Just post your age so we all know how old we really are. If you want that is.
I'm 66
37.5 years
59 and 11/12 but don't tell anyone. I plan on staying 59 for a very long time.
53.
I'll be 60 on Jan. 31
Kody, that's my dad's bday. He's going to be 70.
55
No, I Didn't Die! I am 61.3!
Fitty Nine
Mojo
"No, I Didn't Die!"
Hi Gale. Glad to hear that and to see you back. Are you getting this cold snap over there, or is it staying north west of you ?
Just turned 58
Quote from: Darren Henry on January 13, 2018, 08:03:42 am
"No, I Didn't Die!"
Hi Gale. Glad to hear that and to see you back. Are you getting this cold snap over there, or is it staying north west of you ?
Yes we are getting the cold...I know you guys like to share!
I keep hearing
'It's a dying profession'
Or
'It's a dying trade'
Determined to make that not so...
Quote from: 65Buick on January 15, 2018, 08:27:37 pm
I keep hearing
'It's a dying profession'
Or
'It's a dying trade'
I've seen a dramatic transformation over the last 20 or so years.
The commercial store fronts continue to dry up. The number of college age students choosing upholstery as a career is almost non-existent.
But the change that I've seen, is the large number of people that make a mid-life career change into upholstery. They usually work from home. Sure, some of them are "off the grid" when it comes to reporting their income and collecting sales tax. But many are doing it right with a really nice "virtual store front" via website or social media.
Perhaps their ultimate goal is to build up the business and move out of the garage into a brick and mortar shop with multiple employees. But I think many are quite satisfied to work alone at home for the duration of their career.
Many factors come into play. The old "You just can't get good help anymore!" complaint always rears it's ugly head.
Many upholsterers are reluctant to train people that will end up striking out on their own and competing against them.
Wholesale suppliers are no longer interested in chasing down every rabbit trail to find rural home-based shops.
People need to start making a living wage right out of school. They have no patience for a lengthy apprenticeship.
One of my supply salesmen always tells me "In every small town, when the upholsterer dies, nobody takes his place".
I don't think the trade will ever disappear completely, but the way it exists will continue to change.
Sofa nailed it. To add to his reply, unlike 50 years ago new furniture is not worth reupholstering. Use to be an upholsterer could make a pretty good living recovering furniture that was 15 or 20 years old. And he could do it for less than a new piece of furniture. Now days most upholsterers don't even try to compete with new furniture. That leaves a few options, antiques, furniture built in the 60's or later, commercial, cars and boats. Anything that doesn't compete with the stuff coming out of china. If you are sticking with furniture the next problem is convincing the customer a piece of furniture built in the 60's is much sturdier and worth reupholstering.
This means less furniture that needs to be recovered. The good thing for us diehards who are sticking it out is there are less upholsterers doing it. Most of us stay pretty busy.
I think someone getting into upholstery today will stay busy. Getting the experience is the hard part. If you could find an upholsterer who needs help and if you could convince him to hire you your knowledge would increase expeditiously.
If I had it all over to do I am not sure I would choose RV Awnings. While margins are good the amount of work involved in closing sales not to mention the vast amount of tech support after the sale is a killer. We do not compete with local awning makers but rather we compete on a National level. The only way to make this business work is on online with sales throughout the USA and Canada. Local awning guys would starve on RV business.
I had over 3 years just in learning the various assemblies, parts, problems, etc. Once I knew them all, the assembly manufacturers came out with new models and I was back at square one. Anyone can sew a damn awning but our customers demand support after the sale. If you do not provide it then the word gets out fast among the online RV communities and you are toast. These RV forums can make you and break you in a heartbeat.
I guess if I was younger and looking for a career change I would open a brothel and not consider upholstery work. At least I would enjoy going to work everyday and have a lot more fun. :)
Mojo
The Mojo Bunny Ranch ! Sounds Expensive -
SA
Mojo, at 59 you are a young man. I say go for it. Some of the guys here could be your best customers. :)
Send us all a sample box when it get's off the ground Chris. :-)
I was joking one day with a buddy of mine about opening up a brothel. He said " I want to be a partner ". I told him forget it. He would end up screwing up our profits. :)
Mojo
26
52 + 3/4. Going thought ' that time of life ' You lads might get a rough deal sometimes but you sure don't want to go through it 😥 .
It can really mess up your mind, let alone your body.
But I'm hanging in there, can't get as much work done as before but still have some regular customers 😂
Suzi
hang in there Suzi. there is life on the other side of "the change". My soon to be ex has been better health and mental health wise than before.
Good Morning!
Its been a real pleasure hearing you all on the forum for several years. With the added benefit to share some start-up concerns and interest. This has been and quite frankly still seems to be a friend like conversation here. In my own surprised to make it 57 & 9/12ths years, am happy to be here!
Thanks
Floyd
Thanks DH. 😘
Suzi, how'd you manage posting that (un)smiley?
Err, I've got an emocion symbol on my keyboard (tablet) actually I've no idea why it worked. 😂