Hello again
Here is another brain buster. I live in southern Manitoba (that’s in Canada). And I am 21 years old. I have the desire to open up some sort of cabinet/fine woodworking shop around here. the only problem is that everyone around here is cheap mennonites. How do you guys/gals go about gaining a base of clients from which to support your businesses? Do I need to move to up state New York? Or what?
Let me know?????
Derek
Replies
Make excellent goods from top-quality materials. Don't compromise or cut corners. Get customers through word-of-mouth referrals and perhaps make a nice website. Learn how to ship internationally. That's not my advice, by the way (I'm just a hobbiest). I know one guy who does it from Australia: see Australian Wood Art.
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
What about going to a school? Would that not be a good way of getting my name out there? You know, if you study under some of the best and maybe get lucky and they will pass off some commisions to you. That sort of thing. I would like some sort of actual guidance. Maybe there is someone out ther that would like to take on a young apprentance. That would be alright.
Derek
Did everyone check out the Australian woodworker? Excellent work!
Nice stuff and a neat site. I like those "timber" hinges. Done any new inlay Norm? You've got the touch my friend. Brian
Hope there's no misunderstanding involved here--the Australian stuff is done by an acquaintence, Dave Shaw, not by me. (Wish I could, though).
". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
Hi Norm, No, I knew it was the work of knotheads down under. I was referring to your inlaid...was it a cabinet or table? You posted it a while back. I tried to research it but could'nt come up with it.
I was just wondering if you had done any more of the inlay work that you did so well before.
Hope your well, Brian
Glad that's clear. No more of the inlaying recently, though I'm going to start an A&C sofa pretty soon that I'm hoping to put a bit in.
Thanks for asking, though!
". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
Sorry...A&C?
Arts and Crafts
aka Mission, Craftsman style
". . .and only the stump or fishy part of him remained."
Green Gables: A Contemplative Companion to Fujino Township
Of course, sorry.
hey derik, was in you position 20 years ago
started out doing cabinet installs for a local lumber yard(back then beavers now home building center), notice you are in manitoba, im in ontario
those guys are usually desperate for installers
maybe not where you want to be, but over the years i have established a custom cabinet, countertop business using contacts from them
in the mean time you will have a steady work source of challenging but rewarding jobs
let us know how it works out, this trade needs young guys like you
I don't think it matters where you live. With the new age of internet, the possibilites are endless. I new a guy who lived in a small town in the middle of no where - 90% of his work was through the internet, and 25% of that was overseas.
good luck
rrwood
What do you mean by "cheap Mennonites?" I am a third generation Mennonite and am not affronted by your remark. What is your business plan? What are they doing that you are not doing? Are they saying quality products because they ar Mennonites or are the plans "inspired" by the Mennonites?
Woodsmith has many plans that are "inspired" by Shaker or Mennonite builders.
Check this out , if you have or want more info. send it.
Rex
Could you explain yourself a little better. I don't mean any disrespect to you or other mennonites. It is just that the people around here have gotten that reputation because they would rather spend $200 on a factory built coffe/t.v. table set and have it fall apart in a few years then spend $1500 on something hand crafted that will last a life time. That is what I meant.
derek
None taken.
Rex
I can't remember who responded about market, but that was what I was working up to. If you are not aware if it try Woodsmith. The have the best plans I have seen. Most of their plans are Menonite of Amish "inspired". There is a furniture store here in Charlotte, NC that subs these plans out to shops and advertises "Amish Imspired" and does very well.
Sorry for the confusion.
Rex
Derek,
21 years old. Best thing you can do for yourself is to learn how to position (market) yourself. I'm heading up to bed now and don't have the cognitive capabilities to delve further into the subject right now (ie. I'm really tired), but certainly would be willing to give some direction later on.
Jon
Hi Derek,
Success is in your back yard.
Your first need is to identify a market. Perhaps your greatest resource is being close to those Mennonites. They have long traditions. If you get to know some of them perhaps you will see some of their heirlooms and learn of earlier hand-made items. They are frugal perhaps, and always were, and that will characterize their furniture. Like the shakers, they may keep it simple and without frills.
You can stay there and start developing a line of Mennonite-inspired pieces. Your ads state you are in Mennonite country. Use Mennonite farmsteads as a backdrop for your photos/ads. Use discarded Mennonite barn timbers, floor boards too, a la Norm.
You need something like this to distinguish yourself from thousands of other shops. You are competing continent-wide. You need to be different. Find a niche where you are one of only a half dozen choices for the piece, not one of a thousand choices. The fewer the sources, the higher the prices.
Above all, price high. The price must be consistent with your claims. Go to school and learn to make shippable things - chairs, harvest tables, beds, etc.
Thank you for the advice, I had never thought of it that way before.
Derek
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