Full Version: Ya Gotta Start Somewhere
From: aallen [#21]
17 Jul 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#20] 17 Jul 2004
David,
Yes, I live in a small town, less then 5000 people. We are 30 miles from the Capitol, but there are other engraving shops established there. Here in the small town I have been doing limited business. I decided for the first few months of owning my laser to just learn, learn, make samples and get business started, at a slow pace. Now, I feel I am ready to go to the next level and start working for more business. I am launching my web page this week, advertise and a few other things. Up tell now, most business was word of mouth. I just finished my first larger job, awards for our county fair.
As for equipment, I have a xenetech aurora. I do some woodworking so I have a small hobby shop with the woodworking tools. My husband does welding for some of the items we make. We are at this point doing mostly awards, gifts, tables, home decor items and retail items like that. We are a western lifestyle family that raises horses, so many items have a western flair to them.
I am a high school substitute teacher. I was doing this part time until school was out in June. Now I would like to make this full time and stop teaching.Ready to move this to the next step.
Personally I have three boys that are in many sports. I am a parent that puts the kids over the business. That is the reason for my business at this point still being at home. They are very understanding but would miss me if not involved in school, sports, 4H, FFA, etc.I hope I can reach my goals being at home but, know that at some point I might HAVE to move to town.
Sorry for the book, just wanted to answer all questions and intro myself a little. Again, thanks for such a great place to come and learn!
From: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#22]
17 Jul 2004
To: aallen [#21] 17 Jul 2004
aallen,
With the woodworking capability you're in a good position to offer items that can't be found in catalogs etc. You're already ahead of many engravers in that regard.
Others may beg to differ, but I say there's nothing wrong, or illegitimate, about being home based. The stigma attached to being home based (hobbyist, not ready for prime time etc.) is still in the air, though much less than anytime in the past.
Ultimately, the quality of your work and a winning customer service attitude will prevail. Where you choose to work, is simply where you choose to work. Don't feel that you haven't "made it" just because you don't have a storefront.
David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri
DGL Engraving
Port Hueneme, CA
From: aallen [#23]
18 Jul 2004
To: Stunt Engraver (DGL) [#22] 18 Jul 2004
David,
Thanks for the encouragement about being at home. Yes, I sometimes feel people don't take me seriously being a at home business. Just as I got that feeling years ago when I decided to be a stay at home mom for many years. But, I finally realized it didn't matter, as I knew what was important to "ME".
Yes, I hope that the woodworking will help in this business, as my husband welding the tables, and other items helps. I also love taking photos, so I have a few items with photos I have taken in them. I also like to make other things, not engraved things.
Maybe some day I will have a storefront, or if I am lucking, I will be able to keep my storefront at home and enjoy my breaks in the day with my kids, dog, horses, mini donkey and llama! What a nice break it is on a beautiful day! :)
Thanks again, I will keep enjoying the information on this site.
From: UncleSteve [#24]
18 Jul 2004
To: aallen [#23] 19 Jul 2004
since you have a "small" farm, perhaps there will be room to build a small retail shop on your own land.... Kinda the best of both worlds. You get out of the house to run your business and walk all the way home for lunch and the family.....
Uphill, both ways, in the 2 foot snow, etc. LOL
From: aallen [#25]
19 Jul 2004
To: UncleSteve [#24] 19 Jul 2004
Yes, that would be the perfect answer to this business for me. If I can get the business to grow and be out here, that is the plan. I do have a small storefront in the house where the locals can come, if they want to drive that big 2 miles to the house from town!! LOL But if at some point I feel I am ready and need to move to town, then that might be the next step. But for now, happy being at home. :)
I do love being at home and doing this. And, they say you should do what you love!!! :) Hopefully that will be my case and at some point, I would like to be able to have the hubby stay home and work here too. As we work great together and he does make so much more things then I do. But, right now, he is needed in town with a regular paycheck.
Are there any others that run this from home without a store front in town?
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