Taking the Leap

[Guerilla Signs]

As of last Friday at 5 pm I became officially self employed. I have been working toward this for the last 4 years and finally came to the point that I could not do any more in the evenings or weekends.

I am anxiously looking forward to what will come over the next few months.

Already been told that I am cheep by one customer and to way to high by another customer in the last two days.

It is going to be a wild ride.

 

[Billct2]

Good Luck

 

[Red Ball]

Already been told that I am cheep by one customer and to way to high by another customer in the last two days.

It is going to be a wild ride.[/QUOTE]


:Welcome: to my world!

 

[Gino]

Congratulations.........................

Don't worry about what the customers say. Only worry if they don't come back.

I have no idea of what direction you in your business mode want to follow for your shop, but try to cultivate repeat type customers. People that need stuff over and over and over again. Except for race car people. They'll drain you instantly.

 

[James Burke]

If you haven't already, make sure you nail down a solid business plan. It's a tough row to hoe without one.


JB

 

[Branded Signs]

I made the leap myself for the same reasons 3 weeks ago. Good luck to you!

 

[Mosh]

It does not matter how much you charge, there is ALWAYS going to be someone that will tell you you charge too much...there is a name for those customers....

 

[threeputt]

I don't pretend to know you, so don't take this wrong.

But my advice is to:
1) Set your business hours and stick to them.
2) Set sound business policies that deal with situations you'll encounter, and stick to them.
3) Develop some sort of formulas that will allow you to be very consistent in pricing your work.

Best of luck. Work hard (and smart) and prosper!

 

[SignBurst PCs]

Congrats and good luck. I wish you an interesting and successful adventure.

 

[klingsdesigns]

Good luck and enjoy the ride! I am going on three years in may

 

[JgS]

Good luck! Don't overlook business insurance. And if you are not good with money, a CPA.

 

[Si Allen]

In addition to Threeputt's advice ...

Nothing happens until you get 50% down (100% down on all small orders)

Rush or overtime orders have an added surcharge

Customers DO NOT set the rules!!!

Refer the cheap a$$ed customers to the competition

Pain in the a$$ customers are fired immediately!

 

[SignManiac]

I did exactly the same thing you did, only it was thirty eight years ago. I still wonder if I made the right decision.

 

[John Butto]

Open up an IRA for your retirement.

 

[laserman70]

Good luck and listen to people on this forum.
They have helped us become better and successful in so many ways.

 

[MakeMyGraphic]

Good luck! and I learned so far that those people who care about the cost of things often don't care about quality OR the fact that there is even human labor involved... you don't really want to deal with those people. Just my 2 cents

 

[MikeD]

Good luck!

 

[MikePro]

you're new boss sounds like a lucky guy!
congrats!

 

[skyhigh]

good for you !!!

 

[Guerilla Signs]

Thanks for all the advice. Will be continuing to learn from the veterans on this site. Have learned a lot since finding Signs101 and plan on being around for a long time.