Retiring

One thing that I have done is to keep my assumed name that is registered in Oregon so that if in the future I want to open again in some capacity, I don't have to worry that someone else will have that name. As long as it is registered, it's mine.

 

I quit taking in client work 2 years ago. I still compete, so I have kept a lot of supplies/materials. You can always donate some of your tools, old forms etc to the state association if they have an auction at their state convention.

I still get calls from customers wanting work done. I just tell them I am no longer taking in customer work.



Kerby...

 

I didn't have to register my taxidermy business in the state of Oregon. What I had to register was my business name so that I wasn't taking someone else's name and now no one can take mine. The name Tanglewood Taxidermy can only be used by me.

I had a friend that had a business but didn't register his name. A new shop opened and used his business name and when he complained to the state of Oregon, they told him since he didn't register the name and the new shop did, he can no longer use the name. That's why I'm keeping the registration up.

 

I have kind of lol opened a shop... I am still looking for some things. Didn't really have customers yet. Don't know if you might be getting rid of anything that I might need.

 

I did similar to Kerby. I stopped taking work a year ago. I sold EVERYTHING so that when I get those old clients (I had 3 this year) begging me to do their work, I could honestly tell them I had nothing to do it with and I couldn't help them. I sold my business to a student of mine and though his work isn't top end, it's better than the majority within 50 miles. ( I did say MAJORITY, as we have several artisans within 60 miles.) I kept my phone (I'm closing that account this week as I'm not paying $110 to Verizon for a business line that I'm not using). I have an answering machine for all "land line" calls and the message is that I'm out of business and I include the phone number of the guy I sold out to.

And be warned, it's not easy. Archie Phillips once told me that the trouble of doing business out of your home building is that you can be dead for 5 years and some day, someone is going to walk up to your back door and ask, "Do you still stuff deer here?" I hope I got a head start in preventing the next owner from being asked that.

 

So do you wait until two months before the competition to start on your mounts?

 

That's funny...not! We moved from Newton to Chunky, MS 15 years ago. People still show up at my old residence. The lady there just hands them one of my cards, with printed directions on the back.

 

Actually I have been slowly working on a few competition pieces for the last 2 years for the 2020 shows. And then 2 months ago I had open heart by pass surgery ...... so I haven't been in the shop lately. But come January I will have to get my butt in gear to finish them for some shows.



Kerby...

 

Damn Kerby, I'm sorry to hear that. Hope you're recovering well. Getting old sucks, doesn't it?

 

Yup, I am so dang old .... lol .... going to be 61 next month. I had a stent in 2008 and a pace maker in 2009. So the open heart by pass surgery was unexpected. But I am recovering just fine, just a slow process.



Kerby...

 

Crap I’ll be 70 next month. Just went through all the heart testing and they said everything looks great. Next is the urologist to do something about
My giant prostate!! Please oh Please no more biopsies. Had 12 taken a few years back. George can vouch for me on this that they should have to put you under with a mallet to the head before doing this.

 

Damned skippy. I've done hurtful things to myself. I've had hurtful things done to me. But NOTHING was a hurtful as watching that biopsy probe shoot up into my prostate. Trust me when I tell you that it takes about 2 seconds before your body processes that and responds by asking you "WHAT THE HELL ARE YOU DOING TO ME?" Then they do it again - several more times. I'll NEVER willingly allow them to do that to me EVER again.

 

My brother had the best explanation for that procedure. He said they insert a baseball bat up your bung hole. Then they shoot a 16d nail into your prostate and rip a chunk out of it.
Another wonderful thing I’ve had done to me twice was to have my bladder scoped, Two Times! They have a bore scope that’s as large as a pencil in diameter that goes into your bladder to check for cancer. You may wonder how they get into your bladder? Only one way. They shoot xylocaine into your urethra that feels like tobacco sauce in there. Then somehow shove that giant thing up inside you. They tell you that you will have the urge to pee. No that’s my brain telling my what the heck is going on down there and what ever you’re doing knock it off.

 

Thats right George!! Resist as if you were in prison!!!!