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The Business of Knife Making A forum dedicated to all aspects of running, managing and legal operational issues relating to the custom knife making and custom knife selling industry.

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  #1  
Old 02-24-2009, 07:55 PM
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mtnfolk mtnfolk is offline
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Unanswered Prayers?

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.


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  #2  
Old 02-25-2009, 01:22 AM
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Andrew Garrett Andrew Garrett is offline
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Wayne my friend... I'm not sure if I should console you or congratulate you.

How 'bout this... Have fun making some awesome knives and good luck with the sales!

I work security in a catholic hospital (non-profitt) where my wife is a nurse. We never have lay-offs (knock knock). Hopefully the economy will slide right on by.


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  #3  
Old 02-25-2009, 05:25 AM
Wade Holloway Wade Holloway is offline
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Wayne good luck to you, I wish you the best and you and your family will be in out prayers.
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  #4  
Old 02-25-2009, 05:54 AM
moon moon is offline
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Good luck.I keep telling the young guys where I work that you need a backup just in case something happens.But I guess if I would have listened when I was a young guy I'd have a lot more money now.
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  #5  
Old 02-25-2009, 06:25 AM
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NJStricker NJStricker is offline
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Good luck Wayne!

Our administration has been mentioning the words "furlough," "work week reduction," and "pay cut." So I may be getting more knife time as well.
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  #6  
Old 02-25-2009, 06:32 AM
FOG2 FOG2 is offline
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I got laid off a month ago, thankfully i,m getting unemployment hopefully you will to.

The last time i lost a job was 20yrs ago. It was the BEST thing that could have happened to me. As it got me off the fence of do i want to go full time into the charter sportfishing business.

Well i did and MAN WAS I HAPPY that i did !

This time i,m hoping things turn out as well FOR YOU AND MYSELF.

GOODLUCK !!!!!

Bryce
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Old 02-25-2009, 06:55 AM
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DaveRuhlig DaveRuhlig is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Garrett
Wayne my friend... I'm not sure if I should console you or congratulate you.
My thoughts exactly! It's funny how "the plan" presents itself sometimes!

BTW - I checked out your site. Very nice! Well planned and layed out. I have question for you though. In your available section you have a knife called the "Buck Nekid Hunter" - I have to know what you did to get that blade finish. It almost looks like you used a checkering file then buffed the crap out of it. In any case, it looks great!!

Good luck in all that you do!

-Dave


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  #8  
Old 02-25-2009, 07:40 AM
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MLAZYB MLAZYB is offline
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Wayne,
I like the website. I will be trying to get a site up this year. I look at others for inspiration. As more people join the ranks of the UAC we need to have some sort of something to help keep the wolves at bay. Looks like you have an opportunity to do what you enjoy.

Good luck and keep us posted

Bing
MLazyB Custom Knives
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  #9  
Old 02-25-2009, 08:17 AM
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Andrew Garrett Andrew Garrett is offline
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I think that's a reflection dave.


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  #10  
Old 02-25-2009, 08:23 AM
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DaveRuhlig DaveRuhlig is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Andrew Garrett
I think that's a reflection dave.
You know it does look remarkably like a frosted fluorecent light shade now that you mention it...... It must be one heck of a mirror polish!
-Dave


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  #11  
Old 02-25-2009, 09:24 AM
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mtnfolk mtnfolk is offline
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Thanks a ton guys! You know it's nice to commiserate once in a while but it's better to get the positive thoughts flowing so I truly appreciate the kind words. Let?s keep all of the UAC (Unemployed American Club) in our thoughts and prayers. I am a big ?Karma? guy and truly believe it will come back to you.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________
Andy, go ahead and congratulate me. Much to my dismay I?m not too broken up about it. My lovely wife is behind me all the way which makes it a heck of a lot easier. Now I may be singing a different tune a year from now but I won?t be wondering?what if.
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Bryce, Sportfishing? Wow, good, no great! for you. And hey, we all thought outfitting ourselves in the knife biz was expensive. Fishing is my second passion so you?ll need to post some fish porn that will make the rest of us jealous! Are you going to Captain, crew, guide? Where are you sailing out of? We need details man!
__________________________________________________ _________________________________

Dave, Andy's right, that is a reflection. I've been messing around with my photo table trying new lights and reflectors. As far as the blade finish goes it was just one of those blades that wanted to polish up right. We all have the ones that refuse to give up even the tiniest scratches so I lucked out on that one.

Thanks again for the support and kindness guys. With these changes you?re going to see a lot more of me on the forums (like it or not)


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  #12  
Old 02-25-2009, 04:01 PM
Darren Ellis Darren Ellis is offline
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Wayne,

It's good to see the positive attitude, being laid off can be very stressful. Sounds like you're taking all the right steps to make your own business a success!



-Darren


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  #13  
Old 02-25-2009, 06:50 PM
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Geno Geno is offline
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I was forced out of work a dozen years ago or so, I'm still breathing.
Living without a paycheck is scary, but with the right mind frame of moving forward, progress will pay off in time.
The biggest advise I could give to someone looking to go full time is remember to be as flexible as the business. What works today won't be enough in the future. Growing and changing is part of fitting in. Find your nitch and dig in.
Many good things can come from things gone wrong if you have faith.
Time WILL pass, the question is what have we done in that time???
Keep moving forward "while" there is time.
God bless!
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  #14  
Old 03-14-2009, 12:38 PM
Pierre Pierre is offline
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Congratulations!

I am also seeing the writing on the wall... Not sure where HE is leading me, but it will be memorable! Always is... (grin)

So you no longer "plod" to work, but spring into the day! The *Adventure* is back in your life!

It's exciting... can't wait till my evolution occurs.

Last time I was out of work was over 30 years ago. This day and age make the "out of work" proposition look very likely, but the adventure and excitement is calling as well...

Great Attitude you have. Just keep it rolling... n grinding, n sanding, n finishing (grin)

Enjoy the Ride!
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  #15  
Old 03-29-2009, 12:23 AM
Pierre Pierre is offline
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Oh Yah...

The other tip: The Four Hour Work Week by Timothy Ferris

More ideas for more productivity anywhere in the world... USA is a nice place to make knives... but it's not the ONLY place... (grin)

HTH

GOD Bless
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