Submitted by mark on 8/23/99. ( mvh@gower.net ) 207.78.72.14
I have been doing taxidermy work part time and want to go full time. But im not sure if there would be enough income in full time. i live in an area where there is lots of hunting and fishing year round. the city i live in has a population of about 90,000 and many surounding towns of about 10,000 to 30,000. there are a few part time taxidermists in my town but only one full time, and they have been around since the early 70's. could any one just give me a rough idea what i might expect to bring in. i have looked at shops and think i can keep my building and all my utilities at about 700.00 to 1000.00 a month. someone please give me advice on this. thanks
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This response submitted by JOhn C on 8/24/99. ( ) 204.180.103.7
I would print up some business cards and get them out, to all the discount sttore. try some guides etc. Build the business, most of us started that way. You seem to have a good location population wise. det you rprices where you can make a living!!!!. Yellow page adds etc.. If your local zoning laws prohit business in your home, go to the variance board and apply for a 2 or 3 year variance. Tekk them it is shoestring for know but the minute you have enough business, you will get a commercial front. Offer free pick up for a start???? I read here where Ira had a business plan, I have never done one but am looking into it. The local libary should have something on one. Mine dont but thety are to get some books from other library's. Good luck
This response submitted by JL on 8/25/99. ( wmlures@xtdl.com ) 140.186.49.65
Mark, since you're already doing taxidermy where you are now and getting away with it why not continue for a while longer.Your move to full time should be the next step to part time...that is, that you have so much work that you either have to turn down the part time stuff or go full time. Unless you're at that level I would put it off until I got there.The amount of part time work you have should tell you pretty close how much you're going to make working full time.Now ask yourself how much you need to meet all of your financial obligations including a salary for yourself. It will be a while before customers beat a path to your door.If you have a fulltime shop closeby price your work at least at that level or you'll never catch up.Figgure all your overhead divide that by 28 working days in a month and thats the minimum you have to make to stay alive. Include everything..insurance...advertising...vacation set-a-side...everything you may be getting at your present job. If your part time work does'nt cover it KEEP THE DAY JOB and continue part time until it does. Good luck JL
This response submitted by John C on 8/28/99. ( ) 204.180.103.42
Wow, please only count on 22 working days in a month. Unless you want the shop to RUN YOU. 28 days will put you in there every day. BAM burn out. if you have a regular work load now and are behind, go up on your prices and see what happens? As a part-timer you can afford to experiment with prices and profit. If you are the highest in the area and do very high quality work. You will get the work. Not all of it, but enough to keep you busy.
JohnnC
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