Opie, I recently purchased some self-tensioning guy lines from you and I have to say the craft was impeccable. I'd be a shame to see it go.
Have you thought about a shorter selling season (July – October)? That way you could build up inventory at your leisure without any commitments. Just a thought.
And I was just about to place an order for your Single Line Tarp Ridge Line, too.
Best of luck....whatever you decide.
Wow, thanks for all the well wishes.
My wife and I will talk more in depth this evening, I kind of sprung it on her. She doesnt really have any production input on the company, but she is a good cheer leader!
If I could swing supporting my family on the whoopieslings.com income, I would in a heartbeat. Id love to be a "stay at home dad." But we need the health insurance and I cant swing it on the income from the business.
For those wanting to place an order... Whatever I decide or transpires between now and, whenever.... Ill re-open the store once I get caught up on orders and get some book keeping done. I also want to re-work my price structure. I know I can get about all my prices lower by at least 5-10%. Thats the real reason I closed the store....
Opie,
I was just about to place an order for the All in One system from you and noticed this as well. It sounds like the problem is an overly successful product line.
As someone that is working full time AND is taking a full load in college as well, I can certainly relate to the things you are saying. Children growing up and dad missing out on those special moments that only happen once in a lifetime is extremely gut wrenching.
Let me share a bit of information about myself here. I absolutely love key lime pie. On a trip to Key West, I met a man that gave me his recipe for key lime pie after I tasted it. The piece of pie was heavenly. Anyway, I began making the pie for some friends and coworkers on special occasions. Long story short, people began asking me all the time to make them a pie... I would order crates of key limes from Florida and make pies. The most I ever made in one day was 14 pies. Now that doesn't sound like much, but realize that I put the juice from 30 key limes in each pie. And this was all done by hand. Pretty soon I decided that I needed to stop making pies in order to rest, spend time with my family and such. I didn't make pies for a long time. It was a good side business but the demands were just too much.
But then I decided to try a different tack. I decided that I could only make so many pies at a time if I wanted to do other things like go to school, work, see my family, vacation, et al... You get the picture. Now, I tell people that I can only make so many pies at a time, and I tell them whether or not I have limes in stock to make them a pie. I also ask them when do they need it by, and if I can't get it to them by then because of other commitments, then they know it. Guess what happened. 95% of my customers understood my problem and they are willing to wait on their key lime pies from me. In Japan this is called kanban management.
I can speak for myself and say that I would prefer the quality products that you have offered in the past, no matter what the time delay would be to get them out the door. If I have to wait for sometime to get your product, then so be it.
Good luck in whatever you decide to do...
Randy
So Randy what you are saying is that when we have a TN hangout that you will be bringing the keylime pie.
Opie, while I have not purchased anything from your store I have used your tutorials to make every bit of my suspension. I do thank you for that!!
Best wishes
Jason
Ranky.... That makes lot of sense.
Making something like that work with an online store could present a challenge as Im at the mercy of the customer and when they place an order. I would like to maintain some order of consistency and not have to close the store when I feel like my plate is full. I suppose I could turn on the iventory option and allow myself say only 10 of each product per week.... That doesnt seem fair to the customer though....
Perhaps Im not totally seperating my want to get orders out as soon as they come in with the mindset of the customer thats willing to wait for a handcrafted product...
EDIT: My wife would love a key lime pie... Willing to work a trade?!
THAT is what Im talking about!! Glad you are able to DIY!!!Originally Posted by jbryan
Of course!
You don't know me at all but if you need some advice let me know. I've owned and sold businesses but that I've started from the ground up and ones that I have bought, expanded and then sold.
I currently do outdoor oriented sales and though I do selectively expand I haven't been in the market for "your" kind of expansion. However I'll take a peek at your site and see if I can help you out any way I can.
Additionally have you considered not selling your business but off-loading much of the work? You will get less profits but you can still control the quality and even do a better job at "order to ship" timelines. It's worth looking at if you have not already.
Exactly. A neighborhood kid maybe. Or is there an Eagle Scout or a Boy Scout (or Girl Scouts) that would want to earn some cash?
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