Opinions Wanted Requesting Feedback from Home-Based Picture Framers

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AutumnHill

Grumbler in Training
Joined
Nov 18, 2009
Posts
4
Loc
Norton, MA
Hello, I'm a photographer in the beginning stages of a home-based picture framing business. :kaffeetrinker_2:

Besides zoning issues which have already been explored, would anyone care to share challenges, delights, pros, cons, etc. of starting (and perhaps remaining) as a home-based picture framer?

Also, I'd be interested to know ways to maximize credibility with customers right out of the gate as a start-up business.

Thanks so much for any help or feedback you can provide.

Sincerely,
Gail C.
 
Welcome

Good luck, you got a tough row to hoe! While not technically a framer(well, OK...I do mostly my OWN work,LOTS of it !), I still need the resources you do to get my supplies ,etc. Be warned that some suppliers will treat you like DIRT,and some storefronts will really hate you,and say you lack business skills,or motivation....I say "NYAH" to all of em! I LIKE being able to tear down the hall/stairs to work out that cool idea, at 3AM(in my jammies), setting my own work agenda,and doing my "thing".I`ve been at it for over 25 years,and it`s pretty cool....Gotta scoot, need to pull a Sirloin out of my "fabric cutting table"/freezer...:D L.(what am I up to? check my albums on my page, or www.prism-studios.org)
 
I'm home based. I only do wholesale, so no retail customers are brought to my shop. I pick up and deliver to my clients. Credibility will be earned as you complete projects.

Advantages: You'll find that being home based allows you to work many many hours.

Disadvantages: You'll find that being home based allows you to work many many hours.
 
"What day/night off?"

Many dream of living over a storefront; because of the short commute.
Which is a really cool fantasy......

reality is

  1. It's a short commute
  2. You're always home
  3. "They" know where you live
  4. You're always home
  5. The urge to stay late becomes an obsession
  6. because . . . it's a short commute
  7. AND "you're always home
  8. AND "They know where you live".
Everything except #5 triples when you are home based. #5 scores so far off the charts that even Amy doesn't think it's funny and Chickie won't joke about it...

​
Other than that..... expect to do at least one "freebie" for the garbage guy.

Your neighbors are aghast that you were thinking about charging them for the four tiny sticks. . . .

You will have more family than you remember.

Trips to the dentist are called "Vacation"

and last, you will have the county clerk on hot speed dial..... begging for openings on jury duty. :kaffeetrinker_2:
 
Let's try this again! First time got deleted by accident. I really should go to bed earlier.

Baer's got the late night part right! I prefer 2 or 3 am for finishing up. Not because I'm slow, but because I can. Well, ok, so I'm a little slow. Love to make my own schedule. Something about a drummer . . .

My business model is taking everything to the customer - once for design and selection, second time to deliver the finished product. Huge benefit to see the customer's home or business to get a feel for their tastes, plus I take my time and don't rush them through the selection process. Makes for a warm and fuzzy bonding experience and I get to meet the family pets. Hint: take puppy biscuits with you and you'll be friends forever.

You can expect higher costs for supplies, harder to get customers (they don't just fall through the door on their way to the grocery store), having to buy a SUV to take all the mat and moulding samples to the customers. Plus, everything that Laura said!

But I love that schedule thing! And working in whatever I feel like except for when at a customer's.

The one really bad thing is having a dog that howls like a coyote while sleeping. Can hear it for blocks and hopefully I'm not on the phone when she starts in.
 
I'm fortunate to have 2 houses on my lot; the smaller, older one is "THE STUDIO". A real blessing, as the dust, bad smells, and noise are separated from home, and being wholesale, cleaning isn't always needed. I don't do machining late; want to keep what is left of my ten fingers; but laying gold leaf is helped by the relaxing effects of cocktail hour, and depending on my current batch of oil size, I often oil frames for leafing in the evening.

In addition to the fun and joy others mention, there is the wonderful aspect of self-employment; after a long day, sitting down and having a good worry. :D

Baer, having just done a week of jury duty, what the county paid barely covered parking and lunch. :cry: PFUI. Then they took 6 weeks to pay. :fire: Speaking of which, I've tried very hard to train my customers to write the check when I deliver; 30 days becomes 60, ad infinitum.
 
I'm very fortunate too - I have an attached garage on my home and a large detached garage that is my shop.

All that everyone else has said and more. I love sitting on my deck in the morning with my cup of coffee looking at my shop and deciding what to do today or even if I want to open up, maybe I want to go fishing instead.

I don't have signs and I don't do any formal advertising but I do have customers stopping by. I've been at it for 11 years so they are getting to know me.

My suppliers are all great. I have no problem getting the supplies I need but I do a ton of business so they all do want their share of the pie.

99% of my customers are word of mouth. I give a good product but do charge storefont prices. My cost are not much different that the storefront. I carry the commercial insurance because my homeowners will not cover the customers coming to my shop. I have to pay additional heat, ac, electric, and I'm making payments on the garage/shop. I pay for all of my own expenses, upkeep, and maintenence and don't have a landlord to complain to if the repairs don't get done. My customers are not afraid of paying the cost if they get the product that I promise when I promise it. I'm not into competing with the store fronts or BBs. The store fronts don't mind me because I am not undercharging for my work. The BBs don't bother me because they cannot match my quality and the majority of the time my prices, at least that is what all my customers say.

Overall, I wouldn't have it any other way. Have fun.
 
Bron has a point about getting paid! I`m OWED money,quite a bit too. Just about to sue one customer...BeeOtch owes me about $1,500,:fire:since NOV.....Sigh L.
 
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