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Hi from Manchester
I am 24, former Royal Navy submariner, and before that I was an undertaker. Thought I best say hello (might have already done this), and have now loaded my pic too.
I took over what was my cousins business back in November after he walked out and had enough with been self employed.
As it happened I was ending a temporary contract, my uncle (who bought the equipment for my cousin) was after selling up. I made a silly offer and it got accepted.
Design & Print is really the family business, with my uncle, and dad all involved, and working from the same building.
I am trying to recover from the damage my cousin did to the business with a reputation for been the cheap sign guy… which might explain why he made no money.
When I took over I had to buy simple things like squeegees, masking tape, and even some media. I am not sure how he managed to run his business.
6months later, I have invested in a new laminator, which replaced the polar signs my cousin had. (the supplier who we part ex’d it with still cannot get it running), a rack for the media making more space, a flat work bench and board cutter, and have generally smartened the shop up, and have put some proper working practices in place.
The accountant seemed happy enough, but I am determined to get busier and get more regular work.
Joined the forums cos I really didn’t know a lot, and probably still don’t… but I am not doing too bad.
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10 Replies
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hi david and welcome to the boards mate, good to have you here.
thanks for the intro, i think you have the correct frame of mind to make your new business work mate.
thanks also for taking the time to load your picture also. very much appreciated.
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welcome to the boards David and good luck with your business 😀
nik
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Welcome David. There is at least 1 ex sub mariner (Martin) and undertaker (Karl) already frequenting these boards on a regular basis so consider yourself amongst friends. You are spot on about not wanting a reputation as ‘the cheap sign guy’. Good luck with taking the business forward
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Hi David, welcome to the boards and what a great intro.
Great attitude and good luck.
Neil
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From one ex undertaker to another good luck mate. As for being in any armed forces…………..being a scout as a kid was about as far as I got. I did get one badge though for making a garage out of Lego! 😀 😉
All the best,
Karl. -
Thanks for the welcome.
I have just bought Phils Book, which can only help. I am reading more now than I did locked up underwater for 3 months!
I got some good feedback from a client the other day- they chose me because I was enthusiastic and explained everything. The other sign shops she visited just asked what she wanted- been new to business and knowing nothing about signs she didn’t know.
Got the order, got paid, and even getting some more work from her!
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Hi David, welcome to the forum. Use to happen to me quite a lot so keep explaining things to the customer. Just make sure you explain things in a way they can understand and don’t try and baffle them with technical jargon. Yes it takes a bit longer but I personally think it is worth it.
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Hi David. I like your openness and eagerness. You’ll do well I’m sure.
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I always baffle them with technical jargon!
😀
Welcome from Pennsylvania.
My dad was in the Navy in WW2, and I lived in a house in front of a cemetery the whole time I was growing up.
I’ve been a sign painter longer than you’ve been alive tho.
:lol1:
Phill’s book is a good start, but you might want to subscribe to Signcraft magazine,
http://www.signcraft.com/store/magazine-free.aspx
and to buy Mike Steven’s Mastering Layout.
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mastering-Layou … 856&sr=1-1
Love….Jill -
Hello David welcome 😀 it doesn’t matter how long you have been doing this you learn something new every day enjoy.
Lynn
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