The annual question...how was business this year?

[The Doo]

One-person + one helper in Wisconsin:

Started the year normally. March 15-Oct busier than any other year. November was slower than years past. December is definitely slower so far. Maybe it's because of the election? My friend with an apparel shop said the same, slower this Nov/Dec than years past. Overall income increased, but profit was up quite a bit, which is more important. I contribute some of that to time management thanks to SignTracker. I stayed more organized, so I wasn't haphazardly ordering things last minute, I turned down a lot of small jobs - it all helps a little bit. l have a lot of room for improvement in both departments (as some of you know from my past stories LOL)

I have no opinion for 2025. I do see some of my business friends buying more equipment, etc. so I assume they expect things to continue in a positive direction.

Thoughts?

Me, myself and multiple personalities here!

2024 started v-e-r-y slow...had me wondering. Then BAM! 6 sizeable projects all at one time so we've been busy since and continue to be. No rest for the weary. I guess you call this blessed (and you're right). Profit? I hope so. Haven't had the time

 

[TopFliteGraphics]

That's the one thing most difficult for me after 7 years. Profit First. I really applied it in 2024, mostly for my sanity. Small town so I know everyone who walks in the door. Saying no to certain time sucking jobs gets some people offended since they consider me "a friend" or an "acquaintance". Many "arguments" this year trying to explain why I can't just make one little decal for $2. It's the most frustrating part of the job. If you don't do it though, the profitable customers have to wait. Hence...profit first. You hit the bullseye on this lol

Absolutely! It's been tough for me to stay true to the Profit First philosophy mainly because my client base is mainly large home builders and they rarely give deposits so cash flow can be challenging. I have had to "borrow" money from my P and OC accounts on occasion but it happened less and less as the year progressed. That said, each quarterly distribution has gotten bigger and I can't wait until the end of this quarter to realize some of my Profit First

 

[Warmoth]

Overall Sales
View attachment 175085

Well, sheesh, a lot of orders were taken in the last 18 days. December was relentless, up until Christmas Eve.
Here's an updated Sales chart, with 2 work days left in the year.

We've been feeling really good about the shop lately, and are really looking forward to 2025 (Flatbed on the way!)

 

[Mike Paul]

Good…

 

[JBurton]

Sitting on the opposite problem for a school. They won't cut the check until the work is completed, haven't approved 4 murals, the art they provided was roughly square, the wall was 43"x43', so I rearranged it to maintain most elements and they had a cow, asked why I couldn't use the spec'd art, went back to the agency who created the art, and now we are all sitting on our hands with 9 days of class left, won't be cutting the check after the last day of class, and I'm starting to think they imagine we'll install 4 multi part murals in one day...

Post Xmas update: the school pulled through with art at the last minute, got 4 murals done in two days, and a host of print on acrylic/acm printed mounted and 'delivered', though there are more than a few things left to be hung. Even managed to install the 43' mural in one piece horizontally like a dumbass in under 2 hours. Everything else was pretty forgiving as far as alignment, mostly due to the chunky gradients that the art was delivered with. (the 43' one had 3" long solid colors making up the gradients)

I'm so slammed that I haven't been on the forum. Overall it's been a great year, even though we turned over half the shop this year. We did also raise payroll by about 20% at the beginning of the year, which was a pretty scary undertaking, but it's all panned out. Now if I can just get all this other stuff taken care of so I can have a day or two off before xmas...
Also, biggest change of 2024, suspenders. God it's been a good year for my back!

Further update, I got 6 pairs of suspenders from 5 different people...

 

[Stacey K]

Post Xmas update: the school pulled through with art at the last minute, got 4 murals done in two days, and a host of print on acrylic/acm printed mounted and 'delivered', though there are more than a few things left to be hung. Even managed to install the 43' mural in one piece horizontally like a dumbass in under 2 hours. Everything else was pretty forgiving as far as alignment, mostly due to the chunky gradients that the art was delivered with. (the 43' one had 3" long solid colors making up the gradients)
View attachment 175342 View attachment 175343 View attachment 175344 View attachment 175345 View attachment 175346

Further update, I got 6 pairs of suspenders from 5 different people...

These look awesome!!! Great job!

Suspenders...nice

 

[Humble PM]

Took a double take to not read the last one as ready set growl!