"Hello friends, times have certainly changed since we last spoke. Everyone in this country, and abroad, is having to deal with the economic crisis, at least to some extent. As a good friend once said, "everything cycles". Along with that goes the theory that everything has to "bottom out" before it can go back up.
I feel it is important to be optimistic, but just as much realistic. Realistically, the housing market will never be what it was because it was designed to fail, as it did. Retail sales will stay limited due to the fact that consumer credit is way down. Continued job losses will not help sales.
The good news is that home improvement continues to be strong. Many families have decided they will stay put and make improvements vs trying to sell in this market. More people have learned the fact that when they do go to market they need to have the best looking home on the block, or at least in their size and price range. That's where we, as decorative artists, come in, beautifying the homes.
The lifestlye of being a decorative artist cycles just like the economy, in all of its highs and lows. Try to stay the course at all "reasonable" cost and it will pay off later, I know from experience. Below are some tips that you have often heard from me in class and I think it's an appropriate refresher on "staying in the game".
Cut Costs
Reduce your personal as well as your business expenses. I've taught you ways to save on insurance, advertising, products, vehicle costs, office space, and a myriad of other topics. If you're not tracking costs then just scribble them down and take an honest look at what you really "need".
Stay Motivated
Don't get complacent if times are hard, just get tough! Stay on your training, an education in the trade is always something to be proud of and rely on. Dig deep down and think back to what inspired you about our trade in the first place, then get that feeling again.
Be Productive
"Work makes your life sweet" is an old german proverb. Keep improving your home in between projects, help out a friend in need, and if at all possible donate some time to a local charity or institution.
DAC Faux
School Referral Program
School graduates,
do you know a friend who loves to paint? Relative looking for a new career?
Want to send your kid to our faux school instead of college? Good, because
you can earn a 10% commission on the first class they attend at the DAC
faux painting school! Why? Our graduates speak volumes for us, so why not compensate
them for the advertising? Effective May 1st, 2005, any graduate who supplies
an "attending referral" to our faux painting school will receive a check for 10%
of that student's first school class tuition. Example: Trompe l'oeil /
Mural Class referred attendee, $1500, you get $150. Not a graduate? Attend
our school and you'll be entitled to the benefit as well!
New
class changes and prices are listed at the "News" link below. We hope
to see you in 2009!".
