Career framers who aren't owners?

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framechick

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I'd be interested in hearing from other people who love this industry and want to stay in retail but aren't in a position to start or purchase their own shops.

Or am I the only one? It seems like everyone I work with either goes on to open a business or leaves the industry.
 
I think what you are seeing is ambition. The normal progression for growth is to open a retail store and run your own business. At some point a home based business may be too big to be accomplished from home. Isn't that the hallmark of success?

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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
 
I aspire to shop ownership, but am years away from it being feasible financially (I want to start full-throttle, with the equipment I'm acustomed to) and also from it making sense for my homelife.

What I run up against is that employers are anxious to have my experience but would rather not pay for it. That pushes my Grand Opening further out. I'm not making enough to save at a great rate.

I'm very aware of all the costs involved and think I'm paid fairly for the area I live in and compared with other framing jobs. I'm just frustrated because it's beginning to seem to me that in order to advance in the industry I love I'm going to have to look for another type of job that will allow me to save enough to get back into it. What will I miss in the intervening years?
 
My advice is to get a well paying job, and still frame part time. That way you can earn the needed money, and keep your feet wet.

Don't leave framing if you enjoy it! The information changes quickly!

Good Luck! Sue
smile.gif
 
Or you could go see the SCORE (Service Core of Retired Executives) and the SBA, write a business plan and go for a woman owned business startup loan. Go for it girl! Show them that you have what it takes. When you are down send me an email and I promise to cheer you up.

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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
 
I'm with Timberwoman....go for it! If your town has any room at all for another shop...make yours be the happenin' spot! You can still put out great framing without every one the the best pieces of equipment. Grow your shop slowly so you can keep up with the expenses and handle it emotionally. It can work...and it is so rewarding (especially when the customers are happy and the suppliers don't mess with you and the employees show up for work).
Frame on...
 
Let me throw my two cents as I just went from an employee to self employed.

There are many paths to get there. I had little savings, but 30 years experience and contacts. After 10 years with my last employer I felt his business was going downhill and might be gone in a couple of years. I was right. Knowing that I didn't want to move and no good framing jobs prospects locally. I planned a shop over 3 years. When deals for equipment came my way I bought and stored it. When the end came I got 6 months unemployment and set out on the course of getting open. Only been open for 2 1/2 months but know I made the right choice. Many of the old customer have found me and business picked up fast to my surprise.

I know your situation will be different from everyone's elses but by setting a goal and really wanting it, will get you there.

When you get there you'll look back and think, how did I ever pull that off.

P.S. OPM, good luck.

[This message has been edited by framer (edited June 28, 2000).]
 
Framechick- I agree with ArtLady, SCORE helped my parents 23 years ago to start our Craft store. They are really very helpfull. I don't think you will get any thing for being a woman this day and age... seeing as most buisnesses are woman owned. (It is worth trying though.) Ley us know how it goes.
Sue
smile.gif
 
Framechick - Framer has a good idea of acquiring equipment as you get good deals and keep in storage for use later. That way when you are ready, at least you will have the equipment.
Don't limit yourself to looking for framing equipment in "framing places". Check all the ads. You never know where finds will be.
I've gotten a few great deals from surprising sources. E-mail me if you want ideas on this.
The good news - if you don't go into business full time or things change, you can always sell what you have and will probably lose little or no money.

Good Luck!!
 
We got out start by buying out an entire frame shop. I love used equipment. Most of this equipment was built to last.

The previous owner of the equipment even held paper.



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Timberwoman
AL
I cut the mat, I pet the =^..^= cat.
 
Framechick:
Too bad you're so far away. I am looking for framers who want to be shop owners within driving distance of my area.

My plan is to make sure everything needed to start up a successful shop is covered -- business plan, site selection, build-out, fixtures, equipment, data/order processing systems, decisions about target customers, marketing/advertising, financing, vendor relations -- I can provide whatever is needed.

I will even put up most of the money and sell the shop to my temporary partner over an agreed period of time, for an agreed price. The partner would be the on-site store owner/manager, and I would be available for hand-holding as needed.

A do-everything owner/manager who is involved with start-up, who has a share of ownership, and who will eventually become the sole owner, would be most dedicated to the shop's long term success. For framers with such ambitions & abilities, but limited money, there are ways to make things happen.

I'm sure this is not a new idea -- there are probably frame shop owners all over the country (the world?) who have financial assets & the savvy to grow new shops, and would help others get started -- if only the others could be found.

I suggest you find successful shop owners in your area -- but outside your immediate customer base -- and ask them if a limited partnership might be workable. You may be pleasantly surprised at the responses. But first, get yourself trained and build a track record of tangible success in the business. After all, you have to convince the one with the money that you you will be able to pay it back, and with interest.

This is a lot like going to the bank for a loan, except that a banker wouldn't take the risk. A frame shop owner, however, would have direct personal involvement during the payback period. In return, he/she would earn a profit for the use of his/her money and expertise.

It has to be a win-win deal.

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Jim Miller, CPFcm; GAFP Committee Member
 
I have been planning for a couple of years to open my shop; currently working in fits and starts out of my home. I too am buying equipment as I can afford it. Last year at Atlanta I bought my mat cutter and this year I hope to purchase the wall mounted glass and
mat cutter. It seems to take forever, but I'm NOT giving up.


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Framechick, I've been a framer for 21 years, most of them working for other people. I tried running a shop on my own, but with the bookkeeping and other business-related things, I lost a lot of sleep and gained a few grey hairs.
But that's just me, like wiser people said, seek out S.C.O.R.E. These are retired executives who know their stuff, they can give you all the advice you need.
I wish you all the best,

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Seth J. Bogdanove, CPF
 
Bogframe:

My area is central Ohio.

For future reference, most of us include city & state in our profile information -- click on the eyeglasses icon above the message.

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Jim Miller, CPFcm; GAFP Committee Member
 
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