Submitted by Nick Borowski on 11/4/1998. ( Nick2021@aol.com )
Well, after posting lots of messages in this forum during the past, I was able to mount my first bird :) I am also going to take a 1 on 1 class from Jim Marieiro and may get a chance to work with a World Champion Taxidermist if I can get the money for my classes by the end of Nov. After I finished my classes, I wanted to spend around a year or so mounting different speciments before I decide to open a taxidermy business [Which is my dream :)] However, I got really stiff competition around here. I just looked in my phone book and found that the person in one of my instructional videos [ Stefan Savides ] and another person who is also well known in this area, also has a business set up near my area.....along with 2 other taxidermists. Should I consider moving to another location where a taxidermist might be needed? Any info. would be appreciated. Thx Nick
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This response submitted by Bill on 11/4/1998. ( yoxtax@aol.com )
I sure hope I dont come on the wrong way or step on any toes here but...Stefan is THE bird man in your area(or any others for that matter) so you will have a hard time going against him. BUT, you could compliment him in that he does work all over the world, not just your area, and he probably specializes in higher class mounts. What I mean is if you are mounting a couple of birds flying on driftwood for the going rate, you aren't competing for the same clients as he is. Again, I'm not saying you wouldn't do nice work, just that theres a different clientel, see? Example- in my area I've counted over 45 taxidermists within a 1 1/2 hour radius of my studio. People WILL drive that far. I'm about $150 more than the average deer head price in this area, yet I take in as much work as I can handle. Some people just laugh at my price(and quality) and go on down the road, others come to me because of it. Just do as good of quality as you advertise and treat your clients right and you'll always have work. And don't make the mistake that alot of the guys around here do and bad mouth the competition, it's just no good to do, and can backfire!!!
This response submitted by Jerry S. on 11/5/1998. ( jds@vvm.com )
Nick, I know that it's difficult to do, but don't worry about how many other taxidermists (and their credentials!) that are in your area. If you do quality work and charge a fair price (not cheap - just in line to the quality of work you are doing) you will get work. And yes, Stefan is definitely impressive . . . but who's to say in a few years, that "Nick" is the one to beat! Good luck! Jerry
This response submitted by Bill on 11/5/1998. ( )
I always do this,forgetting one last point. Your quality will be good based on your desire to learn and excell. The key? Theres always enough work out there for EVERYONE. Good luck and keep us up to date on your upcoming training and progress.
This response submitted by John C. on 11/5/1998. ( taxidermist118@hotmail.com )
With todays game management practices, there is more available work oput there than in the last 100 years. Who says you have to go full time at first. It take about 5 years to really start building a business. So dont worry learn to do good work and charge enough for your work, you do have to be PAID!!!!!!!! Get a book keeper to set up your books and run them every 3 months. Strive to learn how to do good work, and do something for your show room every month. Do you have a large population in your area? If not look at the 120 mile circle in which you live, what is the population there?????? Take a drive up to Tacoma - Seattle, Washington area and look at the difference in quality there, some really great taxidermist, a few ok taxidermist, and some that should not be in business. (my thoughts) But the key thing is with the metro area all are making money. Do you have a grasp on business basics? or are you reaching for that dream? Good quality, fast turn around, and knowing how to talk to clients, (everyone requires a little different approach, in most cases) Get involves with the state taxidermy assoc. that are close. Go to the N.T.A. show in Billings MT this year. It up to you and we are here to help! John C.
This response submitted by Dave on 11/5/1998. ( rkerr1998@aol.com )
So you really wanna do this? He he he. But seriously, good luck. I was pretty much where you are around three years ago. I'm still part time and not really lookin to get any bigger right now. The financial aspect to runnin a full time shop is still a little mind boggling to me at the moment.( kinda like the security of a weekly check that a full time day job provides) However one of the reasons I started doing this was the fact that someday I'd be my own boss. For now I settle on letting the business pay for my trips and the conventions but someday I wanna get goin full time. As far as the competition goes, its really not a big deal. Like Bill said, and I'll agree to, the established guys, that are more specialized, will get the high end clients and pieces. This is not to say that you will not get work. I have alot, and i mean alot, of competition in my area and I still manage to get work.( I dont advertise) The guys who are good will always have work, those that dont will generally work themselves out of business. I'm watching this with a few locals here. All you really need to do is give your clients a good piece at a price that is agreable ( spelling ? ) to the both of you. Around me I've seen a range of $245 to $450 for a deer head. The prices tell you alot about the work you get, and believe it or not the guy with the $450 deer heads is busier than hell. That shows you what a good reputation and a good product will get you. I'd rather do 10 at $450 than 19 at $245. Less work with the same financial gain, as long as you put the effort needed into it. Put some time and effort into your pieces and at all costs avoid the "they dont know what a duck, deer,fish, bird looks like anyway" mentallity, and you will be started down the right track. Best of Luck, Tightlines, Dave
This response submitted by Bill on 11/5/1998. ( )
some days you ARE your own boss...but you soon find out that you have a different boss EVERY day, the customer whose piece you're doing. That's just another perspective. Dave's right, keep that full-time paycheck coming until you are sure and it's a timely move...
This response submitted by Mick on 11/8/1998. ( MicD63@aol.com )
Set your own hours and work when you want? hahahahahahaahhaa Come on full-timers, tell this young man the truth! Like Bill said, your customers are your boss, and if I may add, You work when they want! Business knowhow is also as important as your artistic skills. Sad truth is that most business that fail, do so,not from a lack of business, but from a lack of knowlege on sound business practices. Spend as much time learning "how to operate a business" as you do learning"how to be a good taxidermist". WASCO's business managment manual will give you a fine start, and I would suggest a course or two at a local college. Good luck to you. Happy trails, Mick
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