Looks like my last Professional Job

**Different** · 23rd October 2005, 02:10 AM

Originally Posted by Lignum

It can be a blessing in disguise to sometimes sit back at a distance and have a good hard look at yourself and business structure, and to see what wasnt right, and how it can be rectified. Iv seen the pic`s of your work and they are very good and professional. You are in the bigest market in Australia, Sydney. The pics of your workshop show you have all the equipment needed. So what has gone wrong? You say no customers, so is it purely a marketing issue? If so, why not get advice, read everything on the subject, ring and talk to other sucsessfull designer/makers... Where theirs a will theirs a way... In my experience woodworkers are terrible at marketing and self promotion, they are generally a humble bunch who think its braging to let people know just how good their work is. But to be sucsessfull in this business you must go out their and convince the world they NEED your furniture because its as good as it gets. So i hope you dont close the doors, but sit back and have a good hard honest and brutal analysis of yourself, and your woodworking/marketing strengths and weakneses, and come back bigger and better than ever. But what ever path you choose, good luck with the future

Yes it is a marketing issue in a way but the problem is resources (Capital) to allow me to do that which will bring in new work.
I agree with your comments about self promotion and I admit I am crap at it but nor am I interested in it or any other facet of business or moner or law or tax or the corporate world I just make stuff the best I can. Problem is most people simply dont give a **** about such things these days. Yes there is a small number of people who do but only about 5% of the population.

Ross

**Different** · 23rd October 2005, 02:14 AM

Originally Posted by AlexS

Ross, sorry to hear that you are leaving full-time woodworking, as I'm sure you have the talent to produce top quality original designs. I reckon Dust ites advice is pretty good. Whatever, please stick with the woodworking, and don't get sucked into some soul-destroying job that you hate - life's too short.

Best wishes, and hope to see your professional work again soon.

Thanks Alex I have had my soul destroyed a few times before and I dont plan to do it again although I have said that before and still ended up in hell.

Ross

**Different** · 23rd October 2005, 02:16 AM

Originally Posted by BobR

Ross, sorry to hear about the state of your business. As others have said, I hope that you don't stop altogether, and that we continue to see your efforts on this forum. One only has to watch the auctions to see how many of your fellow professional wood worker have gone before you. Unfortunately imports make it easy for cheap reasonably looking pieces to compete in the market. Whilst they will not last, most don't care. Good luck with what ever you decide to do.

Mate dont start me on imported furniture would have field day editing my posts of profanity.

Ross

**Different** · 23rd October 2005, 02:30 AM

Originally Posted by Anything Wood

Hey I see no reason for you to "close the doors". If you still have your shop and tools with no overhead, you can keep building things on the weekend. Make projects of your own design, for gifts, or sell them to retailers with your buisness card and contact info attached. You won't make much money selling to retailers cause they like to rob us woodworkers blind, (Most I have talked to say they have to tripple the price they give me.) But retailers get lots of trafic, and you might not make a profit through them but your getting something better.

Advertisement.

I am afraid retailers over here would mostly not be interested in selling this kind of product even if they could and I am not interested in giving it away it just makes it harder for thise still trying to make a $ doing it. I strongly believe that selling this kind of product or any for that matter below its real price is counter productive. It just adds to this "bargain" driven marketplace in which we sadly operate.

Ross

**Different** · 23rd October 2005, 02:34 AM

Originally Posted by ryanarcher

Really, Really sorry to hear that Ross.

now we'll all be deprived of your beautiful work for a while. this one looks up to your usual standards though. absolutely gorgeous! keep us updated, and stay on the bulletin board!

-Ryan

Thanks Ryan I will be around and who knows some Rabi might ring tomorrow and need a whole Synagogue sp fitted out and I can stop looking for a job at McDonalds.

Ross

**TassieKiwi** · 23rd October 2005, 08:35 AM

Sorry to hear that Ross - your superb hall table is tucked away in my 'wish list' of projects. Good luck mate.

**dai sensei** · 23rd October 2005, 10:59 AM

Hang in there Ross.

I know through my tough times I just keep telling myself it happens for a reason. The reason may not be clear at the time, but hopefully it will for you later on.

Keep the chin up and don't let the depression take hold. Be clear in your mind that a lot of people here admire your work and your talents.

Cheers

**dazzler** · 23rd October 2005, 02:58 PM

Hi Ross,

This all sounds very terrible but sometimes things need to be kept in perspective.

My wife is aged 36 and has suffered a serious head injury. She has virtually no memory, cannnot drive, answer a phone, speak to a stranger.

She cant remember our children being born, why we live where we do, how she got sick. The family cant say "hey remember when we went......./" cause she doesnt remember.

until recently she required a list to get a drink from a drink machine
1....put 1.60 in slot
2... push button for the drink you want
3....get drink from bottom of machine.

She will try and make a coffee, put theh coffee and sugar in, add milk but forget to boil the jug and cant remember how to make it hot.

She faints at least seven times a day and our 3yo puts a pillow under her head and goes about his business.

She will never work again, luckily we had income protection so we still get some of her pay. My job cant sustain the amount of time off I need to spend so I will have to leave soon to do something more flexible. My job is one of the most enjoyable things apart from family and I will be leaving that. Stuff happens outside of our control.

To see her you would think she was normal until you ask a simple question and sometimes the question will not get through and she will lock up like a computer, (needs an alt/contol/del button)

.

So your business is not going well......sounds like its in the wrong spot to begin with and would do better in a place like bowral or a touristy place where these business' work well. I have a friend who lives near port macquarie on the NSW coast, works from home and rejects jobs cause he is flat out.

Kept in perspective perhaps life is not that bad

dazzler

**Captain Chaos** · 23rd October 2005, 03:43 PM

G'day Ross,
It saddens me greatly that you must give up what you love doing professionally, but if you know in your heart that this is what you must do, then it is time. It has probably been said before in this post but when one door closes, another door opens, so be vigilent & look for that door. We are masters of our own destiny, if you see an opportunity, go for it.
I wish you every success with what ever you choose to do in the future.
Take good care,
Barry.

**outback** · 23rd October 2005, 05:31 PM

I love coming in on threads late like this. Everyone has said it all, there is little I can add except add my sentiments already expressed by those more eloquent than myself to the list.

If I had my way, I'd just say, Lifes a *****, don't let her bite you too hard.

**outback** · 23rd October 2005, 05:36 PM

Why can't I say *****? I mean ***** isn't a naughty word in this context. I have a pet corgi, she is a *****, this is definitely not a naughty word in this context.

***** ***** *****.

**jacko** · 23rd October 2005, 09:12 PM

Sorry to move away from all the good advice, but Ross, please tell us a little about that great looking bandsaw in the picture. Never seen one like it and not sure that OHSA would approve, but wow that is a beauty! Does it saw as well as it's looks promise? how old is it, where did it come from, you know-give us chapter and verse on the lovely lady!
Jacko

**Different** · 24th October 2005, 08:14 PM

Originally Posted by dai sensei

Hang in there Ross.

I know through my tough times I just keep telling myself it happens for a reason. The reason may not be clear at the time, but hopefully it will for you later on.

Keep the chin up and don't let the depression take hold. Be clear in your mind that a lot of people here admire your work and your talents.

Cheers

Neil
I appreciate you sentiment but sadly it has been my experience that there is no reason for most things stuff just happens chance plays no favourites.

Ross

**Different** · 24th October 2005, 09:06 PM

Originally Posted by jacko

Sorry to move away from all the good advice, but Ross, please tell us a little about that great looking bandsaw in the picture. Never seen one like it and not sure that OHSA would approve, but wow that is a beauty! Does it saw as well as it's looks promise? how old is it, where did it come from, you know-give us chapter and verse on the lovely lady!
Jacko

Mate it is a French Made "Chambon" made in approx 1970.
It saws exeptionally well for a saw that cost only $750. It is powered directly by a 900 watt 3 phase motor which I have never slowed even ripping 250mm Tas Blackwood . The table is terrific over 850mm square and all cast Iron.
It does have a couple of small problems that I am yet to remedy. The top wheel has a warp in it I intend to make a new one and have it rubbered. It also has no bottom guides but when I have time I will whip a set up. Good blade tension and a sharp blade goes a lot further than a set of bottom guides anyhow. As I have stated on the forum time and again the best thing a new woodworker can do is to get 3 phase power in his workshop It gives you many more options when it comes to machinery .
OHS is a load of **** stupid rules made by dickless little men who have never entered a workshop, Flat out I dont use guards on most machines and still have all my body parts. If you dont touch the fast moving sharp bits you cant get hurt its that simple.

Ross

**Ashore** · 25th October 2005, 12:41 AM

Ross
You are right when you say stuff happens and chance plays no favorites
However the thing that jumps out at me when reading your posts is that you are not a loser, you face the facts and deal with them , good or bad .In my experiance a person with that sort of attitude will not fail and you are that sort of person.
So Ross I sincerly hope the old addage proves true
" When one door closes another opens"

Rgds

Russell

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