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Bringing in a business partner – advice needed !
Hi All.
After a year or so away from the industry (was in it for 11 years previously) I’ve bitten the bullet and decided to jump right back in purchasing a Roland xc540, laminator etc.
The issue I had before was in the designing process (taking a blank piece of paper and creating something always used to give me a bit of a headache even though I was ok with the end results). I’m thinking of bringing in graphic designer as a business partner since I believe this would be a good way of making the business more professional in it’s approach plus two people putting ideas together and installing is much easier than one.
Now, the idea for bring in a partner is due to the not having enough funds to pay a wage as it’s effectively a new startup. It also, in theory, inspires the designer to be an integral part of the business reaping bigger rewards as the business grows (that’s current thinking anyway!)
The dilemma is where to find such a person ? Someone willing to have the confidence in their abilities to help establish and push the company forward. Any ideas on where to look much appreciated (or alternative solutions)
Are there still grants out there for new business startups these days ?
Cheers in advance for any advice
Lee
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14 Replies
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Where about are you located??
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Hi James
Currently located in Brandon Suffolk but maybe looking to relocate elsewhere within the UK as the wife and I fancy a change of scenery !
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I have the opposite problem to you. I have had a design/marketing company for 14 years that does designs, printing and websites and I used to outsource my signage but last year me and a friend invested money and set up a signage business that worked along side my business as my marketing business works with loads of new companies that need signage, vehicle wrapping etc, so brings in a lot of work.
Anyway it was a new thing for him and he did well learning the skills But never realised how hard you had to work in business, so I ended up needing to buy him out. I can do everything in regards to signage apart from vehicle wrapping and made and fitted many signs. I have tried over 11 months bringing in staff and had real bad luck in recruiting a decent guy as I don’t want to be running the signage side but I have spent a lot of money on it. I have a large unit with a shutter to bring in vehicles and all this equipment. 2 latex printers and a Roland sp300v printer a 4m X 3m cutting table, 3100mm keencutter guillotine, plotter, 8ft x 4ft Cnc router, telescopic scaffold and another aluminium scaffold and ladders, all the tools you can think off and a long wheelbase van.
Also I have a t-shirt heat press, cap heat press and also a brand new unused sublimation printer, so as you can see I have got everything really. Only thing I don’t have is luck with finding someone good to run the signage side, I sacked my guy on Monday after 6 weeks as he just keeps making so many mistakes costing me a lot of money. Also I’ve had no luck with my printers which I am in the process of resolving. I have 2 latex printers and a Roland v300v for decals. So I am getting fed up with the signage side
I am based in Glasgow though.
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And also a 1670 laminator lol
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I am actually Darren, James was my business partner but I pay for this account but we set it up with his name as he was running the signage
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Hi Darren (or James !)
Sounds like you have a lot of gear. What issues are you having with them?
I had a rather strange long term business relationship with a company for 10 years that really didn’t work out (long story)
What you have sounds interesting. I can certainly see a design/marketing company working well alongside a signage business. Shame you’re in Glasgow but will certainly give it some thought if we could go that far (I have grown up kids and a grand daughter this way).
I’ve extensive experience of all sorts of signs. Have done a little wrapping but not a great deal as it’s quite specialised and there wasn’t a market for it in little old Thetford due to the price you need to charge. Wrapping is also one of those things where you need to do it regularly or you lose the knack I think !
Was tempted to go down the latex route myself but opted for a Roland as I’d been used to them for 11 years and learnt how to do my own servicing (heads changing, caps etc)
Lee
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Investment/juggling cash flow at the start can always be a nightmare. I would stick with it though. We have a fair few graphic design companies in town. We offer a trade of by doing signs/pop up banners/garments the lot at a reduction of at least 25% meaning they can mark up to there customers a little and still be competitive. On the flip side of the coin if we ever had a big job in the needed a extra flare on the design side there is already someone there that you’ve worked with and have a relationship with.
I’ve had one business partner for last 6 years and he is spot on. Works hard and we both has the same direction etc.. but I’ve also had several others in other businesses and there all gone now. Can be hard work to make the relationship work let alone the business.
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Hi Chris
Yeah the initial investment before getting a return is a nightmare ! Even buying substrates, print media etc – it can take a while to get your money back. Sign making does seem to have become quite a bit more cut throat from when I first started in sign making 12 years ago.
There’s so much involved and the abilities one has to have before even getting started is mind boggling really. You have to know how to :
operate printer/cutter software
how to use design software
repair the sign machinery (if you’re like me to save costs)
be able to create a design the client is going to be happy with and is suitable for the purpose intended
customer relations manager
health and safety issues
sign manufacture
sign installation
costing and invoicing
etc etc.a painter/decorator turns up with a paint brush and earns the same daily rate !
For me I think I’d prefer to have a proper business partner/designer who can commit to the business since two people make life so much easier when applying graphics/shop fronts etc Although I do certainly understand the benefit of what you’re suggesting in offering graphic designers a discount and forming a relationship with them.
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Do both if you can. I find it quite handy. Up hear the going rate for a pop up banner is £95, so we take it down to £65 for graphic designers etc.. still make good money. Graphics come through in a nice high res file. All I have to do is load the media in. Press print. Then attach to the kit.
It is crazy the work volume some days but I would say personal reward is good. Margins up here anyway are also good.
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They’re good margins Chris, down here in Manchester things are tighter, we have some retailing banners lower than your trade price.
Print seems to have become a comodity, with an abundance of trade suppliers, flooding the market with cheap print, to the resellers. Great for those who shop on price, but there’s still demand for local, quality & service.
We are moving more into signange, getting PASMA, IPAF & CSCS qualifications, which seem to be a necessity now, and will enable us to do larger more profitable jobs.
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I was getting that impression David from seeing other people’s posts. It will pain you here that I’ve had some people tell me they were charged £160 by other local competitors. There is however 9 of us up here all doing similar or the same thing.
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quote Lee Pitcher:Hi All.After a year or so away from the industry (was in it for 11 years previously) I’ve bitten the bullet and decided to jump right back in purchasing a Roland xc540, laminator etc.
The issue I had before was in the designing process (taking a blank piece of paper and creating something always used to give me a bit of a headache even though I was ok with the end results). I’m thinking of bringing in graphic designer as a business partner since I believe this would be a good way of making the business more professional in it’s approach plus two people putting ideas together and installing is much easier than one.
Now, the idea for bring in a partner is due to the not having enough funds to pay a wage as it’s effectively a new startup. It also, in theory, inspires the designer to be an integral part of the business reaping bigger rewards as the business grows (that’s current thinking anyway!)
The dilemma is where to find such a person ? Someone willing to have the confidence in their abilities to help establish and push the company forward. Any ideas on where to look much appreciated (or alternative solutions)
Are there still grants out there for new business startups these days ?
Cheers in advance for any advice
Lee
Hey Lee
Im also based in Suffolk
You have messages disabled, so cant email you.
let me know a line of contact as i think we should talkIain
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Morning Iain
Sure no problem mate.
Will look into the messages thing. I need to look into going for a premium membership thing on here as I think it could be more beneficial in the long run !
All the best
Lee
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Hi Lee
I’ve dropped you an email with my details, gimme a bell when you have a minute
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