I have decided that I have out grown my area to build surfboards,and concidering finding a industrial building to open up a surfboard shaping/painting factory. As for glassing I will probably go to out production …I don’t know about that yet…anyway,I have an appointment with the S.B.A. to arrange some dialog on starting a business(again!),but no retail for me this time.It’s to much to keep track of both manufacture/retail business.I know times are a little rough right now…so what do you people think? YOUR INPUT WILL BE VALUED HERE!Herb.
i dont know about starting a biz right now, but i would be more than happy to be an apprentice of yours… i believe we’re both in orange county.>>> I have decided that I have out grown my area to build surfboards,and > concidering finding a industrial building to open up a surfboard > shaping/painting factory. As for glassing I will probably go to out > production …I don’t know about that yet…anyway,I have an > appointment with the S.B.A. to arrange some dialog on starting a > business(again!),but no retail for me this time.It’s to much to keep track > of both manufacture/retail business.I know times are a little rough right > now…so what do you people think? YOUR INPUT WILL BE VALUED > HERE!Herb.
I don’t mean to sound forward or whatever, but if you want, as a way of saying thanks for hooking me up with the fins and all the good info, I will help you with any layout work you might need. Your logo, order sheets, whatever. You give me the art or give me the idea and I can set stuff to get you ready for pre press. That way you don’t have to pay Joe printer anything for setup. I can email them to you, or directly to your printer. I do graphic design for an ad company and I do pre press stuff all day long. If nothing else I can give you some ideas and ways to keep you away from the printers with their palms out. Just a thought. Let me know. I admire anyone who is willing to share ideas and techniques with any and all. When first starting I met a guy who was interested in making boards but had no idea how to get started. Even though I had limited experience, I showed him everything I know, where to buy everything, what to buy, etc. And now 5 years later, even though he has done fewer boards than I, they are as good if not better than mine (we just differ in the style of boards we like to make). We learn from each others mistakes and successes. If I would have had the attitude of a lot of guys out there that are so tight lipped because they are insecure in what they got going I would have missed out on so much, not to mention becoming friends with someone I now consider a brother. No man is an island, but some men are peninsulas. Good luck Herb.
i dont know about starting a biz right now, but i would be more than happy > to be an apprentice of yours… i believe we’re both in orange county. Some tough times, but yeah, still sweet to start a little enterprise, because the demand is always there. Moving the best quality product always rocks and at the lowest price how can you bomb out if you can produce the good stuff in volume? Will you zero in and specialize or need to hook up some widely talented street bros with connections?
I have decided that I have out grown my area to build surfboards,and > concidering finding a industrial building to open up a surfboard > shaping/painting factory. As for glassing I will probably go to out > production …I don’t know about that yet…anyway,I have an > appointment with the S.B.A. to arrange some dialog on starting a > business(again!),but no retail for me this time.It’s to much to keep track > of both manufacture/retail business.I know times are a little rough right > now…so what do you people think? YOUR INPUT WILL BE VALUED > HERE!Herb. Herb, When it’s in your soul, anytime is the right time. Good luck too you. R.I. surfer
Some tough times, but yeah, still sweet to start a little enterprise, > because the demand is always there. Moving the best quality product always > rocks and at the lowest price how can you bomb out if you can produce the > good stuff in volume? Will you zero in and specialize or need to hook up > some widely talented street bros with connections? Are you talking about making and marketing surfboards or controlled substances?
herb my wife and i just opened a small business in january,(painting and drawing studio for children and adults…you can check it at artworksstudio.org), and it’s totally terrifying but so worth it. doing what you love, making the decisions yourself, solving the problems, it all means so much more than for someone else. yeah probably didn’t pick the best time to go for it but it was in the works before the economy really started to take a shit. we’re still far from making a profit but the challenge alone keeps me going. you obviously have the skills and knowledge…and it’s also pretty obviously something you love…so i say go for it. make your business unique, the way you think it should be, thats what its all about. worse case at least you tried. we figure worst case we’ll just sell everything and move to hawaii and live poor in paradise…
My mom and dad made the decision to venture out and they worked their tails off for 12 years. Long story short: They were able to sell their business and are now retired and living very well in a place called Coral Gables in Fl. Go for it bro! I have seen the quality of your product and your attention to detail is phenomenal. I would think that you have the network to market your goods and if it is not as developed as you would like, you still have no worries because your product is so damn good. If you need any help in the transportation end of the gig - specifically international transport just let me know. Japan buys a lot of boards… Maybe I can pay back the Supercharger favor in this manner. Magoo
my wife and i just opened a small business in january,(painting and > drawing studio for children and adults…you can check it at > artworksstudio.org), and it’s totally terrifying but so worth it. doing > what you love, making the decisions yourself, solving the problems, it all > means so much more than for someone else. yeah probably didn’t pick the > best time to go for it but it was in the works before the economy really > started to take a shit. we’re still far from making a profit but the > challenge alone keeps me going. you obviously have the skills and > knowledge…and it’s also pretty obviously something you love…so i say > go for it. make your business unique, the way you think it should be, > thats what its all about. worse case at least you tried. we figure worst > case we’ll just sell everything and move to hawaii and live poor in > paradise… After almost 18 years as a craftsman with steady paychecks, I finally went out on my own in 1989. While employed, I was treated well and considered a valuable member of the family-owned business, but I never could make the mental adjustment to the old 8 to 5 thing… I gradually became frustrated and hungry for more control over my labors, greater income and wide-range challenges. Ironically, I now work far more than during those years, yet, I still can
t seem to find enough hours in the day... sometimes preferring to work 2 days/nights at a time... vocation often blending with avocation. For most of the years since then, its been a really good experience, and of late, its been very, very difficult... thats just the reality of being self-employed. But, I love what I do and frequently earn more in one day than many people can make in a week. With what I do, each days labors are different from the last, and the responsibility of dealing with them rests largely on me. The people I have known, and look up to, who have been successfully and infectiously self-employed (through good times and bad) share these characteristics: a consistent 8 days a week, over-abundance of energy, long-term dedication to quality, keen intelligence, die-hard discipline, multi-tasking creativity, passionate and exceptional wide-ranging skills, reasonably organized, a strong work ethic and are always seeking, and open to, new ideas and better ways of doing things. Lastly, there are those rare and gifted individuals, who you may communicate with, but might never actually meet, who nevertheless spark lasting measures of inspiration, ideas, hope and encouragement... mysteriously, and at times when its most needed. … you can do it Herb.
I have decided that I have out grown my area to build surfboards,and > concidering finding a industrial building to open up a surfboard > shaping/painting factory. As for glassing I will probably go to out > production …I don’t know about that yet…anyway,I have an > appointment with the S.B.A. to arrange some dialog on starting a > business(again!),but no retail for me this time.It’s to much to keep track > of both manufacture/retail business.I know times are a little rough right > now…so what do you people think? YOUR INPUT WILL BE VALUED > HERE!Herb. Go for it Herb. Where i live on the Goldcoast of Austraila there are heaps of guys in small cheap factorys shaping boards, the ones making the best living from it, use profile shapers. like DHD.Do the numbers but don’t sell them cheap.i wish i could help you with some cheap blanks. Just the frieght kills it for me. If i can help in any way. email me All the luck Rabbit
Herb…ask, and ye shall receive…looks like you got your answer! Give it a shot, bro…Good luck…T.
Herb…ask, and ye shall receive…looks like you got your answer! Give it > a shot, bro…Good luck…T. You guys are THE BEST! I have learned some big lessons from the last board shop I owned,and for the last 20 years I have been running things thru my mind as how to approach things in a better light. At present I have 2 choices(routes) to go with. 1) start from scratch in a unit that I can set-up myself. 2)Buy out an existing ding shop that I would have to kind of gut and redo anyway(I don’t like the set-up,but has a lot of features like switches, lighting,location,etc.).The owner wants $6,ooo.oo . 6 GRAND CAN BUY ALOT! it can also go wiki-wiki! Any business minded folks want to comment on this subject.Thanks again,Herb.
Ironically, I now work far more than during those years, yet, I still > can
t seem to find enough hours in the day... sometimes preferring to work > 2 days/nights at a time... vocation often blending with avocation.>>> For most of the years since then, its been a really good experience, and > of late, its been very, very difficult... thats just the reality of > being self-employed.>>> Lastly, there are those rare and gifted individuals, who you may > communicate with, but might never actually meet, who nevertheless spark > lasting measures of inspiration, ideas, hope and encouragement… > mysteriously, and at times when it`s most needed.>>> … you can do it Herb. Again your writing blows me away . . . you may have just given me a bit more determination Mr. S. I too am self-employed and have been for 20+ yrs and as of late it has been particularly difficult . . .was specifically down about it last pm but reading you this morning . . . . well hope Herb gets as much or more as I get from your words
You guys are THE BEST! I have learned some big lessons from the last board > shop I owned,and for the last 20 years I have been running things thru my > mind as how to approach things in a better light.>>> At present I have 2 choices(routes) to go with. 1) start from scratch in a > unit that I can set-up myself. 2)Buy out an existing ding shop that I > would have to kind of gut and redo anyway(I don’t like the set-up,but has > a lot of features like switches, lighting,location,etc.).The owner wants > $6,ooo.oo .>>> 6 GRAND CAN BUY ALOT! it can also go wiki-wiki!>>> Any business minded folks want to comment on this subject.Thanks > again,Herb. Herb, You already have two essential success factors that other business owners have to work years in order to attain: a good name, industry connections and a reputation for quality, proven product. Personally, the way economics are at present, I
d put up with a little inconvenience in the shop and use the $6000 as a cushion... either way, youll likely have more work than you know what to do with… Dale
Herb,>>> You already have two essential success factors that other business owners > have to work years in order to attain: a good name, industry connections > and a reputation for quality, proven product.>>> Personally, the way economics are at present, I
d put up with a little > inconvenience in the shop and use the $6000 as a cushion... either way, > youll likely have more work than you know what to do with…>>> Dale Ditto! The biggest problem of startup businesses isn’t lack of ability or market knowledge. The biggest problem is cash flow. Startup owners invest money in income producers. But the entrepreneurs fail to realize sufficient income from those investments to net a profit before their backup cash runs out. There’s a price of entry into all markets. Surfboard building’s entry price isn’t that high. Unless you have a very large pre-captured client set, your control over initial sales is limited. One of the best ways to improve your bottom line is to not spend money. That’s something you can control.
Ditto!>>> The biggest problem of startup businesses isn’t lack of ability or market > knowledge. The biggest problem is cash flow. Startup owners invest money > in income producers. But the entrepreneurs fail to realize sufficient > income from those investments to net a profit before their backup cash > runs out.>>> There’s a price of entry into all markets. Surfboard building’s entry > price isn’t that high.>>> Unless you have a very large pre-captured client set, your control over > initial sales is limited. One of the best ways to improve your bottom line > is to not spend money.>>> That’s something you can control. Duhhh, stupid me… that was THREE essential things, not two. Right on, Noodle!
hey herb if ya get a building and need any alterations to it to fit your needs just give a yell… Mike
hey herb if ya get a building and need any alterations to it to fit your > needs just give a yell… Mike THAT I COULD USE,THANKS,as well as alot of other things mentioned in this thread,Herb
THAT I COULD USE,THANKS,as well as alot of other things mentioned in this > thread,Herb herb… you may not want to say, but is it the ding repair shop i’m thinking of? if so 6G’s doesn’t seem too bad a deal…
THAT I COULD USE,THANKS,as well as alot of other things mentioned in this > thread,Herb Herb, Within your inner circle of friends, is there an accountant/CPA or maybe an attorney, with a business background, who could give you some business advice? If so, maybe they wouldn’t mind you picking their brain a bit or if their not such a close friend maybe barter, their expertise for yours. Just a thought and again GOOD LUCK to you. R.I. surfer