mtnfolk
02-24-2009, 07:55 PM
Hi guys,
Well, after 25 years in the electronic security field (fire alarm, closed circuit television, and access control design and sales) like many others out there, I just joined the UAC, the Unemployed Americans Club. Due to our wonderful economy, my employer felt they needed to cut expenses and it seems I was too expensive. So that being said, my part time knife making business was just shoved to the forefront.
Remember the Garth Brooks song, "Unanswered Prayers"? Boy oh boy is that relevant in this case. I knew the company wasn’t in the greatest cash position so of course I was praying that I’d be overlooked if/when the layoffs started. Now on the other hand, if I’m honest, I have to admit that I was getting a little burned out after 25 years. Although being a manager, I didn’t let it show, but the only thing that got me through the week was waiting for the weekend so I could get in some therapeutic shop time. Know the feeling? So trying to find some lemonade in the lemons, I started thinking.
I’ve slowed down and focused on improving my finished product a bunch, I.e. I was now forced to take it seriously. I’ve done more work on my web site in the past two weeks than I have in the last year. I reached out to several friends to coach me in the “web arena” that I wouldn’t have spoken to for a while under normal conditions. They were more than happy to give me several tips on increasing web traffic, fine tuning the site, tracking it all and just good all around e-commerce advise. As a result the traffic on my site has doubled and knives are actually moving out the door for the first time since the Christmas buying season ended. Not waiting around for just web sales, I’ve actually gotten off of my butt and gone out and put in some face time with some contacts in specialty shops, outfitters, and small sporting goods retailers asking for orders. Being in the Colorado Mountains has its benefits since I’m so close to the tourist and ski areas. There are still people traveling and spending a lot of money but you have to search it out. I was in Vail and Breckenridge yesterday and just walking around I heard more European languages being spoken than I did English and these folks were flaunting their money.
So to end this little novel, be careful on what you wish (pray) for as the good lord just may ignore you – only to give you what you really need…a swift kick in the butt. I know that I’ve got to put in 99.9% of the work but it sure looks like he’s up there clearing the way with that other .1%.
Keeping a positive attitude in all this is tough but it can be done with some help from the big guy up above. :)
Well, after 25 years in the electronic security field (fire alarm, closed circuit television, and access control design and sales) like many others out there, I just joined the UAC, the Unemployed Americans Club. Due to our wonderful economy, my employer felt they needed to cut expenses and it seems I was too expensive. So that being said, my part time knife making business was just shoved to the forefront.
Remember the Garth Brooks song, "Unanswered Prayers"? Boy oh boy is that relevant in this case. I knew the company wasn’t in the greatest cash position so of course I was praying that I’d be overlooked if/when the layoffs started. Now on the other hand, if I’m honest, I have to admit that I was getting a little burned out after 25 years. Although being a manager, I didn’t let it show, but the only thing that got me through the week was waiting for the weekend so I could get in some therapeutic shop time. Know the feeling? So trying to find some lemonade in the lemons, I started thinking.
I’ve slowed down and focused on improving my finished product a bunch, I.e. I was now forced to take it seriously. I’ve done more work on my web site in the past two weeks than I have in the last year. I reached out to several friends to coach me in the “web arena” that I wouldn’t have spoken to for a while under normal conditions. They were more than happy to give me several tips on increasing web traffic, fine tuning the site, tracking it all and just good all around e-commerce advise. As a result the traffic on my site has doubled and knives are actually moving out the door for the first time since the Christmas buying season ended. Not waiting around for just web sales, I’ve actually gotten off of my butt and gone out and put in some face time with some contacts in specialty shops, outfitters, and small sporting goods retailers asking for orders. Being in the Colorado Mountains has its benefits since I’m so close to the tourist and ski areas. There are still people traveling and spending a lot of money but you have to search it out. I was in Vail and Breckenridge yesterday and just walking around I heard more European languages being spoken than I did English and these folks were flaunting their money.
So to end this little novel, be careful on what you wish (pray) for as the good lord just may ignore you – only to give you what you really need…a swift kick in the butt. I know that I’ve got to put in 99.9% of the work but it sure looks like he’s up there clearing the way with that other .1%.
Keeping a positive attitude in all this is tough but it can be done with some help from the big guy up above. :)