When to Vacation?

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Verdaccio

Verdaccio

MGF, Master Grumble Framer
Joined
Jan 22, 2007
Posts
757
Loc
Berthoud, Colorado
Hihi folks! My wife's parents are elderly, in their 80s and we need to get out to see them!

I am considering when I should close my shop up for 5 days to go to Virginia.

The two times I am thinking about are:

The week between Christmas and New Years

or

The second week of January

Any input on what week would be better in your estimation would be appreciated! :)
 
We have found that the week between Christmas and New Years is surprisingly busy, and regret having to close during that time. We often have to because my wife insists on visiting her folks during that time.

Usually, business slows down in the middle of January, so that is when I would prefer to close.

Besides, if things are a little quiet following Christmas, you can use that time to close your books and get a jump on the winter tax season. Your accountant will appreciate getting your records early.
 
Ditto Bill Henry.

Week in Vegas, period.

Go the first or second week in November. Or travel after noon on T-day if you want a quiet flight. Also that Friday is a quiet day for travel.
If you want to go on a cruise anywhere in the Carribean, the week after Thanksgiving and Christmas are the most empty ships.
 
Like Bill and Baer said.

I almost closed the week after Christmas last year and thank God I didn't. I took in as much work as I did the two weeks before Christmas!

Only reason I can think of is many people are off work that week and have the opportunity to come in.
 
Um...we seem to be overlooking that there are other folks involved...

here's my own experience. I compared Dec 26-31 and Jan 7-14 for each of the three years since I opened. Year one the December week was okay and the January week was good. Year two the December week was really good and the January week was dreadful. Year three, the December weak was pretty darned good and the January week was fan-flipping-tastic.

So, scientifically speaking, there's no clear conclusion.

All you can do is pick the week that's going to be best for you, your wife, and family. Put up a sign that says (something along the lines of) "Your business is important to me and so is my family. This week is theirs. If you were coming to place a new order mention that you saw this sign for $20 off during the week of Jan 21-28"
 
Family first...

Family and the need to recharge have to come first. I have closed the week after Christmas since I opened, gave a reopen date (no discounts) - people always come in and ask how my time off was.

July 4th week is slow here - everyone else is on vacation and out of town

First week in September slower than molasses in January - school starts; I take a couple of days on either side of Labor day and regroup for the fall season.

Remember to run YOUR business, don't let IT run you! Take care of yourself and your family, the rest will come around tenfold.

my 2 cents
 
I close a few days before X-mas, as I cannot possibly get any materials in if needed and am normally exhausted. I also close the week between Xmas and the new year. In Colorado, everyone has gone skiing or off to the warm climes. I try to push the non-rush jobs at the end of the year into the new year, as it helps with the bottom line and Uncle Sams donation. You need to remember to take time for you and your family. The note on the door reads " This little elf has done her very best so off she goes for some needed rest. See you on xx/xx/2008"

By the by, did you get an account and deliveries set up with ABC?
 
Thanks for the replies! I will have to check with flights and things, but I am leaning to closing sometime in January.

Mik, ABC delivered a catalog to me yesterday! So thank you for your encouragement! It appears that they do deliver to Berthoud and it was just a misunderstanding of exactly where Berthoud was located. I think someone thought we were up in the mountains! :)
 
Mountains??? I thought all of Colorado was in the mountains...and watch out for the Indians and the covered wagons. Good to hear they got you on board...you can't beat their mat board and foam board prices anywhere.
 
If we said take the two weeks off before Christmas - would you do it?

You have to look at whats important to you! I trust the reason you are asking us is to find out when you are busy - which only you should know. Check your past records - however way you record your sales & work orders (you do record these things by the day don't you?)

If you are concerned about losing your customers - maybe you should ask them!

(If you are not overly concerned about your customers - ask your inlaws!)

We close for inventory between Christmas & New Years - seems like people expect that around here, and they are used to it by now.
 
oops

I just read your signature line:

"But I am just starting my own framing business."

In that case - I'd for sure ask a few customers - you might find out that they'd say - sure - everyone else closes then too - we expect it.
 
April. The cruelist month by far.

But if it has to be in the winter, all I can say is that the week after Christmas is always busy for us, right into and through January. Right up until the weeks when people start having to pay their Christmas cradit card bills. Then the holiday is over.

I don't ever close, but there is some logic to after Christmas, though, because people expect that you might be closed after the busy season, like mik points out.
 
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