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Making a nice living with CNC

103K views 95 replies 26 participants last post by  Jared355 
#1 · (Edited)
With the surge in interest in CNC on the Forum, I thought it was time to post some information on how to make serious money with one, other than craft shows and sharing profits online and in consignment shops. This orignially was posted in response to a couple just about to take the plunge, but with added information. This is long.

CNC marketing methods to make CNC pay.

If you are planning to make a living from a CNC, you will have to become very good at marketing your services. Translated, that means being very good at identifying and effectively contacting people and businesses that are likely to make good use of your services. Everyone and their uncle Tom is making occasional signs, or signs with clever sayings or even images they hope to sell in consignment shops or weekend craft gatherings. But to really make any money, you have to identify markets that need lots of what you have to sell, but not so many that they go to a completely automated shop, or one that markets and jobs out the work to Mexico or Asia.

One example would be a small chain of regional hotels with a homey feel where signs, plaques and things of that sort , in script or with logos or other identity setting features are needed in fair numbers.

As machines go, that means something pretty fast with easy setup and software that makes such things as using special fonts or logo images easy to set up and produce in limited runs. In marketing, you'd probably have to locate, contact and work with art directors, architects and interior designers -- the real buyers.

With really good software, you could locate individual property owners for inns or mountain cabin owners, whose orders would be small, but beyond hand made sign quantities. Entrance, exit, mens, family and womens' bathrooms, room number, breakfast, meeting room and other signs with logos and unique fonts are all possible products.

I teach marketing to eye doctors, and know how important it is to any business. The internet and social media are good places to search, and 150 to 300 searches will turn up a good number of customers. You don't want to just have one big customer, they apply intense pressure to cut prices and profits. A good mix of lots of medium sized repeat customers is essential.

Deliver as fast as you can. Get all art approved by several people. If you see something odd or off in the design, check it with the customer before you make it and try to provide a proof run before you produce in quantity. Learn to proof read. Check the spelling of every word and if any problem shows up, check with the customer before starting design or production. These kinds of projects seldom get full attention and you backing up the person who orders this way will save their fanny if you catch a problem before their boss does.

Check out all kinds of materials to use for projects. See if you can find sources of cutoffs that are consistently available. For example, my son in law gets large quantities of 2x6 asian hardwood from pallets used for forklifts. For outdoor signs, you might try using weather resistant composite or engineered lumber. Can you cut aluminum for small signs, room numbers, etc?

Make your laptop the center of your business rather than the CNC. Being able to sit in your car on vacation while handling a design shows up as exceptional service, and pays for the vacation at the same time. Plan for rush orders. Designers are notorious for pushing deadlines and giving the producer precious little time to finish. That is a formula for a designer who makes an error to blame the producer for errors and delays, and to cut you off. Make this attention to detail and possible "inconsistencies" a feature of your service. You've got your customer's back. If necessary, run everything by a skilled proof reader before submitting the final design to the customer for approval. It's no fun eating a $2,000 order because of a missed comma or wrong font. In other words, make no assumptions, don’t skip a check because deadlines are tight. Email proofs on copy, layout drawings, printouts of drawings made in the software, and photos of the first test piece, lit by side light so the carving shows up well. Be VERY fussy about approvals for logos and special images. If there is any concern about size and proportion, you want them handled on paper, not on some exotic or expensive hardwood. Make sure your contact’s boss reviews anything more than a run of, say, 3 pieces.

Do not make the mistake of competing on price. Start as high as you can stand it, then go up another 10 percent. If you slash prices to below market rates, you can be dismissed by competitors merely by their saying, "you get what you pay for." When I raise prices, I have to practice saying the amount in front of a mirror until I can do so without making a face or showing uncertainty.

Consider having someone else run the machine, spend your time marketing and taking wonderful, thorough care of your customers so they do repeat business. Making stuff sounds like fun, but it IS a business first, and the dollars and cents, relationships and posting examples of your fine work rank higher than running the CNC.

Social media and developing a great newsletter mailing list is VERY important. (I use Constant Contact because they just don’t allow practices that appear as spam.) Social media drives people to your website, where they see your work, read your information about how to design, order, avoid errors, plus all kinds of pictures of finished work (not all of which has to be yours, by the way. These photos become an idea bank. If you have some pre-made standard items, show those on a separate page. Publish a checklist of steps from design to ordering to final production runs that emphasizes review and proofing.

There is a great little book titled “Your First 1000 copies,” which was written for self publishing and other authors on how to use social media, website and email to generate business. It translates to any business and isn’t full of fluff. It’s one of those little books with a huge load of practical information, and it’s $10 bucks on Amazon. Really upped my business results and lowered my marketing costs. Low cost social media and email are now our primary source of new business.

I know free advice is easily dismissed, but I've been doing and teaching marketing for 35 years, and charge a lot for my recommendations. If I were in your situation, what I suggested is what I'd do, and I'd have a list of 30-50 high-potential 50-signs-or-more per year customers in hand before I put a penny down on a machine.
 
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#41 ·
I am on Tom's side on this. Marketing makes all the difference, and I don't mean high pressure sales. 39 years selling for a living has honed those skills and they can not be shrugged off as a small part of what you do if you want to grow. There are lots of books on the topic, Tom has suggested a good one. With out those skills you will be floating around in word of mouth world and saddled with low prices that don't reflect what you do.

The other part of this conversation that warrants further exploration is what does "making a good living" mean in dollars an cents. In my case, after 40 years in the corporate world, most of my finances are covered for retirement... So making $40000 a year out of my garage shop now allows me to transition away from the corporate umbrella 5 to 7 years ahead of the plan. But $40000 a year would not have covered the costs of raising our 4 kids, and the balance of our life style.

In June we will bill close to $16000 almost all of it off our 48 x 96' CNCRPT machine. This is our peak season so not typical, but all of it was designed and produced in the last 5 weeks. I work many late evenings and weekends, many folks wont do that, but I truly find this to be a like a vacation. I use very few Clipart models, and most of my designs are mine alone and custom to match a customers imagination.. .. so competition is slim.

My $10k machine is bolted together from a kit, does not have a vacuum table, or auto tool changers. We own an art gallery on a high way to a national park, and i have sold art as a side business for 30 plus years up here.. so that provides some momentum that a newby would lack. I also still work 3 to 4 days in corporate world.

So pick what you want from your one CNC machine. They can certainly pay for themselves with a bit of word of mouth and a few shows each year if you do quality work. Beyond that, i am convinced that $100000 k out of our garage is doable ...... if you want to work, and learn to sell. Having said that... our operation is open 5 months per year and than we go to online selling and a much lighter winter duty.. so our current plans are not to go full speed.... but i sure wish i had started this when i was 40..
 
#42 ·
Great info, Scott. What are you making that allows you to bill that much in a month? My woodworking frequently involves a lot of detail work on one-offs and commission work and some of it commands a higher price but quantity is low; I'm billing 1/10 that on an average month but I probably stay just as busy with nights and weekends. Granted, I'm just getting started and have only just begun to do any marketing although I too have been in sales/marketing for 25+ years so I know how important that is. But we don't have a store front and have yet to kick off our Etsy shop so most of my work is for a couple of shops and people in town.

Thanks!
David
 
#43 · (Edited)
Hi Dave

Most of what we sell is what i would loosely classify as Cabin signs. 24" x 24" 3D painted, carved outdoor themed name signs. These sell in the $200 to $300 range. Moose, bears, salmon, loons, Alaskana stuff.. etc. 10 or so each month.

Than salt that with a few 36 " to 72" signs that run $600 to $1200.

Like Tom mentioned we also end up with some business that i call B to B. business to business. Bed and breakfasts, lodges, and tourist shops that want signature pieces. These are larger CNC pieces like carved benches, and Bed headboards. Again, $500 to $2000.

On the bottom end is simple routered name signs. I charge $40 for a 24 x 6" raised letter sign with a family name or address. Spray it black, run it through a planner.. done.. these a great place to up sell to something with 3 D and maybe even a painted sign.

I keep a stock of cribbage boards in the store any one for $89. I also have dozens of Carved panels in the store for customers. a few CNC puzzle games, rod holders, coat racks. A store makes it easy to have a broad range of stuff around ... and it keeps my interest up.

Than occasionally we get a bigger pieces. I just finished a 34' carved Mural for a local Childern's library.. they had an association with a solid budget and wanted to add some bright colors to the 3 archways entering the library. We get a few big commissions each year that run $3000 to $8ooo.

If you find us on Facebook at Willow Creek gallery.. you can see much of what we sell. I also use FB extensively to market.. Way more sales come from that than our Web Page.. Not in Etsy yet, but headed there..
 
#44 ·
Thanks so much, Scott. Those are markets I have yet to explore though I've thought of going after some locally and regionally here in the Ark-LA-Tex. We don't have the range of Bed & Breakfast locations here like y'all do but that doesn't mean I can't find other avenues for sales. Of course, our 2x4 CNC won't let us do near the size of signs and projects you can but I've managed to keep it busy enough - just need to find more.

David
 
#45 · (Edited)
Thank you for starting this thread Tom, and thank you all for sharing your Knowledge, as I may have to really pay attention now .

I just had a major curve ball thrown at me , as I’m about to get laid off after 30 years of service , and never seen it coming. How I would have done things differantly had I known this was coming .
If all goes well , there will be severance pay. My health is not great , as I’m down to one eye , and that puts a guy out of all the decent paying jobs , like the mines etc.
I’d be lucky to get a job around here that pays minimum wage and 32 hours a week . No one wants full time employees anymore, as then they have to pay benefits .

My idea was to invest in a cnc like Scott’s , and take a chance on that . Hopefully I don’t end up putting myself in a worse position.
If I could make a little better imcome than a job that pays minimum wage I’d be happy . And I’d actually enjoy what I’m doing ,and don’t have to make 60K a year to survive . I don’t mind Kraft dinner lol .
I was debating to splice fibre , but the local company here really prefers younger guys , so I think that’s out . I hate routine anyways , so that occupation would drive me crazy at best .

My coworkers think I’m nuts investing in a cnc router table , but I believe it may be my savour.
This is certainly a tough one
 
#46 ·
Good luck with your career change, I have faith in you!

A friend of mine down here bought a laser engraver after he got laid off, that was 9 years ago, he's cranking out trophies, name tags and personalized yeti. I don't know how great of living he's making off it but he has a store front now and a few employees, so it's not too bad.

I left IBM 10 years ago to become handyman. Now I'm a master handyman with an apprentice, who's now capable of running most jobs himself.
 
#52 · (Edited)
Thanks JJ . I pretty much created my own mess here . I had every chance to do things right, but messed it up royally . I seriously had no idea this was coming, and was hoping to stay with them till my mid 60’s.
Saying that though, I’ve been wanting a change . So maybe this is a blessing in disguise.




Thanks Joe. This is to funny , as I wrote the same thing you did before I knew you posted. Thanks , as that’s gotta be a sign right there lol
Hey Rick, I'm really sorry to hear that. But this may end up being the greatest blessing in disguise! I listened to one of Bill Griggs podcast/YouTube videos, He had a guy on there who lost everything in hurricane Katrina and with the last of his resources, He bought a CNC.... It had
a happy ending! Good luck and I can't wait till next year when you're on here bragging about all the work you've been doing!
 
#49 ·
hey Rick, sorry to hear about your pending layoff. If you don't find anything, you can always come down to Ontario and caddy for me on the golf course. Can't promise I'll pay you but you'll get the occasional beer on me. And the upside is, you won't have to worry too much about insulation, cause we're slightly warmer in the winter than you are.
 
#53 · (Edited)
Thanks Charley . That Beer invite sounds awfully tempting lol .



And Tom , thank you for the advice, much appreciated! I will certainly make a very hard effort at this . I talked to my tax lady down the street, and she thinks this startup company is a great idea . It’s funny as when I talked to her she also mentioned establishing a business name. . I’ll think of one once my head clears , and I’m out of shock :)

I have to say guys , it’s almost like divine intervention that I’m here at this forum , as I had no idea my life would go this direction when I joined here .
Funny how things work out
 
#50 · (Edited)
Hey @RainMan 2.0, sorry to hear about the layoff. However, not many things get you going faster than that kind of event. But resources get scarce pretty fast if you delay your start up. You have to give it all you've got, and it is rare that a business starts producing much at the very first. Start the marketing effort NOW by identifying some of the same potential clients that the folks have been talking about. Get your CNC while you're able to finance it. Spend daytime hours marketing (research, making contacts, etc), and evenings and nights learning the program and producing samples. Photo the samples and put up a facebook page. Survey the members to work on a company name (ask Oliver for his opinion).

Work on a way to say what you do, what you have to offer, in less than 45 seconds. It takes some thought and effort. Don't rely on low prices to sell, or you won't make it through long enough to be successful. Keep records, all your miles, all your costs are deductable busieness expenses and you want to offset as much income with expense as the tax code allows.

I'm always willing to put in my thoughts and I'm cheering for you. Just give it all you've got, starting right NOW! You'll find a lot of leads in the ads in local and regional publications, Look for interesting logos you can use to make samples, and then take that sample with you when you go there. Don't buy a starter machine that won't let you cut something a little larger. In the USA, we have something called the Small Business Administration mentor programs, retired business people who volunteer to help folks start their businesses--but don't get too hung up on making a business plan and setting up accounting. You're going into a pretty simple business with a well defined market. You'll need to set up some simple contracts and forms for working up the visuals (They sign to indicate their approval). Don't make your contract long and complex. If someone wants to stiff you, they will regardless of the complexity of the contract. Too many CYAs in a contract cause people to shy away.

Stay in phone contact, fax or email materials, start an email list as outlined in the little book (Your First 1,000 copies) on Amazon https://www.amazon.ca/Your-First-Co...505043&sr=8-1&keywords=your+first+1000+copies

Set up your facebook page right away (By Saturday after choosing your company name. You will need to get a DBA (ficticious company name) to open a bank account. Set up with a credit card processing account with the settlement going direct to your bank account. You'll probably only need the card reading capability if you do shows or fairs (which would be a very low priority for me).

Set up with Constant Contact to manage your email list. You can have a small list free. They only let you add people who consent to receive emails. I think you can add a sign up box to your facebook page (I can't remember) Our signup is on every page of our website (which is very simple).

But most of your effor needs to go to getting marketing going (days) and gaining skill with the CNC (nights). No vacations for awhile Rick. You'll probably find that your costs will be low for some time. You should have business cards, but even better, a little pocket notebook so you can collect information about your potential customers. Handing out cards is almost entirely non productive, but they expect you to at least have one.

Start collecting pictures of your production so you can show them off on a website. At first, you can make a few signs on speculation or even for free for a few very local companies so you can put up a recognizable name or logo. The effort you put in now pays off, but if you don't give it all you've got, then you don't really have much chance, because delay will eat up your money. Sometimes you can get a little part time job, but only on the weekend if you do that, so your weekdays are open for marketing, sales calls, design and deliveries.

Go man, Go!
 
#51 · (Edited)
Hey Rick, I'm really sorry to hear that. But this may end up being the greatest blessing in disguise! I listened to one of Bill Griggs podcast/YouTube videos, He had a guy on there who lost everything in hurricane Katrina and with the last of his resources, He bought a CNC.... It had
a happy ending! Good luck and I can't wait till next year when you're on here bragging about all the work you've been doing!
 
#54 ·
Hey Rick,

So sorry to hear that happened but if you'll recall, that very thing happened to me two years ago. The technology company I worked for pulled up stakes and left Louisiana. Now, I could have moved to Mississippi or Alabama to one of the corporate offices and kept on plugging away but I didn't want to do that. So Sandy and I decided that we'd do a few years early what we had planned when I hit 65 (still not there) and that was for me to do woodworking out of our house. I just really didn't want to go find another technology job for a few years.

We built the CNC, I started drumming up business, and I'm staying pretty busy. This year I'll do some serious marketing and sales just like I did for 25+ years in the technology sector. Tom's advice is spot on and we're eager to grow our little slice of the pie here in our area.

If there's any way I can help just give me a call - we haven't talked in a while anyway.

David
 
#55 ·
Hey Rick, I'm sorry that you have to go through the trauma of an unexpected layoff, but I'll bet that if you follow Tom's advice and that of others here, it will end up being a blessing in disguise. I'd be willing to bet that 99% of us here are pulling for ya too!
Now, think of a business name! My suggestion, just to get you started -- UIG Enterprises...with UIG meaning "uninsulated garage"? LOL
 
#56 ·
Rick, what a shock, for sure. But, you'll persevere and everything will turn out for the best.
Count me in Ken's 99% cause I'm pulling for ya, too. And, you've already got a head start just by making the decision to go it alone. In a couple years, you'll wonder why you didn't do it sooner.
Look forward, keep your goals topmost in your mind and never give up.
 
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#57 ·
Thank you guys , I really mean it. I’m in shock and am having a hard time wiping tears away when I read your posts .
As I mentioned, I brought this upon myself ,as I didn’t really see an end . If things go well , the company is being very generous with there buy outs . This was a voluntary lay off, as I had a choice , but the alternative left a lot of questions, so it was time to move on .
I will always love the company ,and will always be available if the new guys have issues trouble shooting .

Anyways on a positive one, I know a former Marine from the USA that said something that has always resonated with me .
“Improvise, Adapt and Overcome”
 
#58 ·
Rick,

take what you can get til you fall into something, be it woodworking or something else. Just go with the flow and you'll fall into something that'll work. Don't overlook anything.

You won't get rich with a CNC, but you might be a whole lot happier.

Never did I ever think I would carve Polish Eagles for a profit and attend Polish Festivals. It just takes one good idea, product, or the right person to cross your path.

And you know you can always call on any number of us, if only to talk.

Scott ........ we might have just found your summer intern. lol
 
#60 ·
Great thread guys. I just caught up on what is going on.

Building a CNC business is no only possible it is probable if you follow proven methods that others have used. Get an audible account and start listening to books about starting a business while you are working in the shop. Get your mindset aligned for success. Start listening to John Saunders and John Grimsm's podcast, "The Business of CNC". Read Pat Flynn's book "Will It Fly?" Follow what he says a find your first product/business idea.

Then execute your plan like you have a rocket booster strapped to your bottom.

Best wishes.

Bill
 
#61 ·
@bgriggs Good advice about listening to inspiring material. It is easy to get down while going through the initial stages of a startup. But nothing will work better than a persistent effort.
@RainMan 2.0 OK Rick, time to get going. I suggest you start by going through this thread and writing a list of possible clients and actions. Look them up on the web and Facebook. Write down their locations. Start looking at ads in some of the regional publications. Look for business members of local chambers of commerce, some of them may be good prospects.

There's some pricing information on this string so you can figure out what to ask. Get your machine and set it up. Learn the software at night. Make some sample signs with the company logos you find in your research. Run your designs by us one the Forum and ask for suggestions. Just get moving now, Rick. Nothing will haul your butt out of shock and depression faster than getting into action on your new future.

At one point very early in my business, money was very tight and I was tempted to go get a job. But instead, my wife took me to a car dealership and we bought a car! Having a car payment to make shook me into action and so I seriously started executing our plan--got into action contacting all our prospects and started making money. I suggested you get your machine and software ASAP. You'll have a payment to make and will probably have the same experience I did. You aren't going to do hard sell with anyone, just showing a sample and asking whether the potential customer wants to order some customized signs or other items. They will or they won't. And if they don't take the sample to someone else in the same busienss, even a competitor.

Tell us what you're doing as you go along. Take pictures, you'll use them later for marketing on Facebook. We'll cheer you on! --Tom
 
#62 · (Edited)
I just re-read this string. It is full of great input. Read it if you have any thoughts about making money with woodworking and/or CNC.

I got to thinking about hooking up with a CNC owner and doing marketing for them. The missing person in failing businesses is the marketing person. An appropriate percentage would probably work and would keep me off the streets and out of trouble. Just thinkin'.

I'm going to revive this post from time to time to keep it visible.
@RainMan 2.0 How are you doing on this? Easy to get off track, isn't it. :wink:
 
#63 · (Edited)
I just re-read this string. It is full of great input. Read it if you have any thoughts about making money with woodworking and/or CNC.

I got to thinking about hooking up with a CNC owner and doing marketing for them. The missing person in failing businesses is the marketing person. An appropriate percentage would probably work and would keep me off the streets and out of trouble. Just thinkin'.

I'm going to revive this post from time to time to keep it visible.

@RainMan 2.0 How are you doing on this? Easy to get off track, isn't it. :wink:
Tom , thankfully I’m still employed till Aug-16-2019 . In the mean time I’m trying to save as much $ as I can , and finish projects inside my home.
Will have lots of time on my hands to finish the garage , and then start a cnc build thread .
In theory I could start sooner , but I’m trying to see where I stand financially after I’m layed off . My Shares keep diving , and my company pension is tanking again . Not good timing .

I wish I had room for a 4x8 machine . I talked to cncrouterparts recently, and for an extra $800 I can have a kit built for a 5x5 instead of a 4x4 .
That will help by accommodating sheets of Baltic birch in that size if it’s required, plus a little more real estate is always welcome . I don’t know if an extra foot is going to be detrimental to the gantry stiffness , but I’m hoping not , as they do use the same extruded aluminum for there 5x10 model.
I could accommodate an 8x4 cnc router table if I jettisoned the laser engraver , but I’m planning on getting it fixed while I’m at it .

I realize you don’t get rich with a cnc , but all I want to do is keep my head above water.
After the smoke clears I’m sure I’ll be into it for around 20K ,and thats building the electronics myself and a cheap eBay water cooled spindle and vfd . Will likely never pay the machine itself off,but will sure have fun learning .
Ive always wanted one regardless , and I’m sure it’s something I’m going to enjoy, so that alone is worth investing in one.
I may be able to find a part time job if all else fails , but I’d sure like to work from home.
This was a great idea for a thread ,and I like all the inspiration you guys have here
 
#66 ·
Rick,

Right now I have 6 custom orders waiting, 2 designs to create, and 2 displays to keep up. One of them sold 8 items off the shelf yesterday. Now i gotta replace (make) those along with with today's sales, if any.

For the next 2 1/2-3 weeks I'll be cutting and finishing 12 to 20 hours a day and napping on the couch (chesterfield for you) during the night on some days.

Plus .... getting the new machine up and running and learning about it. Working on the bed now. Might as well do it right the first time.

Plus.......... it's deer season. Priorities!!!!!

This retirement thing is getting out of hand.
 
#67 ·
Sounds like you need to hire employees. Just kidding.

It’s a lot easier to work for yourself than someone else though . Especially knowing you can hit that couch on your terms lol.
I talked to my tax lady , and she said I can write off earning for up to five years . Then if it’s not showing a profit, there’s no more write offs .
Would be nice to at least pay these toys off
 
#68 ·
OK, most of you already know that I'm not a CNC guy. Which is likely why I never paid attention to this thread before. But when it popped up today, something caught my attention, and now I think I need to read it. Because I'm thinking about getting a CNC machine? Not only no, but Hell no. It is because I'm thinking that a load of the information will also apply to a non-CNC guy, like me.

So, my question for today is:
Is there anything specific I should look out for that would apply to me, that I need to ignore, or just need to read it, pick out what would, apply to me, and ignore the rest?

Fortunately not dependent on woodworking income (a bit of prior planning - retired Army, the disability income was not planned), but on the other hand, can't afford to give away all I make.

I think later I will start a thread asking about pricing.
 
#69 ·
@RainMan 2.0

Sorry to hear about the lay off. Been through those and there is definitely a better life on the other side.

Don’t forget to look into programs that might be available through the government. Not sure how it works in the North but around here there are opportunities for learning new job skills etc., possible seed money for starting a small business etc.
and take heed of all the valuable comments in this thread.

We are all rooting for you.
 
#70 ·
It’s unfortunate that I’m almost blind in my right eye , as they’ve built another mine a few hours from me , and they just hired my neighbors son who is 53 .
But there not going to have someone in poor health driving a 2 million dollar truck .
I’m pretty much left with working for myself , or possibly HomeDepot. I would much prefer to see if I can make it at home though .
Just walking around those stores shopping kills my back , never mind actually working there .
The products that would sell the best in my head , may not move at all . We have a lot of wealthy people an hour north of me in Fairmont and Invemere , and it would be nice to make a journey there once in a while .
I know your not allowed to park on the side of the road anymore , as there’s a big pullout where I’ve seen vendors before .
May have to rely more on e-commerce
 
#71 ·
Just remember, Don't listen to the folks who say "they can't do it".. … because they are right about themselves..... because THEY can't.

Find a few people that are doing what you want to do, build a friend ship, adjust for what you want out of it, have fun, go for it.
 
#74 ·
Just remember, Don't listen to the folks who say "they can't do it".. … because they are right about themselves..... because THEY can't.
With me it was people saying, "You can't do it." Puzzled me for a long time, because I knew I could. Finally figured it out, what they meant was that 'they' couldn't do it, so they figured if they couldn't do it, there was no way I could. It used to make my day when they would tell me that, and I could tell them I had already finished it.
 
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#75 ·
@RainMan 2.0 Hey Rick, go back to the first post and re-read it. It's a fairly well laid out approach that can keep you OUT of the lowball price competition. Go for the high end! Sketch out in writing a direction you might take this. You have at least 7 months to go, so I suggest you start executing your plan NOW. Of course, you can always do the employee thing again. It is easier that way, but you are not in charge of your own fate. When I started my business almost 37 years ago, the most important thing to me was to have my own busienss. To never have to work for someone else again. Even though the first few years were lean, I persisted. And I can tell you, persisting is everything. Everyone can be stopped from time to time. The trick is to always keep restarting. If you run up against something that stalls you, look at it until you understand what it is, and then find the solution and way out.

The biggest problem most people have in starting a business is that they don't do the work, or worse, they do what they want to do and don't do the rest. Making contacts, visiting potential clients and asking them to buy your stuff is something many people don't want to do, and when they don't, their business fails. I only know one thing that overcomes that, and that is finding someone you can make commitments to and who will ask about what specifically you have actually done. You must consider this person to be your most important contact, especially when they catch you breaking your word.
 
#76 ·
@RainMan 2.0 And I can tell you, persisting is everything. Everyone can be stopped from time to time. The trick is to always keep restarting. If you run up against something that stalls you, look at it until you understand what it is, and then find the solution and way out.
When I read that it reminded me of a guy I learned about years ago. He had about 10 or so businesses - all at once. He would start a small business, get it going smoothly, then hire someone to do the work. Then he'd work on doing it again. None of the businesses gave him a lot of income, in fact I think that after he paid for materials and payroll he only made about $10 a week on 1 or 2, but put together, he had a healthy income. Every once in awhile in awhile one of his companies would run out of customers, or for whatever reason. No problem, he would either have a new business ready to put into operation, or he would work on it until he got one ready. I don't know if I could come up with 2 ideas for businesses that would actually make money, let alone 10 or so.

I guess the moral is just keep plugging, keep coming up with different things that sell, and different places to sell 'em. Short version of your advice Tom.
 
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#77 ·
Hello for all
My name is Hasan
I am from North Carolina, looking for friends, I have 4x8f CNC router and 4x3f 130 watt co2 laser cutting machine in my home garage.
Truly say I don't know how I can start in USA, it's fully different than our country, the marketing
Communication, the material
I need help if that's possible
Regards
 
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