Opportunity is missed by most people because it is dressed in overalls and looks like work. - Thomas Edison
People that hesitate about growing should consider what they could be pretty quick with some dedication. Look how quick it happens for example in early 2011, 2 person company manual and 3 embroidery heads renting space. 2014, 10 person company, on our second auto/dts/led exposure, 22 embroidery heads, full vinyl print/plot set up and own the building.
Quote from: GraphicDisorder on October 28, 2014, 12:57:32 PMPeople that hesitate about growing should consider what they could be pretty quick with some dedication. Look how quick it happens for example in early 2011, 2 person company manual and 3 embroidery heads renting space. 2014, 10 person company, on our second auto/dts/led exposure, 22 embroidery heads, full vinyl print/plot set up and own the building.What would you say contributed to that success most of all? Obviously people didn't hear that you had an auto and started throwing business your way. Just curious as to what YOU think got you that far along?
Yellow page ad.
We were fairly well known in a small niche of the automotive market and the options for great printers within it are limited. Most are still manual printers printing 1-2 colors of ink with really basic artwork. We did see a drastic influx (for us) in work when adding the auto and I can only imagine it's because it certainly seems like you are more serious about screen printing when you add a auto. Of course there were sources for this type of work outside the niche but often people like to keep it in the family so to speak. Interestingly we also seen a pretty large bump in business when adding the new CHIIID, no idea why but that's been the case. I think people like to buy from growing small businesses, I know I do so that could play a part.
Quote from: Gilligan on October 28, 2014, 01:35:46 PMYellow page ad. What's that
Interesting...so you make it a point to tell your customers you're an auto shop? How does that come up in conversation? Fascinating thread this has turned into, for me anyway..I think I might have to take the plunge sometime next year, you guys are talking me into it.
Don't buy an auto suited to what you are doing today, but for what you'll be doing once you grow....because you will grow once you have an auto!
I wish I could dump it all back into the business. I would be a lot further along than I am, but having a kid is expensive as hell...
Quote from: Inkworks on October 28, 2014, 01:49:12 PMDon't buy an auto suited to what you are doing today, but for what you'll be doing once you grow....because you will grow once you have an auto! Such good advice. Many people buy or hire just enough to get them through current business levels which I find only logical if you want to stay at that level. Which to me makes little sense. Remember when you get real busy you can't make a manual print faster, but that auto your running at 1/3rd speed can run faster if you get a buddy to unload for you.... Which will turn into a part time employee unloading, which will become your full time unloader, and so on.