Pro ShopProfessional Woodworkers Sharing Business Strategies
Underground market poses a threat to you
Written by Mark E. Battersby Monday, 15 November 2010 00:00
How can any woodworker or woodworking business hope to survive against competition that isn't burdened by licensing requirements or fees, insurance costs or even taxes? Several years ago, one study reported that Greece, with all of its financial woes, had a shadow economy that was a whopping 30 percent of its GDP. In this country, the Government Accountability Office, Congress's watchdog agency, estimates the income tax "gap," the difference between taxes owed and taxes actually paid, is in the hundreds of billions of dollars.
Lacey Act’s ramifications are being felt
Monday, 18 October 2010 00:00
Since Gibson Guitar Co. in Nashville, Tenn., was raided in November 2009 by U.S. federal agents for violation of the Lacey Act, people involved in the woodworking industry, whether they be timber importers or builders of musical instruments, are wondering what caused the raid and what exactly is the Lacey Act.
Know the benefits, obligations of CNC
Written by Dan Mosheim Monday, 13 September 2010 00:00
So, after all you've read about faster, safer, increased profits and other pie-in-the-sky claims, you're thinking of possibly buying a CNC router. In the last five years, and particularly since I started writing about what we do with our CNC on my blog, I have fielded calls from other woodworkers considering taking the plunge.
Outside funding to show off your craft
Written by A.J. Hamler Monday, 16 August 2010 00:00
It doesn't matter what kind of shop you have; if you want to be successful, promotion is key. Some categories of professional woodworking - cabinets and millwork, specifically - cater to a needs-based clientele, which has plenty of traditional print and broadcast promotional outlets available. The same is true for craft-related woodworking, of course, and many furniture, chair, box and clock makers find success with those routes.
Learn a lot running a woodworking school
Written by Bob Van Dyke Monday, 19 July 2010 00:00
Fifteen years ago, I was running a small woodworking school in a funky L-shaped room with a leaky roof (try keeping a straight face when water is dripping on your head while you demonstrate how to use the table saw). As much as I liked working at the architectural millwork firm, I realized the school would always take a back seat to the main focus of the business.
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