Question 2019 - how's business?

Greetings

I am wondering how your business is faring this year so far. Anyone experiencing a downturn in sales? I'm presently struggling in a big way. I've been a framer for almost 31 years, and a business owner/framer for almost 11, and it's getting scary.

I do realize many factors go into this subject. I appreciate any response. Keep it simple.. for now!

Many thanks,
Renée

 

Doing just fine, thanks for asking!!

 

We took all of January off. But had someone watch the shop the last 2 weeks of January. Customers still left artwork for quoting while we were away and now it catch up time for us. I do think it is a little slower then usual, but then again Townsville is flooded and the supermarket shelves in Cairns are half empty due to transport not getting through. So everyone is waiting for the rains to slow here and get back to normal.

 

Excellent - it has hardly slowed down since December, I'm 3 weeks out with my orders.

 

Our January provided us with the two largest frame orders ever. One for the largest number of frames (1050) and one for the large dollar amount (I'd rather not say...!).

 

Our business is good right now, but I know what you're going through. These times call for the kind of analysis that makes your head hurt.

Is your business slow, but other framers are doing O.K.? Could be your location. Could be something you're doing (or not doing). If it's your location, other, different types of businesses in your area should be suffering. Ask them.

How's the local economy? Again, a change of location may be in order.

Schmoozing artists and gallery owners may help.

Try asking someone who knows you and your business well if anything sticks out to them as being off. Sometimes the solution to the most perplexing of problems is perfectly obvious to another person.

 

Other than carrying over 30 jobs from December and an order for 680 mats, it was quiet. In real terms, we are behind last year, which was behind 2017. Not good.

 

The wife and I were off in Florida for the month of January, got back last week and was hammered! BEST ever.
Sam

 

Renee, from your note, it sounds like this slow time is different than in the past. Have you had a sudden, sustained gap in orders that's different than winters past, or has it been going on for longer?
I took a look at your website, and it's great. The only thing I can think of with that is, perhaps changing up the photos, with some images of recent, dynamic designs. Another thing you could do is to
think of how you would engage with some cultural event happening in your community. As the longtime owner of a local business, you've likely done this many times already, but the process of
gearing up for novelty can help to generate creative energy. When a big concert came to town a few years ago, we did a few tweaks that to this day are good for business. Another question would
be, do other businesses in your area seem to be thus affected? If so, perhaps you can make something good happen together.

 

We continue to get hammered.
I had to skip lunch 2 days this week.
There are 6 of us working in 2 buildings now and we are looking at a possible 3rd building for storing finished commercial jobs waiting for pick up.

The 300 framed mirrors with zbar and security hangers are finished, we also supplied the mirrors.
They are being picked up in a few days.
That's about 5 tons of mirrors and frames and I made every frame.... (I let the younger guys do the fitting)
You can't pick that up in a van....

Just finished some large framed photo posters for a steak restaurant in Houston that will be crated and shipped.
Tons of framing for some hospitals.
Going to Las Vegas next week to install at another restaurant and Vegas just got snow...

All this along with the pile of regular retail framing and residential custom mirrors and frames.
I'm working on a high end 5 mirror residential job now that has 3 double frames, one triple frame and one ornate black lacquer frame (gotta' pattern match on this).
All large and one of the frames, the triple, is 87" x 67".

The new building and remodeling is very busy in Phoenix.
New building, new walls, more framing.
I've seen this happen before and it happens in cycles.
Hope everyone is doing well.

 

Geez I enjoy Neil's posts.