I had high hopes but realized all I had to do was find the small flaws here an there that I was stumbling over, and get er back to where I was happy and making money.
Other sign friends have called me to discuss this same thing you are going thru...my advice was to stay the course, and we came up with this one thing that works....
RE-INVENT yourself!
People seem to take alot of things for granted. We all do. I am just as guilty. Look at the world of advertising (Which we are a part of) and notice how it changes much more rapidly than ever before...Soda cans logos change, sports teams logos, TV ads, everything keeps moving...I do believe that if you have the desire and the will to make it turn around (Although with age, it gets harder to do) you will make people come to you as never before. If the goals in your mind are something that are not totally outrageous, you can achive the climb out of the funk that you appear to be in. You're a very Good sign maker, a guy that pays attention to detail, and it shows. I have not met you personally but I can tell you are genuine. One of the best ways to get better and out of the funk is to talk about it. and that's what you are doing right here with this post.
Feel free to call me and talk, I can feel yur pain Tater.....We all want you to maintain and go further to be successful!
Now......smile and make things better all around you!
-------------------- Mike Meyer Sign Painter 189 1st Ave n P.O. Box 3 Mazeppa, Mn 55956
We are not selling, we are staying here in Mazeppa....we cannot re-create what we have here....not in another lifetime! SO Here we are!!!!!!!
I too must chime in and say you're one of the great personalities and designers here...I can understand your angst and stress.
Like many others have stated....DO NOT feel bad if you take a "day job" and continue with signs as a sideline.
That's what I do, and trust me - there is a real advantage monetarily to that scheme.
Sure, you lose some of the independence that being your own boss provides....but if you think about it, we all work for someone anyway....even if it's our clients.
Do what you feel you need to do to make yourself happy. Your family and friends will love you regardless....and taking another job to relieve stress and pay the bills doesn't make you a failure - it makes you smart.
Taking another job doesn't diminish your talent - it may give you more time to focus on the type of jobs you really want to do without regard to the financial aspects of being choosey.
Keep us posted ok?
-------------------- Todd Gill Outside The Lines Potterville, MI Posts: 7792 | From: Potterville, MI | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
John, There's an expression "When one door closes another one always opens, but sometimes we're stuck in the hallway for awhile". I know how you feel. I've reinvented my business a few times, once or twice out of neccessity and once or twice due to burnout and am in the process again and I've been in the hallway longer than I had hoped. I'm moving on with some kind of a sense of purpose, kind of leaping in the dark. I think the Wal Mart mentality has really taken over. I don't know who to blame or what to do about that either. I wish you the best.
-------------------- Chuck Peterson Designs San Diego, CA Posts: 1052 | From: San Diego, CA USA | Registered: Nov 1998
| IP: Logged |
posted
hey john...it also saddens me when someone as talented as yourself is having a hard time. i don't really have any great answers for you, but just wanted to show my support. there's no shame in getting a secure paying job and doing this part time...and certainly choosing only the $making jobs to further supplement your income. sometimes when we focus too much on the things we don't want or have...we keep getting more of it. meaning we may be always thinking...man i have too many bills, and have no money to pay them. the more we focus on what we don't have the more we continue to get the same. maybe if you had the peace of mind of a steady paycheck you wouldn't dwell on that lack and then you will see things fall into place. can you tell i believe in the law of attraction..lol.
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by KARYN BUSH: can you tell i believe in the law of attraction..lol.
Hey, it's 100% true. You have to learn to be grateful for what you already have, then put out positive energy (and action) to achieve what you want. Furthermore, you have to be precise when you identify what you want. You also can't say things like "I don't want to be broke anymore" because that self-defeating thought will just keep you right where you are.
Yeah, I saw "The Secret" (a film)... watched it a ton of times.. but have actually lived by the code my whole life.
-------------------- "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
| IP: Logged |
posted
I thank you all for your words of encouragement. Seems like every day something happens to sour me on the business. Its getting harder and harder to enjoy it anymore, but I try, cause Ive been doing this most of my life. Long as Im busy, I dont care about anything else. Ill do mags, coro, anything, just as long as its work and it brings in money. If things dont pick up though, its off to the employment office. Thanks again all.
-------------------- 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
| IP: Logged |
posted
I'll join the others in saying that its a real shame someone with your talent is struggling, just seems unfair.
I don't know geographically how your placed, I can imagine its harder in smaller communities, but then around the bigger towns etc there's more competition.
I know being British and moving over here 20 years ago and wanting to start my own thing after the music business was tough, language, culture, and trying to establish yourself.
You hear and read comparisons to cheap shops and how your undercut etc, but even cheap shops have families, or overheads, and need to eat and paybills too. I think sometimes talented people have a hard time marketing themselves, and sometimes those with little or no talent are great sellers with little or no scruples.
I just bought a little farm 20 miles from the nearest shop its about 2.5 hours drive from here to have as a retreat, get away from the stress. We talked about one day moving everything there permanently, but its a pension thing it would be suicide for my business otherwise, so sometimes we have to compromise abit, even if deep down we'd rather be somewhere else.
You had contacts from old in publishing etc, is there no work that you could pick up further afield.
You have lots of people here shipping stuff all over the place, you make some great signs and do some great designs, and I have all your clipart.
I really hope things change for you, even if you have to take another job to tie you over.
Don't blame yourself and keep positive....wish I could help you more.
posted
John, I am also sorry to hear about your business. I live in the mountains of VA and we are having a hard time here also. This area is all textile and furniture factories. We have people that drive one hour each way to work. You are such a talented person and I would give a lot to have half of it. Times are hard for everybody right now so they forget you are trying to make a living too. People do not want to pay for a person drawing ability because they can't touch that. Do people want to pay the price of a T-shirt made in the USA? NO, they want that $1 shirt made in Mexico. When President Carter signed Tafta, that was when the American Economy startrd changing. In this area alone, we lost 2 Burlington Mills, and 3 Hanes Plants. Then we lost Webb furniture, and one of the Vaughan Furniture Plants. Unemployment is around 18% and is getting worse. In this 3 county area, where we have lost these plants, the population is less than 100,000 people. Kentucky has been hit hard with all the mines being closed. The same business people are being force out of business because everyone is looking for the cheapest price. They don't look at the quality of an item or the orginality of it. All they want to know is price. How many of you go to the Walmarts, Kmarts, & the Targets? In going there, how many Mom & Pop shops do you pass because you can either get everything in one stop or the price is better? The same thing is going on in our business.
OK I have said enough and none of it is helping John. Man, I am so sorry. With your talent, there has to be somehting to come along. Why don't you try writing a children's book and do all the illustrations? With your drawings, the kid's would love them along with the parents. You could stay where you are but do the traveling when needed. Just a thought.
-------------------- Cynthia Pack 246 Diamondview Loop Galax, Va. 24333 Posts: 659 | From: Galax, Virginia USA | Registered: Mar 2001
| IP: Logged |
posted
Things are insane in the BR. We totally quit cutting vinyl. Uped our prices & get all the high end neighborhood entrance signs. Had to make some changes recently, but things are good. The economy is humpin' down here.
-------------------- Glenn S. Harris
....back in the sign trade full time. Posts: 293 | From: Baton Rouge, LA, USA | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged |
![[Wink]](wink.gif)
![[Smile]](smile.gif)
![[Group Hug]](graemlins/grouphug.gif)
![[Frown]](frown.gif)
![[Applause]](graemlins/applause.gif)
Jill 
Printer-friendly view of this topic