Shop done & I am on my own

[Paul B. Cresti]

Well I guess the shop is done minus some paint. Just about everything is in its place except for my small clamps. I am sure I will rearrange some though as things get going.
I also got laid off last week :mad: and here is the kicker we are expecting our third child this August. That prompted my business plans (which were already in motion) into high gear. So.... I did it I am now an official Carpentry and Fine Woodworking Company albeit the "company" consists of just me. I already have my first client and have others in the wings (I hope). It is kind of scary but at the same time very exciting. I do get to buy some new tools but for the first time I am "uneasy" about spending this money. (yes that is why I now have two CSMS both Bosch and the new job site one is the dual bevel 10").

[Paul B. Cresti]

Well I guess the shop is done minus some paint. Just about everything is in its place except for my small clamps. I am sure I will rearrange some though as things get going.
I also got laid off last week :mad: and here is the kicker we are expecting our third child this August. That prompted my business plans (which were already in motion) into high gear. So.... I did it I am now an official Carpentry and Fine Woodworking Company albeit the "company" consists of just me. I already have my first client and have others in the wings (I hope). It is kind of scary but at the same time very exciting. I do get to buy some new tools but for the first time I am "uneasy" about spending this money. (yes that is why I now have two CSMS both Bosch and the new job site one is the dual bevel 10").

More pictures

[Mark Bachler]

Build a shop and the world will beat a path to your door,of course most of the world will consist of friends wanting to use your shop or people that want quality workmanship for half the price of home Depot crap. Really a very nice shop you have there. Just remember to get paid before you unload "hooker rules apply".

[Dean Baumgartner]

Very nice looking shop Paul.
Got to be kind of scary going out on your own but maybe this is your big opportunity.

Best of luck in your new buisness.

Dean

[George Grubaugh]

Congratulations!!!
What an exciting thing! Oh yeah, the shop & new business are pretty cool, also.
I started my business 9.5 years ago with my 3rd in the oven, too. It's a nail biting time but I've never been sorry. You won't either, in a couple of years. Hang in there & good luck!

Don't be afraid that you're charging too much. Be afraid that you're not asking enough, there are a lot of bills coming up. People are happy to pay for high quality, it's hard to find.

[Jim Becker]

Congratulations, Paul, both on the shop being ready to go and your new carreer. Sometimes things work out in strange ways to "move things along" in the direction you want to go. Best wishes on the new business and don't forget your friends are here to help you keep your chin up and the ideas flowing!

[Frank Pellow]

I am wishing you the best of luck both with your soon to be expanded family and with your new enterprise. It certainly looks like your shop will be a joy to work in.

[Mark Singer]

Paul,
We are all behind you. I quit my job years ago...it was the best thing I ever did. I worked hard for many years and as I look back I loved each challenge....it is a great feeliing to use your mind , skills, and effort to make a living and to love it!! With all my best wishes...GO GET"UM

[Tyler Howell]

Go Paul,
Great change from the first pix you showed us.
Wish you the best on all your new adventures.

[John Miliunas]

Wow, multiple "Congrats" to you, Paul, not the least of which it the expected arrival of your third! Cool. Have faith. Things will work out. As for the business end, just don't sell yourself short! Just remember, you're NOT producing department store quality items. People appreciate high quality and craftsmanship and are willing to pay for it. Fact is, often it's the high-end stuff which is easiest to sell. Seems that those who are rich will always be rich and are willing to part with their money for such products. Best of luck! :cool:

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Very nice shop Paul....ya did good!

[Ian Barley]

Paul

Congrats on three bits of your news.

I know the feeling of stepping off the edge very well. It is both exciting and scary.

I don't know much of your background, so if any of the following advise is inappropriate I apologise.

When I started out my first order of business was just that - this is business. In the first 6 months I spent as much time on selling and building systems for selling as I did on making. Finding customers is the critical part. I was lucky in having the skills to build customer database etc. I now make regular mailshots and generate lots of my turnover from them.

Practice standing in front of a mirror and saying "That will be $5000 please" (adjust the amount to go into the bracket you WANT your products to fall) until you can do it without blushing. I meet more craftsmen who undercharge than overcharge. If you decide to sell your business on quality making sure that you charge for it just reinforces the message.

Big new tools are great fun but make sure that you have the little things in good supply. There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through a job and finding that you need to take time out to go get supplies or because a drill bit has snapped. I get through about 10 3mm twist drills in a busy week because they aren't worth sharpening and a dull one slows me down. When I buy them in quantity they cost pennies and knowing that I have a drawer withh 200 of them in it lets me get on with business. I guess that what I am saying is that a $1000 dollar saw with a blunt blade is a waste of time. A $500 dollar saw with a sharp blade is a productive tool.

I wish you great good fortune in all of your enterprises. I can only say that I have never, not once for a moment, regretted going out on my own.

Regards


Ian

[John Miliunas]

Ian kind of reinforced my line about not selling yourself short. I'm at work right now and it reminded me further of this point. Although our department is part of the University system, we perform billable services to both, outside and inside clients, that being, students, faculty and campus departments. Compared to the private sector in this area, our charges are *extremely* reasonable, as in typically, maybe just a bit more than half of what the private services charge. Our customers are free to choose where they go for their service, including those in the private sector charging a LOT more.

Here's the clincher: I have personally heard and had folks tell me directly that, they usually go to the outside vendors for their services, because they think we're too *CHEAP*!!! :confused: OK, there are exceptions, but for the most part, we've got a pretty good crew of Techies over here. I came *from* the private sector, as did one of the other guys. In other words, we do high quality work, the same as you'd find through other vendors. Often, *better*, particularly for departments, because we're already familiar with the environment and such. Obviously, they feel they're getting their money's worth by going to the other vendors. Something to think about... :cool:

[Terry Hatfield]

Paul,

The shop looks great!!!! We all certainly wish you the best of luck with your new business.

Terry

[Glenn Clabo]

Paul...
Sometimes fear is a positive motivational influence...and sometimes it's causes freeze up. Don't let it work against ya...go out and get em! Here's wishing you the best of luck.

[Kelly C. Hanna]

Paul, I tired to add to my post last nite but couldn't get another reply in (the submit page said "not accepting any new posts"). I heard sirens and saw four cop cars flying down the street and I hit submit too fast!

I was going to add that the best thing that ever happened to me was getting laid off. I was in restuarant management and it wasn't a good deal. The owner of a very successful bar & grill sold it to a moron. He brought his own equal-brained people in and two of us got laid off (thank GOD). It was the best thing for me since I needed to be out of that business anyway.

I stay booked 3-4 months in advance these days except after the first of the year and up to March 15th when it's only 1-2 months.

I know you'll be happier and I wish you the best of luck. With a shop like that, you're destined to succeed!

[Douglas Robinson]

Paul:

SWIMBO and I have a number of friends in the northern NJ area. What kind of work are you looking for. I'll pass the information along and, who knows, maybe we can help you get things started on the right foot.

Doug

[Howard Rosenberg]

Congratulations on a great-looking shop.
You've got tons of great equipment.

You've got some/most/all of the technical skills.
The ones you lack, you'll find - don't worry about "how" for now.....

Now just go out and..... gettem!

You'll be just fine - scared fertilizer-less, but just fine.

May all the infinite power of the universe find its way to you.

Howard

[Stewart Crick]

Paul,

Shop looks great! I went through the same experience (lay-off and starting business) a little more then a year ago. Give me a holler if you have any questions.

Stu

[Paul B. Cresti]

Paul, I tired to add to my post last nite but couldn't get another reply in (the submit page said "not accepting any new posts"). I heard sirens and saw four cop cars flying down the street and I hit submit too fast!

I was going to add that the best thing that ever happened to me was getting laid off. I was in restuarant management and it wasn't a good deal. The owner of a very successful bar & grill sold it to a moron. He brought his own equal-brained people in and two of us got laid off (thank GOD). It was the best thing for me since I needed to be out of that business anyway.

I stay booked 3-4 months in advance these days except after the first of the year and up to March 15th when it's only 1-2 months.

I know you'll be happier and I wish you the best of luck. With a shop like that, you're destined to succeed!

Kelly,
Thanks for the well wishes and I know what you mean about the brain capacity of some people. My "old" boss put all his eggs in one basket. I am an Architect and since 95% of our work was form one client and that client is in complete turmoil, guess what no work. I currently have one client and I lowered my price on this one because it was my first "official" client plus the contacts this person has are extremely numerous. I am in discussions with other potential clients and will advertise as soon as my LLC, General Liability insurance, tax id and misc other paper work and bank accounts are in order.
I appreciate your well wishes and good luck in your own business.

[Paul B. Cresti]

Congratulations!!!
What an exciting thing! Oh yeah, the shop & new business are pretty cool, also.
I started my business 9.5 years ago with my 3rd in the oven, too. It's a nail biting time but I've never been sorry. You won't either, in a couple of years. Hang in there & good luck!

Don't be afraid that you're charging too much. Be afraid that you're not asking enough, there are a lot of bills coming up. People are happy to pay for high quality, it's hard to find.

George,
Yes, in all the turmoil around this house I sometimes forget the most important thing that is happening in my life and that is of course #3. No matter what kind of day you have it is amazing how all you have to do is look into your childrens eyes and everything is OK.

[Paul B. Cresti]

Congratulations, Paul, both on the shop being ready to go and your new carreer. Sometimes things work out in strange ways to "move things along" in the direction you want to go. Best wishes on the new business and don't forget your friends are here to help you keep your chin up and the ideas flowing!

Jim,
Thanks for the encouragement. This just feels right and I keep telling myself (along with others) that God works in mysterious ways (or whomever or whatever you do or do not believe in) and it will turn out for the best. We still need to get together sometime as you are just about around the corner from me.

[Paul B. Cresti]

Congratulations on a great-looking shop.
You've got tons of great equipment.

You've got some/most/all of the technical skills.
The ones you lack, you'll find - don't worry about "how" for now.....

Now just go out and..... gettem!

You'll be just fine - scared fertilizer-less, but just fine.

May all the infinite power of the universe find its way to you.

Howard
Howard,
I like you description of how I feel :D I was lucky enough to have purchased all of the equipment (big ticket items) when both my wife and I were employed. Hey we actually made some decent money back then! I sure hope some wizdom and lots of LUCK find its way to me.

[Greg Tatum]

Good luck to ya Paul...if you trust in your skills and you desire to succeed, you will....I whole-heartedly agree with Ian's advise.

regards,
Greg

[Paul B. Cresti]

Paul

Congrats on three bits of your news.

I know the feeling of stepping off the edge very well. It is both exciting and scary.

I don't know much of your background, so if any of the following advise is inappropriate I apologise.

When I started out my first order of business was just that - this is business. In the first 6 months I spent as much time on selling and building systems for selling as I did on making. Finding customers is the critical part. I was lucky in having the skills to build customer database etc. I now make regular mailshots and generate lots of my turnover from them.

Practice standing in front of a mirror and saying "That will be $5000 please" (adjust the amount to go into the bracket you WANT your products to fall) until you can do it without blushing. I meet more craftsmen who undercharge than overcharge. If you decide to sell your business on quality making sure that you charge for it just reinforces the message.

Big new tools are great fun but make sure that you have the little things in good supply. There is nothing more frustrating than getting halfway through a job and finding that you need to take time out to go get supplies or because a drill bit has snapped. I get through about 10 3mm twist drills in a busy week because they aren't worth sharpening and a dull one slows me down. When I buy them in quantity they cost pennies and knowing that I have a drawer withh 200 of them in it lets me get on with business. I guess that what I am saying is that a $1000 dollar saw with a blunt blade is a waste of time. A $500 dollar saw with a sharp blade is a productive tool.

I wish you great good fortune in all of your enterprises. I can only say that I have never, not once for a moment, regretted going out on my own.

Regards


Ian

Ian,
Thanks for the advice. I am an Architect and up to now woodworking was a hobby, albeit a very serious one. Designing and building is who I am not only waht I do. You make some very good "real world" points. It is amazing how no matter what we have it is that little 1 or 2 dollar item (or in your case pound) that causes the most down time. So how is your business doing?

[John Haylow]

Paul.

Congratulations on the soon to be new addition to your family. Your shop looks great, and I'm sure you will do well with your new venture.

Keep us posted on your progress.

Best of luck.

John

[Ian Barley]

Ian,
Thanks for the advice. I am an Architect and up to now woodworking was a hobby, albeit a very serious one. Designing and building is who I am not only waht I do. You make some very good "real world" points. It is amazing how no matter what we have it is that little 1 or 2 dollar item (or in your case pound) that causes the most down time. So how is your business doing?

Paul

I saw from your profile that you were an architect so I'm sure that you wont have any technical problems. Have you decided on a section of the market to concentrate on?

I decide a long time ago that I was looking for a product to make rather than a service to offer and the Adirondack chairs kinda crept up on me. They have the advantage that they are a specialised item over here and therefore can be positioned in a higher value slot.

How is my business doing? - Pretty well. I don't earn as much as I used to and I work harder than I did but my turnover is up around 6 figures in a dollar equivalent and I made about 350 chairs last year. My advertising, website and word of mouth brings me an average of about 20 new leads a week. About 15% of my leads result in sales. In the last two years I have managed to reduce the amount of time it takes to build a chair by about a half and push the quality through the roof. I feel pretty confident that I am past the worst danger points for a new business - I hope.

I am sure that you will find lots of great advice here and elsewhere. I know that your markets and mine are very different but anytime I can be of help just let me know.

[Fred Voorhees]

Paul - Good luck in your new endeavors. I can imagine that its a bit frightening and exciting all at the same time. Certainly looks as if you have the shop to be doing what you need to do.

Hey, we'll have to hook up some time soon. I am just minutes away over here in Ringoes - right on Rt.31.