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There are days that I'd walk away if someone showed up at the door with a large enough check in hand. Been a graphic, (non-apparel), screen print shop since 1980. Added vinyl cutting in 89, Gerber Edge in 98, Hp5000 in 01 or 2 and an HP9000s two years ago. Love working with everything but really don't like running the business alone. (partner passed 15 years ago). What would I do? Stand in warm saltwater with a fly rod for 6 months and than rethink . . . .
-------------------- Bill Modzel Mod-Zel screen Printing Traverse city, MI modzel@sbcglobal.net Posts: 1356 | From: Traverse City, MI | Registered: Nov 1998
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This is my hobby shop. It turned out to be a profitable hobby. I love to create things. I love my wood shop. Even on days like this, I still tinker in the shop everyday. Although I like it much better when I'm busy making money. I'd rather turn down crappy work and only do the "Fun" jobs. But right now I'll do little coraplast signs or banners. I would do this even if I hit to Lottery! Maybe. This business has been good to me. I've been to many Letterhead meets around this country. It's taken me to England, Greece, Italy, France, and even Canada! I'm not rich, but this is still much better than punching a time clock for sombody else! Sure I get bored and burned out at times. I'll take a vacation to Hawaii, or rent a Harley for a few days. This current recession or depression is forcing many of us to scrimp and live off our savings accounts. I'd rather do that than close shop. This is now 31 years of being self-employed. I still love it!
-------------------- John Arnott El Cajon CA 619 596-9989 signgraphics1@aol.com http://www.signgraphics1.com Posts: 1443 | From: El Cajon CA usa | Registered: Dec 1998
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I still gotta couple of years to go before I can "officially" retire, collect my own superannuation stash and a government pension. Even then it's not really going to happen
I love my job! Fortunately I'm at the stage where swinging a brush for just one or two days a week pays all the bills.
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"Anyone thinking of closing their doors because of tough times, and what would you choose to do ???"
A few months ago, looking at the overall economy made me consider closing up the shop and taking a seasonal job to get through the cold months. One venture out into the local job market killed that idea quick. Not too many companies hiring right now, and the few that are pay squat. Overall, it's a loss and I didn't bother following up the idea. Even during the "dead" season, I can make better money.
At this point, I really couldn't say what I would do if I got out of this racket. I like it too much to quit and ill probably be wearing paint covered clothes when my heart stops ticking.
I can think of worse ways to leave this life... 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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By the Grace of God, I'm doing okay. But if I had to change careers, it'd be back to school por mi. Plan B Drive a Dump Truck Plan C Drive Heavy Equipment Plan D Work as a Waitress and then kill the owner then take over the joint! Jus Jokin! Plan E Open up a Gardening/Trash Hauling Service Okay, I've got lots of plans, I'm always ready for drastic changes in life.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3814 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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Nope, I have had tuffer times than these. I do get burned out sometimes by the price shoppers, or when I see a new vynull hack opening up shop close by. But I just keep on keeping on. When it gets slow I do other stuff. And if I make any plans it gets busy. I will probably be a sign painter till the day I die. I make a lousy waitress. Love....Jill
Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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My dad always said that your life can change in a second and I know from experience he was right. A few months ago someone told me we were going into a recession and I replied, I live in a recession, I live in Grants Pass. A recession is when your neighbor is out of work but a depression is when you're out of work
If I were too change careers, I would become a minister and open my own church and call it the Church of the Courageous Caucasians for the Almighty dollar or maybe become a politician
-------------------- HotLines Joey Madden - pinstriping since 1952 'Perfection, its what I look for and what I live for'
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I'm with you too, John. I've been in the sign business for going on 38 years, and can't imagine doing anything else now. Thank God, I'm in a place where I have very little overhead, and can probably weather this downturn OK. It's not as bad as the media would have you believe. I think when things get a little slow, it's time to get out and scout something up. Sell. Not everybody's hurting.
Besides, after the 20th, when B.O. takes office, the checks will be in the mail, and all our troubles will be over.
-------------------- Dale Feicke Grafix 714 East St. Mendenhall, MS 39114
"I can do all things through Christ, who strengthens me." Posts: 2963 | From: Mendenhall, MS | Registered: Apr 1999
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Yeah, I'm burnt ... but for the opposite reason. The shop I work at has been so busy that by the time I get home I have no creativity left. (not that a lot of the commercial sign work is real creative) It's been almost a couple months since I've drawn/painted/gilded/destroyed anything (which is really unusual for me) I'm not complaining at all about too much work but this creative funk I'm in right now is starting to bug me... which I don't really blame on work because we are usually always busy.(at least the 18 years I've been there)
May have something to do with my drummer busting his hip a couple months ago, therefor not jamming with my band for a while (my other creative outlet)
I don't know what I'd do as a career change, this is all I've ever done (in some form) since I was like 15... recently turned 40.
-------------------- Compulsive, Neurotic, Anti-social and Paranoid ... but basically Happy Posts: 2677 | From: Rochester, NY, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Nah, i would stay in it. Ive been debt free for close to 6 years now and Ill ride this on out BUT I do get bored so I would go back into construction if I had to.
Maybe some of the "lesser skilled" shops around here will go under and when we get to booming again we can have about 2 years of sign making fun before the idiots come back
-------------------- 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
Dump Truck Drivers here in the opencast mines get $100,000/year plus and they are screaming for labour. China and Japan are buying more coal and iron ore we can dig fast enough!
A lot of them women! Think that's cause they don't tend to "bend" them as often as males
Yer just have to be able to climb 20ft into the cab of one of those things!
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No, not going to close up. May end up with a job to help pick up the slack, but not closing the doors. The income I can make from a few decent projects per week trumps what I could earn from a job, so the smartest solution I can find is getting aggressive with marketing and promotion in ways that don't cost much, if any, money.
Cold calling is sometimes needed.
I prefer calling upon previous clients or people that are in my social circles. How many places do you go on a regular basis, see the same people there all the time, but never talk to them? Maybe you talk to them but never bring up what you do. It's time to start talking. They might need your services or know someone who does, but if they don't know what you can do for them, they can't ask you about it.
Somewhere, someway, somehow there is somebody that needs what you can offer. What else can you offer that doesn't cost any extra money to develop? Maybe you have some other hobby or skillset not even related to signs that you can market. What about the skills used for signs that could be used for other purposes? Design/artwork? Carpentry? Metal fabrication? painting?
Now is the time to reinvent and the first step is not being afraid to tell people you're looking for work. Huge multi billion dollar corporations are on our TV sets every day, every hour, all asking for work in their commercials. If these large beverage companies, retailers, car makers, etc. who everybody already knows very well are putting this much effort into trying to improve their bottom lines, it should be a hint to the small business operators they should be putting in some extra effort too. They may not have the big budgets but there are ways they can get their names out.
-------------------- "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:Originally posted by Joey Madden: If I were too change careers, I would become a minister and open my own church and call it the Church of the Courageous Caucasians for the Almighty dollar or maybe become a politician
Hey Joey, you could open a chain of drive thru confessionals. You could call it "Toot & Tell"
""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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quote: What would I do? Stand in warm saltwater with a fly rod for 6 months and than rethink .
Your comment reminds me of Mike McCloud!! Gracias
Mike was a great, giving person.
To speak to the topic, I'd still hang in with the sign business but it would be tough to do so while being in the cold and snow. (something that is not on the agenda anymore)
Corporate customers are lasting customers, if ya treat them right!!
LOL Mexican vendors are lasting vendors if ya treat em right too!!LOL
-------------------- 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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Thank you to all who took the time to answer!!!GREAT answers by the way!! This is the first time I've second guessed at if I should still be in the business of signs and such (going on 22 years this May !!)...and what else would I do?
I had my first Gallery showing of my oil paintings (its how I release my "stress" from work") this past Nov.and sold over half of them, which felt sooo great!! Don't get me wrong...I'm not closing any doors...lol..I was just curious what others would do, because we are all darn lucky...not to do the same thing day in and day out, like others do. Keep smiling everyone !!!!!
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Why change? If yer love what you do, and can also make a few bucks on the side doing even more creative stuff ... what else could you swap that for Debb?
Life is quality .... not quantity!
When they finally plant me with a smile on my face and a brush in my hand .... gotta remember to reverse the brush to "push up the daisy roots!" I don't own a mahl stick!
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Jon...It might be just "winter hues...I mean "blues"..lol...Jill I would be a lousy waitress too...I know too many truckers...meaning...enough is ENOUGH !! (smart comments, the odd slap on the butt, ..all you gals know exactly what I'm talking about!(not all truckers..but a few)...that's a whole NEW topic...better not go there......anyways , I just need a warm place to go! Amy I will send a few pics of what I've been painting!! Cheers!!
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lol..lol..I think it may be Barb who needs the extra strokes....I don't know how to post pics on here, and had sent my pics to her (thats why no one has seen my stuff on here) ...I put what she sent in my email on here..(sorry Barb)lol..Jon you certainly sound like quite the "joker"..lol...lol
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My prescription for burn-out is this: close your shop for one week in the summer and the 10-12 days around Christmas and New Year's day. Take a vacation to somewhere nice, such as Alaska, Hawaii, or Europe. My wife, children and I took a seven day cruise from Spain to France and Italy last July, and not only did I see and appreciate the beauty, the history, and the essence of the European lifestyle, I also shot almost 1000 photos of signs of all kinds. I have already published a "Signs of France" article in Sign Builder Illustrated Magazine, and two more articles are in the works. You should see the creativity of the Italian sign artists!
About the recession, or whatever you choose to call it - rise above it. If you are really good at your craft, you have nothing to worry about. I've been in the sign biz since 1979, and customers come and go, businesses close and other move into their place. Not only must you be a master craftsperson, you must bring new and exciting ideas to your established clients. Read the advertising magazines, study the Point of Purchase and Point of Sale websites. See the signs, banners and graphics the successful stores and businesses are using...and take these ideas to your current clients. Take care of these select clients and they will continue to prosper you, and your business, with their orders. I have twelve clients that I have been serving for twenty eight years, and their tastes, needs, and requirements constantly evolve into new, exciting and more creative products. Burnout? It's doesn't have to happen. Sharpen your skills, save your money, pay cash for everything, enjoy traveling, study the great signs, and look for ways to prosper others. Love your craft. You'll soon find out there is no time for "burnout". "Go get 'em"!
-------------------- Mark K. Roberts The InterSign Group Mark Roberts Instructional Productions 9700 Almeda Genoa Road Houston, TX. 77075 Posts: 8 | From: Houston, TX. U.S.A. | Registered: Aug 2001
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Honestly, I haven't seen any slow down. The majority of my work used to be with the car dealerships and they have slowed down a lot due to the economy and what not, so obviously they're not spending much money with ME anymore, but what I did was I started advertising more. I wrapped my truck and beefed up my website (still needs more work) within the last 6 months. Plus I signed up for a free google account and added my business into the google free advertising local business center. Also, I started posting a lot of craigslist ads in my city and all the surrounding cities. I get MUCH MORE qualified calls from Google and craigslist than I ever did before and this is translating into real live MONEY for my business. Best thing is it's free.
The thing is. I don't get burnt out. I have 5 kids. I don't have time for burn outs. The way i see it is if I were a bird and there was a drought. I would just have to dig a little deeper into the ground to where the worms were hiding. The worms are still there, they just might not be hanging near the surface like when it's wet. And the rain will come back. On another note, I thank the animals, because if it weren't for the animals, i don't think it would ever rain again. We (poeple) don't deserve half of what we enjoy. I feel that it's God's mercy on the animals that he allows the rain to come down to nourish the earth. We just reap the benefits of Gods mercy.
posted
Been painting murals now for 17 years (14 full time)....Business has hit a wall since economic slowdown. Unlike signs, murals are strictly a luxury...Clients have literally gone away, and those that are still around are scared to death to spend a penny. It has been a HUGE challenge over the past year and have fought a lot of doubts and financial issues! Not to mention creative block. I feel everything is stacked up against me right now. But, what would I do? I cannot imagine doing anything else when it is precisely my art talents that God brought me. So, I have put it into the perspective that 'this too will pass' and will trudge forward.
A couple of small jobs are coming their way, so I will take it one day at a time....I guess a lot can be learned from hard times. As my wife and I look back, it's amazing what we have cut out over the past year, and now we ask ourselves, "why did we even need that?"
Just a few years ago we were enjoying the fruits of our most lucrative times—the phone was ringing off the hook, large clients from all over were in need of huge mural/theming jobs....times were just great. I admit, I long for those days to be back, but I am also looking at the bright side of things. It is quite humbling. However, I see my children more, I'm learning to be more conservative and most importantly, I am relying on God more and more...all things that to me are more important anyways..
So, I know times might never get back to what they were, but when it is all said and done I know deep down things will be alright...And, having gone through many burnout periods in my career, when it seemed like I was always 5 months behind schedule—it's nice to have the chance to stop and smell the roses. And besides, I'm with Mark Roberts above....I don't have time for burnout, my kids will make sure of that!
-------------------- Mark J. Adamany Adamany Art & Design P.O. Box 4505 Rockford, IL 61110-4505 web:adamany.com e-mail:adamany@adamany.com THE MURAL MAN! Posts: 13 | From: Rockford, IL USA | Registered: May 1999
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I love each and every comment on here!!! You all have certainly lifted my spirit and confidence , and God didn't give "us" this talent to go to waste either...it is really unlimited to what we all can come up with during trying times, love you all!!!
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I got burned out before I moved my shop to home. Now I don't want to make anymore signs. All my life I have jumped from one thing to another. Sometimes for weeks, month or years.
I have owned my own sand and gravel business and drove dump truck for 4 years. I have painted airplanes. I sold real estate for 3 years, a foster parent for 9 years, did horse breeding and training for over 30 years, I'm a published poet (the poem was nothing to write home about though), I've built a indoor riding arena and other small barns, shingled and sided houses, hmmm, there has to be lots more but can't think right now.
When I bought this existing sign shop, I have never made a sign in my life...ooops, I take that back, I just found a horse stall plaque that I hand painted, but nothing to write home about either. So now the sign shop is closing down unless I can get someone to buy it and I'm moving on to the next thing.
My new passion is day trading stocks and I am paying off all my bills from the sign shop. Yipee.
I've been in the stock market for years but now thanks to some people online that have taught me a lot, I am making money and I don't even have to get dressed to go to work.
I miss everyone here and stop in from time to time to catch up on the news. I will probably never make another Letterhead meeting but it was sure fun while it lasted and I have met some great people. There are many of you that I still call friend and would even get in touch if I was in your area.
ps. If anyone wants to know about getting into the market, get in touch with me. You can start with as little as $500.00. If you play it right, you can double that in one day. Take care.
[ January 10, 2009, 04:19 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
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debb, been to fredericton, and st johns in my youth))))(1965-1968). i was stationed at loring A.F.B. MAINE. spent a couple weekends over there....used to be a fun place. IAM BURNT OUT....at hearing CANT YOU DO IT AS CHEAP AS SO AND SO?????? then vinyl/printer novices have take the price for this work to new lows.......... other then that ill still do what i do.....i enjoy it.
-------------------- 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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Debb, I forgot to give my kudos for the talent that you have. You are really great. You must have more talent than anyone here as I see in the first one that you can even paint great with your eyes shut.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Laura you are really funny!...in that pic , I'm looking down at what I'm painting...(wish I could paint with my eyes shut!!! And old paint , it still is a fun place here! Stephen thanks for the kind words...here is some actual airbrush jobs and 1-shot lettering that I love doing...
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OK Debb. make yourself a Photobucket account. Upload your images to the account.
Take your image and keep it under 800 DPI on the horizontal and if you can ,save it as a Web Pic.
Flatten everything and post or save as Bit or J-Peg.
Now under the posting on this site. Just go to your 'PhotoBucket' account and high light the [IMG] and copy! Next post your reply on the site and paste the [IMG].
It will link the picture to your offshore account.
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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Hiya Debb, That's some cool work there. We all hit the wall from time to time. Vacations are very helpful, even just a change of scenery is good.
You are very close to posting pics successfully. Just remember you can't have any spaces and you must begin with [img] and end with [/img] in between you need the full address where the image is hosted beginning with http:// and ending with .jpg
Here's how the image string for the 4th pic should look. Keep trying till you get it. Click on the preview button to see if it works before you hit "Add Reply" If the image appears, close the preview window and hit "Add Reply"
Stephen is right Photobucket is a great hosting service and it's free.
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Thank you Stephen! and thank you Duncan! It's nice to hear from you Duncan...it's been five years since I met you and your sweety at Maritime Letterhead Round-Up in Moncton.
Every once in a while I go back "there"....wish I could attend every letterhead meet that's going!!Chatting on here to ALL YOU GREAT PEOPLE, IS NEXT TO THE BEST THING!!! Thank you everyone for all your wisdom and kind words !!! I'm not on here that often, but when I am, I ALWAYS GET MY BATTERIES RE-CHARGED...THANK-YOU ALL!!!
Please do not thank myself. We are all here to help each other out.
Sometimes we have to go to our corners and rethink.
You are, as you said 'stuck in a ruth', But that is part of our growing pains of being artists. You will never give it up! and the day you do! you will be lonely and wish you were back at it again.
[ January 12, 2009, 09:55 AM: Message edited by: Stephen Deveau ]
-------------------- Stephen Deveau RavenGraphics Insinx Digital Displays
Letting Your Imagination Run Wild! Posts: 4327 | From: Lower Sackville, Nova Scotia, Canada | Registered: Jan 2000
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