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Home based now, after 30 years with a Storefront.
After 30 years with a Storefront, we’ve moved home. I’m so glad we did. It was a huge undertaking tidying up 5000 Square Ft. Moving to roughly 1000 Sq. Ft. has been a challenge to be sure. We couldn’t sell the spray booth, and demolishing it was quite an undertaking. Once we get set up at home, I’ll post some pictures. We have about 400 SF in the garage, 700 SF in the basement and 100 SQ FT in the den.
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This discussion was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
Duncan Wilkie.
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This discussion was modified 3 years, 9 months ago by
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14 Replies
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I was having a conversation with the wife last night, saying how it might be worth downsizing our business, my dads looking to retire, off load the premises, and work from home, outsource more when required.
What made you decide to switch to home working?
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Hi David. We’ve been trying to sell the business. I’m 67 this year and it was time. We had a deal in progress when Covid hit. The buyer backed out. Our lease was up in 3 months and we didn’t feel good about all the costs of a storefront going into the future. We decided to move home and it’s working out great. Still getting organized, but it’s getting better every week. I’ll post some pics once everything is in place.
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All the best to you Duncan. Changing times all over the world! Even if you have a drop in turnover (which may not be the case) you’ll save a bomb on overheads and it’ll only be a short walk home after a day’s work. What more could you ask for. 😀
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I could have been a lumberjack. “nailed the landing on the booth stack”.https://youtu.be/__P7oz3VM9s
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We are slowly getting settled in. The last major task is getting the workshop organized in the garage. We’ve been very busy, so it’s a slow process.
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Maybe feels like a slow process, but It is amazing to see how you have managed to downsize your business, yet keep it so neat and compact as you have, Duncan. it’s great to see!
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When my lease runs out on my shopfront in three years I reckon I shall do the same as you, Duncan. It is so much better working from home.
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Your space looks fabulous Duncan. Over my 34 years in the business I’ve worked from home on 2 occasions. It’s something I’m thinking about doing too when my lease runs out on my current premises in just under three years. I’ll be in my sixties by then so I think it’ll be a good idea to do so. Looking forward to seeing more progress pics.
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I’ve built a 4’x10’ table top that fits over the game table. What a treat. It has a polyethylene mat on top. I’ve added a temporary 2’ extension to work on an especially long project.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by Duncan Wilkie.
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This reply was modified 3 years, 8 months ago by
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Due to the pandemic and how business is globally these days. intentionally or not, moving your business home, Duncan. could well be the best move you could make!
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Hi Karen,
We are loving it. We have more control and a lot more of the revenue stays with us. At the storefront, it was the other way around and getting worse. This is a good move for us. I’m 67 on Tuesday and this is like retirement. 🙂 Breakfast and lunch on the deck is a real bonus. Having our granddaughter dropping by for a bit of weeding is a treat.
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You are certainly making it look more and more appealing Duncan.
well done on the new recruitment too!
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Due to the pandemic and how business is globally these days. intentionally or not, moving your business home, Duncan. could well be the best move you could make!
Karen could actually have a point there too… companies downsizing and working from home is the new norm. I read someplace Microsoft or similar co. is doing it now saving millions per year in premises etc.
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At one time businesses didn’t take you seriously if you where home based. It’s different now. Being home based means you are actively social distancing. We have very little direct contact with our customers now and that suits our customers fine. Being home based is becoming so common now, that the stigma is fading away.
So far, we love our new business model. So much of our sales Dollars (pounds) stay with us now. We have all the work we can handle, but we have much more control.
We have a good bunch of industry partners that we work with on jobs that we can no long do in-house. Mark up is a wonderful thing.
Maybe it’s time for a “Home based” forum. Rob. 🙂 There are a lot of considerations to think about. Primary is obtaining City permission to run a business out of a residence. We’ve been through all that and more. I’d be happy to share our experiences, just ask.
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