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YET ANOTHER ALAN
Hi everyone,
Just signed up after coming across the site while ‘surfing’
Been in the sign trade since 1979,now based in sunny sussex. started poster writing and signwriting on my own, 12 staff in 1990 then lost the lot in the recession of ’91.
Started again (there’s something about this business I can’t keep away from it) Now just me, son Sam and wife Dot. Mainly vinyl work nowadays, and inkjet printer helps out also. Much happier keeping it small(the business that is) I hope I can learn as much as I can contribute
Cheers to you all -
17 Replies
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Welcome aboard Alan, seems like most of us find this site by accident, yet as you will find it turns out to be the best you will ever find.
There is so much to learn from here even those with years of experience seem to pick up some tips here and there, I suppose that is the nature of this industry it is always changing and advancing.
Great to here from you, look forward to reading some tips soon.
Dave
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Welcome from 1 Alan to another. I’m new too and already I feel comfortable, good bunch here – helpful and enthusiastic.
Alan -
Glad you found the site in the end Alan 😉 welcome from me to – interesting to hear you have decided to stay small now, I have been fighting to stay small myself against everybody keeps telling me I’ve got to expand. I don’t like the thought of all the extra cost/risk/paperwork/hassel etc so will stick with working my but off on my own for the forseeable 🙂
I’m sure you will find loads of great advice/tips and knowledge on the site, keep posting 😉Nigel
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Hi Alan,
A warm welcome from another paint pusher, I have spent many a happy hour painting posters… double crowns,,, 48 sheets…. sizes that sound double dutch these days, I agree that small is best, Mrs Thatcher has a lot to answer for !!!!!! -
Hi and welcome Alan 😀
Sorry to hear about your bad luck in the recession, but thankfully you’re back and by the sounds of things, doing well for yourself.
This place is full of happy souls, always willing to help and give advice, having a good laugh at the same time. I look forward to seeing some of your stuff and hearing more about your trade 😀
Cheers, Dewi
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Welcome Alan, well at least you’re not scottish. 😆 😆 😆 😆 😆
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OOoHHhhh that man Broughton.
Welcome aboard m8.
SCOTTISH an PROUD of it it’s something the English cant say LOL.
Goop.
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Welcome Alan – I’ve heard a few people say to keep the business small and not to expand. Others that have said the joy went out of it when the business expanded and are happier to work for themselves. This seems to be a fairly common theme, why do you think this is?
By the way – Ignore Steve’s rant’s, he’s just teasing the Scots 😉
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Steve, i find that remark to be offensive and racist 😆 😆 😆 , welcome aboard Alan, just gotta add that apart from being a signmaker, you have to be on your toes with the quickfire replies when you are in the firing range from the Southerners.
Gaz
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Hi Alan
Welcome aboard
Wish you success in your new venture
Theres a certain magnetism about this game that has clearly called you back. I bet you’ve found that things have moved on a stride since your last contact with things.
On that theme of ‘size’ …….no I’m not going to use that cliche!
I don’t want to expand because of the complications etc. but sometimes I do wish I was more prominent in the public eye and I had a little more work space but other than that there are so many joys from working at home
John
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Yes Phill, I found the bigger we were getting the more I became a pen pusher. Our problems started shortly after signing a 21 year lease on 4,000sq. ft of space. No sooner was the ink dry when our biggest customer folded without warning. Apart from owing us money, we just couldn’t replace them with additional customers. But that was only the beginning because almost daily we were opening letters from liquidators informing us of more of our customers folding. We found that our ex’s were just too large for our turnover, and when we needed support from our bank they got edgy and called in our overdraft.
Now I’m 12 years older and 12 years wiser. I’m more concerned with the quality of life than making a fortune and i’ve put all the 18 hour days behind me. -
I wish you well Alan and sympathise with you in your past misfortune.
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Hi Alan, and welcome from a penpusher. 🙁
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Another welcome from another Alan!
Greetings from Shropshire!
Alan
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well done alan got ride of the bad days i see!!
been there myself have fun it get’s better! 😛 😛 and welcome to the boards!! 😆
Nik
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Hello Alan 😀
Carrie & Stephen
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Thanks to everyone for such a friendly welcome. It really is great to be in contact with such a friendly bunch – even those north of the border! 😆
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