The Armour Archive

I am thinking of going full time as an armour maker as of 3-1-05.

I am substantially out of debt
I have about 14 months pay in the bank
As of 2-22-05, I will be owe 6 weeks of unused vacation pay, and I have vested in my companies retirement.
And as a lat resort, an unused business credit line equal to 1 years pay

I also have started cutting out the parts needed for approximately $50k in ebay items. All the suplies are in the shop.

I should have my backlog of custom work done by new year day.


My first step will be to have a huge ebay launch around 1-10-05



I'm considering this because:

For 24 months I've been making 4.5 as much per hour net as an armourer than my day job.

There will be major changes in my job description effective 3-1-05 that will add 10 hours a week to my salaried position, I will be expected spending my entire shift in the office pushing paperwork and not mingling with my customers.

I will never get a week's vacation approved to see my folks in Pittsburgh

My company is making a small fortune in profit and we are not seeing any of it, in fact we have been ordered to divest ourselves of company stock. I cheated and sold mine to my old shell of a development company based back in Maryland.

I need a new website.

I need a burr-king 760

We are becomming too "new age Psychobabble" at the corporate office, I'velearned a long time ago to be wary of corporations who drop concrete measurable performance goal in favor of undefined opinions.


Eric

Well, Eric, sounds like a plan!

I'm sure most of your customers couldn't see you doing things any other way, and it seems as though you will only benefit from the change. I hope things turn out okay for you!

-Gregory-

I can help with a website and hosting, perhaps in trade for armour.....

How can they order you to divest yourself of company stock? If it is yours you own it.

When they start talking about synergy and the brotherhood of global business environments, the end is near.

Been there done that, got the pink slip to prove it.

Best of luck on your quest.

Hal

Here's something interesting that might help ya out.... goto eBay and hit item number 3859073739

I say do it...if for no other reason than you will be happier hitting metal than pushing paper.

Thorfinn wrote:I say do it...if for no other reason than you will be happier hitting metal than pushing paper.

RIGHT !!!!! Paper is so depressing, you crumple it up and throw it away it's done....... metal though.... you crumple it up and wind up with helmets, and other kewl things...... like weapons...... sharp pointy ones that you can stick in peoples eyesockets...... now try that with a piece of paper.... see which is more menacing.....

Hey Eric.... sounds like you have thought the plan out and can hammer out a decent living so why not go for it. Just remember to play it smart and have a back up plan incase something goes wrong. With that said you will have all your bases covered.. good luck to you in your venture.

Lord Wulf.... I don't know man.... I have gotten some pretty mean paper cuts in my day. It would be a close match...LOL.

Best Regards,

hey now, I'm trying to encourage the guy here.......

but yeah, I've gotten some nasty papercuts myself...... might just be a close call

Go for it. You've done the homework, prepared yourself, you have a market and a forum to sell on. Live the dream. I myself am just about ready to start selling stuff (stake plate table completed over the weekend, stakes being retrofitted to stake plate now) with the eventual goal of becoming a full time metal worker or at least supplementing my office income with it. Good luck to you.

Sounds like you at least have a good customer base, experience in armouring and eBaying, and substantial cash reserves to see you through any immediate rough times.

Good Luck to you!

(any may god have mercy on your soul!)

And there you have it another lost to the anvil. Best of luck. GO for your dreams.

I have one piece of advice to help keep your books straight. Open up a separate "small business" checking account which will 'ONLY' be used for your business. This will help keep track of all your expenses and sales.

Pad this account with enough funds to run your shop, but do not touch the funds for personal gain until all your expenses are paid for. As you know, to many people have good intentions when starting up a business, but end up with a bad reputation and upset customers. If you can keep your personal finances away from your business finances, everybody will profit from it.

Since this will be a business, you will need a TAXID number (usally free), or Uncle Sam maybe knocking at your door some time down the line.

Best of luck in your endeavors,
Sigeric