I don't understand. I've never seen a forum like this where so many treat newcomers here like they are all wanna get rich quick, business stealin, this is an easy opportunity anybody can do business, lazy fool who wants to buy there way in. By the way... if thats what they are then...a spade is a spade...., but WE are not ALL like that. With that said, I'll introduce myself, as I have already met many of you by reading the forums.
I am a Financial and Computer person by trade and I've never made a sign in my life, but I've seen alot of them...lol. I have a BS in Commerce with degrees in Accounting and Decision Sciences. I was the youngest Corporate Financial Controller that Citicorp had (at time I was with them). I left that position to re-organize my Mothers Real Estate Business "Condo Mart" for sale and sold that Business for her. I then was left without work, took a year off and decided to start a property management business. By the Way, I knew nothing of this business, never worked in one or worked my way up to starting that business as so many of you say needs to be done (which is a great way but not my way). I worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and had that business for 14 years Techno-Management Solutions, Inc.) without losing a contract (unheard of in property management if you know anything about it). Just proving that with persaveirence, commitment, doing what it takes to make it work, can make you successful. Its those that get the ingedients to make a business but dont work it that fail (for most part...i believe). I then went to work as the Director of Technology for a single owner of a chain of Foodtowns that involved updating financial and database systems, as well as purchase of any tech. equipment. I then went to work as the Executive Financial Analyst to the CFO for a 350 million dollar Perfume Mfg. Company Cosmetic Essence, Inc. I retired 4 (age 44) years ago, or should I say semi retired as was looking for something to do that I always wanted to. I moved to a rural area and now live on a little farm.
I have always been interested in the creative side brewing in side of me but never had the opportunity to utilize it with the positions I held. So I decided to buy a printer/plotter (Roland Versacamm 30") printer plotter, and Photoshop as well as a host of other things (after about 200 hours of research) to learn how to do what you seasoned guys do the best I can, which I understand may suck or may be great or anywhere in between. Although I have a business name (for tax purposes), I will not advertise for business for things I'm not capable of delivering (did not apply for sales tax certificate yet). I expect it will take me a year or more to become at the "beginning level" of an intermediate user of photoshop. But I think it will be fun getting there. I have no expectations of taking the $20K I spent on Equipment and supplies and opening a shop and saying I'm in business. Some say its stupid to do that way(buy equipment first) but at almost 49 now...I'm not gonna go make $8.00 an hour to learn the trade and be somebody's gopher.....I'm gonna make negative $100's and hour (in beginning) learning the trade and will only advertise for business I'm capable of delivering. If I can only laminate drivers licences....then so be it...thats the business I'll advertise for. The important thing to me is that I'm learning. If i'm not learning I feel trapped and this field seems to allow for a never-ending learning opportunity. The other thing is convenience. I prefer to learn at my own pace and convenience and through trial and error. I understand it would be easier learning in a sign shop at $8 dollars an hour, but its not convenient and I don't want to be under somebody's thumb at my age (maybe I'm a little proud too). After all I'm semi-retired and want to do things that I want to do. I would like to find a nitch in this field as I'm learning that I could conentrate on for income eventually. I don't want to be a "Sign" Shop that will do everything I just want a little nitch I could be come good at and make a few bucks after devoting the time, money, and energy to learning how to perfect that nitch. Again, without doing this, I'm not even sure I'll attain this...but its a goal.
Therfore, I'm not a wannabe yahoo who thinks they can buy their way into the business. Its a learning experience for me...and maybe 1 day I might be good enough to make a few bucks in a little corner nitch of this never ending industry. The last thing I want to do is build another full fledged business. So If I or anyone else asks a stupid question, it would seem an answer without the bashing would be appropriate unless there is an obvious history of "get somethin for nothin" questions.
I joined this forum to learn, but am hesitant to even ask a question based on some of the threads I've already read. I hope this changes because the non bashing threads are quite interesting.
Sorry if I offended anyone, but I just couldn't sit back and read these threads without speaking my peace and am sorry this had to be my first post. I just think people ought to be respectful of others and their ideas, plans, and goals. After all, anyone of us in business didnt start the same way, Some didn't have written business plans, or other traditional expected ways to start. Some just did it. Some planned. Some got Lucky. Some were brought up in the business. Some bought business's or franchises. But all successful ones were "Worked" to the bone to get where they're at and where it's at will generally show how much it was "worked". IMHO...You get out of it...what you put into it!...and those who try and find the easy button or miracle income source in this business will weed themselves out just like in any other business that you dont bust your butt to make it work. Why waste time, breath, and energy on bashing those that think this is easy. Let em find out and help the ones that really need it.
Thanx for letting me rant, Hope I dont ask too many stupid ?'s.
I am a Financial and Computer person by trade and I've never made a sign in my life, but I've seen alot of them...lol. I have a BS in Commerce with degrees in Accounting and Decision Sciences. I was the youngest Corporate Financial Controller that Citicorp had (at time I was with them). I left that position to re-organize my Mothers Real Estate Business "Condo Mart" for sale and sold that Business for her. I then was left without work, took a year off and decided to start a property management business. By the Way, I knew nothing of this business, never worked in one or worked my way up to starting that business as so many of you say needs to be done (which is a great way but not my way). I worked 16 hours a day, 7 days a week and had that business for 14 years Techno-Management Solutions, Inc.) without losing a contract (unheard of in property management if you know anything about it). Just proving that with persaveirence, commitment, doing what it takes to make it work, can make you successful. Its those that get the ingedients to make a business but dont work it that fail (for most part...i believe). I then went to work as the Director of Technology for a single owner of a chain of Foodtowns that involved updating financial and database systems, as well as purchase of any tech. equipment. I then went to work as the Executive Financial Analyst to the CFO for a 350 million dollar Perfume Mfg. Company Cosmetic Essence, Inc. I retired 4 (age 44) years ago, or should I say semi retired as was looking for something to do that I always wanted to. I moved to a rural area and now live on a little farm.
I have always been interested in the creative side brewing in side of me but never had the opportunity to utilize it with the positions I held. So I decided to buy a printer/plotter (Roland Versacamm 30") printer plotter, and Photoshop as well as a host of other things (after about 200 hours of research) to learn how to do what you seasoned guys do the best I can, which I understand may suck or may be great or anywhere in between. Although I have a business name (for tax purposes), I will not advertise for business for things I'm not capable of delivering (did not apply for sales tax certificate yet). I expect it will take me a year or more to become at the "beginning level" of an intermediate user of photoshop. But I think it will be fun getting there. I have no expectations of taking the $20K I spent on Equipment and supplies and opening a shop and saying I'm in business. Some say its stupid to do that way(buy equipment first) but at almost 49 now...I'm not gonna go make $8.00 an hour to learn the trade and be somebody's gopher.....I'm gonna make negative $100's and hour (in beginning) learning the trade and will only advertise for business I'm capable of delivering. If I can only laminate drivers licences....then so be it...thats the business I'll advertise for. The important thing to me is that I'm learning. If i'm not learning I feel trapped and this field seems to allow for a never-ending learning opportunity. The other thing is convenience. I prefer to learn at my own pace and convenience and through trial and error. I understand it would be easier learning in a sign shop at $8 dollars an hour, but its not convenient and I don't want to be under somebody's thumb at my age (maybe I'm a little proud too). After all I'm semi-retired and want to do things that I want to do. I would like to find a nitch in this field as I'm learning that I could conentrate on for income eventually. I don't want to be a "Sign" Shop that will do everything I just want a little nitch I could be come good at and make a few bucks after devoting the time, money, and energy to learning how to perfect that nitch. Again, without doing this, I'm not even sure I'll attain this...but its a goal.
Therfore, I'm not a wannabe yahoo who thinks they can buy their way into the business. Its a learning experience for me...and maybe 1 day I might be good enough to make a few bucks in a little corner nitch of this never ending industry. The last thing I want to do is build another full fledged business. So If I or anyone else asks a stupid question, it would seem an answer without the bashing would be appropriate unless there is an obvious history of "get somethin for nothin" questions.
I joined this forum to learn, but am hesitant to even ask a question based on some of the threads I've already read. I hope this changes because the non bashing threads are quite interesting.
Sorry if I offended anyone, but I just couldn't sit back and read these threads without speaking my peace and am sorry this had to be my first post. I just think people ought to be respectful of others and their ideas, plans, and goals. After all, anyone of us in business didnt start the same way, Some didn't have written business plans, or other traditional expected ways to start. Some just did it. Some planned. Some got Lucky. Some were brought up in the business. Some bought business's or franchises. But all successful ones were "Worked" to the bone to get where they're at and where it's at will generally show how much it was "worked". IMHO...You get out of it...what you put into it!...and those who try and find the easy button or miracle income source in this business will weed themselves out just like in any other business that you dont bust your butt to make it work. Why waste time, breath, and energy on bashing those that think this is easy. Let em find out and help the ones that really need it.
Thanx for letting me rant, Hope I dont ask too many stupid ?'s.
