Stabilworks, and specifically the customers, have been good to me. At the same time, it has gotten overwhelming. Originally, I started building telescoping stabilziers to fill in my income and because I enjoy building/fabricating/designing things.
As word of mouth has spread, business has picked up. Until this past summer, I would typically have a couple sets a week to build, with that number sometimes rising and sometimes dropping. Then, in June, it started picking up. I would get more oders in than what I could build in a day, so my customer list would stay at 20 or so, and I couldn't catch up. While the orders ebb and flow in a week, I am now at 35 orders, and I'm concerned. The rate of orders is not diminishing, or staying steady, but growing. I am getting further and further behind.
The customers, in almost every case, are willing to wait. They are fantastic. But, my conflict is this; I am a youth pastor, and I am employed 3/4 time at my church. That time commitment is sort of fluid, but it is also my priority (second to family). I have been spending 60 and 70 hours a week in the barn building stabilizers, though, and I haven't had the brevity to give the proper time to my church job. So, after time and prayer, I have shut down Stabilworks. I will fulfill all of the current orders, and if you have contacted me and we have started discussions, I will still be around to fulfill that. I am also willing to serve customers who have heard through word of mouth. I just have to get a handle, and keep one, on the rate of orders.
I believe that I will also change directions a little. I will take the most popular models- like the BX series and the L series, to name a few- and build some sets. I will then put them on ebay with a buy it now price, in the same price range that I have been selling them currently. That way, they are already built; I won't have people waiting on me, and I won't have that pressure on my limited time. I will also built some sets for unique situations, like the John Deere 5 series, or like the set that I just built for a Ford 650. Stuff that isn't available anywhere, is very custom, and will fulfill a niche need. Again, though, I can build those at my leisure, not in conflict with my church job.
Why am I bringing this up? Because I value every person that I've done business with, and I recognize that they have depended on me. I also appreciate the kind words that have been expressed here on OTT, and I want to be available to members here, who have a unique need or have a question that I can help with. I have garnered a lot of experience and knowledge when it comes to 3 points and stabilizers, and I don't want to box that up and not use it to help others.
I hope this comes across correctly- I'm tired from staying up all night with a church member in the hospital. Which is the kind of stuff that has to come first. My website is now down, so I figured saying something now may head off questions. I am not trying to toot my own horn, or advertize the business. There is no business to advertize now. I am still a member of OTT, and I am here to help if I can. Does that make sense, or should I go take a nap?
As word of mouth has spread, business has picked up. Until this past summer, I would typically have a couple sets a week to build, with that number sometimes rising and sometimes dropping. Then, in June, it started picking up. I would get more oders in than what I could build in a day, so my customer list would stay at 20 or so, and I couldn't catch up. While the orders ebb and flow in a week, I am now at 35 orders, and I'm concerned. The rate of orders is not diminishing, or staying steady, but growing. I am getting further and further behind.
The customers, in almost every case, are willing to wait. They are fantastic. But, my conflict is this; I am a youth pastor, and I am employed 3/4 time at my church. That time commitment is sort of fluid, but it is also my priority (second to family). I have been spending 60 and 70 hours a week in the barn building stabilizers, though, and I haven't had the brevity to give the proper time to my church job. So, after time and prayer, I have shut down Stabilworks. I will fulfill all of the current orders, and if you have contacted me and we have started discussions, I will still be around to fulfill that. I am also willing to serve customers who have heard through word of mouth. I just have to get a handle, and keep one, on the rate of orders.
I believe that I will also change directions a little. I will take the most popular models- like the BX series and the L series, to name a few- and build some sets. I will then put them on ebay with a buy it now price, in the same price range that I have been selling them currently. That way, they are already built; I won't have people waiting on me, and I won't have that pressure on my limited time. I will also built some sets for unique situations, like the John Deere 5 series, or like the set that I just built for a Ford 650. Stuff that isn't available anywhere, is very custom, and will fulfill a niche need. Again, though, I can build those at my leisure, not in conflict with my church job.
Why am I bringing this up? Because I value every person that I've done business with, and I recognize that they have depended on me. I also appreciate the kind words that have been expressed here on OTT, and I want to be available to members here, who have a unique need or have a question that I can help with. I have garnered a lot of experience and knowledge when it comes to 3 points and stabilizers, and I don't want to box that up and not use it to help others.
I hope this comes across correctly- I'm tired from staying up all night with a church member in the hospital. Which is the kind of stuff that has to come first. My website is now down, so I figured saying something now may head off questions. I am not trying to toot my own horn, or advertize the business. There is no business to advertize now. I am still a member of OTT, and I am here to help if I can. Does that make sense, or should I go take a nap?
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