That is to say I've lost more time in the last few weeks trying new staff, spending time training and re-doing half the jobs and a few days later....starting all over again.!!!
It's faster to do it myself.I spend evenings and weekends fixing signs up.
I know it's all part of being in business.
So how many of you are 'One person Shows"? How do you deal with busy times and finding mature, responsible help when needed?
Anyone looking for a job?
Signed, Frustrated
-------------------- Shirley Carron Black Sheep Designs 184 John St. N. Arnprior,On.,Canada shirleyc@magma.ca 613-623-7053 Posts: 503 | From: Arnprior, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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I know the frustration of what you're saying. For the most part I have worked alone for the very reasons that you just listed. There have been two exceptions.
For several years I had a high school student that was probably the best young man that I have ever known. He was one of those jewels that you wished you could clone. Unfortantely, he graduated and when off to Oklahoma State.
The other is my son, Mike. He has been working full time with me for about six months and is turning out to be a great asset. He is a lot like me. You can take that as a plus or a minus. Whatever, he helps a lot more than he hinders and frees me to do my thing without a lot of pressure to get "back to work". He is just as "picky" as I am so I'm not having to constantly redo something that is not up to par.
Keep trying is all that I can say. Someone will come along that will be out-of-the-ordinary. When they do, make sure that they know how much they are helping and how appreciative you are. And it is not always just with a paycheck. I worked for someone else for years and never heard them say "Thank You" once, except at the Christmas party when everyone received the usual "You are all doing a fine job".
Until that person comes along you will have to endure some long hours. Just make sure that the hours are filled with what you want to do and not just something to pay the bills.
Good luck.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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i'm a one person shop and i wish i could find someone that i trusted to help me too! i'm starting to get so busy and i have no idea how i'm going to be able to do everything...i now have a cnc router and i'm able to take on jobs that i used to pass on...but i really need some help. i totally know how you feel...only i haven't made the plunge to hire someone and train them...don't know if i ever will but i kinda doubt it. i wish i knew someone who knew their sh!t and was just looking for part time work here and there. i may try to find someone who will work as a sub because i don't want to get workers comp and pay 941s...of course they will have to have a certificate of insurance...i figure $20-$25/hr would be what i could afford..taxes are up to them...and they WILL get a 1099. i guess i'll just have to see what happens...until then there's no rest for the wicked!
-------------------- 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
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Hello Shirley. I won't have any more employees. I have had it with the problems and extra cost for insurance, vacations, screw-ups benefits etc. I find it much easier to simply raise prices when things get too busy. The problem is when you just need a box of nails from the store, you have to slow down and do it yourself. I like it by myself much better! John Arnott
[ April 22, 2003, 03:29 PM: Message edited by: John Arnott ]
-------------------- 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 feel your pain! I have had an employee one or two days a week for about 6 months now. At first she was really keen to learn, and worked quickly and fairly efficiently. I put up with errors and bubbles figuring the more experience she gains the better she will become (just like all of us, right?)Wrong. She is losing interest in the job, and making the same small mistakes over and over. I think she is bored with the mundane weeding and application, but isn't capable of anything else. I'm not sure what to do either, because she really helps free up my time for other things (except when I have to do things over)
Too bad all us gals don't live closer. We could help each other out.
Suelynn
-------------------- "It is never too late to be what you might have been." -George Eliot
Suelynn Sedor Sedor Signs Carnduff, SK Canada Posts: 2863 | From: Carnduff, SK Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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One monkey show here. When I get busy, I get my brother to help out. He is not in the business but sometimes all you need is another body. Pat
-------------------- Pat Phipps Custom Trophy & Design Glenn Dale. MD ______________________ _ "A Man Don't Learn A Lesson Less It Costs Him Blood or Money " Posts: 78 | From: Glenn Dale, Maryland | Registered: Feb 2003
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Occasionally, people stop by the shop looking for work but I cringe at the thought. Like Raymond, I am far too "particular" about the way I want things done and would be pulling my hair out worrying over someone else who just might not share my need for fastidiousness.
Plus, the average employee loafs WAY too much. Too much hassle for me.
My wife and kids do just fine.
[ April 22, 2003, 04:03 PM: Message edited by: Wayne Webb ]
-------------------- Wayne Webb Webb Signworks Chipley, FL 850.638.9329 wayne@webbsignworks.com Posts: 7409 | From: Chipley,Florida,United States | Registered: Oct 1999
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Over the years the number of employees has varied greatly.
There are lots of good folks out there and lots of folks I wouldn't hire too.
We have had a maximum or 22 employees, but most often operate with 4-5. Right now I am solo but looking for prospective employees for a bunch of upcoming large jobs.
Generally I like to hire green folks, right out of school and train them. I hire based largely on ATTITUDE. I look for young folks who are eager to learn and listen.
As I've learned to be a better leader I've found that the quality of my help has increased by the same amount.
I've had some VERY fine crew over the years... and like Raymond, my favorites have been my own kids.
-dan
-------------------- 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: 8768 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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Occasionally I need help and I have a pool of about 5 guys who are usually available to help out. All are reliable and all have other jobs (night shift). They like the opportunity to moonlight and pick up extra money.
-------------------- 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
we had up to 14 employees at one time...after 21 years, my wife went to work for another sign company, i walked in and fired the employees, called the auction company and 6 weeks later sold the property & contents, declared bankruptcy, set up payment with the irs, paid them off and never looked back...a day care center would have been easier and certainly more profitable..i saw my employees literally destroy a new 65' skyhook crane and new ford truck within a year...guess i should have paid more attention to my profit line rather than worrying whether their kids were fed, wives had their operations or if they had work in the winter months....would i have another employee??? my wife and i have made just fine for the last 9 years....by the way...the reason for the irs debt, we found out when our secretary had the measles that the checks for our taxes had been made out and cashed and here desk drawer was full of correspondence for creditors, irs, banks and probably the easter bunny.
-------------------- George Williams Pinstriping By George Lascassas, TN Posts: 40 | From: lascassas, tn. usa | Registered: Nov 1998
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I'm a "One truck parade" here. I've gone the route of 'helpers' before with no sucess. Though it isn't always the easiest, I prefer to work solo. I guess that not having a wife (happily divorced) and no children (that I'm aware of), makes the long hours easier to justify. The 'quality' of most that stop by here looking for work doesn't add to my confidence in adding a new employee any time soon. .....tho most 'applicants' profess to be 'experts' at "putting stickers on stuff". LOL
posted
One Gal Gig here. But when I do need help I have lots of helpers. Like if somebody doesn't pay, or if somebody gives me a hard time...I have my big bad mean friends 'help'. (hehehe) When I need an install...I have my big buff friends help me. When I just need company..sometimes I have my blabbermouth friend help...she talks while I work.
Posts: 3729 | From: Seattle | Registered: Sep 1999
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I'm a one-woman gig here too, but ocassionally, I have unpaid slave labor (my husband) I won't dare let him touch a brush or apply vinyl. It's a long slow process, but soon he'll be worth what I pay him. (unpaid slave labor) So far, I've taught him to remove the cling from aluminium panels, hold the 24" roll of application tape while I mask something and he knows how to operate a dremel. He doesn't know which bit is for what, but by golly, he knows how to turn it on!
-------------------- Chris Welker Wildfire Signs Indiana, Pa Posts: 4254 | From: Indiana, PA | Registered: Mar 2001
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It's always been just me and then when needed my husband helped out. However, he was just layed off from a job of 16 years so we are getting ready to hit this sign stuff full steam ahead. Neither of us ever want to work for anyone else again!
We have a great relationship and I think we can do what we need or want to do if we just put our minds to it!
My daughter who is almost 4 is already quite the artist. With any luck she'll be doing design work before she's 10!!
-------------------- Amy Brown Life Skills 101 Private Address Posts: 3502 | From: Lake Helen, FL, USA | Registered: Feb 2001
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I just recently got to the point where I need help. 2 weeks ago I was just considering what hiring would be like now I'm thinking I have little choice. I'm not complaining, business is good ! I like having work, though hiring help seems a bit daunting at this point. I had a friend with sign experience help me two weeks ago, he was great help when he was here but was late arriving everyday. He didn't know it but he cut out a bonus I was gonna give him just becuase he wouldn't show on time.
My customer from that last project wants to do 4 more vehicles, basically duplicating the last job. I don't know what to do. I could hire "late boy" again, he's good while he's here at least or find someone else. It's gonna be a tough decision. The job goes three times as fast with help.
My wife would help but she's busy keeping our three year old short tornado out of trouble in the evenings and she works daytime.
She would quit her day job but the insurance and benefits make it too good a job to lose, at least at this point.
I really feel your situation here too.
Steve
-------------------- Steve Aycock Designs 3489 Oswald St. Johns Island, SC zaor@warpdriveonline.com Posts: 124 | From: Charleston, SC | Registered: Feb 2003
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I was a one man show for years with occasional part time help as needed. I found that they were as serious about working as I was about putting them to work. I put an ad in the paper for another part timer, not listing my name as the emoloyer, (local sign shop seeking....) with a box number to reply to at the newspaper. In among the junk, I got a real jewel. A college student who loves the business. Now, they have graduated, and are starting year three with me, full time. This person actually shuts off the lights when she goes to lunch!! You have to kiss alot of frogs before you find a princess/prince. Take heart. The key is finding someone who shares your passion for the sign business. Like Ray said, they ARE rare.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3506 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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The 'jewels' are out there, I know.( I know one I once trained and would love to steal her back right about now, or clone her at the very least)
Business is GOOD, which is why I need the help.
Finding the right attitude and enthusiam is the hard part.Plus...look at all the stuff you've gotta know how to do.
Just goes to show us all what a special kind of person/personality sign makers are; what a wide variety of talent and skill is required to do what we do. What a value our trade is.
Amy, maybe Kissy could train your husband, when she's done with hers (her slave).
Sue, how about when my biz is slow, I'll go work there and vise versa. Letterhead Exchange Program?
-------------------- Shirley Carron Black Sheep Designs 184 John St. N. Arnprior,On.,Canada shirleyc@magma.ca 613-623-7053 Posts: 503 | From: Arnprior, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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I too, am a one man show. I have a couple of teen age kids and a great wife who will help out when things get hetic.
Its hard for the kids to work for "DAD", and I always make sure they know how much I appreciate their help, but they would rather work at McDonalds than take money from the business.
You might have a temp service in your area, like "LABOR READY" or something similar. The temps are good at helping lug signs around, dig holes and such.
The nice thing is you don't have to do any paperwork on them, just send a check off with the rest of the monthly bills. It just takes some organization on your part to get the crafty stuff done first then have the temps help on the mundane work.
Temps are like a box a chocolots...you never know what your going to get! hahahahaah
posted
One man show here as well. I have had employees from time to time, sometimes it works out really well and other times not.
SO, RAY if you are willing to work dirt cheap you are welcome here ALL OF THE TIME! I'll even kick for lunch once in a while. I'll even keep the race car drivers away from you.
-------------------- 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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This is MAW MAW'S shop! Me, myself and I! I hire a little help with installation, but that's it. Had an average of 25 employees while in the construction business and that was enough to inspire me to be a one person shop.
-------------------- Kathy Joiner River Road Graphics 41628 River Road Ponchatoula, La.70454
Old enough to know better...Too young to resist. Posts: 1891 | From: Ponchatoula, LA | Registered: Nov 2000
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Well, Im an employee, it's interesting about all your view about employees, I always had a hard time finding a good employer. Try working for a guy that has no experience, or motivation, or promises the world and goes back on thier word. I guess it goes both ways, a employer has to always look at what they are offering, before getting someone elses life involved. A employer who taught themselves the business, and hires a person who has maybe worked at a few different shops, may find themselves knowing less than thier employee, very frusterating for an experienced sign person either way. Interesting posts.
Rick
-------------------- Rick Chavez Hemet, CA Posts: 1540 | From: Hemet,CA U.S.A. | Registered: Jun 2001
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Same situation here. Anybody that could do the job, is in business her/himself. I really feel under pressure by the workload that is piling up, but I can't get acceptable help, other than for weeding and installations. Can I get in on the "Letterhead Exchange Program" ?
posted
just me, and a part-time helper when things are busy.
to have employees, you have to want to be an employer. managing people is a full-time job, and i suspect that a lot of you want to be "hands on" more than you want to be a boss. employees aren't just cheaper versions of yourself -- they have their own needs and desires.
i've owned three other businesses, and had one or two employees all the time. i always made money by having employees. it freed me up to devote more time to my customers while others did things i didn't want to do. i can imaging hiring somebody to pick stuff up from the store, do the billing, or sweep and clean the shop -- none of those require a trained sign artist -- just an extra pair of hands attached to some common sense.
-------------------- :: Scooter Marriner :: :: Coyote Signs :: :: Oakland, CA :: :: still a beginner :: :: Posts: 1356 | From: Oakland (and San Francisco) | Registered: Mar 2001
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quote: to have employees, you have to want to be an employer. managing people is a full-time job, and i suspect that a lot of you want to be "hands on" more than you want to be a boss.
i always made money by having employees. it freed me up to devote more time to my customers while others did things i didn't want to do.
Oh my gosh, I could have said exactly what Scooter said!
It's so true. You have to want this in order to make it work. I always made money having employees as well.
I also hired my first employee for the very reason you've stated. I was so busy and needed the help so I didn't have to work all night to keep up. It was a wonderful decision for many years for me. And I made LOTS of money.
I went solo only because my then fulltimer quit due to her pregnancy, otherwise she'd more than likely still work for me. I didn't rehire because I changed the dynamics of my biz, built my shop at home and moved out of my storefront. I didn't mess around, changed everything! Wanted to try a different approach. My heart didn't want to retrain at the time.
I'll have an employee again some day. Maybe sooner than later. I'd love more time with my son before he disappears into the school system. (he's nearly 4) So my reasons are quite different. I can handle my workload fine on my own, but my heart says I should be putting my loyalty elsewhere right now. Either that or I have to be brave enough to turn down work again so I can work more part time.
Employees can be a wonderful addition to a growing business.
posted
In addition to all the great feedback, I must add that you get out what you put in. Self taught people or people with the natural ability are the toughest to please. Why? Because it comes so easy to them, and they don't understand why others cannot acheive what they can, or why they don't share their passion or work ethic. You must hire attitude, everything else can be taught. However, deliberate misuse,(vandalism) of your equipment must not be tolerated. Your appreciation must be shown REGULARLY! When they are getting their car repaired, offer to pay the bill. Send them to the oil change place on you, or pass out some car wash tokens. Buy tickets to a dinner and a play for them and their spouse. These are not freebes! They are earned and worked for. Remember when you worked for someone else? I am bound and determined NOT to be like him. And, in this area, I am a success.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3506 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Over the past five years, I've had 8 or 9 different part-timers in here. The first and best two are the ones who have been with me forever, Mom and Dad. Mom is absolutely the best weeder of small, intricate decals on the planet!!!(especially since I hate doing them...) Dad is the best overall help I could ever ask for: he can weed (sometimes), he can pick up trash and keep the place neat when we do an install on-site (esp. when we install at a racetrack, where cleanliness is EXTREMELY important) AND he's fun to hang out with. He's also been one of the best PR and sales rep guys I never asked for.
My wife has been a great asset. She's not the best weeder, but she is learning to install. She is DEFINITELY not afraid to tell me when something doesn't look 100%...she may not be able to tell you why, but she'll tell you anyways.
I've hired various part-timers outside my family, too. As stated repeatedly in this forum, ATTITUDE is everything. The levels at which people perform certain tasks and how it VARIES is amazing, interesting and frustrating. Employees are the BEST way to increase production and profit, if you are willing to ask the task of being a manager. When everything is going smoothly, 1 day installs turn into 3 hour installs. Those large orders of multiple decals are miraculously finished before you realize it. The shop is cleaner and you get to go home at 6:00 like the sign says...
I've also had bad experiences, but it's also been as much my fault as theirs. I'm NOT a teacher. I can explain how I do things, and I can show how things need to go, but I'm not blessed with the patience for mistakes. I've also lack the patience for laziness. I cannot tolerate someone not taking initiative, although I'm guilty as well of having 'brain-fade'.
Will I ever hire a full-time employee? Probably not: I don't want to deal with the paperwork. Will I hire more part-timers? Oh yeah. It's fun having someone around. Luckily, Dad is fixing to retire from his real job so I'm really looking into doing larger, more intricate sign installations; Dad likes the 'mechanical' side of the challenge, and so do I.
Learning curves do tend to be long, painful & expensive. I've been fortunate to have little employee turnover, but I'm gonna lose my principal designer in September.
-------------------- Mike O'Neill
It has yet to be proven that intelligence has any survival value. - Arthur C. Clarke
posted
I'm a one man show here also. I have a great group of friends that are willing to help out when I need them though. I also have a brother that is a great fabricator when I need some help with confusing stuff. I'll also get my girlfriend to do some weeding every once and a while (even though she dosent like it )
Customers know as soon as they walk in that they might not get rush service. My shop hours sign reads as follows.
Most times i'm here but sometimes i am not, please bear with me im a one-man shop. If im not here and youre in a fix. Call my cell phone (724) 813-2206
-------------------- Ryan Ursta Ursta Graphics 116 B North Mercer Avenue Sharpsville Pa. 16150 Call: 724•962•2206 "We make YOU look good"
Known as "Ugraph" on mirc Posts: 558 | From: Sharpsville Pa. USA | Registered: Sep 2000
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I've trained people before. You're correct it is a long & expensive process. Those who I've trained can get a job at any sign shop, anywhere and would be an asset. Problem is.. when you're this busy you end up hiring those with the most 'related' experience, hoping that you don't have to train them in 'certain' areas and that is what's not working out.
If they 'owned thier own woodworking business' you'd assume they know how to cut a board straight..NOT!
I think I'd rather train someone(who knows nothing) or cut my own boards than go thru this again.
You might even think that having had thier own business, they would understand the time is money thing but alas, you end up frustrated on that point as well.
Maybe my heart isn't into a full time babysitting job right now.
I've got a great little business, it's growing well, it's taken a lot of work to get here.
99% of what I produce are 3 dimensional signs; I've literally had to create my own market for this type of work.
I choose to work with other creative people whenever possible.
I AM the best employer most of these people will ever have. I've worked for ****oles before...I always say 'thanks' for your help at the end of the day, and as I hand them thier paycheck.
I'm going to keep looking though... and since this is what I love to do, I don't mind much working 16 hour days, for now.
-------------------- Shirley Carron Black Sheep Designs 184 John St. N. Arnprior,On.,Canada shirleyc@magma.ca 613-623-7053 Posts: 503 | From: Arnprior, Ontario, Canada | Registered: Nov 2001
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Unlike all of you I do in house sign production at a college. I do not have to worry about paper work, taxes, or other things that a business would. I am supplied with students to help me. My problem is I want to do it all myself. It is easier to do it than train anyone else as several have stated. Because of this I meet myself coming and going and keep getting further and further behind. Not only do I do the signs and banners but I also keep the meadia services equipment running and repair and make books for the library. Reading the different responses, I now realize that I am going to need to train people to help if I want to live to retirement, 1932 more days.
There is so much more I need to learn about. I have only learned what I have to on my software to get by. I have an air brush that I want to learn to use, and so many neat ideas I would like to try out if I only didn’t have to rush to get this job done so I can get the next one done before they start yelling at me wanting to know why it is not done. And there are the students that just stand around or are surfing the web because I do not put them to work. Gee, I bet that if I train them to help me, I could take my lunch and coffee times.
Have learned much coming here, I guess I can add this to lesson learned.
-------------------- Raymond Quick Ye Thicker Than Thou Sign and Repair Shoppe Olympic College, 1600 Chester Ave Bremerton, WA 98337 rquick@oc.ctc.edu Posts: 50 | From: Bremerton Washington | Registered: Jan 2002
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Our team is myself my wife and two sons. All are full time, all have unified goal to make the biz a success and to grow. We get along very well for people who live and work together. Sure we have our momemts, but we get over them quickly and rarely does anyone have an attitute over a few hours. I ve had non-family employees (all full time) one at a time, over the past 14 years. Each worked an average of 2- 3 years and two started their own sign business' and two went to other established sign businesses (one of those was planning to get a Signs Now franchise. These young people were all pleasant and productive. They learned steadily and all became friends. They all contributed to our growth and success and we gave them encouragement and support when they left the nest. Our last non-family employee has her sign biz off to a nice start and she uses us a sub contractor when practical. I wouldn't like to work by myself, it wouldn't be any fun. Also, I am not a perfectionist, so co-workers don't feel unrealistic levels of pressure and then seem to develop higher standards as their skills develop.
-------------------- Tony Lucero Eagle Graphics Waterford, MI www.eaglegph.com Posts: 305 | From: Waterford, MI, USA | Registered: Apr 2000
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Oh My God, dont get me started!! Its just myself, Tom and Cooper the dog who plays greeter...We had a great employee for 6 years a while back, she left for more money...had one recently, she came in high as a kite one day, threw a fit after I questioned it...she had been going down hill for a while. We put a years worth of training and understanding and every type of help you can for a person. We probably did too much, and she took total advantage. Now she is suing us for back injuries supposedly sustained on the job. Total lie!! She got a lawyer and is trying to collect saying that Workmans comp. should have been in place. Well, we dont qualify for that so we may be ok, but we made more money without her here anyway, so now we are very happy to do it on our own...I agree that working some nights and weekends are worth it not to have the hassle of dealing with all their hassles....seems like of all the letters here, many agree. Maybe we are picky and sometimes hard to deal with, but it is our company and our income that will fail, so if you want to do the job right, lets just do it ourselves.
-------------------- Tom & Kathy Durham Weber Hill Signs House Springs, Mo. 63051 636-671-4676 Posts: 11 | From: House Springs, Mo. | Registered: Mar 2003
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To post script my earlier entry, I would like to mention that I have tried to hire family and friends in the past. Nobody took it serious, including me. When I hired a non family/friend,everything really took off! I can be honest and frank with them. Family dinners just don't taste the same when you work togather, or if there is friction, I don't want to feel it at home or at church.
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3506 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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Generally I am a 1 man show, I have 1 employee that comes in Monday, Wenesday, Friday, it works out great he has some experience and is a good worker. He can do any vinyl applications I need, which frees me up for stuff that needs my attention. Of course I would never have a guy I pay 10 bucks an hour working on a show quality motorcycle, stick him on the No Parking signs.
-------------------- Ken McTague, Concept Signs 57 Bridge St. (route 107) Salem MA 01970 1-978-745-5800 conceptsign@yahoo.com http://www.pinheadlounge.com/CaptainKen
---------------------------------
"A wise man once said that, or was it a wise guy?" Posts: 2425 | From: Salem, MA | Registered: Apr 1999
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....All you picky sign shop owner/operators that just can't afford to let anyone make any mistakes in the name of "help". . . control/power freaks . . .I'm just like you...Hahahaahaaha!!! Seriuosly tho', I've been at it alone too. I've got one bud who helps me install...but there just is'nt any one around who seriously wants to learn this trade, it seems. And how many of you have general aquaintances who are always out'a work an' wantin' to know if you need help. That's one of those occasions where a lie is in order! This place is full of people who wo'nt work an' want "jobs", an' I don't even want 'em around my shop. The BIG question I got for ya'll is: Just how much money can 2 hands and one brain make? You can only do SO MUCH work, an you can price yerself out'a business, tryin' to get ahead. (mabey I should just post this as an addendum topic or somethin'). And, I ain't tryin' to discourage the person who posted the original question here, and most of ya'll sound so optimistic, but the reality, at least for me, is burn out. After 15 years, it's just gettin' a tad old, doin' it ALL. When your solo, you're:
secretary, bookkeeper, janitor, bidder/proposal writer, installer, quality-control, "job scout",(which for me means havin' to spend time goin' to look at certain jobs in order to fig'er the job)
Just exactly when would one expect to actually be doin' any work? When I drop all that other stuff and get down to the main thing, all kinds of things interfere with gettin' anything done, as one simple ex: spendin' time linin' up the customer for an installation with mine an' my helper's schedule.... or how 'bout walk-ins? Tho' not too often, still it happens. One of the best employees is that answerin' machine, but if yer really gonna run a serious business, somebody(guess who?) has gotta make time to schedule a time, that would be a good time(which is typically business hours) to return calls in a timely fashion, knowin' full well, that you ain't got time to deal with all the time-consumin' things that are gonna present themselves in those calls................Shall we do this as a separate post?
-------------------- Signs Sweet Home Alabama
oneshot on chat
"Look like a girl, act like a lady, think like a man, work like a dog" Posts: 5758 | From: "Sweet Home" Alabama | Registered: Mar 2003
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I have to agree with Sheila on this one.I had my own shop for 12yrs and I started out with myself doing everything which was great.I was working when I wanted,talking to customers,designing,but I was working out of my garage and the wife had her job which payed the bills. Then I "jumped in the pond" and worked it as a business full time,It was still fun but I was only able to do so much and talk to so many people during the day as far as getting jobs,completing them,installing them. I did get lucky and find a person to help in the shop that wanted to learn and had the skills that was needed.As the company grew I hired more people till I got to the point where I know longer did shop work,which is why I started. At some point you have to think about how big you want to be.To expand you have to hire.It is never fun to hire and fire but that is part of building a company. After 12 years I found out I wasn't a "boss" type of person and sold the whole thing to my friend who was my first hire,He was able to keep all 5 employees working and found he liked doing the front office thing. Myself,I found out I like the craft part.
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Seriuosly tho', I've been at it alone too. I've got one bud who helps me install...but there just is'nt any one around who seriously wants to learn this trade, it seems. And how many of you have general aquaintances who are always out'a work an' wantin' to know if you need help. That's one of those occasions where a lie is in order! This place is full of people who wo'nt work an' want "jobs", an' I don't even want 'em around my shop. The BIG question I got for ya'll is: Just how much money can 2 hands and one brain make? You can only do SO MUCH work, an you can price yerself out'a business, tryin' to get ahead. (mabey I should just post this as an addendum topic or somethin'). And, I ain't tryin' to discourage the person who posted the original question here, and most of ya'll sound so optimistic, but the reality, at least for me, is burn out. After 15 years, it's just gettin' a tad old, doin' it ALL. When your solo, you're: 
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