Blue Skies (Maybe)

[emilyspoppy]

Today, I posted in this forum, that all was not well with our Farmer's Market shop. (Refer to "Flea Market Rant")

After I had finished my reply to the thread's originator, I did some research of our records and made an observation I thought I should mention in a new thread.

We have some special circumstances that most of you will not have to contend with other than the general state of the economy and the amount of discretionary funds potential buyers may or may not have available to them.

I noticed from doing research in my records that even though February was a "short" month and still problematic for us weather wise, sales actually made a marked improvement by the second week of the month.

I felt this was solely due to the timely arrival of Valentine's Day. I'm sure that this is a factor, however, it doesn't account for the fact that since we have been at our location the END of the month continues to be stronger in sales, too. March looks encouraging also. It puzzled me. My detailed records showed less than good weather for an outdoor/indoor market during this period.

I was sitting at my computer, sipping coffee, and pondering this when my wife announced to me that she; "Had our taxes done yesterday! We will be getting a nice refund of . . . "

Time to start wicking jars again! I don't want the parade to pass by and not be a part of it.

I think this is something you might want to consider if your sales are stagnant right now and you're reluctant to make new product.

JMO/HTH

Dave

[puma52]

Thanks Dave!! I have been in a blue funk with everything in our world seemingly going to the crapper.... literally ....ENCOURAGEMENT is good for the soul.....THANK YOU!! I do not like Winter time...blah... and am planning on making some new product next weekend.... that WILL surely make me feel much better and hopefully open up some great sales for me...

Edited February 3, 2013 by puma52

[emilyspoppy]

Thanks Dave!! I have been in a blue funk with everything in our world seemingly going to the crapper.... literally ....ENCOURAGEMENT is good for the soul.....THANK YOU!! I do not like Winter time...blah... and am planning on making some new product next weekend.... that WILL surely make me feel much better and hopefully open up some great sales for me...

I know what you mean about a funk!

Last year was one of the worst in my life. I don't think I could endure another one like it.

I'm in no condition to close up shop. I would have to pay someone to steal my stock and fixtures. Yikes!

Pray for tax refunds! GOOD LUCK!

Back to wicking jars!

Dave

[moonshine]

Winter....I have mixed feelings about that

I don't really sell tons of candles- I sell out of our main companies office and its more of a word of mouth thing at this point and I did get my website done with call to order but I haven't really pushed it yet

We have 6 divisions we run in our business -septic services- grading & excavating- directional drilling- landscape supplies- Xmas trees and we rent a few of the buildings and space on our property (babysitting job more than anything) and we bust our ass all year to try to make a dime and when winter comes it is my only real break and candle making, organizing, marketing idea time BUT with no other income coming in from the other divisions winter drags and sucks in that respect!

Since 2008 we have been hanging on by a thread- everything fell hard in michigan and construction/service type business like ours you can't get rid of the debt and the jobs are to far and few between- the competitors that are left which is not many are bidding jobs way to low which hurts everything across the board - I do have to say the last 2 years have been better and we grossed in 2012 the same as we did in 2004 when it was booming but our expenses have more than tripled so the bottom line is much less- fuel is our killer- and to try and raise our prices just puts the work in another companies hands and these other companies are fly by night make a quick buck and not licensed companies but the customers still want lowest dollar

So we have been basically giving a dozen employees a paycheck and recycling our debt over and over the last 4 years

I can only imagine how hard it is for a real candle business but your numbers do prove hope and although we didn't "net" what we should I still have hope that this is the year things will turn around! It has been climbing slowly the last 2- people are spending more- our Xmas tree sales were very good this year and alot of friends who own business also say and project turn around

So hold on to that positive on your findings - this could be a very good year for you as it doesn't sound like its been bad so far and it's winter and V day is almost here- go whip up some harts to sell!

[emilyspoppy]

Winter....I have mixed feelings about that

I don't really sell tons of candles- I sell out of our main companies office and its more of a word of mouth thing at this point and I did get my website done with call to order but I haven't really pushed it yet

We have 6 divisions we run in our business -septic services- grading & excavating- directional drilling- landscape supplies- Xmas trees and we rent a few of the buildings and space on our property (babysitting job more than anything) and we bust our ass all year to try to make a dime and when winter comes it is my only real break and candle making, organizing, marketing idea time BUT with no other income coming in from the other divisions winter drags and sucks in that respect!

Since 2008 we have been hanging on by a thread- everything fell hard in michigan and construction/service type business like ours you can't get rid of the debt and the jobs are to far and few between- the competitors that are left which is not many are bidding jobs way to low which hurts everything across the board - I do have to say the last 2 years have been better and we grossed in 2012 the same as we did in 2004 when it was booming but our expenses have more than tripled so the bottom line is much less- fuel is our killer- and to try and raise our prices just puts the work in another companies hands and these other companies are fly by night make a quick buck and not licensed companies but the customers still want lowest dollar

So we have been basically giving a dozen employees a paycheck and recycling our debt over and over the last 4 years

I can only imagine how hard it is for a real candle business but your numbers do prove hope and although we didn't "net" what we should I still have hope that this is the year things will turn around! It has been climbing slowly the last 2- people are spending more- our Xmas tree sales were very good this year and alot of friends who own business also say and project turn around

So hold on to that positive on your findings - this could be a very good year for you as it doesn't sound like its been bad so far and it's winter and V day is almost here- go whip up some harts to sell!

I'm almost ashamed to admit that my last employer was a fairly large, but regional fuel company. They operated; heating oil distribution, gasoline stations/convenience grocery stores and fast food shops, an HVAC Division, commercial lubricants and fuel supplies and have recently started into propane sales and equipment installation and service. The company has a good reputation and has been in business for over 75 years, but they too are concerned with their financial forecasts. My wife works there. She's only years away from retirement. We keep our fingers crossed even though she has spent a quarter century on the payroll.

I think the single most important cause of the economy problem in the world today is the monoply on fossil fuels by OPEC and the large refiners. PERIOD!

Everything! I do mean EVERYTHING we are dependent on or consume requires fossil fuel in some manner; either in the manufacturing process or the distribution of it.

The sad thing is the smaller oil companies like the one I worked for are those that are most exposed to the wrath of the public and take the heat for it, but they are the ones that have their worst profit years when oil prices are on a steady price rise.

This may be difficult to believe, but most smaller oil companies, (NOT the MAJOR REFINERS or OPEC) make their most substantial profits when the price of oil is on the decline.

It's all about perception and the ability to compete in a fiercly competative market when daily price increases having shoppers constantly comparing the players.

We had several stations that averaged well over 250,000 gallons of gasoline per month. Even a penny or two per gallon added to the bottom line when you extend it out over more than a dozen stations is a pretty impressive number at the end of the year. The same applies to kerosene, propane and the "golden goose laid egg", heating oil and diesel fuel.

I feel we're back to a period almost similar when it was necessary to enact the Sherman Act and bust up the big monopolies like the Getty empire, et' al'. I'm not a socialist, but this is getting rediculous!

And if the issue with oil hasn't hit us bad enough from the front side, look around your house and see just how many items state; "Made in .....", which are attacking us from the rear.

Yes, I feel very sorry for Michigan and many of the manufacturing states.

Food and transportation that's too expensive to afford and no job providing income to pay for it anyway.

Who the H*ll needs a fragrant candle when there's no milk for the kids!

Where I live, it's known as the most recession proof area of the country.

We are the bedroom community for DC and we have an ever-expanding U.S. Naval base about 2 miles from my home, Pax River Naval Air Station.

If my sales are in the hopper, I feel so sorry for those who live in areas most affected by this economy.

I've said enough! I'm depressing myself again!

Tax refunds are coming! Tax refunds are coming! Tax . . . . .

[FaithfulScenter]

Please see previous "I can't even get to the post office rant"..... tax refunds are coming!! We lost the motor in 2 cars this past year. They just really weren't worth fixing. Thankfully my FIL has a car that he doesn't use, so we have it borrowed. Fil and mil's neighbor bought a new car around Thanksgiving, and offered us her very nice SUV at an amazingly low price, and offered to hold it until our return comes in. I can't wait. I have been without a car for so long. I'm going to drive to the store, everyday, just for the heck of it!! The worst part has been not being able to pick up my boys from school everyday like I used to. I'm so excited!! Tax refunds are coming... tax refunds coming!!!