posted
Sorry guys, But I have to post my question differently. I wanted to know if YOUR business was doing well this year. I didn't wanted to start a fight on your political views. So here's my simplyfied question (without the word "economy")
HOW IS YOUR BUSINESS THIS YEAR?
-------------------- Pierre Tardif P. Tardif Inc. 1006 boul. PIE-XI sud Val-Belair QC. Canada G3K 1L2 418-847-4089 pierre@ptardif.com Posts: 800 | From: Quebec city | Registered: Aug 2002
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posted
My business is GREAT! Hired an Apprentice and CPA Still don't advertise,so word of mouth is working for me. Must be my life style of NOT spending more than I make Hope this helps
-------------------- PKing is Pat King The Professor of SIGNOLOGY Posts: 3113 | From: Pompano Beach, FL. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My business is GREAT too!! Tons of new & old opportunities which gives me a primary problem of retaining or attaining focus. I finally decided what my occupation actually is, so that helps! (I keep forgetting that I'm semi-retired)
p.s. Sorry to get off the beam on your other post. Sometimes Canadians seem a little more civilized the we appear in the US but on the other hand, they tend to vote with bullets in Mexico so I guess it could be worse.
-------------------- Chris Elliott 1longshot@classicnet.net cell 62084two2232 Posts: 686 | From: Scottsdale, AZ & Anthony, KS, USA | Registered: Dec 1999
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Overall, it has been my best year yet. But right now I'm very slow. Problem was, when I was busy I spent money like a drunken sailor. Now I'm paying the price....I'M BROKE!
-------------------- Rob Larkham Sign Techniques Inc. Chicopee, Ma Posts: 607 | From: Chester, Ma. | Registered: Apr 2002
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It's either so slow that it makes m want to puke or so busy that I can't handle it. Done good so far but Sept. was pretty bad. I didn't worry though because every business owner I know was griping too. Lots of stuff has been closing up around here. Oct. has been really good, starting to get into that super busy cycle feel again.
-------------------- John Thompson JTT Graphics "The big guy with a little sign shop!" Royston/Hartwell Georgia jtt101@hotmail.com Posts: 626 | From: Royston Georgia | Registered: Feb 2002
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The only thing real different about this year was the summer was slower than usual. I am busy busy busy right now. But this business has always been up and down ever since I first started in '76. Never very consistent. I am either overly busy...or sitting here some days with nothing going on. But the other signmakers I am close to are in the same boat. So...get it while it's hot!
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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It's been a good year. Hired a part timer. Things were going like a steam roller until the end of September, when I found myself caught up! I still had a lot of piddly stuff to keep me busy, but I had a couple of weeks where I wondered what was going on... nothing new was coming in. Then by October 10, things took another turn and I am behind again. I like it this way, but you always have that feeling like "geez, what if the phone never rings again?"
I'm positive here.
-------------------- Jeff Vrstal Main Street Signs 157 E. Main Street Evansville, WI 53536 1-608-882-0322 Posts: 670 | From: Evansville, Wisconsin | Registered: Sep 2001
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posted
This has been a very slow year. About like the 91 recession. My regulars are the only jobs that keep me busy. Not many new clients out there!
-------------------- 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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Business has been slow here, but getting better this fall.... To think that people would invade a post with cheap shots to support their politial views. Perhaps they were just illusions.
-------------------- "Don't change horses in midstream, unless you spot one with longer legs" bronzeo oti Jack Davis 1410 Main St Joplin, MO 64801 www.imagemakerart.com jack@imagemakerart.com Posts: 1549 | From: Joplin, MO | Registered: Mar 2000
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Today I’m playing catch-up from my vacation return. This year as a whole financially has been slightly better than past years.
Ongoing home improvements, vacations, and other more pesky expenses continue to set me back in my bank account, but it's all a part of the big picture. I'm grateful that it's remained managable, and that I've still been able to pay myself first this past year ... in various ways.
An upbeat outlook, hard work and a sense of humour keeps the momentum going around here. hahaahaaa!
Life (with a capital "L") is good.
Janette
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
Pierre..After answering your original post/question I decided to do a quick count.
This year, so far, is 40% higher than last year was in total. I know that December is traditionally slow so I am thinking that I might make it to a 50% increase over last year.
I pray that this trend continues!!!!
I know that my gains are probably not a result of my expertise..they are more a reflection of my clients' expertise, and therefore, their spending.
Pierre..from seeing pics of your work in SignCraft I am sure that your current slowdown is not anything to do with YOU..it is just a local slowdown in your area and in the type of clients you usually get business from. Things WILL turn around!!!
-------------------- 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
posted
I've been in business now 10 years. Each year has gotten better and better. This year reached a high I never thought I would...two months in a row. Now things have slowed to a more enjoyable pace. The one thing I have learned....when it's quiet....be productive. Do all those odd things around the shop that you don't have time for when you are busy (call in receivables, re-do your window lettering, make yourself a new sandwich board. Murphy's law dictates that as soon as you start something for yourself, the phone will ring!!!) One other trick is to put on a shirt that is plastered with my company name and phone number and go somewhere popular for coffee. (Tip: If your company name is on the back of your shirt, don't sit against a wall....Ha! Ha!) Be visible...someone will always ask for a business card or a quote. Things will improve. Sue
-------------------- Susan Banasky Source Signs Nanaimo, British Columbia sourcesigns@shaw.ca
When in need....go directly to the "Source"!
Proud Supporter of this "Knowledge Network"! Posts: 1323 | From: Nanaimo, B.C. Canada | Registered: Oct 1999
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Susan, that is a great tip. I often wonder if the people reporting slow business promote. It's also nice to read that most are reporting great years.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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From one of those who got long-winded about economics... this has been a very good year. I'm making more money with less work, which is one of my goals, the other being to learn and use new techniques. And though it is traditionally slow hear late in the year, a few decent projects are in the works.
-------------------- "A wise man concerns himself with the truth, not with what people believe." - Aristotle
Cam Bortz Finest Kind Signs Pondside Iron works 256 S. Broad St. Pawcatuck, Ct. 06379 "Award winning Signs since 1988" Posts: 3051 | From: Pawcatuck,Connecticut USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Jeff, why do you say most are reporting good years. This thread has only a few responses out of thousands registered. Most people who aren't doing well will not go out and tell others how bad they are doing. Some others who claim to do well are usually glad to be busy rather than worry if they are profitable.
I usually take it with a grain of salt the comments of fellow business people as to the state of their business. A major local business that I am doing a job for now claims to have had the best year yet. I just received a letter from bancrupty court on him.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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I've always said, it's not what you make, it's what you keep. Most see what's coming in clearer than what's going out. hahahaaa It's all relative.
Perceptions are often misleading. You'll see folks that appear to be doing well, but who have debts veering out of control. Then there are those who appear less lavish with mounds accummulating in the bank.
Ever read the book "The Millionaire Next Door"? A pretty good read.
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
posted
LOL David....you crack me up. You and your brutally honest questions! I too, take what lots of Letterheads say with a grain of salt. It is just too easy to live in a fantasy land when you are on the internet sometimes!
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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Wow, I make a posative comment and I get nailed.. haha.. I was making a really basic statement based on how the majority of people had replied. If they are in fact doing well, I'd say it is because some of their customers decided they needed their services, and weren't afraid to spend.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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posted
You have to take into account your market situation. To the customer, things are ALWAYS BAD for whatever reason they choose....the economy....tax time.....buying school clothes for their kids, etc. There's ALWAYS a reason for a perspective customer NOT to buy a sign. But when they DO want to buy a sign, do they have 25 shops to choose from, or just 2 or 3. And, like in my case, I've been in the same location for 25 years.....THAT helps a lot. Your prices are ALWAYS "too high" no matter what your situation, BUT if you're in competition with a LOT of shops....price DOES make a difference, remembering that the customer knows little about signs, and a LOT about "cheap"! We all like to believe that our quality of output, knowledge, and our winning personalities have EVERYTHING to do with the success of a sale, and in some cases it's true, but in many cases, it's all "the market"!
[ October 22, 2002, 11:09 AM: Message edited by: Bob Burns ]
posted
Although we have had 9-11, a recession, Inron and so on this past year, I am still ahead, so far, this year from previous years. I have worked harder though, because many people are watching their budgets this year. I have had to spend more time with the new customers, and even some old ones are being pressured by their bosses to get quotes right now. I have had to sit down and figure prices almost to the penny for many more customers this year.
Also, I have had many more people ask this year if I accept credit cards than ever before (I don't). They say they want to use credit cards because of the "perks" the credit card companies are giving them.I'm not so sure that's true. Many people have been over-extended and this blip in the economy has hit them hard. They are using their credit cards more.
Things will get better in time. I listen to my retired signpainter friend who lived through the depression. That's when times were really rough. I understand why the man is so thrifty with materials.
Just my thoughts
Pam, Pam's Signs
-------------------- Pam Eddy Niles, MI ple@qtm.net Posts: 460 | From: Michigan | Registered: Dec 2000
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We're runing about a 35% increase over last year and last year was pretty good. Spend the extra earnings on a new and improved location. Boy is it ever nice to be able to build the shop to fit. We're organized!
-------------------- Glenn Thompson Tell-Tale Signs Williams Lake, BC sign@telus.net (250)398-7446 Posts: 201 | From: Williams Lake, BC | Registered: Dec 2000
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"Hey I'm doing better than I ever have." That was my initial thought, then I went to my Computer and did a "Quick-Books" comparision year to date, wow, I was up 7%. Yet my profits are down 1,076.8%.
The truth is figures lie and liars figure.
I've paid all my debts off, quarterly tax payments are ahead of schedule, and there is even a little leftover for grins and giggles. So I hope I'm down a 1,000% every year from now on!
DeWayne Connot
-------------------- Valerie Connot DOA Flatliners North Wales, PA Posts: 138 | From: North Wales, PA, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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:-) DeWayne hit something good here. As long as you're not answering to share holders, and are not trying to make any major purchases, or expansion, hav ing a good strong year and NOT making a profit on paper can be a very good thing. :-)
This is one of the great things about a small business.
-------------------- Jeff Bailey Rapid Tac Inc. Grants Pass, Oregon Posts: 231 | From: Grants Pass, Oregon, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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isnt this all nothing more then an I L L U S I O N ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ? ?
[ October 23, 2002, 02:31 AM: 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
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LOL! This site is so fun to read in the morning with my coffee. Is it fishing season still? The bait is out I see! I think I will just troll along for a bit as I am Laughing my buns off.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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When I read the reworded question here I started to ponder it. It challenged me to not only think about what was asked, but about up or down years, or good and bad months in general.
Proportionately speaking my income rose as I got more efficient, more profit conscious, more computerized and more competent. It increased because the customer base in general grew from year to year, and I have a good number of loyal customers supporting my efforts. But it did not increase dramatically ever, because I chose to work by myself. So my resources of time in which to produce have been limited.
Never though, have I seen a year of cautionary spending, as I do this year. The immediately paralyzing effect of 9-11 in my surroundings, once overcome, simply morphed into a steady flow of less work. It has become difficult to convince those in need of signs to spend money beyond the bare necessity. I have never sold more coroplast than this year. I used to succeed in talking people out of it. I see the same in other businesses; I see it in those for whom I am a subcontractor, that work is down by half. My accountant says her business is down. My mechanic whose lot was overflowing with vehicles to be worked on, now cleans around a half empty lot and works 4 days a week, if that. The merchandise in the stores is deeply discounted and the come-ons are astounding . The flyers from sign supply companies are clogging my fax machine, and their gratitude for my business is noticeable. Fellow sign makers I know, and I know a good number of them locally, are not working like they are used to, and competition in the industry is stiffer.
So, there must be an explanation for so many of the posts on the Bull Board being positive and some are reporting exploding growth. Though on closer examination even a good number of those say it is “slow right now- temporarily”. It’s possible, like David said, that only those for whom it is an up year are writing; that those who are just coasting like I am don’t feel like talking about it. It’s also possible that there are a lot of heads in the sand because it is more comfortable to deny the difficult and live with an illusion. When I read the first post on this subject, which included the political implications of the economy, my thought was that the time must have come for the heads to raise up from that sand. Admitting that maybe things will not miraculously get better and that we do have to think about it.
500 billion dollars have so far evaporated in the collective retirement funds in the United States. My money is only a speck of sand in that. Yet I know I face having to work longer years because of the setback. So it’s with no great surprise I end this post with a resounding vote that for me, for those I interact with and those I observe, it is way more difficult this year to make a living.
-------------------- Myra A. Grozinger Signs Limited Winston-Salem, NC
signslimited@triad.rr.com Posts: 1244 | From: Winston-Salem, NC USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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posted
Myra describes the situation very well. Most of us are very small operations and a few good contracts here or there can keep us afloat or be a great help to our bank account. That can also give one a false impression on the business climate. That being said, it also doesn't take much to get most of us back up and running again. Stay lean.
I have done all my accounting for many years with Quickbooks and all one has to do is generate a report for previous years comparison to see some hard numbers. No feelings allowed as input.
As Myra has said the sales are harder to make and the customers are more cautious. I have maintained fairly well only because of harder work and adapting my sales and business techniques. My shop load is never heavy ( though usually profitable) because I am higher in price than my competitors.
Don't go by what others are saying as to how well things are going. Hell, half the time when people ask me "how's business?" I give them the stock reply "pretty good!". Nobody really wants to know and if you said things are not too good, they look at you like a terminal cancer patient.
All that said, I have to say business is pretty good right now. Going to send out some more brochures and bid on a few jobs that I will get done by a sub-contractor. What ever it takes.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Wow Myra and David....you write some powerful truth. I have asked many of my customers how business is lately, and almost all of them say it is much slower than usual. Most say it IS harder to make a decent living anymore as there are too many other people getting into their line of work also. (Painters, landscapers and contractors ) The frustration level can get pretty high when so many people are calling for prices and you are the highest, and they think you are trying to rip them off. We are all just trying to make a buck, and it's nice when we can share our honesty with each other. Who knows....maybe we can even help each other.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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posted
Great input folks! Indeed we can help each other!
No short answers could really touch on the depth of this stuff. Many factors involved, and we all have our stories and perceptions. As Myra points out, anything is possible. It’s really in each of our best interest to stay clear in our own realities without placing judgment on others.
I generally reply "I'm staying steady" as my standard answer to this (Pierre’s) question. Whether I’m slow or bustling. When I take a good look back thru the years, I realize I've indeed been "staying steady" and so that answer seems concise. That’s entailed it's share of set backs, stand stills, and headway. As long as the momentum keeps steadily moving forward, I’m grateful, and I don't ever get too comfortable in that.
QuickBooks keeps a good account of things. As per Dewayne's example, the numbers don't always co-inside with what you think is going on, and many factors really make up the true picture.
Still, as David says, "what ever it takes". That's been my driving attitude! I have been fortunate, thus far, to be able to make money with my creativity. But if there ever came a time where I'd have to wait tables (never mind corplast signs! hahahaa) to make ends meet, I'd grimmice, bite my pride and just do it. Having come from a family who has endured true hardship, (my parents & brother fled a country during war time) I embrace my blessings. I take strength in the fact that they made it with tougher odds.
Personally, my focus isn't in stressing things beyond my control, but rather survival within the perameters of my control. My stategies have been to lay emphasis in honing my skills, my approach, and my efficiency. Each year the goal is to become more profitable, work smarter, simplify life, get ahead and all the while I keep striving to do it on my terms, and still maintaining quality in my day to day. Each year, (heck, each day), I do what it takes. Some days are better than others.
It's a balancing act, and a chess game, but worrying about the world's economic issues, or blaming the market in my estimation, is not what keeps the gears moving. It’s about making choices and changes to suit your needs in Life.
The input on this bb gives us all a better awareness of our individual experiences. It gives us the chance to lift our heads from the sand and learn from each other. Another blessing.
So, humbly I say, I’m staying steady.
Janette
-------------------- "When Love and Skill Work Together ... Expect a Masterpiece"
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