Full Version: Chuck, where are you
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#1]
15 Jul 2006
To: ALL
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#1] 15 Jul 2006
I have been wondering that also. Lately he is never on Skype either. I miss my talks with him, but maybe that is why he is not on Skype. I may not have left him enough time to do some work.
The first few weeks of setting up a store are grueling 120 hour weeks usually. I always lost weight just from no time to eat in the first month. (About the only thing that worked when I was heavy.)
From: Doug (JDOUG5170) [#3]
15 Jul 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#2] 15 Jul 2006
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4]
15 Jul 2006
To: ALL
Hi Gang,
Thank you for your inquiries as to my where abouts. The truth is that lately I have been so completely and utterly discouraged that I have been thinking of throwing in the towel.
In that frame of mind I have nothing positive to contribute here or anywhere.....so I have just not bothered to check in.
I hope this shall pass soon. I am taking some business and marketing classes starting next week, the showroom will be mostly set up by the end of today ( Saturday ) and we will see what comes from that.
I very much appreciate this forum and the many folks I have met and made friends with here.
Thank you.
From: bobkat [#5]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 15 Jul 2006
From: UCONN Dave & Lynn too (DANDL48) [#6]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 15 Jul 2006
From: Peter [#7]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 15 Jul 2006
Never give up...Never surrender !
Peter
From: UncleSteve [#8]
15 Jul 2006
To: Peter [#7] 15 Jul 2006
From: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 15 Jul 2006
Chuck,
You have lots of friends here. Let us help you through whatever problems you may have.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#10]
15 Jul 2006
To: Harvey only (HARVEY-ONLY) [#9] 15 Jul 2006
From: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#11]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 15 Jul 2006
Chuck,
Let's get personal. A couple of months ago very late at night I was in a really sad mood and you were there.
Call us. It doesn't have to be me it can be anybody here. We may not be able to fix it but sometimes it helps to talk to someone who has been there.
Love,
Dee
From: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#12]
15 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#4] 16 Jul 2006
Chuck,
Take it from someone who had to watch her whole business dissolve right before her very eyes, it's a sucky feeling man. And as I am in the process of rebuilding everything, I too have massive feelings of frustration and feeling like throwing in the towel. And it would be so easy to do at this point.
And I post this publicly as opposed to sending a PM because I know you are not alone in your frustrations. We have all been at lows at one point or another.
You have been greatly missed around here not only for your fantastic sense of humor, but your desire to make everything the very best it can be.
You're setting up a new store....you are so exhausted you can't even see straight. Now that the main showroom is set up, take a break, get some rest.
You had the balls to wear a grass skirt in public, I know you have the drive to get through this. Take your own advice, and give yourself the pat of the back you so richly deserve.
You have a whole group of people who love ya and are here for ya buddy!!!
Take care and email me (or someone) if there is anything I can do to help you!!
Becky
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#13]
16 Jul 2006
To: Becky (KIAIJANE) [#12] 17 Jul 2006
Becky,
Thank you. You are too kind.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14]
16 Jul 2006
To: Dee (DEENA-ONLY) [#11] 16 Jul 2006
From: Shaddy [#15]
16 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#14] 16 Jul 2006
I don't have any advice that would turn your life around, so on a strictly personal level... I just wanted to say that your one of the posters here that I always seek out to read. You've consistantly put a smile on my face. Regardless of what you decide to do business-wise, I hope you keep coming around here.
Shaddy
EDITED: 16 Jul 2006 by SHADDY
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#16]
16 Jul 2006
To: bobkat [#5] 16 Jul 2006
bobkat etal;
I am not ignoring or avoiding the question, I am just trying to figure out how to answer it. It is challenging to put into words, but in a nut shell, I do not see the profit potential in this industry, in my location.
This is the fourth time I have tried to be specific about the question...and the post becomes so long an so obtuse that no one would understand it.....or the situation.
Basically it comes down to marketing and pricing. The ONLY thing I can see that I have to compete with is QUALITY and SERVICE and as I am sure you know that can be expensive to provide, yet in a highly competitive price driven market cannot be charged for.
As for getting the clients, it seems that almost every call is for something obscure that I either do not have or have not yet learned to produce...these customers go elsewhere. The ones that I am able to do come at such a high cost that it would make more sense for ME to PAY the CUSTOMER for the privilege of doing the job.
Shipping and handling are another issue. Also the onesy twosy items that I get calls for.
I could give several examples but that is where the thread gets long and boring.
How long does one try and how much money does one spend before saying enough?
I do however appreciate more than anyone could possible know, the friends and family in this forum that have offered support and encouragement. I means more than you could possibly know and I thank you all for that.
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17]
16 Jul 2006
To: Shaddy [#15] 16 Jul 2006
Shaddy,
You are too kind. Thank you for your kind words.
From: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#18]
16 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#17] 16 Jul 2006
From: Carl (CSEWELL) [#19]
16 Jul 2006
To: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#16] 16 Jul 2006
If you are looking for additional ideas, Rodney submitted a whole bunch in this message: 1617.1
Unfortunately, I don't think anyone can answer your question about how much you spend and how long you try. I know it doesn't help, but you're not alone. Maybe some of the 'old timers' (experience-wise) would care to share their trials-and-tribulations? Maybe all of these have been addressed/answered before?
How long did it take to get your business established? I've heard YEARS!
When did you know (or were reasonable sure) that things were going to work out? Does anybody ever really know?
What kept your motivation and spirits high when the bills couldn't be paid? Faith? Confidence?
If you had to do it over again, what things would you do differently?
What things REALLY worked for you and what were a total waste of time?
Others?
From: LaZerDude (C_BURKE) [#20]
16 Jul 2006
To: Dave Jones (DAVERJ) [#18] 16 Jul 2006
Dave,
Yes I have thought of that. THAT is exactly what everybody and their brother that has a laser is doing here. The market is saturated with that sort of item and the folks that make them seem to be entrenched.
I guess part of the challenge I am having is "seeing" the vision. What I am seeing is mostly the obstacles and it is difficult, ( me being me) to move beyond that. I KNOW there are customers to be had, the challenge for me is finding them. I KNOW that once American Pacific Awards is established, it will be successful....the question is how long am I willing to wait and how far am I willing to go and how much more money and effort am I willing to put into it to see a return?
Perhaps I am jaded. When I opened my upholstery business 18 years ago, I had a $40,000.00 profit, yes profit, the first year and it just kept going until it topped out because I lost interest and my back started hurting. So after almost two years of expending time, money and effort and STILL not seeing a return with American Pacific Awards I am discouraged.
Further, people don't seem to know what American Pacific Awards is. THAT is frustrating too so I have been considering a name change.
Thanks for taking the time and having the interest to help. I appreciate it.
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