Reasons for staying optimistic as framers

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JBergelin

JBergelin

CGF II, Certified Grumble Framer Level 2
Joined
Dec 14, 2004
Posts
374
Loc
Big Rapids, Michigan
Hi Everyone -

There have been so many negative posts lately I find myself questioning why I am doing this, and is there a future for the next 10 to 15 years, especially since sales are off.

Lets look for ways to boost each other in these tough times - yes we need to know that there are problems, and that the industry is changing. If we do not recognize these facts we will find ourselves out of business.

There have to be good reasons to stay in business so have one thread about the wonderful reasons for being in this business.

I will start with the great friendships and smiles on my customers faces when they pick up their artwork

next?
 
It is easier to stay optimistic if you diversify your business.

We all need to find ways to add addition goods or services to what we already offer.

By doing this, I have more opportunities for my customers to do business with me. And there is those new folks that come in for the new products.
 
JBergelin said:
Hi Everyone -

There have to be good reasons to stay in business so have one thread about the wonderful reasons for being in this business.

I will start with the great friendships and smiles on my customers faces when they pick up their artwork

next?
Click to expand...

Because most of us who are in this business love it. I can't think of one thing I'd rather be doing. It is so gratifying to have someone tell you that you did a good job and they love your work. The customers make it all worthwhile, you feel great, and all the troubles of the day seem to be so much less significant. What other job do you know of that can give you that much satisfaction and pride in your work and a job well done? Can't think of one.
 
I love the stories behind the art. And I love learning and creating something new every day. For me, there's nowhere to go but up. If I can make it threw this day and age...which I am and can...I'll be on a trip to Ireland by my B-day.:icon45:
 
The creative outlet - The immediate feedback from the customers (99% good but even the bad, might sound a little crass but there is nothing better then having them cry) - Knowing that my work is changing thousands of lives by adding something beautiful or meaningful to there environment - Knowing that my work has the respect, quality and aesthetic to hang in nationally known corporate, private and museum collections around the world.

Cannot think of another (with the exception of being a teacher, and I was one once upon a time) occupation that would be better.
 
If I close up, I've got to go out and find a job, in a recession with 11.5% unemployment in California. At the age of 47. So fear and dread are big motivators for me.

Not to mention the fact that working for The Man is not only highly overrated, but offers no real security. Just ask the 467,000 newly jobless.

That being said, I really do appreciate being able to tap into a creative side I never really knew I had. And I appreciate being able to put something together with my hands, and occasionally it looks pretty good.
 
I enjoy the ability to be creative, and yet build things with my hands. I also enjoy chatting with most of the customers. Sometimes I look around at other jobs I could do, should this whole thing tank... and the thought of sitting behind a computer all day makes me ill. So I have to make this whole thing work... or marry really, really well.
 
I just love what I'm doing. And, on the good side; the last few weeks have been quite good with good orders and very nice customers. I love it when someone new comes in, and says 'oh, such and so told me to go to you because (s)he was so happy with what you did.'
That makes my day.
 
Thank you for this thread. I think we all could use a boost mentally about this business. We all love it there's no dispute there.

Yesterday I got a tearful hug from an artist who put me in a real bind schedule wise. We buckled down and got it all done in time for her to hang her show. She just said "Oh Trude, you're the best!" That's the icing on the cake for me.

I'm guessing I'll be getting a nice bottle of red wine too.

I remember a while back PaulSF commented that he'd be dragged kicking and screaming to close up shop. Me too. I just want to do this.
 
Before framing I was a journalist working 50-60 hours a week and getting paid for 40. I was overstressed, overworked and my health was declining for it. And my children were suffering because I wasn't available to them. I was in tears many nights because I never had time for anything creative. I came in to the shop were I work now not looking for a job but within I week I had made the career change. The best decision I have made in almost 10 years!! I've lost 20 pounds, my health is on the mend, my children's grades improved and I no longer have panic attacks!
I love my job!!! Yes, even despite the troubles we have had lately!
 
Positive things for me.............knowing everyday that I will learn something new.........try something different........be challenged and I guess make 1 or more people happy..........:p

I love the reactions I get from the customers....I love teaching art to little kids......I love talking to people that are just browsing and looking at artwork.

IMO life is about LIVING IT........not just sustaining in it........I'm not about to put up roadblocks if I want to do something.....or let someone hold me back ;)
 
Every business in every industry is feeling the negative effects of the recession. It will pass eventually. And when it does, you'll be glad that you're still in this business because you'll have less competition than before. Hang in there, tread water and don't quit.
 
I think there are very few jobs that are both technical, creative, and grunt work all rolled into one. I love taking someones work and making it displayable art.
I agree with the earlier posts about making a customer delighted, that's the best. But is just me....I am kinda new at this...don't you enjoy breaking glass sometimes. I save the small bits just for that...
 
As referred to in the thread title, one of the most important reasons for staying optimistic is to convey to your customers your passion for what you do and for the capabilities of framing to bring a great deal of enjoyment, beauty, and appreciation into their lives. Most people will never realize the excitement and possibilities involved in what we create unless we convey it to them. Businesses that succeed in doing this will survive and thrive. Those that project a lackluster or gloomy mood will not. The qualities I described are part of the VALUE of what we produce, and are the essence of what makes custom framing a worthwhile expenditure for the customer.
:cool: Rick
 
I envy you who are framers because you never know what will come in the door and are exposed to some really cool art, objects, etc. You are able to create something that will be cherished forever and get to design, build and deliver stuff that people get excited about. Perhaps the best payoff is the reaction of the customer upon seeing their beautifully framed piece when they come in to pick it up. But then, it's completed and on to the next job and a new challenge. All these aspects combine to make this a fulfilling career.
 
love the work, the creativity, and the interaction with customers...plus I am employed which is more than I can say for most people around here.
 
1. Business cycles! It may be down now, but it'll be up soon enough. Position yourself right, prepare for profitability when the customers return by making sound investments in your business today. It'll payoff handsomely in the future.

2. Sales growth! Recessions don't mean a tough time for everyone. Everyone's not broke. Our number of customers is way off, down 21% this year, on top of 11% down last year. But our sales are at record levels. We just had the best June the store has ever had since it was founded 9.5 years ago. Higher average order values = happy shop owner and raises for employees. One of my employees just got a raise today, and another is waiting on a thousand dollar bonus check next week due to our massive sales growth in June.

3. Advertising! I'm in 2 newspapers, 2 phone books, have an occasional sign on the road, doing some radio, doing some TV, giving talks about framing to local business clubs, and sponsoring events at the local museum of art. I couldn't put my finger on any one thing and tell you exactly how much it brings in for me, but... Hardly anyone around here even knows there are 5 other frame shops in this small town. Oh, they "know" it, deep down inside, but we strive for top-of-mind and have good success with accomplishing this.

4. Fun! I have to agree with everyone here who posted that this is the best dang job to have, ever. I just love it. It's not a job, it's a hobby that people are willing to pay me to do, when I'd probably just do it for free if I had the means. It's great. :)
 
Rick Granick said:
As referred to in the thread title, one of the most important reasons for staying optimistic is to convey to your customers your passion for what you do and for the capabilities of framing to bring a great deal of enjoyment, beauty, and appreciation into their lives. Most people will never realize the excitement and possibilities involved in what we create unless we convey it to them. Businesses that succeed in doing this will survive and thrive. Those that project a lackluster or gloomy mood will not. The qualities I described are part of the VALUE of what we produce, and are the essence of what makes custom framing a worthwhile expenditure for the customer.
:cool: Rick
Click to expand...

Bingo. Rick captured it well. In every sales meeting and in every new employee training I talk about this, about the value of your excitement and passion for each job. Some days, those busy days when I am helping several DIY customers at once, and making sure everything is humming along, I get this surge of happiness, realizing that I still have the same upbeat energy and enthusiasm for the job that I had three decades ago. Project that feeling and it comes back to you again and again.

Yes, I get tired, but when I'm on the sales floor I try to be "on." It is still such a thrill to have happy appreciative customers.
 
Satisfying

Framing can be so satisfying. I put a 19th century primitive painting into an original tramp art frame that didn't quite fit, by antiquing a filet to match the frame. I also replaced a strip of missing velvet (it was a very unusual frame) by aging some "suede" pelled off a Crescent scrap, you couldn't tell which piece was the replacement. I also cleaned, touched up and revarnished the painting. It looked so great when it was done and it was a wreck when it walked in.
I forgot to take photos, and didn't charge enough, but other than that it was the most fun I've had in a while!
Marge Miccio
http://artifactsgallerytrenton.com
 
Thank you for starting this thread, Jeanne. And to everyone who's added to
it. As important as it is to discuss challenges to the industry, it's equally if not more important to restate our reasons to have hope. Often, it's not so much the economy or even the changes in big companies that affect a frame shop's success.

There's a great deal of strength in creating designs that please your unique customer base, and doing so in ways that keep them bringing in more business. If the rest of the world is going great guns, but you lose that dynamic with your own customers, you're sunk. And blessedly, even if things are hard everywhere else, in some ways it's possible to still do well because of this good connection. This spring, while everything everywhere was doom and gloom, we had the best February and March I can remember in sixteen years. It's back to normal summer framing now, but even at that is more than we usually have in a July. If your customers keep walking through the door with new projects, and if they feel great every time they walk out the door with a finished one, then that has more power to protect your business health than and many of the ups and downs in the macro world of economic fortunes.

As for what I love about it. The constant variety of images and objects is one thing. I need a lot of variety and positive interactions, and this job provides both. What other job could I have where people thank me every single day for doing something to make them happy? (Ha ha. Legal jobs, that is. :p) Framing really is the best. And I like the balance between time spent interacting with people and time spent just working on projects. Plus, it allows me to be creative in a day in, day out sustainable way. As a full time writer or artist, it would be daunting to have to contantly come up with unique and compelling material. With framing, we're already given props to choose from, as it were, and we can be creative within that range of design options. I enjoy this aspect of it. Plus, as an ADD sort of person, I'm able to turn my distractibility into a strength. We get interrupted so much in this job, and I'm able to flow with that in ways that more rigid people might find intolerable. Plus, when I feel myself becoming anxious and needing to be distracted, I can just go work on another frame job, and I'm still accomplishing something good.
 
If you don't think you will stay in business, or make a sale, you wont. If you dont think there is any opportunity for you, you wont see any. If on the other hand you think you have plenty of opportunity then you will attract more, and you will see it when it manifests for you. I do not watch the news or eat poison. One makes my body sick; the other makes my mind sick. If my mind is sick, my body will feel sick.

If you look at core of any teachings about success going back thousands of years…the common thread is your thinking.
(present) Rich Dad Poor Dad – You have to think like Rich Dad.
(1970’s) Earl Nightingale Lead the Field – You become what you think about.
(1920’s) Napoleion Hill “Think and Grow Rich” – You must think about being rich

Cheers,
Mark
 
I love learning something with every job...I love pleasing my customers... I love looking at my shop like its a rotating canvas...there's always something beautiful to see.

I love being in business for myself. Right now, with the economy (among other things) if I weren't working for myself, I probably wouldn't be working at all.

Now here's a spin no one's mentioned: I love it because it makes me thankful to God... and I mean that earnestly. When I was working for others I never had the appreciation for business I have now. In good times or bad, this place has become a place of prayer... which is something I needed to do more of, anyway.
 
Welcome, Goose Creek. October seems like a good time to be opening. I'm hopeful that the economy will be turning around by then, and you'll be open for the holiday season.
 
It's taken me a while to think about it, but one of the best reasons for owning a frame shop in this economy ... you can make really cool gifts for your friends and family at little or no cost!

For example for our 40th wedding anniversary I found online a suitable poem, rummaged in the scrap mat file, found a bit of Museum glass, and a stick of left over moulding. Bingo a really cool gift for my wife and it cost me nothing. :D

Here's the poem I found. It was written by Sam Walter Foss (1858 - 1911). He was clearly my kind of guy!

WE'VE lived for forty years, dear wife,
And walked together side by side,
And you today are just as dear
As when you were my bride.

I've tried to make life glad for you,
One long, sweet honeymoon of joy,
A dream of marital content,
Without the least alloy.

I've smoothed all boulders from our path,
That we in peace might toil along,
By always hastening to admit
That I was right and you were wrong.

No mad diversity of creed
Has ever sundered me from thee;
For I permit you evermore
To borrow your ideas of me.

And thus it is, through weal or woe,
Our love forevermore endures;
For I permit that you should take
My views and creeds, and make them yours.

And thus I let you have my way,
And thus in peace we toil along,
For I am willing to admit
That I am right and you are wrong.

And when our matrimonial skiff
Strikes snags in love's meandering stream,
I lift our shallop from the rocks,
And float as in a placid dream.

And well I know our marriage bliss
While life shall last will never cease;
For I shall always let thee do,
In generous love, just what I please.

Peace comes, and discord flies away,
Love's bright day follows hatred's night;
For I am ready to admit
That you are wrong and I am right.
 
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