Thread: losing interest....

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Jay: Nice of you to have concern for your friend and mentor, but if your buddy is losing interest it is probably for reasons you can't fix. While we all have ego's and like to see our name in print and mentioned verbally, he probably isn't going to get much of that from his customers. They have paid him to perform a service and just like they don't credit every person who worked on their car (upholstery, engine, etc) they probably aren't going to mention him either.

We have a lot of pros on this forum who build and paint things for others, and I bet very few of them get mentioned in magazine articles or at shows. Car owners tend to not mention these people unless asked, I would imagine.

If it is truly his passion, he is doing this for other reasons.........the love of shaping metal, and the need to put bread on the table. Please don't think this is unsympathetic, as we all suffer burn out, even us hobbyists, but if he is turned off because of the reasons you cited, he is in the business for the wrong reasons. JMO.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Jay: Nice of you to have concern for your friend and mentor, but if your buddy is losing interest it is probably for reasons you can't fix. While we all have ego's and like to see our name in print and mentioned verbally, he probably isn't going to get much of that from his customers. They have paid him to perform a service and just like they don't credit every person who worked on their car (upholstery, engine, etc) they probably aren't going to mention him either.

We have a lot of pros on this forum who build and paint things for others, and I bet very few of them get mentioned in magazine articles or at shows. Car owners tend to not mention these people unless asked, I would imagine.

If it is truly his passion, he is doing this for other reasons.........the love of shaping metal, and the need to put bread on the table. Please don't think this is unsympathetic, as we all suffer burn out, even us hobbyists, but if he is turned off because of the reasons you cited, he is in the business for the wrong reasons. JMO.

Don

i hear what you're saying...
i dont think he'll ever stop building stuff for himself, but i think enjoys bustin his ass on other peoples cars, and has gotten a lil p'd off the attiude of some of the local rodders he's recently built for...He does all of the work, from the ground up, so if he builds ,he does it all...he isnt in it to be famous/rich or whatever, he genuinely just wants to build,and push himself....
seems to me that the fact that he's built stuff for people and generally doesnt get a thanks, is his bug bear..
guess the local jerks are to proud show their gratitude..

My experience is that very few jobs come from outside your "local" business area. The best that most businesses can hope for is to work within a 100 mile radius. That will always be your "bread and butter". I have had my work in dozens of magazines, but can really only credit one job to them alone.

If you produce good craftsmanship, and you treat your customers well, they will recommend you. Most of my customers in recent years are referrals, or they are familiar with some jobs I've done in the past.

I also have learned, after 35 years of working for others, that "how you do business" is as important as your workmanship or artistry. You need good communication, reliable service, consistant quality, and responsibility for your work. If your customer has an enjoyable experience, he will come back, or send his friends.

I would recommend that your friend do what he can to promote himself, such as a website or attending events and handing out posters, and if a customer steps up to help, appreciate it!.....but don't expect it.

When I first started in the construction field ,I would take almost any job from any customer.Now I will only take the jobs I want and will not take a job based just on the vibe I get from the customers first meeting.
Theres nothing to ruin motavation faster than a worthless customer,I have taken a massive loss before just to cut ties with existing customers just for that reason.
The way I look at it is ,I can do anything in the world I want for anyone I want to and unless they give me that good vibe, will not do any work for them ,no matter what the job may be.
I walked away from a job converting Steven Seagals ranch to solar,A big big job,because of the associates I was with at the time.
He even offered to put us all up free of charge in his ranch houses for the 2 or 3 weeks we would have been there

No Denny.....PORCHES.....Steps and such......lol