I,ve been into taxidermy as a hobby for about ten years or so. In the near future I plan to start my own business. In the beginning I took a home-book course and from there I went. My question is to all of you successfull business owners is? is paying thousands of dollars for 10 or 15 or more weeks of training worth the investment. I can see that a diploma on my wall would put more trust between me and my customer. But i just can't afford to leave my wife and 17 month old son alone for that long, not to mention the tuition. Can i be just as successfull in my business by doing things the way i'ved learned on my own?
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MOST schools offer you a diploma that you could go down to the local Kinko's and get much cheaper. Diplomas are for doctors and lawyers to impress people with. Your real certificate is going to be green and have a picture of a dead president on it. I've endorsed A.R.T. on here before and I just feel they are one of the very few that have multiple artists/teachers who've paid their dues and make attendance there worth your money. If you choose a school, however, with a single instructor, that's the only method you'll ever learn there, good, bad, indifferent. You could spend a fraction of that money and attend the NTA, IGT, or WTC shows and attend seminars by hundreds of award winning taxidermists. If you've been doing it for 10 years, that sounds like the two choices you have to make, A.R.T. or competition seminars.
thanks for the advise
........if you're still there. I live in West Va. Is there some kind of state certification test to be taken. i've heard that some states do that.
........if you're still there. I live in West Va. Is there some kind of state certification test to be taken. i've heard that some states do that.
Tim, No way to answer that question really. Can you be as successful doing things the way you learned on your own vs paying someone to teach you? Who knows? I can say that most taxidermists do not go and take 1 on 1 classes and some are very successful and I would guess that some have spent thousands and no longer are in business. Probably any of us would benefit from training from a top notch taxidermist but would that make you more "successful"? I think each of us makes decisions that affect how successful we are and indeed we make a decission as to what success IS for each of us. You mention your relluctance to spend the money and the time away from your wife and child. Seems you have already made your decission and I probably agree with you. Identify those areas in taxidermy that you feel weak in or need improvement. Seek out teaching aids that will help you in these areas- videos, books, seminars (your state organization). Work to improve always and don't sell your work cheaply. Good luck with your business--Aaron H.
You don't necessarily have to go to a school. Many a fine taxidermist didn't. (And many did.) There is a wealth of information and instruction to be had at the seminars at the shows! Worth many, many times the fee to attend. And, no matter how many impressive looking diplomas you have on your wall, it comes down to YOU and the quality of your MOUNTS. All the diplomas in the world don't make you a decent taxidermist. Your trustworthiness, desire to improve and pride in your work is what will make you successful. (And, of course, a little commone 'business sense' as with any type of business.)
Best of luck! =)
I agree with you, too, Aaron! Something I forgot to add....make sure someone has health insurance to cover you and your family! Because when you are self-employed and have down-time due to sickness or injury, you can't work. But the bills still keep coming in! Along with the added medical bills! (Take it from someone who knows...I wasn't able to get insurance and now owe 50K in medical bills from the last 3 1/2 years!)
Took the words right out of my mouth...couldn't have said it better. Bill Yox teaches a superb one-on-one training for a couple days or a week...as well as others. You'll learn more that way than spending 6-weeks in a class with a group of students with one instructor...think about it.
VICKI,,,I can cut your Medival BilLs in half...(actually...ALL your Bills)...send them to me. I'll do my magical manipulations with my deterous fingers...and...a pair of scissors.
~ ETCC
Perhaps you should be asking this question of those who have attended a taxidermy school. Get the opinion of those who have been through some sort of structured program.
Tom
Are you assuming we DIDN'T?
ETCC-I already tried that, but they magically put themselves back together and seal themselves into envelopes. They are trying to be tricky about it, though. They think just because the change the date on them and rearrange some numbers, I'll not recognize them. Devious little critters....they're EVIL, I say, EEEVVVIIILLL.
....and I took a one on one course with a master taxidermist. As most of us have, I've also attended a number of seminars, read a ton of books, and have a video library about ten feet tall. I consider myself only moderately educated in the art.
In my opinion, I think you should go with the books, videos and EVERY seminar you can make it to. Lots of different methods lots of different people teaching them. After you identify your strong and weak points, focus on your weak ones until your hair falls out. Then, and only then, can you get the full benefit from training one on one with someone that is going to cost you $300.00 or $400.00 a day..... and at that point it is well worth every penny! It's like a giant weight being lifted off your shoulders.
Structured schools are not capable of allowing you to work and learn at your own pace. If you have some experience under you belt, you will likely be slowed down by the rest of the class. If you are new to the art, then you will find that you have just spent an excessive amount of money just to learn what you could have learned in the comfort of your own home on TV for $24.95.
Just my opinion,
Bill K.
I actually attended one of these schools. Going on not knowing squat about the taxidermy industry, I was taught in 4 different groups: fish, gameheads, birds, and small mammals. Also, some business aspects were covered along the way. The individual who was my instructor has done 35,000 plus mounts in his lifetime and has probably seen and done it all. I thought it was a good experience for me but if you can go a cheaper route I would strongly recommend that instead. The corresponding videos that come after the course serve as a good refresher when you're through. But, If I had some kind of knowledge of taxidermy going in, those videos may have done it for me alone. So, I would say it depends upon your level of knowledge going in, your checkbook, and your time. Either way, good luck to you.
Dogg
Tim, I recently finished a 6 month internship w/ a grand master in Indiana and although it was hard being away for 6 months, from my wife, the knowledge and foundation I got I don't feel I could have gotten from books or videos. Now that I'm done and trying to start a business I read everything I can get my hands on and I have a better understanding of what I'm reading, just my opinion, Biil.
I hardly qualify myself as an expert in this kind of advice but reflect for one moment if you will. Go to your local convention, look around, see if you're comfortable with your work in comparison with whats going on. Get out your Breakthrough and figure out where you'd like to be in different aspects of your work. After 10 years you know whats good and what needs improvement. Find the areas that you feel could be improved in your work. Do some web cruising and find local artist who may be willing to offer you a day in the shop at a decent price. Some won't do it, but many are established and don't fear a little relief from their horrendous backlogs.
Medical aspects are also a very serious thing to ponder before your big jump to, as already mentioned. Cover these avenues ahead of time and save yourself grief in the future. A supportive spouse is the TRUE BIGGY in this one to. There will be ups and downs in the process of getting established.(still fealing them) Certain pleasures in life may be put on the back burner for a while. Make sure all involved are willing to endure this while you persue your dreams.
I'm in the same boat but hope it works out for you. Good Luck- Jeff F.
...and I can see both sides clearly, I believe. I have many students tell me about their experiences in enrollment type courses at schools, etc. Some good, some bad. But theyre still at my place either way. Those who know me also know that Ill be the first to suggest trying to learn yourself first before paying money to guys like me. Yes, I CAN teach you, but that info is out there everywhere in the form of observation on your part. Like George and others said, take full advantage of the state and regional programs and associations. If an accelerated learning program is what you decide you need, THATS when guys like myself come into play. This site helps more then many other methods as well!
Boy, I'm telling you. From diploma's we've gone to masters and now GRAND MASTERS. Geez. What's next? Wizard? And you take them all to McDonalds and for a buck they can still get the cheap menu.
George, isnt that the newest burger at McDonalds or something?
Okay...am lettin the cat outta the bag.
YES...I went to 'Taxidermy Skool' too. It's still runnin heavily all over the World...butt...ya ain't gonna see no Ads Publicizing it.
'The Taxidermy Skool Of Hard Knocks".
Oops...almost furgot the udder won too...
"Northwestern School Of Taxidermy"...JW Elwood honored me with a Most-Distinguishing lookin Deploma too. (No longer advertised either...now defunct).
~ ETCC
... with the money I spent on 12 Taxidermy credits at the local community college, I could've bought books, videos, LOTS of good equipment, a new pair of shoes, and probably even a small monkey to use as a mascot for the shop that I probably would've been able to build.Save your money dude.
I am going to school now. I have never messed with taxidermy before. I could not have done as good as I am now by books. Been going for 4 months and mounts are turning out pretty good. Doing alot of mounts at home after school ; glad I went to school. If you know the basics you might need to take a couple week or two week classes on weakest mounts.