I was considering a career in full time taxidermy. But I was wondering from experienced taxidermists if it is true that if you become a full time taxidermists there is no free time to hunt, fish, or spend time with family and make a comfortable living.
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As with any self employment, if you are going to be seccesfull, you are going to have to put in 60-8- hours per week. Suffer thru a lot.
I know several that have failed in this business, more than once, I also know several that have done very well, most that have done well did good work before they started doing public work. They also normally have business managment degrees. Good luck and God Bless you should you decide on taxidermy.
Addtional note taxidermy has the second highest divorce rate per industry, it compares with the military. John C
Toby,
Everything John said is right. And a lot of nights you wake up wondering when in the hell you're ever going to have time to finish all you have waiting to do. But that's life and a prime example of a small business, self employed operation.
But every one in a while, you have to say to hell with it and take some time off. You just HAVE to and NEED to walk away. The biggest problem you'll have, however, is NOT feeling guilty about it when you do it.
Not to make ANY comparisons, but we are a lot like many doctors, veterinarians, farmers, and others who are dedicated to their vocation. If you enjoy it, it ain't work. One thing for sure, you'll never be bored again.
going to the bathroom and sleep!
None...zip.
Yes!
George is right. (so is everyone else, I guess) but the truth is
that it's all up to you!
YOU are the boss, so you determine how much free time you have. You set your prices, so you determine how much money you make.
Here's some logic for you-----
*Set your prices so you make an adequate hourly wage.
*Set your hours so you can make an adequate salary and
have free time.
*If you don't have free time, then work less hours.
Thats simple enough. but it is all up to you, because you are the
boss.
Before you go full-time, decide whether or not you have the self control to make your schedule and stick to it.
good Luck
Dave
I have a Taxidermy Business on the side and I work for the US
Gov't Full Time. I used to hunt and fish alot. Now I only take
3-5 Fishing days for the whole year after that,I have alot of
Taxidermy work. If you want your Business (Income) to grow you must make a few sacrifices.I haven't gone hunting for a few years now.
but my Business has increased and I can not complained because I
Love doing Taxidermy.And I will some day run my Taxidermy Business
Full Time.One Thing,I ALWAYS make Time for my family. If you make Time for yourself,You may burn out. Good Luck Toby
Pete Tebar
I meant If you Do Not make time for yourself, You may suffer
Burn Out.Sorry for the Typos.
Toby, this is coming from the wife of a very busy, full time taxidermist. Yes there is time to hunt, fish, and spend time with your family but it takes planning and help. During opening weekend I usually open the shop and Joe comes in around noon to cape out what ever I have taken in. Duck season is the same way. He usually works a little longer on those days. We have been married 17 years. It takes work, understanding and a shared interest in the same dream to make any marriage work. You are the boss. Make you own hours but be reasonable about when you are closed. We have found that hunting in the middle of the week is better all the way around. The shop isnt as busy and there is not many people out hunting! Good luck Diana Boggs
If you fail to Make time for family, hunting, fishing and your other likes, then this whole thing becomes too much like work.I'm with Diana & Dave on this, in that it really is all up to you. Sure you'll have the days where you may spend 16 or 18 hours at the shop, but on the other hand, you'll also have days where you have the opportunity to cut out early too. Though neither scenario would be the norm, after a few years doing this full time, you'll have a handle on when to expect the "long and short" of it, and be able to schedule your work week to include some "play time". Of course I'm refering to "in-season" times. During the other 8 months of the year, if you're scheduling your work weeks longer than 40-45 hours, and working 6 or 7 days a week, then most likely the problem lies in your scheduling abilities, rather than production. Sorry guys, but if I had to work 60-80 hours a week in order to make an income that was somewhat less than most folks make with a 40 hour week, I'd have to take some time off to re-establish my priorities.
There sure isn't.
I shot a deer while taking a leak once, and I think I walk in my sleep now and then, so, YES, you do get some time for hobbies. Seriously, I can tell you that no matter WHAT you do for a living, if you dont take time for your children and family, you better quit that job. You made the family, thats a priority! Taxidermy is like any other committment. Treat it like a job, and it will work. Not as much hunting season free time, but it works, I guess.
built his shop he purposely had the plumber install the throne room on the second level, just for those quiet times that every taxidermist needs, with a turnstyle window that overlooks his deer pens. In place of the magazine rack he had his carpenter friend install one for his gun. All he has to do to get that some "quality" hunting time in is to wait for one of his does to go into heat. Kinda reminds me of a movie I saw once...just build it and they will come.LOL. All kidding aside Bill truely is a hard worker and I've seen him a couple of those times when he was walking in his sleep...not a pretty sight! Sorry Bill I couldn't resist.