Starting to make money

[woodworx]

Hello everyone,
I ordered my alpha last November with only a few bits and pieces I have read over the past year on CNC work. Its been a long road working over the past few months experimenting, and finding new customers that need the kind of work we do. I assembled, and wired everything myself and then took on the daunting task of learning Partworks, Insignia, and now pro 2008. I now find it easy to take on nearly any project I am thrown. The past few months I have machined nearly every material you can think of. I have contacted over 130 sign companies from L.A. to San Diego to offer my services. It usually takes about 10 times of talking to them or emails before they remember who you are! I have gotten some samples out to the serious customers, and they are buying stuff left and right. Aluminum, Acrylics, MDF, and hardwoods are what I have been selling the most of. I have now centralized to just machining. Not much assembly, and no more finishing! I charge $85.00 per hour for machine time. In Southern California, it is a moderate price to pay. Customers are happy, and I am happy. I am 28 years old, and can honestly say the machine is the best thing I have ever done to prepare myself for a career that I love. Justin.

[cabnet636]

excellent, we will manufacture in this country again, i have been self employed all my life after getting out of the navy in 79'.

keep up the good work

jim mcgrew

[bleeth]

Justin: You have shown the number one ingredient of success in a venture; Sell, Sell, Sell and never let the turndowns slow you down. Repeat business shows you know the number two ingredient; customer service on time.

Well done.

[joe]

Justin,

Good for you. Giving samples away will bring in business. Like you, we have more business than we can handle. I attribute our success to showing customers what we can do.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[dubliner]

Very cool Justin. You should be very proud of youself. I dont mean to hijack your topic, but as you mentioned a per hour price. I was wondering about that very topic. How are you coming up with that price? The conventional business class method would say more than that but that seems very reasonable to me & I presume its good for you. What are the ranges people are asking/getting. Neville

[woodworx]

I based it on what I need to get by every month, and a little extra. It is just primarily me in the shop right now. Some pieces I price out, and they end up taking longer, but I know that is my inexperience in machining strategies. I would rather machine at a comfortable pace rather than taking shortcuts and wrecking the material...i.e. aluminum, and acrylic (No sanding tricks on the finished product!) I know this is a price range that my customers can afford, and a range in which I can make money. In one years time, I would like to be running two machines. One person can handle two machines at a time. This is my business model. Slow and steady but aggressive everyday in getting new customers. I subscribe to Icontact.com to send out email blasts to new, and existing customers keeping them informed once every two weeks on the current projects. It gets them interested and keeps me in the back of their minds all the time....JR

If you would like to subscribe to my newsletters just email me.

Justin@coastalwoodworx.com (mailto:Justin@coastalwoodworx.com)

[joe]

Justin and Neville,

At my shop I find it hard to invoice by router time. For example if I charged $100 per hour I'd probably go broke. It seems like a good method, but on a good day I can't run my router more than four hours due to telephone, designing and creating files, ordering materials, greeting customers, coffee, sweeping the floor,etc. If you're in a production shop, the hourly router price makes more sence.

I can usually look at a job and figure the retail price almost instantly. I bet there are lots of Shopboters who can do this also. I think it's the best way.

This is such an important topic. Glad you guys posted it.

Joe
www.normansignco.com (http://www.normansignco.com)

[daniel]

Justin, Your websites killer, I took a look at it yesterday. I was curious if you did it yourself or paid a professional? Its sweet!

[woodworx]

did it myself on sitecube.com

[jhicks]

Hey Justin, nice work and report on your success. You're right in my old back yard, Mission Viejo and while its changed much in the past 20 years, I still love it.
You're making it happen and I'm sure you'll enjoy much success. Your web site is very nice but did you know your model has holes in her jeans?
Opps. forgot, that's fashion. :-)
Keep up the good work.