A Pipe For Your Thoughts???

[Growley]

...And the male prostitute thing sounds viable too, you are gorgeous

rev

I needed that laugh today. Thanks.

 

[Fr_Tom]

...And the male prostitute thing sounds viable too, you are gorgeous

rev

I needed that laugh today. Thanks.

I got a call from the truck stop the other day. A guy needed gas money and was in a tough place. He had been trying to clean showers for tips, but he was not having much success. I offered to run out and fill up his tank before he started considering alternatives.

 

[joshoowah]

In all seriousness brother, I think that you could supplement your pipe business with other pipe related work.  Repairing pipe, making tampers and stands, buying and restoring old pipes.  But I would talk to a couple of pro's and pick up their secrets to making pipes pay.  The fact is you want to be making pipes, so figure out the most profitable and fastest way to make pipes, and to assure consistent sales.

And the male prostitute thing sounds viable too, you are gorgeous

rev

A possible person to talk with is Nate King. He gave up his career to make pipes full-time as far as I know. Of course, he is a single guy with no kids so that is different, but it is definitely work an e-mail to ask him.

Another thing you might want to consider when/if you start making pipes full-time is getting in with all of the pipe smokers boards, offering to do POY's and the like. Typically, the cost of the POY has to be somewhat affordable (relative term I know), but making 40-50 of those things can pay dividends if they are done in a timely manner. For instance, 40*$200 = $8000. You know better than me whether a POY for that price is feasible or not, and whether or not you take home a good enough % to live on.

 

[Fazby]

What is your passion? What interests you? Find something you love and you won't feel like it is work (most of the time).

Does the new occupation require training, whether trade or degree? It may take time.

 

[APKurt]

I completely agree with everyone that expanding the products you produce is a good strategy. However, there is always a limit to how much money you can make if you personally have to create each and every product that goes out the door. For instance, Etsy, Ebay and Amazon don't make a single one of their products, but they make a boatload more money than any of the individual craftsmen by acting as the central marketplace. You obviously know how to produce a quality website and sell product via that website. I really see an opportunity out there to build upon the relationships you have in the pipe making community to create a central marketplace that brings products from many of the top pipe and accessory craftsmen together under one roof. You would still sell your pipes of course, but also get 6-8% of the sales of all the other products featured on your site. As marketing you could provide content by expanding your blog, add some youtube videos, do interviews with craftsmen, and review the products featured on your site, etc.

 

[d4klutz]

Just to throw in a thought here. I purposely chose something that was NOT wood shop related as if you spend all your time in the shop building things other than pipes, then when it comes time to do pipes, you will not want to. I don't want to see you lose your passion for pipes. From what I have seen, (I have held a few of your pipes) you have an amazing skill and talent. If you do too much of that, then it becomes a chore to do it to make money. Passion quickly dies. I did that with computers, and after 14 years, I hate them. LOL. I don't even have a working one at home at the moment. LOL. I use my tablet for forums, email, and reading. That's it.

When I looked at your location, I saw that you are right there on the bay. I am not sure what the local industry is like down there, but things like charter boats, fishing trips, etc will let you get out of the shop, smoke your pipe when you want to, and still leave you time for building pipes as a hobby, or as side work. Pipe related jobs are good, but whatever you do, guard your passion.

 

[PozzSka]

I'm like you, I have the somewhat successful "hobby job" (as my family calls it) roasting coffee, but to leave my full-time job (which I'm pleased with, and don't intend on leaving), I would have to reach a very distant "tipping point" in which I could replace most if not all of my current income. So I feel where you are coming from.

What about leather work? Leather pipe cases, pouches, wallets, holsters, knife sheaths, belts?

Can you paint? Graphic design? Programming skills?

As far as wood working goes, pipe racks/stands, pens, knife and tool handles, making pipe making tools to sell to other pipe makers? haha

 

[Growley]

I'm like you, I have the somewhat successful "hobby job" (as my family calls it) roasting coffee, but to leave my full-time job (which I'm pleased with, and don't intend on leaving), I would have to reach a very distant "tipping point" in which I could replace most if not all of my current income.  So I feel where you are coming from.

What about leather work? Leather pipe cases, pouches, wallets, holsters, knife sheaths, belts?  

Can you paint? Graphic design? Programming skills?

As far as wood working goes, pipe racks/stands, pens, knife and tool handles, making pipe making tools to sell to other pipe makers? haha

Leatherwork is something that has always interested me. I've messed around with it some, but never tried to really do anything important with it.

 

[TheLogo-Mat]

Sweet!

 

[PozzSka]

Leatherwork is something that has always interested me. I've messed around with it some, but never tried to really do anything important with it.

Now is as good a time as any, right?

 

[Stick]

I’m going to approach this from a slightly different angle that may well serve as a catalyst for new thoughts. It’s a little ‘out of the box’ but has worked for me when trying to help others free up their thinking, so bear with me. I’m guessing you feel like you’re stood at a crossroads and just need to get started on a new direction. Here’s a few 'out there' questions for you to soul search with Mr Growley, and I mean really soul search…

Are you generally someone who follows your heart, or do you think more strategically? Which brings you the most success? In this situation, which of these would it be most prudent to follow?

If there’s one person in your life who you’ve really valued the opinion or outlook of, who would that person be? This person may be a family member, a trusted friend, a BoB (!!!), someone who is no longer with us or even a TV celeb. If you were to pose your dilemma to them, what would they be suggesting to you?

Imagine if in 10 years time you could time travel back to the here and now and, using all your knowledge and experience gained in these 10 years, what advice would you give your younger self?

Maybe the answers to these questions will give you a new direction. My hunch is that being the switched on, savvy individual that you clearly are, you’ll fill in the detail…

 

[Growley]

Lots of good stuff so far. It's got my brain working nicely. Thanks for the posts so far. Picking a winner is going to be difficult.

 

[huffelpuff]

Not sure what the market there would be like but making custom rods can be quite profitable! Seriously check out the prices for fly fishing equipment $$$$$. It wouldn't take up huge amounts of shop space, is different enough from pipe making that you shouldn't burn out on it, and the best part is while your waiting for the finish to dry on one you can work on the other. Not sure if this is any help or not but hey it's another option right?

Jim

 

[i.keenum]

Your not far from that huge flee market near mobile ever been there? If not go and see what the cost is for a booth, could try your own business there for little risk. Could see what others are selling and doing, maybe get some ideas of what you want to do your self.

Know youlive on the bay like me and it's pretty easy to drive around and pick up drift wood and old pieces of processed wood that washes up. Recently spent a few hours looking and got enough boards to make a dining room table from the old wood. I have no real previous wood working experience and it came out well. That old wood hides a lot of sin, it's bent and weathered to begin with so it's meant to be a little miss . Down here on the coast people eat that stuff up. Plus crank out some drift wood tampers and pipe racks. Try your hand at some other rustic furniture, leather, refurbs , maybe mark up some corncobs a few bucks, just bring everything you think you might want to do and see how well it fares at one of those booths. Then you could expand on what works.

Just my 2 cents.  

 

[mejoshee]

I'll throw my hat in, though I'm more of an engineer/logical type, so I tend to stay in the safe realm. Mind you, I'm basically answering your question with a question at a birdseye view without specific ideas, but that's mostly for your benefit since I don't need to know your personal answers, especially since you are keeping your skillset "hidden". I think we all just collectively want to see you happy and successful, however that looks!

As Stick said, do you follow your heart? Or, as I would put it, are you spontaneous or structured? I think it all is a matter of soul-searching to find out your personality and what really works for you--the way you think, the way you tackle a problem, the way you take risks (or don't). If you've ever had the chance to take a Myers-Briggs personality type test, you'd see where you tend to be in a natural state, but don't let that constrain you. If you are introverted, you may gain a lot from actually putting yourself out there as a salesperson or customer service rep! Or, you may not, like me.

Similarly, as some have said, sticking with pipe-related stuff or stuff you can do on the lathe & woodworking tools you already have is what I'd call "safe". Do you want safe? Do you want comfortable? These are not bad things, and certainly practical (I like them! ), but some years down the road, when you look back at this juncture where you "could've been anything", will you regret not taking a path less trodden, as Frost put it?

Do you want to make pens? Do you have a passion for pipe tampers? Cabinets? How bout pre-drilled and/or shaped pipe kits? Certainly a logistical challenge, but will it be fulfilling? Or will you just be going through the motions? Or would you be able to stick with just pipes and do something completely different?

It's of course more than just the practical. You can stick with what you know and are comfortable with, but will that make you miserable? Will you be a zombie? Do you want to push yourself with your new plan? Will that cause you to regret what direction you took?

I think very often in modern society we choose what is convenient, safe, known, or well-trodden and confine our lives to make ends meet. Now, I'm not advocating irresponsibility--that would be an egregious error to believe that is what I'm saying. But the American dream and indeed the dream of much of the Western world is to strive to be a pioneer, adventurer, trailblazer, and conqueror. Is that something you want? Or do you want stability, tradition, predictability, clarity? These are qualities too and highly esteemed, especially in Asia and many parts of Old World countries, where you see artisans learning the master's craft and continuing on through the family through generations.

Each has its challenges and each has its rewards. You'd need to weigh the risks (temporary or permanent, potential loss of income, instability, stress on you and your family relationships) and your lifestage (skills acquired, age, physical & mental acuity, etc.). What are you willing to risk? Will your wife and kids be able to support you through this? (I'm not speaking only monetarily.) Be fair and unselfish (I doubt you have that problem since you're asking us) so that they don't have to worry about themselves, but don't become a shell of yourself by sacrificing your dreams so that they do worry about who you are.

Another thing to consider is time. If you want to do something different with your life, will you do it right away or will you wait a "few years" to be in a place where you can enact full-time pipe making or plan B as necessary? Are you jumping into this because you're restless and impulsive or do you want to genuinely do this, but at a pace that is not detrimental to your family and those who depend on you? Will you need continuing education to enact your plan? Do you want to help other people through service or the like?

I did the Dave Ramsey course with my wife as well. Remember his end goal: You don't do this to become rich for the sake of being rich. You do this so when you have money, you can give and help. If you are in a healthy place financially, then you can be more flexible. Money is a tool, not an end in and of itself. If you have less, you can still give as long as you are giving from a healthy place for your family.

I hope that helps with your soul searching. I have no personal preference for you one way or the other, though I am extremely confident this community and I will be there to support you whatever your decision! I'm sending you a brief email too.

 

[Hiram-2011]

After speaking with you some, you seem to be a good man with a good soul. I'd say follow your heart and dreams. The good Lord has a way of taking care of good people.

 

[RDPipes]

After speaking with you some, you seem to be a good man with a good soul.  I'd say follow your heart and dreams.  The good Lord has a way of taking care of good people.

^^^^^^^^^^^^
THIS SAYS IT ALL!   

 

[Hawker]

Don't know if your mechanically inclined but I know of a guy in my home town with a 8-5 regular job and on the side in his spare time he buys vehicles from auctions or privately were ever he can get a good deal and even if they are in running order he parts them out on the net. After all expenses he averages 40-50 thousand clear a year from his "part time" job.

I don't have one of your pipes yet (one day a Ramses will be in the rack) but with there reputation and your attention to detail I can't believe you can't make a living on them alone. I can see that your a perfectionist just by looking at your pipes and you probably have a alot more time invested in them to make them look the way they do than most makers. But I wouldn't cheapen your product to try and make a few more dollars an hour as it's what your doing that makes a Growley a Growley. Maybe marketing in different venues where someone else looks after the time eating aspect of sales. Maybe a college business student looking to make some part time cash would be able to look after that end of it while leaving you more time to be in the shop were the "magic" happens. With your god given talent it would be a shame to waste your time doing something else if your hearts not in it.

 

[Growley]

Don't know if your mechanically inclined but I know of a guy in my home town with a 8-5 regular job and on the side in his spare time he buys vehicles from auctions or privately were ever he can get a good deal and even if they are in running order he parts them out on the net. After all expenses he averages 40-50 thousand clear a year from his "part time" job.

I don't have one of your pipes yet (one day a Ramses will be in the rack) but with there reputation and your attention to detail I can't believe you can't make a living on them alone. I can see that your a perfectionist just by looking at your pipes and  you probably have a alot more time invested in them to make them look the way they do than most makers. But I wouldn't cheapen your product to try and make a few more dollars an hour as it's what your doing that makes a Growley a Growley. Maybe marketing in different venues where someone else looks after the time eating aspect of sales. Maybe a college business student looking to make some part time cash would be able to look after that end of it while leaving you more time to be in the shop were the "magic" happens. With your god given talent it would be a shame to waste your time doing something else if your hearts not in it.  

I'm somewhat inclined, but I think my inclination would go the other way. I love taking old things and making them look new. I've always wanted to restore cars, but I think that's usually a money spending endeavour, rather than a money making one.


Man, I think this is going to be harder than I thought, picking the one winner out of all these great comments...

 

[joshoowah]

Man, I think this is going to be harder than I thought, picking the one winner out of all these great comments...

You could always just make us all one.  :twisted: :lol!: