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Hi all. This AM my uncle walks in here & asks me if we could make it in the Sign bus. My eyes lit up like fireworks thinking: "now I can get my router. Now I can get people to work for me. Now I can make more money. But I know of family businesses not doing good, even in my own family. PLEASE HELP.
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Felix- My advice is stay a small shop. The bigger you get the bigger the headaches. Don't trade happiness for money. I have seen to many sign artist become business managers only because they got way to big. Just my 2 cents.
------------------ Rob Larkham RL Graphic D-Sign Chester, MA rldsigns@aol.com
Posts: 517 | From: Chester, MA | Registered: May 2001
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Successful family business going strong. NO OUTSIDERS! Keep it in the family.
------------------ St.Marie Graphics & Makin' Tracks Sound Studio Kalispell, Montana stmariegraphics@centurytel.net http://www.stmariegraphics.com 800 735-8026 We're chiseling every day of the week! :^)
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I say go for it only if your family is close and gets along really well, and everyone has the same work ethics.
I cant say that I could work with many of my family members..
I could work with mom.. we're on the same page.. enjoying life comes before work and money, but work has to be something extremely enjoyable and offer a bit of a challenge too. I showed her Dan Sawatzky's website (GiggleRidge) and her eyes lit up.. Grinning from ear to ear and I could see the wheels spinning in her head... I know she wants to get into that kinda work now, honestly I'm up for it too! That looks like some fun challenging stuff!
Dad? no, I could never work with him. He's way too obsessed with money. If he quoted Monty Python, you know, that "Spam! I love it!" part (If yer a Monty Python fan, you'll understand it.. if not, nevermind, hehe).. it would be like "Money! I love it! money money money money money spare change money money and money!"
Sis'.. yeah I could work with her.. we'd get on each other's nerves but that's just the sibling rivalry thing.. I've tried to convince her to come to Havasu but for some strange reason she actually likes Tucson.. yuck. In the end I'd still have the power to fire her.. but most likely she'd get fed up with me (I'm picky, in an easygoing sorta way.. hahahaha) and leave.
I have an aunt back in St Louis that I could work with... insane creativity.. no, wait.. Creative insanity is more suitable.. she's kinda like me.. will paint anything that sits still long enough.. but I draw the line at painting living things.. unless specifically requested... preferrably latex on a 20 year old canvas.
------------------ Mike Pipes Digital Illusion Custom Graphics Lake Havasu City, AZ http://www.stickerpimp.com
Posts: 8746 | From: Lake Havasu, AZ USA | Registered: Jun 2000
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My Dad just retired, I am hoping he does not ask to come to work here,part time. I love him dearly,but we could not work together. If he wanted to invest as a "SILENT" partnet that would be a decision I would have to think long and hard on, the money for expansion would be nice, but I would have a hard time taken it and not giving him some input. Which would be disaster.
He is all numbers and bottom line, no creativity at all, and he admits it.
------------------ Troy Haas "Metal_Leg" on mIRC
SAM Signs "At old Hose House No. 8" 931 W. Columbia street Evansville,Indiana 47710 812-437-5367 Home of the: "Brush Fire at the Hose House" Letterhead Meet April 27-29th,2001
"Chaos, panic, disorder - my work here is done."
Posts: 1100 | From: Evansville,Indiana, USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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May I suggest a daily meeting of sorts, (determined by need) to let everyone know they will be held accountable for their accompliushments. As stated above, everyone knowing what they are to do and what to expect makes it much easier to be productive.
Moderation is a good word to look at. Any sudden drastic changes, will begat the same. You can set goals to investigate, and trial run. (In other words, don't throw caution to the wind...use common sense when deciding how much change everyone involved is comfortable with.)
Yes, there will be others to consider when making decisions, these same people can help produce, manage and sell. Find out what they are good at and acknowledge them often.
Fear is merely the wrapping paper on the gift. You can be afraid all day long, the gift is still...yours.
Good Luck with your decision!
------------------ PEACE SIGNS Big on Murals and Tight on Camera Ready!
"With every breath, we have a choice." --Linda Silver Eagle Georgia, USA
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I've been working for a family owned business for the past decade (almost like my family now) Hired by dad, sons (2) took over about 3-4 years ago, mom still comes in a couple hours a day to do books, third son does odds-n-ends stuff, grandson was in today to help with racking parts ... NONE of them get in my way hehehe I guess it's all in how the family works ... in our shop everybody knows thier position and job and keeps business seperate from outside life. good luck to ya
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Rob Larkin hit it on the head with his statement about families acting like families.
The kind of thing that happens is, you can ask an employee to unload the truck while you do something more important. Your brother on the other hand may tell you to unload your own darned truck or want to debate with you about priorities.
The point is, family members have to be able to work together in a businesslike way with job responsibilities,an organization chart of sorts, and a set of common goals. Some families can do it, others cannot.
The other thing that is a FACT ...the person with the cash ALWAYS thinks his money is more important than your sweat. You'll be working 80 hours a week and the cash partner will be whining that he can make more money with a T-Bill. The Golden Rule - the person with the gold makes the rules.
Partnerships work, but they are hard. It is usually better to find a way to go it alone unless you are very very sure about the person you are taking as a partner. Vic G
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There is this group called SCORE. I don't remember what the entire acronym stands for, but the end letters are RETIRED EXECUTIVE. They help small businesses. If you could link up with one of those folks, they could help you projuct the numbers. The first issue is "can you grow a sign business where you are?" How much money to throw at it and still get the needed return? Once those issues are decided, then you can consider personel.
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6805 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Geeze Felix, your asking a hard question. My personal experience has been that partnerships don't always work well, and even less often if they involve family. If I could have worked with my dad, I'd probably have ended up being a plumber.
When I was an apprentice and during my early years in this trade, I worked for several big companies, and the ones that were partnerships seemed to have more problems. Since I've had my own shop, I've sometimes had employees but most of the time I've worked by myself. It's been during the times that I was working alone that I've been the happiest and enjoyed what I was doing. I probably could have made more money by expanding and taking on help, but it just wasn't worth the hassle.
I'm not trying to say my business philosophy is correct for everone, just that it has worked for me.
------------------ Jerry Mathel Jerry Mathel Signs Grants Pass, Oregon signs@grantspass.com
Posts: 916 | From: Grants Pass, OR USA | Registered: Dec 1998
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It all depends. We have lots of family involved in our business. Currently Janis & I, daughter, son-in-law, son, two nieces. Other employees are like family.
The secret is that only Janis & I are owners and only we make final decisions.
The other's comments further up are right. It works at work just like at home, so if it doesn't work well at home it sure won't work in business.
Everybody must have a clear idea of what they are responisible for and what their job is as well. There can only be one person in charge.
Keep it fun or it really won't be at all.
-dan
------------------ Dan Sawatzky Sawatzky's Imagination Corporation Cultus Lake , British Columbia dan@imaginationcorporation.ca
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Felix, as I re-read your post, I'm confused between whether you're saying your uncle wants into the business or wants to infuse some investment capitol into the business???
------------------ The SignShop Mendocino, California "Where the Redwoods meet the Surf"
Posts: 6805 | From: Mendocino, CA. USA | Registered: Nov 1998
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Rick, we havent spoken anything seroius yet, but his long time friend & business partner has gotten real greedy & doesnt trust him or the 3rd partner. They both decided to call it quits & go their own way. He mentioned him & his wife coming in & doing their part, & getting someone to install for us. He commented on how we can move to a bigger shop & stuff. Right now I'm thinking about turning him down cause I want to keep the business in my house, cause I want to stay as close to my son as I can.
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Thanks all for your resposes, I really appreciate them! & thanks Rick. My thoughts exactly. I just wanted to hear it from someone besides myself.
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