How Should I Deal With This?

[King's X]

I would just one thing to possibly consider.....do your changes in steps....there is plenty of evidence in society to shows you what happens when changes are dramatic. At least here in the USA. I would consider contracting some work out as a baby step. It worked for me in my previous employment.....as you said your inventory is almost depleted. Maybe someone to help you cut the leather or something else to assist you to at least stay above water with your money maker (inventory) stuff. At the same time, if you have $$ and space, I would consider maybe a solo building outside like a 2 car garage type set up where everything can be set up as your new shop 4 months down the road?

that is good to hear that you are doing well.....The guy I use to clean my sewing machine; we just found out that he and his family are closing down their sew shop due to the economy.

Good luck!

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Stay put for now in order to see if this upsurge in business is going to sustain itself, or fizzle some. You don't want to get into a new building with a lease, and then have the bottom drop out.

How many square feet/meters do you have at your current location?

Can you rearrange items to maximize usable space?

What machines can't you use now?

How much area do you figure you will need to have a working space?

What I did with my machine and fab shop was grow slow, and only when I could pay CASH. I never had a loan, or lease for any equipment.

[hivemind]

Remember also Ray that if you get a retail space, you either need to have someone on-hand to deal with walk-in customers, or you need to interrupt your production to do so.

Like most here, my experience is US-based, but here, commercial charges for utilities (electric, internet, phone, etc.) are at least double what you pay for a residential connection, so if there's a way to keep it a "home business" do so, because business expenses are... expensive.

[UKRay]

Sometimes, you know the answer to a problem but don't want to admit it because the thought of something better is so attractive... Moving my business out of the house would be expensive and, lets face it, there is usually a way to move things around to make some more space. I shall just have to be VERY creative!

As we all know, the economic future is uncertain on both sides of the pond, but I'm fairly sure it isn't going to improve any time soon. We still have another year or more of this to work through and although there is plenty of property up for grabs, I''ve now been convinced to sit tight and make do with what space I have for a while longer. I may have to dispose of a few machines sometime soon though! That will be hard.

Right now I'm counting my blessings that I have enough work coming in and a roof over my head.

Thanks for all your help.

Ray

[King's X]

Bravo!

[BAD HIDE]

Expansion to an external site is a tough decision. One thing to consider other than the extra expenses is just relative location to home. You can't just roll out of bed, make a cup of coffee and get to work, you have to get your stuff together and actually drive there. No raiding the fridge or takin a siesta either. And once you're home, there's no goin back to putz and do a little work after supper.

I kind of like the idea of a retail front that's mostly production floor, but there's upsides and downsides to that too. Mostly, gawkers love to talk and waste your time. If you're doing it by yourself, you'd have to set aside time where the front door is locked, but you're there and working so you don't fall behind on your production. I guess it'd depend where most of your money comes from and what you make that would determine if a retail store is worth it. Saddle and Motorcycle guys probably wouldn't see much from a brick and mortar presence, but I make mostly wallets, bags and small items so I take my goods for other people to sell in their stores. Cutting out the middleman who pays wholesale and making more money per item would be worth loosing a little production time.

Anyway, I'm sure you'll come up with some solutions to keep going in your home. Whatever you're doing sounds like it's working.

For a cutting table, I have a 2'x5' table with a long basket screwed in between the table and the wall. I just throw the rolled up hide in the basket and just cut parts away as I roll it toward me. But I make small stuff, so that may not work for you.

Edited August 2, 2010 by BAD HIDE

[cjmt]

Sometimes, you know the answer to a problem but don't want to admit it because the thought of something better is so attractive... Moving my business out of the house would be expensive and, lets face it, there is usually a way to move things around to make some more space. I shall just have to be VERY creative!

As we all know, the economic future is uncertain on both sides of the pond, but I'm fairly sure it isn't going to improve any time soon. We still have another year or more of this to work through and although there is plenty of property up for grabs, I''ve now been convinced to sit tight and make do with what space I have for a while longer. I may have to dispose of a few machines sometime soon though! That will be hard.

Right now I'm counting my blessings that I have enough work coming in and a roof over my head.

Thanks for all your help.

Ray

Hi Ray,

Staying put has to be a good thing at the moment. I'm in just the same position here, but what if orders dropped off?? Wouldnt be fun to be stuck with a shop + rates you cant get out off without the orders to sustain it. Existing space can always be used better, and if you dont have rent to pay it makes the whole thing so much easier. To me the tipping point becomes when you need staff, at which stage you need moderately respectable premises.

Glad its going well for you,

Charlie (Equus)

[UKRay]

Thanks for the advice, Charlie. I'm convinced you are right and have made some pretty sweeping changes this past week or two to ensure I can stay where I am for a while longer.

The staff issue is one I have explored, but even if I were drowning in work I can't see me employing anyone.

<Rant starts here> I'd like to take on a trainee, but I couldn't afford the insurances, benefits packages and all the other nonsense that goes with it. Despite having an able and willing workforce on my doorstep, the cost of compliance with UK employment law, draconian Health & Safety regulations, and all the nonsensical legislation in between would cripple my business in five minutes. It almost feels like small businesses are penalised for wanting to grow.<Rant ends>

The best way forward seems to be to invest in machinery to speed up operations and make them more efficient. Maybe then I'll be able to keep up with the workload and stay single handed. It has to be worth a try but the issue remains: where am I going to put any new machines? LOL

Ray

[Luke Hatley]

Thanks for the advice, Charlie. I'm convinced you are right and have made some pretty sweeping changes this past week or two to ensure I can stay where I am for a while longer.

The staff issue is one I have explored, but even if I were drowning in work I can't see me employing anyone.

<Rant starts here> I'd like to take on a trainee, but I couldn't afford the insurances, benefits packages and all the other nonsense that goes with it. Despite having an able and willing workforce on my doorstep, the cost of compliance with UK employment law, draconian Health & Safety regulations, and all the nonsensical legislation in between would cripple my business in five minutes. It almost feels like small businesses are penalised for wanting to grow.<Rant ends>

The best way forward seems to be to invest in machinery to speed up operations and make them more efficient. Maybe then I'll be able to keep up with the workload and stay single handed. It has to be worth a try but the issue remains: where am I going to put any new machines? LOL

Ray

* Ray you can put some of the Machines in my shop and i'll do commission work iinternassonaly for you....

[UKRay]

I suppose you'll want me to send the machines by carrier pigeon again... Have you any idea how hard it is to find a pigeon that can carry 400lbs across the Atlantic?