Phase Two

[eurolarva]

Re: Phase Two

Good luck on your endeavors Jeff. I remember when you started and the worry you went through. Glad it paid off. Hope you make tons of money to help pay for them lures that never had the correct knot or the fishing pole eating northerns up in Northern Minnesota.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

SGTMAJ...On the furniture side (couch). Everything doubles or triples from the wholesale side. That $1,000 dollar couch is made for less than $400. Sold to retail for $800.00 retail bumps it up to 1600.00 or more depending how versed the consumer is.(smart)

Memory foam for instance. Tempurpedic queen sets sell for $2500 per set. In the retail operation i sell the same exact foam set for $1700. at 100% mark up or fifty% profit. I laugh when people say i paid 3000 bucks for the best mattress made. That 600 dollar set and that 2000 dollar set has the same spring unit in it. Never believe the retail side. The night before they mark it up to mark it down to stay at the same price.

On my side I will sell that cost on an average is 3x lower that the retail. For those who think of the huge amount of profit for get it. As a Maker i have to invest in a building and about 100,000 worth of equipment to run to make it. Does not count the material. Same with a couch. Forget the name,means nothing. Don't care how famous they are. Buying off the same folks.

Sorry to say its not the USA. Unless its Amish its coming from overseas and the big boys are putting there names on it. Everyone has to make a profit. Stay away from big retail stores. Go to the stores that specialize either in mattresses,couches,etc... They will be 20 to 30 percent that the gig retail stores.

thefairlaneman..You are seeing more and more smaller garage operations all over. My advantage is i have been dealing with the folks in southern Ohio for 15 years selling mattresses. They believe in the product because they believe in me. Marketing has alot to do to. I do my own tv and radio commercials. The best advertising for you is the consumer. If you sell them a good product they will tell their friends. If they don't they will tell everyone including those they don't know. If ya want to know the skinny on the retail side i will tell ya how it is. To bad i cant show ya my tv commercial here or i would put it up.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

Side note here. I already have a retail store. I did about 600,000 last year. Now that what i make is sold to my store. No middleman. I can sell less than anyone else. and almost double my profit. Sounds good now if I can keep my health. At 58 i don't have the stay power anymore in anything i do if ya know what i mean.lol

 

[thefairlaneman]

Re: Phase Two

Sounds like a plan. How many tape edge machine operators. box spring builders, sewing machine operators and delivery men do you plan to have?

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

When i first opened my store money was tight . I had one other and my partner helped with deliveries. People were impressed to see a owner actually doing the deliveries. I am bringing two new folks on. I have a builder who was recently laid off when a mattress plant shut down. He can close 80 piecies in a day.
Beginning i would i figure 15 sets aday. Thats pretty good for a new business. He will teach my partner how to build mattresses, also my driver.

I asked my self what would put me up for all the others. when you first walk in you will see a lineup of ten sets. Across the room is a wall with a ten foot frame in glass where the consumer can actually see their mattresses made. Cant say this is my own idea. The company that screwed me(another story) after ten years also did this. They were very successful. On another wall I have mattresses cut open of my four major brands with mine beside them. Now the consumer can see whats underneath. The see and touch is that nich. People can actually see there mattreses made. Elimimates all the junk stuff that is sold out there and shames the big threes s's(sealy,sterns,simmons)

 

[SgtMaj]

Re: Phase Two

Thanks Jeff.

Yeah we bought one of those Tempurpedic matress sets a couple years ago. Paid I think $1000 for it... I figured even that was overpriced, some, but I don't mind giving the retail establishment a little bit of money for bringing me the goods.

We paid about $300 for our last couch from Big Lots... but it was rather annoying having to haul it ourselves, and only having a small pickup truck to haul it in. This time we don't even have a pickup. So we'll probably buy somewhere that will deliver it. Good to know they have 100% markup at the retail level... that should allow us to offer 75% of the price and still have the offer accepted.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Phase Two

Speaking of delivery ... Hey Jeff, we still have not bought a bedroom suit ...waiting for you to decide when you are coming to central PA for a muskie outing ...

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

Aspeck....It may be a while my friend. With all thats going on here. But I may sneak off to the homestead in Minn. for some Sept gator huntn. Think about a fly in. Picking ones stuff up is one way to save money. I use to give free delivery within a 30 mile range. Now its 30 dollars because of fuel. Most are charging double that.

Friends have been telln me i am makn a mistake doing it now because of the way the of the financial things are in the country. Then the naysayers told to me I would fold when i opened my store to. I look at it this way, i came into this world butt naked and i will leave it the same way. But if i am right on this adventure , i will bring more jobs to Southern Ohio.

I will never do to my employees what was done to me with the last franchise i went with. I built it up and they took it away. If i make money so will my employees benefit. btw They are now doing half of what they were doing four years ago. I will have it all within two years ,not if but when.

 

[Btuvi]

Re: Phase Two

Having been an entrepreneur I admire them. I've started seven different businesses - all on a shoe string. It is my fault that three were dismal failures, one was a dismal failure because of circumstances beyond my control, two were moderate successes and I managed to sell them before I could mess them up, and the last was a success by any standards and I'm happy to say that I deserve some credit for that.

My point is that I am well aware of the all consuming involvement a owner operated business requires. You have demonstrated both your ability to work hard and creative good sense. Keep it going and good luck.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Phase Two

That's my Jeff. I have been to his store and it is great with different types of furniture etc.
Oh yea Jeff, I still have that picture of you relaxing, if you remember the one.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

btuvi...I could tell by your post that you know where i am at now. This is not my first rodeo. Have built three since 1978, after honorably serving for 8 years until i was injured and had to go. I could have gave up when i came back but i didn't. I could have chosen drugs and pity. I was spit on and called a baby killer but i still went forward. I have and will never give up. Where it ends is gods decision and my wifes lol
Most businesses fail not because of planning but makn sure you can, either by cash,credit, equity lines,wife kids,24/7 for at least two years. Most fail in first year. If married make sure that your better half you knows,you will see her 10% of time and the other 90% will have to be your business. Tell her your business is that other women that you must share with. But let know also, you will be back. My wife is the backbone. She knows what it takes to succeed and the enormous energy needed to get a new business off the ground. With that out that you will lose. I know i am on my fourth ..lol. But each time i picked that heavy part up and started again. Never give up.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

Spinner..Now you told me after i paid you the 200 bucks that would be it. No one would ever know. Most of these folks were not around then and would have to do some searching to find that thread. Knowing iboats Steve probably lost it(remember). Spinner and I go back almost to the beginning along with JB. That was almost 100,000 members ago. Times change. More mods to keep things in line. In the Old days. Spinner would start it and by the end i somehow manage to have it poofed. lol

Its been a hard pull Spinner. I told you at my grand oopening where i wanted to be and what i wanted to do. That was four years ago, and it will get more harder gettn this adventure off the ground. I am lookn forward to a new challenge. You wont see me riding down the rode on an Elephant either or a cat on my chest. What you will get is honesty and a good product. I will never have to look over my shoulder and worry about the right and wrongs of running my business the right way

There are rules everywhere we go. I boats is no different. Eventually SpinnerJb,and lf will weed out those who wont. Sometimes not fair in our eyes but its there way. Thats why we have our own special area where a special few of us hang out and can vent.. Its worked for the most part. I am still here even though jb for the past six years has stood me up to go musky fishn up in the North Woods. Someday huh JB. lol.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

aspeck..Have you ever heard of KeyStone Manufacture? Its a facility that furnishes the product thats needed to make bedding. I know its somewhere in PA. I will know in am when the houcho calls me. Looks Like we may be doing a lot of business together. I will plan my trips to meet our fishing priorities.lol ya see i had to put on a new hat. Capable staff will can do what i do now. Talk..and most know i can do that very easy. I now have to meet different manufactures on products that i need.. I do know this i don't fly. A couple of rods and some lures will always be my among my gear. Although as you know i don't have that many lures.lol. I will probably have a couple extra when i leave thanks to you and my ability to stuff one or two away. I promise i wont hurt ya that bad.

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Phase Two

Don't worry Art, just get him on a windy lake and follow him. That is all I am going to say about that.

 

[aspeck]

Re: Phase Two

LOL! I think, if it is the company I am thinking of, is in Williamsport, PA. Williamsport is about 1 1/2 hour northeast of here. You will probably be driving in on Route 80 and that will take you north of here by about 45 minutes. You are welcome here anytime you go through ... if you need a place to stay, a lake to fish, etc. Just bring your own lures! LOL!

 

[heycods]

Re: Phase Two

Sounds like you have your ducks in a row. You got my best wishes. Just be sure to save a little time to Go fishing. The all work and no play story comes to mind. We dont need a case of burnout here.

 

[Limited-Time]

Re: Phase Two

heycods is spot on gonfishn.......................you have to have some balance................not so much in quantity or time spent but in quality of time spent. Yes the biz will be all consuming.....soooooooooooo......time with the family, friends, or even alone time needn't be a lot but it needs to be there, enjoyed and savored.......makes all the sacrifice that much more rewarding......................that my .02 cents for now.

 

[LadyFish]

Re: Phase Two

Kudos to you Jeff. "Life leaps like a geyser for those who drill through the rock of inertia." And, "Success depends on your backbone, not your wishbone." You've more than proven that.

The guys are right about 'balance' though. I realize that there are some people who don't require peace or serenity and they thrive in the midst of constant challenge. We are not all geared that way however, and hopefully you have a wife who understands that staying this busy and away from home so much is what floats your boat.

Personally, I like to play as hard as I work these days. Too many years of burnout from working 24/7. Making time to create that balance is not easy but necessary for me in order to maintain my sanity.

Hmmmmm, with all those mattresses you could sleep on the job VERY easily. Maybe its not so bad afterall. LMAO

 

[SpinnerBait_Nut]

Re: Phase Two

Hmmmmm, with all those mattresses you could sleep on the job VERY easily. Maybe its not so bad afterall. LMAO

Jeff, you might get Frank to help.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: Phase Two

Now the headaches begin. First there is a dream then a plan. The headaches start with in intervention of laws and such that govern us. You would think that you would go to a sign company and order a sign. Oh no now i can have only it a certain height and scroll that is approved by the city. Next is the permit to put it up. Don't forget the permit that you need to get the building ready. That is just the beginning. I have to have a manufacturing permit. Now the city will get a percent(small) for every set i make.

$1500 and have not turn the first screw. Not my first rodeo but just on a different horse. Same playing field. I live and breathe a challenge. This is why there are more people on the dreaming side than those who do. The dreamers are the smart ones. The doers are the dummies who create a business just to have a challenge. I will post now once in a while and let ya all know how its going. You folks take care now. I will keep Spinner posted. Oh Spinner i hired a frank today. No swish and had a deep voice.