I remember years ago, in the 70's, when I discovered the AirBrush, I wanted to learn all I could about it, but there was no one around here who even heard of one. I was at a Car Show and saw a Van that was Airbrushed by someone out of the Province, It just blew me away. That summer I was determined to find someone in another province who could help me learn a little, and I found someone in Nova Scotia while on Holidays. He wasn't all that helpful at the the time.. I guess he thought I might be competition in the future.
Fast forward to the present, I've had quite a few individuals come to me during the day picking my brain, for what information I may have, they want to be my competition, at least they say they want to learn to Airbrush Bikes and what not, even asking about Pinstriping, I give them advice on how I do it, and then they ask if they can come watch, I have to say no to that, especially now, since I have the Airbrush shop at home and I don't want anyone coming to my home, privacy issues.
With all the letterhead meets and such, how do you guys feel about sharing the knowledge you have learned over the years with someone you just know will be your competition right in your area? Maybe I should hold a course in my shop, I'm sure I could teach people, and charge a handsome sum. It's something I struggle with, honestly, I've been burned sooooo many times by people picking my Brain over the years, and yes, customers of mine who asked so many questions, and are now operating Sign Shops, one who even owns a "Franchise" Sign shop... so I guess I'm a little Gun Shy....
Just rambling I guess....
Thanks for listening.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Go with your gut, only you know the exact circumstances of your situation. There's a saying something along the lines of "you don't raise chickens up to peck your eyes out". I've been burned more than once but in a different manner. You spend time with someone showing them the ropes and you see them at a later date and they haven't done a thing since the last time you saw them If I had been burned in the same manner as you I don't think I would be too willing to be sharing.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
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Part of the Letterhead value is the sharing. Part of the values I learned as an apprentice involved earning the right to learn what's next. I don't like training competition and I do like the sharing that elevates the overall work in our area. Is this someone that might have the integrity to honor you for what you teach? Does this person speak of others that taught him with an expression of gratitude? Perhaps this person is just a taker? Your decision could go either way. Best to you Neil.
-------------------- The SignShop Mendocino, California
Making the simple complicated is commonplace; making the complicated simple, awesomely simple, that's creativity. — Charles Mingus Posts: 6712 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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There's knowing how to use a tool, and then there's mastering it.
There's good design/layout/creativity, and there's being able to provide it reliably, consistently, on demand, on time.
As if those two hurdles aren't enough, the next one is owning a business, versus mastery of business.
The technical skills in the tools of any trade are easy to learn, but mastering any of them takes time, which most people won't give. You look at the top tier performers in any trade, and chances are they've either spent their whole lives doing it, or they've dedicated every available second to obsessing, learning and practicing.
-------------------- "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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Back in the early ninties, I used to do a lot of truck at Zimmer's truck center, Whittier. This young guy used to visit me and ask me about the products I used etc. Now I hear he's a really great strpier/letterer in the LA area. I still share with people my "Skills". Just last week a welder asks me how I am able to show the preview of his sign on his building. He's like to be able to show cliets how a new fence, gate etc would look on his customer's places. Look at Rick Glawson, he loved to show you how to do something. Gotta to be confident in what you do.
-------------------- Signs by Alicia Jennings (Mudflap Girl) Tacoma, WA Since 1987 Have Lipstick, will travel. Posts: 3812 | From: Tacoma, WA. U.S.A. | Registered: Dec 1999
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I happily share what I know through many venues. Through the years I've shown many projects and how to do them here on this BB.
I've written many articles for the magazines and participated in workshops at trade shows and other venues, sharing as much as time and the venue allows.
I write four blogs with detailed articles showing step by steps of many of the projects we do from start to finish. I'm working on a series of ebooks right now that will spill the beans as much as I am able in that format.
If someone shows up at my shop I'll give them tour, answer their questions and show them anything they want to know. I answer many emails and phone calls each week, most with questions about routing, materials, or specific techniques. I'll spend as much time as I can with these folks, but if they are really looking for lots of answers I encourage them to attend one of my workshops.
And then there's the workshops which we hold twice each year here in our shop. There we do our best to cram more than forty years of experience and learning into three plus days.
I've been questioned many times about the wisdom of 'sharing my secrets' especially to those who might compete with me. I'm not worried.
I've long believed that the more people know the higher the bar will be raised in this industry. What I know has been gained through experience or by someone sharing what they know with me. Even if I could possibly share all that I know with someone, the knowledge I shared was what I had learned to that point... and tomorrow I will be instantly ahead once more because I continue to learn each day.
I'll happily share and demonstrate how I sketch and paint to someone hoping they are inspired to do the same. But the truth is until they fill scores of sketchbooks and put in countless hours of practice they will be behind me. By that time I will have in a few thousand hours more practice myself and hopefully be a bit better myself.
Those who have a true passion to learn are happiest when they are sharing and learning with someone else.
-grampa dan
[ January 23, 2011, 01:04 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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I agree; I think we have a craft worth sharing witk anyone who is interested. Many facets of our profession are dying; like hand lettering, or even pinstriping.We need those who can 'carry the torch' forward.
Since my stroke, I've made great strides; but I'm not certain I'll ever be 100% again. Will I be able to stripe again? Will anyone come forth to take my place? Over the past couple years, I've become the only hand striper in the Jackson area. I've already had two of my customers ask me, "what are we going to do?"
There are many things I will be able to do again;I've already been weeding and taping vinyl.But in the scheme of things, that's really nothing. Still, to me, it is a monumental achievement. Just to pick up an x-acto knife, is abig deal; I have a small,but deep, puncture wound in my heel to prove it.
If anyone should happen by, and wants to learn the ropes, I'm going to do all I can to help and encourage them to be the best they can be. I'd really love to inspire someone to go beyond the norm; anyone can stick on vinyl, or do digital prints.I'd like to be the guiding light to teach someone to do real signs,the traditional way. There is still a market for them, I think it can be around for a long time.
-------------------- 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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You know all of this sounds so good and all that, and God Knows, I've shared with many, but when it comes back to bite you in a small market it can sting, and I'm not trying to be mean here, I've taught a quite a few of my tricks, but like George said, we don't raise chickens to peck our eyes out.
Maybe I should put off a workshop and charge for it, like some on here do... Just to give you a background, there have been at least 6 new companies start up here, who came by me for info and who also were customers, some of these very ones, are after cutting the hell out of prices, one even took photos of my work and went around claiming it was his work. Twice bitten? more like many times bitten..
I know a lot more on here feel the exact same way, but are probably are a little gunshy...I havn't turned away anyone yet, and probably never will... but thanks for all the comments.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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I've probably never had an original thought in my life - it has all come from someone else, so I share whatever I know with anyone that cares enough to ask.
What they do with it is an indication of the passion they have within. To some, they are just curious and want to know a little to satisfy their curiosity. It will go no further.
To others, they have the drive to take a little spark and fan it into a flame. Their desire to learn and do is immense and they would have found out the "secrets" from someone or someplace, even if I had told them nothing. Such is the nature of the learner.
The difference between the two is easy to spot. You can see it in their eyes. Over the years I've had countless folks come and ask questions but very few come back for the second installment.
Years ago when we were hand lettering everything, someone would want to learn and I would show them the basics strokes and then tell them to go home and practice, then come back in a week and we would go through the next step. I never had anyone come back. Most wanted a job that they could learn while I paid them. No one ever volunteered to pay me.
I had the privilege of learning from some of the finest craftsmen in the business but success does not come without sacrifice.
If someone wants to learn, I'll gladly share what I know. They are not a threat to me, even if they develop the skills to be my competition. That just creates more incentive for me to continue to improve.
Fifty years ago many great craftsmen took their "secrets" to the grave, but we still have the same abilities with us today, so they simply missed out on the joy of sharing and seeing others take up the mantle and pass the torch to another generation.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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This is an interesting post for me as I am new and my appreciation for the man who introduced me and remains open to all my questions as well as whatever I'm ready to learn moves me personally. We have become good freinds.I am pretty obcessed in my own way with line and the whole feild of sign making is like a new life for me with so much to learn and so much I long to create and explore. I make signs but I don't know hand lettering yet, pin striping, nor airbrush, welding etc. I am one of those guys asking many questions here and on other sites, I am desirous of learning this field and the forums are like a big shop in some new way for people like me. I will most likely die learning this trade and trying to give what I can of quality. With other concerns and responsibilties and life seeming to always be speeding up it will take a long time to just get the basics under my belt. My own idea is that I may have a good start in about ten years from now we will see. I think discrimination is key as usual. Neil has a greater task of discriminating where the line should be for him in not undermining his families needs.We have all been burnt giving but to make it black white does not work for me and seeing more clear about my own motives as well as how, why, or when to give works better for me.
[ January 23, 2011, 03:46 PM: Message edited by: Bruce Brickman ]
posted
Bruce, there's something to keep in mind, for what it's worth. If you stick to your guns, and learn the traditional skills, you'll be a leg up on your competition.
You can buy some brushes, paint, and a plotter for a whale of a lot less than a digital printer, or router, and all that high tech stuff.
Learn to use the hand tools well, and you won't need the router (for the most part). Learn to hand letter and you won't need the printer.
All this stuff makes you faster, but not necessarily better. Staying smaller, and mastering the hand tools available, will prevent you from taking on all the overhead that can make it necessary to mechanize.
Course,that depends on how big you want to get. Having a good volume of work and being able to make a good living, without the stresses involved in having to make X number of bucks every month, just to make a bunch of equipment payments, is a good thing. A lot of guys have gotten involved in this business, and gone bankrupt for the same reason. The overhead never takes a day off. Manage your time and skills, and you will be, from time to time.
posted
This used to be a thorny subject for me. Some twenty years back, a wealthy developer customer of mine, came into my office and spent some time admiring my brand spanking new sign making system. During the course of our conversation, he asked who supplied me as he was looking to buy an accounts system. I told him of course and one month later, he set up a sign business for his son with a healthy budget behind him. Went on to turnover probably four times what I do annually. Only thing, he went bankrupt last year I'n the building crash. I've been warybever since who I give tips to
-------------------- Kevin Gaffney Artistik Signs Kinnegad County Westmeath Ireland 044-75187 kevingaffney@eircom.net Posts: 628 | From: Ireland | Registered: Oct 2003
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posted
Back when the first Gerber 4B came out we were the first to own one and were selling vinyls to other sign shops. When they came here they saw we did many things they were not capable of doing, so we were selling hand carved signs, air brush pictorials, hand painted pictorials, gold leaf lettering, both surface and glass. The Letterhead spirit was paying off for us. There is a wood carver who will teach, but has the person sign that they will not open a shop within 50 miles of him. It seems that the young people who say they want to learn hand lettering can not find the time it takes to practice and learn. They expect to be paid right away. Bill
-------------------- Bill Riedel Riedel Sign Co., Inc. 15 Warren Street Little Ferry, N.J. 07643 billsr@riedelsignco.com Posts: 2953 | From: Little Ferry, New Jersey, USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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posted
After you stop and think about the question and where it has been posted, you will probably come to the conclusion that you will get a biased opinion here at Letterville.
Most of the folks that post here are constant learners and are, by nature, willing to share...or they wouldn't be here.
Some may come and go, but the old timers on this forum are ready to assist others. Even Joey.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Kevins story sounds earily close to mine, that is why I struggle with it... Yes of course when you get a bit older and are closer to retiring why would'nt you be more open to sharing.
Bill you are so right, it took me about 4 or 5 years of doing showcards and stuff before it "Clicked", meaning of course that the lettering quill finally gave way to my commands... that was such a Joy, to be called a "Sign painter".
The best advice we can give, is to tell then what products to use and then Practice, Practice, Practice.... it usually weeds out the wannabe's.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Thanks for the advice Dale! Bill, making time even with the desire seems more challenging with age and responsibilities. I do agree there is no substitute for practice. As usual each situation is a bit different and so there is no one answer I think. I deeply appreciate what I am learning even the simple things like someone said they keep a bucket full of water and put the rollers in it and then pull them out and spin to use again etc.
posted
I'm happy to share knowledge with my fellow letterheads anytime. However, I don't want to contribute directly to my competitior's success. Like George said, go with your gut. There are such things as trade secrets and there is good reason for that. Funny thing, we did a job for Coca Cola recently and the security is so tight at their plant they treat everyone like some kind of spy. After getting through "security" I had to sign a paper saying I would not steal any information on their recipes. Yeah, sure, like I could do that.
-------------------- Jean Shimp Shimp Sign & Design Co. Jacksonville Beach, Fl Posts: 1265 | From: Jacksonville Beach, Fl. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Yes Kinda like Fine Restaurants sharing recipe's with one another.. Yea Right! I consider the Skilled Carver, Sign Painter, Artist to be like Chefs, and then there's the Fast Food joints, Kinda like me now, lol, well sort of ,as I have been digital for a long while now, but get to dabble with the brushes and Airbrushes from time to time. This is a good discussion!
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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I also feel like The Fine Mr. Rick Sacks here(it's his birthday today so he gets caps and a formal address),....There are certain skill levels that the learner should have at the very least practiced for some time before they should be able to learn skills that are not intermediate and or beginner basic trade skills. In the old billboard shop I had to earn my way up through the shop hierarchy to get to the point that they would allow me to be the older full time pictoral painter's helper or in a position that that opportunity was available,Once that was earned you could and were expected to ask questions and expect an authoritative answer,(you also had to be able to make sure all he had to do was paint pictures,thus one had to finish the copy on the billboard before he could work near and or watch the old man at work in order to learn and ask questions),...I had been lettering for way over 15 years before I got a chance to work in a very high paying field and learn surface gilding at a firetruck dealership and learn the fine details of ornate fire truck decoration,...I spent much of my time just outling copy from another mans patterns and hand layout. It was boring mundane tedious work but the knowledge I gained was worth any discrepancy between the excitement lost and the value of said knowledge gained.I got paid quite well by trade standards at the time, incidently,...
The ideal of the fable of the sorcerer's apprentice comes to mind here,....I can still see Micky Mouse running away from the broom and mop in the Disney version of that fable,....
edited to add,...at the same time I have to admit I've tried to share what I knew with several apprentices before the computer age took over this biz,once that happened the people wanting to learn to hand letter quit showing up,..I suspect some of the software programs were easier to work with than I was,....
[ January 24, 2011, 09:28 PM: Message edited by: Tim Barrow ]
-------------------- fly low...timi/NC is, Tim Barrow Barrow Art Signs Winston-Salem,NC Posts: 2224 | From: Winston-Salem,NC,USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Over the course of my 29 years in this business, I've had a dozen or more opportunities to show others who were interested what I could about the ins-and-outs of sign-ing. From kids who were brought in by their parents (He's really good in art!) to adults looking to satisfy a curiosity (?)... I haven't ever managed to produce another sign maker. In the early days (before we got into vinyl) I would show them what brushes we used, paint, and tried to teach brush technique. What always seemed to stand in the way was that they never seemed to grasp the kind of commitment that it takes to learn how to handle a quill or striping dagger. One guy, in particular came back time and again, and inevitably hadn't even picked up a brush since his last visit. Finally, whenever he would show up, I'd pull out a piece of scrap aluminum and tell him to show me what he'd learned by his practicing. Nada. I admired his enthusiasm, and the fact that he'd read everything that he could avail himself to via books and magazines like SignCraft, but i was maddened that he wasn't able to turn that enthusiasm into any kind of progress... I've since gone on to label him as my greatest career failure, because I showed him the best that I knew, and it didn't take. He could talk the talk, but not walk the walk. I remember reading somewhere where a sage veteran of something or other said that "If you wanna so something really well, you have to wanna do it really bad" Truer words have never been spoken. Since we got into the vinyl thing back in 1994, I've seen dozens of people buy a plotter and a starter kit of promo-grade vinyl and go out to try and make a go of it... And the vast majority end up either selling their outfit to a friend or some unsuspecting soul who was all ramped up to make millions in the sign business... and in a year or so , the process repeats. These guys don't even bother asking for advice, because they're all relying on the equipment to do it for them. A couple years ago, a good friend of mine approached me with the idea of combining his financial resources and my abilities and starting a new shop.. We (I) spent hours and hours researching large format printers, new software, all the latest technologies, and I made my recommendations. Time after time, he took over,did his own research, and eventually arrived at the same conclusion that I offered days, weeks, or even months earlier. This wasn't limited to equipment choices, but business practices and philosophy. Long story short, he wound up with literally about 100k in new toys (2, yes 2 54 inch plotter/printers, a laminator, sewing machines to hem banners, and God only knows what else (I don't, because I finally got tired of the BS after a year of never even actually seeing any of that stuff produce anything.) Sad part is, the whole experience left me so frustrated and angry that I'd be hard pressed to refer to him as a friend anymore. Live and learn. I guess what I'm trying to say is that all I've ever accomplished by sharing what I've learned in almost 3 decades of sign making was, for the most part, providing myself with the frustration of wasted time and effort. Would I do it again tomorrow if someone walked in and wanted to learn the craft? Probably. Everything we learn is a product of what someone else has already done. 99 percent of all knowledge is gleaned from those who already know. When I look back at my first foray into this all, I remember those who treated me like I was asking them for family secrets, and I feel a great deal of gratitude (and some affection, I might add) for those who were secure enough in their ability to realize that when you know something, it's wasted if you decide that it's yours and yours alone. Because of the gift of time and talent that was given to me by my mentors, they not only showed me to DO, but gave me the desire to SHARE. As an additional thought, If you ever decide to take a fledgling sign-wanna be under your wing, and they DO make it, you can bet that , provided that they're any kind of human being, and that you really DO share all that you can,(with patience and a measure of encouragement), they're probably going to have a measure of loyalty to you, and as such look to you as an ally rather than an enemy in the event that they go on to establish their own shop.
Remember my greatest "failure"??? He still dogs for me at car and bike shows, cleaning and de-waxing stuff, talking to waiting customers, whatever he can to help... Oh, and he runs the in-house sign shop of one of the local mega-hospitals. They do a lot of small engraved signs, they have an older Edge to output stuff on... and whenever he gets something in that they can't handle, and doesn't have to be done by a huge electric/fab/monster sign factory, he calls me up.. It's good for a nice little chunk of change at the end of the year. Guess maybe I DID manage to produce a sign guy after all...
-------------------- Ed The Signwerks 1951 SR 254 Orangeville, Pa. Posts: 199 | From: Orangeville, Pa. USA | Registered: Dec 2000
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When I started 44 years ago, as was said previously ... no one would share their knowledge!
Many tips and tricks went to the grave with them. I had a slight advantage ... my brother worked in a sign shop while in high school. So I was exposed to some of the knowledge and I played around with it and did some small jobs while I was in college.
In 1967 I went to work in a small shop, after being away from it for 10 years. After a few months, I decided I wanted to work for myself. I bumbled along somehow until sometime in the mid '70s, McLogan Supply started putting on what we now call Letterhead Meets at one of their stores.
Wow!
What a godsend! Sharing knowledge! I soaked up all that was available and went to ever one of their type. Never have worried about competitors ... except for one case.
One of my customers called me and said that another guy had stopped in and pretended that he was me and even had pictures of my work.
I asked him if he would call him and invite him down at 9 am next morning. I was there at 8:30 and parked out back where my van wouldn't be seen.
At 9am sharp he showed up and about wet his pants when I walked in from the other room. I informed him that the next time he tried that again, I would hunt him down and break every one of his fingers.
Word must have gotten out ... never had a problem with competitors since!
Yes! I will help, teach and give advice to fellow sign people!
-------------------- 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: 8827 | From: La Mirada, CA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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quote:Originally posted by Si Allen: Yes! I will help, teach and give advice to fellow sign people!
Yeah, but you just yell at them "No No NO! You pull the brush like *THIS*!!" and then you point and laugh when they spill pink OS on their shoes... ahh.. memories... at least I'll never forget that.. hahahaha...
-------------------- "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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posted
In the Detriot suburbs in the 70's there were some really good signpainters working out of their garages. After being kicked out of one sign shop for fear of becoming competition, the next shop offered me a 2 year apprenticeship for no pay. "I'll teach you everything I know" he said. Smartest thing I ever did was accept that offer. My friends had to PAY for their education at a 4 YEAR college. Mine was free. He told me he was one of two apprentices brought up by Lloyd Littleton (from Chicago) and was made to promise he would bring up two apprentices in his time. I was his second. I had to make the same promise to him about teaching two apprentices. That won't happen.
Times have changed. Signpainting (the skill of forming letters by hand) had been a widely marketable profession for dozens of centuries. IMO, it all came to a screeching halt in the 1980's with the Gerber. No longer is it possible for the average signpainter wannabe to spend the demanding 8 hour days, 40 hours weeks, and year round work that results in a master sign painter, and still make a living wage. That is the trick to learning the trade well - you gotta live it, breathe it, and bleed it.
Next month in Detroit we are hosting the 2011 Detroit 'Head Jam at AutoRama. There are 125 'Heads coming to the Cobo Hall custom car show to share and exchange ideas, styles, and techniques, while making art for charity. Last year we raised $42,000.00 for Leader Dogs for the Blind. We are mostly Pinheads, but several are Letterheads and a few Airheads. We've planned seminars in all three disciplines so the three can learn each others' skills from real pros. Our three vocations are closely related. Pinheads are dying to learn good hand lettering skills, and are halfway home because they have already figured out the paint nuances and brush control thing. I have utmost admiration for those artists that can design and paint a quality sign, decorate it with pinstriping and scrollwork, and airbrush a pictorial on it too. Few I know can do it.
I believe that the opportunity for a kid to become a well-rounded master sign painter these days is about gone. I can't honestly recommend sign painting as a good career choice. I know I won't be bringing up any apprentices in my time because I couldn't keep them busy enough at the easel in my mostly computerized shop.
BTW, CNN reported yesterday that several school systems are considering dropping the teaching of script handwriting from their cirricula. And told a story of a 12 year that was unable to sign his name on a passport because he didn't know cursive.
-------------------- Mark Casey Casey Sign Co., Inc. Berkley, MI Posts: 76 | From: Berkley, MI, USA | Registered: Mar 1999
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Sad isn't it Mark, now that is one meet I'd love to attend sometime, just to watch, I feel so fortunate, to have learned those three arts, Hand Lettering, Pinstriping, and Airbrushing, although I'm no Master, I can pull things off from time to time. But like you, the digital age has taken it's place for the most part, at least when it comes to signs, with leases on Vehicles, hardly no one wants any paint anymore....Oh My.
-------------------- "Keep Positive"
SIGNS1st. Neil Butler Paradise, NF Posts: 6277 | From: St. John's NF Canada | Registered: Mar 1999
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Hiya Neil, I would rather compete on a level playing field against knowledgeable competition versus some yahoo who just bought a plotter and is giving his (crappy) work away.
Although I don't have much to share, I'm always more than willing to share what I know with just about anyone who doesn't waste my time.
My attitude towards sharing with competition is "share - within reason". I don't talk pricing specifics, but I will show how I typically would achieve a price - covering overhead expenses such as mark-ups, salaries/wages, benefits, utilities, advertising, etc.
When it comes to doing the work and letting them watch, I don't hesitate to charge for my time. In fact, I've worked with and coached a few businesses since striking out on my own.
Havin' fun,
Checkers
-------------------- a.k.a. Brian Born www.CheckersCustom.com Harrisburg, Pa Work Smart, Play Hard Posts: 3775 | From: Harrisburg, Pa. U.S.A. | Registered: Nov 1998
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