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Hello from Matt Taylor in Gwent
Hi All,
I’m in my mid 20s and I have been working for a sign writing company for the last 4 years doing, design, web design, fitting, the whole lot for a rather crappy wage whilst taking all the slack and feeling as though I’m not appreciated. I can barely pay my bills with my current wage.
Due to this, over the last few months I’ve been thinking about going at it alone, and over the last few days have finally made the decision to do it.
Since I rent a house I can’t trade from here, so I have had to go and look at small units in my local area.
I have seen these cutting startup packages around, I know the cutters aren’t brilliant and won’t last as long as Rolands etc, which is what I’m used to using.
I have 5k behind me to start up, and the unit I’m hoping to go for is very cheap, since it’s in a small business centre, catered for new businesses.
I don’t want you to feel as though I’m imposing on you guys, who have been in this business for years, I just want to secure a future for myself and my fiance, whilst doing the job I love!
Would anybody be able to give me some tips?
Thanks,
Matt
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10 Replies
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welcome to the boards matt, and good luck with your new venture 😀
nik
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Hi Matt, welcome to the forum. The forum is for everyone & most people are happy to try & help people new to the industry, wish something like this had been available when I started.
Questions you will get more response to if you ask them in the relevant sections as more people will read them.
5K isn’t a lot if you are going to have to live off it while you build some kind of business. Two lots of rent & insurance for starters & that’s before you have bought any equipment or fed yourself.
What about looking for a job that pays better or where your skills will be more appreciated, would that be an option?? -
Thank you Both!
Martin,
I’ve read around, and you all seem a friendly (maybe a bit loopy) bunch! Think I will fit right in around here!
I understand where you’re coming from, and that’s what I was going to do. However, in my area there are only a few sign makers, and they’re pretty much family run, with no vacancies there.
With regards to rent etc, I’m lucky to have parents they will be able to help me out with my bills etc if I am to find myself short. As I said, there’s only a few sign makers around here so I really think I can fit in to the local market. Without wanting to talk badly about other companies, but I feel I can do a better job, and I’m not too bad at marketing either.
Matt
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Hi Matt and welcome to the boards.
I see your in Gwent if you need any help with anything pop in or give us a call.
One thing is get your pricing right, don’t work too cheap or it just devalues the industry. Obviously we all have different overheads but as your building your business your going to want to invest in new kit and maybe bigger premises and it’s hard to up your prices later on.
Also things won’t happen overnight, just keep plugging away and keep your enthusiasm going for the trade.
Best of luck for you new venture.By the way who you calling loopy 😀
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Hi Neil,
Thanks for the warm welcome! Where abouts are you based, and what’s your company called? I may know you lot!
Ive been working on my pricing structure and will buy that sign pricing guide. The last thing I want to do is annoy the local sign companies!
Matt
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Hi Matt, we’re in Cwmbranistan as it’s fondly known!!!!! Not far from Newportograd 😀
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Best thing you could do right now is to take Neil up on his offer, buy a packet of biscuits & pop in for a chat. Very helpful guy as you will know if you read a lot of the threads on this forum.
If you have some help with bills while you are getting your self up & running then that will make a huge difference, like Neil says watch your pricing, nothing to do with upsetting other companies it’s more to do with being paid a fair price for your expertise & being able to stay in business long term.
Like Neil says very difficult to put your prices up at a latter date but more importantly if you are to cheap then you will find that the customers you attract are the sort of people who buy on price alone & they will all desert you when you try to put up your prices leaving you back at square one with no customer base……….. Been there, done that lol -
Thank you Martin. I’m definitely going to take Neil up on his offer.
I have decided to go for the unit and will put a deposit down on it in the next week, then get everything ordered that I need!
Thanks so much for the help
Matt
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Welcome…Matt 😕 😀
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Hi Matt and welcome 😉
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