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This is a crazy biz. What hours do you work, full time or part time?
The first 10 years in business, I worked on an average -- 5) 10 hr days and 8 hrs. on Sat. When Jane came into the business in '89, she gave me 1 Saturday/mo. off so I could relax or work on projects at home (the choice was mine -- bless her heart, she was always patient). Since I coached my kids in various sports, etc., I decided to start my day early, while everyone else was sleeping, rather than work at night. This has always been easy for me, because I had an early morning paper route when I was a kid and I grew fond of that time of day when you can watch the sun rise.
There's a distinct advantage to starting early other than being able to be there for your family, and that is you don't have to worry about the phone ringing or people dropping by to hang out. For the past few years we have given up my working on Saturdays (Jane's idea), because this old bod requires more R&R. Typically I'm down to 5) 9 hr. days and at least 2 days a week I come in a 4am or earlier depending on my schedule. I usually go home for breakfast around 6:30am and have about a 5 minute drive with no traffic. I get back to the shop around 8:15am.
We have never posted hours and have a sign in front of the office entrance that says,"hours by appointment only." This has made it easy for us to get away in case of emergencies.
How does everyone else do it?
[ December 09, 2003, 10:24 AM: Message edited by: Bill Diaz ]
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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Years ago I decided if many of the bigger businesses could get by on standard hours so should we. Our hours are not posted, but it is 9 to 5 Monday through Friday and weekends off. If some emergency or unusual circumstance arises(or screw up!) I will come in for a few hours on Saturday.
-------------------- Wright Signs Wyandotte, Michigan Posts: 2785 | From: Wyandotte, MI USA | Registered: Jan 1999
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Posted hours are 8.30 to 5.30 and closed weekend.
I'm here at 5.30 am amd leave at 7 pm - even if I kept "better" hours , instead fo a 15 minute trip each way, I would be in for 1 hr of bumper to bumper. I would rather get to work early , read the paper and do stuff undisturbed than suffer the traffic. Despite not advertising it , I'm here from 8.30 to 12.30 Saturdays and get a lot of custom at that time - but that will stop next year - I have to have a life!!!
-------------------- Rodney Gold Toker Bros Posts: 57 | From: South Africa | Registered: Aug 2003
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However our posted hours are 8:30-500 M-Th Friday till 2:00. Other hours availavle by appointment. I spend some of my free time scoping the needs and marketing our company. We have become a true Identification & Marketing service.
[ December 09, 2003, 10:54 AM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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It varies with what may be happening with the family, but I'm usually out of the house by 7am (10 minute drive to the shop)and leave the shop around 6:30pm - five days a week, with another 6-8 hours on Saturday. But this is very flexible.
Saturdays are variable according to what may be happening with grandkids and church work.
During the week it is not unusual for me to take a few hours during the day take care of family or church business. Some days the day ends at five (or earlier) or it may stretch to 8:00 (but not normally).
One of the best things about this business is the freedom to do what you want, when you want (within reason, of course). The hours on my door read: "If I'm here we are open, If I'm not here we are closed". Since I don't have a lot of walk in customers, most know to call before they just drop by. Those who contact me for the first time are given a time to come by.
My son Mike works with me, so usually there is someone here during "regular" hours for those who happen by.
My work week is usually about 50-55 hours a week, but the pace of those hours is not frantic. Over the years this has proven to be a good system. Occassionally, Jeanne and I wiil take off a day and go somewhere special. That becomes the reward for staying at the shop so many hours.
Actually, it never feels like work, so the hours do not mean that much to me.
-------------------- Chapman Sign Studio Temple, Texas chapmanstudio@sbcglobal.net Posts: 6306 | From: Temple, Texas, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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My wife and I both have our business at our commercially zoned house. I startrd out working 7 days a week. Then 6 days a week. Then I figured out that the serious jobs are done in normal business hrs only. This is my 25th year of being self employed. It is very important to post the hours (8-5) mon-fri with a CLOSED sign that is very visible. If not, they will continue till 9pm 7 days a week. Ask me how I know. It is real important to have phones that can be turned off at night. When your self employed, you seem to ALWAYS be thinking about work anyway. Even on vacations I go to Letterhead meet. . . .I love this stuff.
-------------------- 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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Hi Bill. I also live in a commercially zoned house (on a major highway) I get up weekdays @ 7...get my kids off to school @ 8:30. I visit Letterville & annoy folks with IMs until 9...that's when the sign phone starts ringing. I cut vinyl or paint in my garage until noon. Then I scarf down some lunch, check out the BB (I'm not addicted!) and the afternoon is either spent working or doing Mom-type stuff like laundry. I make supper @ 5pm...then afterwards it's back to work if there is any left. Justis goes to bed @ 9pm. I read to him beforehand. In winter when things are slow & I usually only work from 10-2. In the summer, it is not unusual for me to work until 11pm. I have hours posted on my shop door M-F 9-6. Saturdays Justis is with his dad, so I save that for "away" jobs. Sundays I try to go to church. No signs. Some days I am guilty of not turning my CLOSED sign over. These are mental health days when I visit my mom or read a book...sometimes I even just hide in the house and take a nap! In fact, I am so lacadaisical about getting dressed for work that one of my favorite customers bought me a pair of leopard-skin pajamas. She was sick of my ratty housecoat, and they even match my office! (so much for my professional business image) Love- JILL
-------------------- That is like a Mr. Potato Head with all the pieces in the wrong place. -Russ McMullin Posts: 8834 | From: Butler, PA, USA | Registered: Jan 2001
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The shop doesn't open until 8:00 am, but I find myself in the office sometimes as early as 5:30 am. One thing I have in common with my shop hours however is that when we close at 5:30, I'm done for the day.
So I guess I'm basically doing 9-10 hour days. No nights. I'll make the occasional appointment on a Saturday, but only one or so per month, and we aren't "open" on Saturdays. No Sundays or holidays.
The exceptions to all of this of course, would be when working a trade show for SignGold. Those are usually Wed-Sun, and those days go from 6 am until 9 or 10 pm. Additionally, we do set up at a half dozen or so custom motorcycle shows and the occasional auto show. Those also make for long weekend days.
Brian
Posts: 465 | From: / | Registered: Jan 2000
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well someone should send me a bigger shovel so i can continue to dig my own grave...i'm up at 4:30-5am...i just have to literally take 10 steps into my upper studio...it's off the master bedroom...how sick is that? i turn on my computers, start cutting some vinyl, take my shower and make coffee...check the board out...and am balls to the walls(or should i say tits to the bricks)until 8,9,10 or sometimes 11...i work everyday...although weekends feel like mini vacations because i don't feel like i have to answer the phone. i am working on getting more permenant help...i have a few people that help now and then....but as far as hours i work...too many but grateful i have the following...i'll figure it out someday real soon.
-------------------- 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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Man, talk about diversity. You all made me feel so normal about my abnormalities. That's why this is such a great business, because it has great people. We can do it -- well --however. I can't imagine putting on a suit and a tie, boardin' the commuter, clockin' in at the plant, clockin' in to go pottie. Forgettin' to turn my "closed' sign to "open", I think that happens just about every week. I think my customers just assume, they're just sign people, that's the way they are.
Ray says, "it never feels like work". John says, "I love this stuff", he even does it on vacation. Jill does the mom thing at the same time, and Karyn you will stumble into a grave without some kind of an adjustment. The help thing never worked for me other than having Jane help, because I hover over the helper making sure things are right and then I don't get anything done. Rick, I was going to lump you in with the regular folks until I saw your Friday hours. Why 2 on Friday? David, Rodney and Brian come closest to keeping regular hours although they're puttin' in a big chunk of time.
I'm inspired now, Jane and I just argued about who was going to pick up the phone, so I think I'm going to screw it and take the rest of the day off. Because I can!!!!!!!!!
-------------------- Bill Diaz Diaz Sign Art Pontiac IL www.diazsignart.com Posts: 2107 | From: Pontiac, IL | Registered: Dec 2001
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""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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I know this is a little off topic, but for all of you that have your house on commerial zoned land, do you pay more for your utilities? I know here, my boss pays almost three times as much for water as a residential zoned home does. Is that different there? I am just curious if all cities are like that, or if it just Calgary ripping off businesses.
-------------------- Jeff Green Taylor Signs jeff92@shaw.ca Posts: 113 | From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada | Registered: Dec 2002
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Hello everyone, this will be my first post here!
Maverick Graphx shop hours are 8:00-6:00 weekdays and 8:00-12:00 Saturdays. I'm usually here by 6:00 and at least try and leave by closing. I'm also known to take the laptop home and work nights when I need quite time to design.
-------------------- Mike Lewens Maverick Graphx, LLC Shawano, WI 715-526-9890 mlewens@maverickgraphx.com Posts: 2 | From: Shawano, WI | Registered: Dec 2003
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Whoa...if I'm up at 4:30 or 5:30 it's cause I'm STILL up. I normally don't get out of bed til 8:30 or 9. I usually leave the house 10:30 or 11 and I'm back by 4 or 5 if not sooner. Now, since I've got a Sweetie living a few hours away, I've gone to a four day week.
Works for me.
-------------------- George Perkins Millington,TN. goatwell@bigriver.net
"I started out with nothing and still have most of it left"
posted
OK- I'm going to dig a side-by-side next to Karyn! I'm usually here by 8am, open for customers at 9am, and try to leave by 6-6:30pm, Monday- Saturday. Open on Sunday 12-5pm. I don't post my hours because I'm always out measuring jobs or delivering small stuff... people just know I'm here 7 days a week and they'll catch me sooner or later.
I take my layouts home at night and finish them on the laptop and if I don't get done before I fall asleep, I'm up at 4:30 to finish them.
Ah, the joy of being single- I don't have to pick up after someone anymore, cook, clean, iron, or make small talk when I don't feel like it. I hired a cleaning lady 4 years ago and she takes care of everything (that's my reward!). I have another lady that cleans my shops once a week and a guy who picks up my car every other week and makes it look brand new. If I'm going to work myself into an early grave it will be from working in my business because this is what I love doing. I gladly pay others to do the stuff that has be done- that's how I balance it all out and it works for me.
PS.. of course my social life sucks!
-------------------- Linda Schmidt Vital D'Signs Greers Ferry, AR signlady@ozarkisp.net Posts: 160 | From: Greers Ferry, AR | Registered: Sep 2001
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My hours are varied, to say the least. Weekdays I might work 4 hrs. Very occasionally 8-10 hrs. Weekends depend on what needs doing, but the hours are usually the same as week days. If I have to work on the weekend then Monday and Tuesday become the weekend for me.
Basically, everything depends on the work load.
-------------------- 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 get up at 9-10 am...or when my body says its rested....have 2 cups of coffee, in front of the tv. then go to computer check bb, email. then i start work about noon....till i get the jobs done i have....might be 5, 6,7, 8,....9 pm. i dont usually work weekends per say but hit a car show on the sat with the mobile unit. and iam up till 2am usually...on the mirc!!!!
-------------------- 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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SHOP HOURS OPEN MOST DAYS ABOUT 9 OR 10. OCCAISIONALLY AS EARLY AS 6, BUT SOMEDAYS AS LATE AS 12 OR 1.
WE CLOSE ABOUT 5:30 OR 6. OCCAISIONALLY ABOUT 4 OR 5, BUT SOMETIMES AS LATE AS 11 OR 12. SOMEDAYS OR AFTERNOONS WE AREN'T HERE AT ALL. HOWEVER, LATELY I'VE BEEN HERE JUST ABOUT ALL THE TIME, EXCEPT WHEN I'M SOMEPLACE ELSE, BUT I SHOULD BE HERE THEN TOO.
I normally get in the shop about 5:00 or 5:30. Open yesterday's mail, pay bills, get a little work done, check out the BB, then head into town to get breakfast and supplies. I'm usually back here by 9 or 10. I go to the house about 7 or 8 for dinner. Lately I have been staying once I get there(unless I screwed up on scheduling and have to come back in). I seem to require a lot more sleep now that I am "old", so I try to get to bed by 12:30(instead of 2) so I can get up at 4.
BTW... Dora works for the state, and anything they consider a holiday is a day off for me also, plus we take both of our birthdays off.
-------------------- Don Hulsey Strokes by DON signs Utica, KY 270-275-9552 sbdsigns@aol.com
I've always been crazy... but it's kept me from going insane. Posts: 2274 | From: Utica, KY U.S.A. | Registered: Jan 1999
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Official shop hours are 8-5, but I'm in between 6:30 and 7 and I leave at 5:30. Those hours depend on what's going on; if it's a big install out of town we quite often leave between 5-6am, and could be late getting back. No Saturdays or Sundays; if you can't make between Monday and Friday, you need to look at things. Since I raised my shop rate, service and install rates the sky did not fall in; life just got more realistic.
-------------------- Dennis Veenema The Sign Shop Dresden, Ont. but what do I know anyway...I've only been doing this for 20 years! Posts: 368 | From: Dresden, Ont.,CAN | Registered: May 1999
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George, I am with you. If I am at the shop at 5:30am or even 7:30, its because I am pulling an all nighter. I must be doing better because I haven't done an all nighter for over a year.
My shop hours are M-F 9-5pm. I don't usuallyshow up until 9:15/9:30 but I gave a key to an employee so he opens up-sometimes even closes up if I'm looking at a job or at the dr.'s. Once in awhile I'll work part of a Sat. and I part my vehicle behind the building so it can't be seen. Occassionally I'll go in after church to cut, paint, carve etc. something.
When I bought my shop 3 years ago and joined letterhead.com, I was working 50-70 hrs a week. I read on letterhead that if you are working that much then your prices are too cheap. I raised my prices so now I work 40 hrs or less, sales have increased every year, I'm looking to hire a fourth employee, am praying for a bigger building (hopefully in the industrial park), and am stretching our current abilities to the limit.
-------------------- Laura Butler Vision Graphics & Sign 4479 Welch Rd Attica, Mi 48412 Posts: 2855 | From: Attica, Mi, USA | Registered: Nov 2000
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We are available by appointment only. We are different in that we deal with only five or six clients each year. The jobs we take on are much larger in scale compared to the work of most sign shops.
Our jobs are divided between the prefab work we do in the shop here at home and and the onsite work we do during installation, generally out of town. Out of town we tend to work longer hours so we can go home sooner!
When I have a crew working in the shop my hours tend to be much more regular. The crew works 8-4:30 Monday - Friday. We are trying out working 4 - 10 hour shifts per week instead starting next week.
Family life tends to mix freely with business hours - distracting me at times. But this isn't necessarily a bad thing. I call it living.
My personal time away from the shop during the day is often made up in the evenings or on weekends. I don't particularly worry about it, but rather do what I need to to stay organized and keep the crew productive. It all averages out in the end.
We consider our work part of our lifestyle rather than a 'job' and as such the division between personal and business life tends to be a bit blurry at times.
I love what I do and do what I love! Its way more fun than working for a living! So in the end the hours spent there don't really matter.
-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: 8738 | From: Yarrow, B.C. Canada | Registered: Nov 1998
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-------------------- 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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Bill, looks like Rick didn't make it back to this thread but I might be able to shed some light on his Friday till 2:00 hours. After being on the road for too many years, I discovered that Friday afternoons are the worst for catching the decision makers in the office. So many bosses take off early for the weekends. I've noticed quiet phones here alot on Fridays, except for that emergency weekend sign, and who wants those jobs?
My unofficial hours at the shop are 8 to 5, but I usually get here around 7:00, make coffee, read the BB, fire up the puters & plan the day. Most days I'm outa here by 6:00. My hours are going to have to be official soon though as I'm adding picture framing to the shop and need to get that retail mentality back.
During the winter I try to get out of here by 5:30, but if the work load demands it I come back evenings. I leave at 3:00 to coach high school bowling on Wed. & Friday afternoons and have meets with the kids on Saturdays from Dec. through Feb.
Summers I take half days off on Wed to golf, but I work Saturdays to make up for it. My employee keeps things going when I'm not here.
Sundays I might come down and do woodworking projects like oak furniture.
I'm putting in too many hours and am in the process of raising rates considerably.
-------------------- Dave Sherby "Sandman" SherWood Sign & Graphic Design Crystal Falls, MI 49920 906-875-6201 sherwoodsign@sbcglobal.net Posts: 5396 | From: Crystal Falls, MI USA | Registered: Apr 1999
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You are correct about Friday PM hours. Never had a profitable phone call or walk in on Friday afternoon. Usually solicitors or strokers, (race car teams). I usually spend that time with family or chasing down permits and making selected sales calls. We started these hours June, and are really pleased with them. Sorry I missed your inquiry Bill.
Regards,
[ December 10, 2003, 05:56 PM: Message edited by: Rick Beisiegel ]
""Good judgment comes from experience; and a lot of that comes from bad judgment" - Will Rogers Posts: 3484 | From: Beautiful Newaygo, Michigan | Registered: Mar 2003
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4:30 am to 2pm. 40 minutes to Lost Prairie and then 3pm to 9pm in the Recording studio.
-------------------- Pierre St.Marie Stmariegraphics Kalispell,Mt www.stmariegraphics.com ------------------ Plan on knowing everything before I die and time's running out! Posts: 4223 | From: Kalispell,Mt 59903 | Registered: Mar 2000
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This post is nostalgic for me, taking me back to my storefront days!
These days, I work much like Dan. My day blends in with my work. But generally, I concentrate soley on work Mon Tues and Thurs, Cody's preschool/daycare days. I attempt to do no work the rest of the week if I can book it in during my work days. When Cody's in school fulltime, that's when my time will come again.
Notice I didn't post any hours? I like it like that!
posted
I have a full time job drawing airport engineering plans with CAD. and spend a good bit of my free time making signs but I love to do it and its a hobby I get paid for
posted
I can't fiquire out if it is 24-7 or when I feel like it. Many a day I have looked out the house window to see someone knocking on the shop door. I then decide weather to catch them or not. The telephone is for MY convince only(to call out) If others want to leave a message when I don't answer,it shows me their intent. I don't have a lot of money working this way.But I pay my bills while enjoying my life!
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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I don't mind working so much..........I just find it gets in the way of my day.
I work all hours..........Its true I don't have a business I have a job..........somethings got to give.
I just started reading the "E-Myth". I'll tell ya its as if this guy was specifically writing about me. He knows everything thats going on in my business.....or should I say job. Its a real wake up call.
I recommend the small business person read this book.
-------------------- John Martin Robson Pendragon Signs & Graphics Yellowknife,NT,Canada
if it's not one thing.....it's two things Posts: 261 | From: Yellowknife, NT, Canada | Registered: Aug 2000
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During my busiest times, 10 to 12 a day, five days a week, a saturday here and there, but never a full day on saturday, very rarely a sunday. Slow to steady times, 8 to 10 hours, weekends off.
-------------------- Tim Whitcher Adrian, MI Posts: 1546 | From: Adrian, MI | Registered: Mar 1999
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Funny you should mention it, Kathy. Bill will do that log sawing thing too. (He says I do, too, but I have never witnessed it!) But the funniest thing he does is give directions in his sleep. "Yeah, move that board over here." "Could you drop that end just a scoush." (that's a technical term!) I don't know who he thinks he's talking to!!
-------------------- Jane Diaz Diaz Sign Art 628 W. Lincoln Ave. Pontiac, Il. 61764 815-844-7024 www.diazsignart.com Posts: 4102 | From: Pontiac, IL USA | Registered: Feb 1999
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From 2:30, 3:30 or 4:30am to 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10pm
somebodies got to do it!!!!!
-------------------- Ed CJ Williams CJ Graffx Christiana,Pa. cjgraffx@comcast.net Just have'n fun.... Posts: 296 | From: Christiana,Pa. | Registered: May 1999
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I'm up at 0500 (painfull considering that I'm a Type-C personality, Comatose / prefer to sleep till noon )have the kids moving by 0630, get on the road to work (a 40 mile drive) as a Phone Technician, hopefully get home by 1800(6pm). Spend time with the family untill bedtime for the kids 2130(930pm), and then start working on whatever sign project that I have in the works. If I am lucky I'm in the sack by 0130-0200 get a few hours and then start over.
When I grow up I want to be a Sign man, and have the privledge of doing this stuff while the sun is still up. Who knows it may happen yet!
posted
I'm with Karyn. Posted hours are 9-Noon, 1-4 Monday to Thursday, Fridays 'til Noon.
In reality - up between 3-5 am. Work until I'm done. Weekends, evenings, holidays.
Must say that I love my job though, and I'm not very sociable, so it works for me. The biggest setback on working at home is that customers stop in if they see my truck in the driveway, or call if they see my lights are on. I actually had a customer call at 11 on Easter Sunday night to place an order. Yikes!!!
I live in northern Alberta, and the funniest thing I've found since moving my business home, is that for the month of November I did more work than I ever did with my "downtown" location. In December, however, the weather got really cold (-30), so I started parking my truck in the garage during the day. My business dropped by 75%. Now I know that if I want the work, I have to park outside... and if I need a break, I only need to park the truck in the garage!
Have a happy!
-------------------- Janet Bakewell One Sun Grafiks Inc. Slave Lake, AB Canada www.onesungrafiks.com Posts: 128 | From: Slave Lake, AB Canada | Registered: Apr 1999
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