Business took a nosedive

Odd that you would experience this after 15 successful years.
Is it just a slump for the decorative painting market; is your competition experencing the same?
Sage

Sorry to hear Halena, several people completly went out of business in the past few years here.. two were long timers with plenty of references.... makes ya wonder sometimes, keep the faith!

This is why we straight paint too. Actually about 85% straight. The market is flooding with all the "faux" schools pumping them out. The sad part is that they really dont know how to paint. The other problem is painting is at the wrong end of the house! If you pour foundations, they got the money...if you frame, they got the money, but by the time it gets to us....they start running out of money!

The other problem is painting is at the wrong end of the house! If you pour foundations, they got the money...if you frame, they got the money, but by the time it gets to us....they start running out of money![/quote]

So true Roadog. Makes me crazy to see Homeowners pay for all the trades, yet when it comes to the painting and it being the one trade that can really make a home outstanding, they elect to cut corners.
Sage

Hi Guys,

I can't speak for (or about) the faux painting market. But, we can't make our decorative product for garage floors any faster! It seems no matter how much effort we put into increasing production capacity we just can't get caught up. In fact, we have a waiting list for new customers for it.

Has there been a market shift? And, what about decorative concrete? We're don't make that... but... we're seeing a HUGE amount of activity there for some companies that we are friendly with.

I'm not sure what's up Halena... 15 years is a long time. Get lean and figure out how to ride it out... Good luck

Wolverine said:

I'm not sure what's up Halena... 15 years is a long time. Get lean and figure out how to ride it out... Good luck

Click to expand...

I agree...I wish you well as you weather the storm

ps- I hope you've laid off a few employees by now

I will add that in the Chicago market wallpaper has started to come back in. Also I am painting over a lot of decorative finishes from the 90's and using a lot fo solid colors.. I do some decorative finishes, but haven't had a customer ask me for anything fancy in awhile..

Maybe a phase hopefully you can weather the storm, good luck!

hi helena.your post hit home with me...i was in the business for about 10 years and then after the holidays of 2005, i never picked up again......usually things would start moving again for me in march.........well it never did (i do straight paint too)....by april i was in a panic and actually went out and got a job selling flooring in a retail envirnment.......biggest mistake i ever made as it is so hard to work for someone else after you have been on your own..........i am still there and im miserable...i just got my insurance back for the painting and have started advertising and making calls....im sure it will be a slow start but i have to get back on my own...........dont give up on your business and try to ride it out......i wish i had..........good luck to you