This is not an easy one to answer and I've thought long and hard about this before answering, but not to answer would seem un-caring. So for what is worth, here's my twopence worth.Spit wrote:I'd like to, but sadly I don't know if I'll still be in business after December. There just isn't enough people who appreciate quality here, they just want it as cheap as possible. Maybe I'll re-open somewhere a bit more affluent (which means moving away frome here!), but it looks like I'll have to go back to IT to reduce the debt.
In the present economic climate, moving somewhere else may be very hard to do right now and may turn out to be no better after having moved, also most companies are trying not to hire anyone right now. Sorry to be so blunt, but looking at what you've said, I would say that you've already specified the market area which works in your location. O.K., it's not the market you most wanted to address you skills to, but those who specialise in the lower end of the market, often do better than one might suppose. Some of the budget mouldings will stand a lot of mark up and still appear to a customer as being a good deal. Perhaps it's worth looking into.
Although I try to concentrate of the better end of the market, I still offer a range of cheaper mouldings too! These have a very good mark up and also contribute to my financial survival. Survival is what we all need to be aware of in these coming days. On the forum, I may sound like I've got it together, but I'm no less concerned about the future that you are. Each one of us is gonna need to adjust our business in some way to recognise the difficulties ahead. My own concerns may be a little different to your own, in so far as I struggle to maintain a reasonable work rate, due to my health problems and therefore need a good mark up because my rate of work requires it.
I've no idea whom I'm quoting, but it has been pointed out that "circumstances favour the prepared". My advise is to exploit what ever oportunities you can, which may include the I.T. work if that's what you can get. Whatever happens, or which way you decide to take things, I wish you every success!
For the 'birds eyes', splatter with clean water and quickly blot off. It's best not to overdo this stage. When thoroughly dry, wax all over. Don't buff. Dust with rottenstone when the wax is dry and then buff up. Magic. 
