im fed up wit this season

[Mike]

first this September normally the slowest time I actually ran out of work for a week then it started more workload and it grew, 13 jobs out what 3 months. Then cols windy weather and rein for a couple weeks  made it harder, my dog got ill very fast and I lost a week with vet visits and just plain depressed. up to 16 jobs and a dealer I work with keeps calling adding work a asap deal.  this week I have to finnish dome pontoon seats pattern a mooring cover on a new boat arriving wensday a bow cover on another at the same time and try o continue with a sailboat maje a front toon bimini and ect ect. plus repairs that wind up at my door, my stress level is unreal.

I CANT WAIT TILL SUMMER,

[SteveA]

Mike
You've put in enough time to do what you want to do at the speed you want to do it at.  Don't stress - just enjoy the good fortune and business you've created - heck with those who think you jump through hoops for a buck -
SA

[Mike]

Unless it my dealer im no going to schedule anything untill april now.

[gene]

I've gotten old enough that I no longer enjoy working hard and fast to make deadlines. I enjoy going in and working long and hard smart, but not with the added pressure of having to get something done by a specific date.

I'm not complaining. I appreciate having work. I'm just sharing. LOL

It was 65 degrees a few days ago and today we got snow. A high of 20 degrees today. This weather is another thing I have gotten old enough that I no longer enjoy it.

gene

[timtheboatguy]

Sounds like it may be time to raise prices.

[byhammerandhand]

In true Cincinnati fashion, drivers have forgotten how to drive in snow (in the last 12 days).   We had less than  1/2" of snow this morning.   Accidents all over the place.   All major highways had backups for miles.   My wife grunted after the clock radio came on -- "I'm glad I'm retired and don't have to drive downtown this morning."

My son-in-law's high school buddy is a local morning traffic guy:   He gets a little wild on Fridays.   This one made national news:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWw0WEtZJRQ&feature=c4-overview-vl&list=PL5PS0709a6Jlzqu5i5QoY8J0XTr-hCW4R

It was 65 degrees a few days ago and today we got snow. A high of 20 degrees today. This weather is another thing I have gotten old enough that I no longer enjoy it.

gene

[Mike]

aside from a dealer I work with ive only got 2 jobs with a deadline I said I could do that the customers are leaving after a week here but the rest even if I said 8  weeks they get antsy and start calling after 6 .
I had one guy wanting a front bimini on a pontoon who said he would be gone and have his brother pay me when im done. well yesterday he came in the shop and was surprired that I don't remember every face when they come in the door,. I knew I talked before but I cant remember names so I had to ask his mane and what it is im doing for him. ant today the dealer calls to see if I have stuff ready so it seems ill have to delever thye product to the owner house . . I try to keep my prices inline for my customers but this year has just been busy as hell for everybody I hear not just me.

[Mojo]

I am moving VERY slowly. I got hit bad a month ago and had some very tight deadlines. I was sewing 7 days a week till noon. Take an afternoon snooze and then sewing till 10 and 11 pm. I got through all the orders and now they are slowly coming in.

I burnt through the backlog, got caught up and am enjoying this slow time. This is when I get stressed when the work is coming in slowly.

I have one more week and then will be in Georgia for a week doing seminars, inspections, vendor booth and the rally itself. At the end of April I start another trip, this will be two weeks to Indy again.

I could get used to this slow business cycle. :) Good luck Mike. Take your time and you will get through it. In a couple months you will be back to worrying about orders. :)

Chris

[Darren Henry]

today we got snow. A high of 20 degrees today. This weather is another thing

Minus 23 ºC or 8 below at sunset tonight. Wind chills  will be -40/40 below over night AGAIN. Snow up the ying-yang. WHAH  :'(

Psst,Mike---You Floridians figured out how to smuggle illegals in from this side, yet? A working vacation down there sounds pretty good LOL

[Mike]

today we got snow. A high of 20 degrees today. This weather is another thing

Psst,Mike---You Floridians figured out how to smuggle illegals in from this side, yet? A working vacation down there sounds pretty good LOL

you would be called a whiteback then Darren lol

.
chris I stoped worring about the phone to ring in the dead time. September is always the slowest time of the year here I I always would start getting nervous when I was down to 3 jobs left then 2 and the phone would ring and presto 6 job a week later., this past sept I finnaly ran out john asked me so what do we have to do next week..?......  I said go fishing  wasn't 5 day into it and the phone started again, and booked me up   but calls have slowed to 2 jobs last week I just cant turn jobs away only postpone them as long as I can 

[Mojo]

Well that slow time was fun while it lasted. Bang...................more orders coming in with impossible deadlines.

You jinxed me Mike with your post. :)

Make matters worse I am real low on fabric. Called Mikey and ordered 3 full rolls of acrylic. I am going to cry when I get that bill.

Chris

[Mike]

if I was rich like you Chris  :) id order a full roll of black then captains navy blacks number 1 navy 2 and it anyone geese what's next

oh and  ill accept a commission :)

[Peppy]

That's the kind of winter I've been having too mike. 5 interiors, a 38' headliner, and something like 12 convertible tops 4 on 40' searays. All due may 24th. Good thing the Great Lakes are rock solid I might have extra time to finish it all.

I love having work but winters supposed to be the slow season. I don't want to be burnt out by June.

Sounds like it may be time to raise prices.

*high five*

[Mike]

you know devin when I was in cow Hampshire  I sat around al winter watching tv and selling a little bait it was a nice break each year as long as I made enough money all summer. here the break is in the summer to slow down, im eating away at the backlog but not fast enough.

[Peppy]

Winter used to be like that for me too. We had work but also had time to fix up the shop a bit and not be so frantic. I miss that. I guess it's since the boss got into winter storage that brough us more winter work.

I started making patterns today, finish up the last interior tomorrow. 8 weeks left of the spring rush then the summer rush'll start.

Darren's got the right idea. Maybe he can come pick me up and we can join your sweatshop?