Prodigal Ponderings — hobby to business RSS



Sure, I Can Build That:)

Every woodworker knows that once friends and family know you have a shop and a few tools, all sorts of random requests come your way.  Everything from, "could you remodel my kitchen" to " can you repair a drawer in an old chest".  For a carpenter, every request is a bit like a challenge issued.........we hate saying "no" to any project because "sure, I can do that":). It's a blessing and a pitfall.  The blessing is that you get the pleasure of helping out a friend, solving a problem, or "fixing" a treasure.  The pitfall is that we "wood guys" can end up taking on projects that are either beyond our shop capabilities or that divert our focus.   Did I...

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Wearing Multiple Hats.....the Small Business Puzzle

For many of us, something we love doing gradually evolves to the point that one day we say to ourselves.."maybe this has the makings of a business?"  As we contemplate the idea we're energized by the possibilities and eventually decide to "take the plunge".  This initial excitement and the adrenaline of a "new" venture carry us for a while..... and then the realities of running even a 'small" business begin to set in.......we're going to have to tackle things that have nothing to do with our creative process, our much loved hobby or our product.   No matter how "small" the business, certain things are necessary to engage. When we determined to begin to sell our woodworking creations, we quickly...

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