UnclePablo

FWW Editors,

I'm a little bit confused. Why would I take woodworking pricing advice from a Software Marketing guy? I'm sure Mr.Bois makes some valid points from his perspective but you couldn't find a professional woodworker with a proven track record in the business to dole out this advice?
Am I missing something?

-Paul

Thanks Adam,
This is a conversation long overdue. I believe we share a lot in common. We attended the same school and by the sound of it much of the same struggles post-grad( I was there a decade earlier than you).I got out and had a small shop at my house and I took in anything I could. Some new builds but mostly re-finishing and repair. I hated it. I felt like there was no hope for me in my chosen field. There was no support structure in place for craftsman starting out. No one to bounce ideas off of. No real mentors. Probably a lot of it falls on my shoulders. Maybe I was too young and naive at the time.
I ended up getting a full time job and put my own thing on the back burner. I needed the kind of education school wasn't going to give me.
It's been 15 years and a move half way across the country since that failed attempt. I've had 3 different jobs in that time and the experience I have gained working in those places is irreplaceable. All along the way I have taken in jobs on my own and have loved every one of them mostly because the pressure was off. I could work the way I wanted to. It seems that lately I have gotten more requests than ever for my work. It has come to me. Will I ever venture out on my own again? Probably not full time. For me having that distance and knowing I don't have to pay the bills that way is what has kept me in a love with working wood.
I really admire the work you do. Great website. Keep it up, just don't ever let it feel like just a job.

-Paul