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Post by Cosmic on May 17, 2013 16:26:28 GMT -5
Well hello good members of the IGMB, I'm in need of your counsel...
As most of you know I've been doing commission work for almost a year now (I think). Clearly people like my work as a few have come back for more! Recently however, with a full time job on the go I've found it difficult to keep up with the load, especially when I use my own personal time to complete it all. Considering a couple of people have contacted me asking to for me to basically do a number of whole armies for them, something needs to change.
As such, I am considering the possibility of trying to set up something more solid, a studio/business as such.
I would ideally leave my current jobs after Christmas time, I have a fair amount of money saved up to help me get started. However I need to do some research first, weigh up the pros and cons.
So, I need your input.....
Do people feel that they may use my services if I do set up a painting studio? I know I have a long way to go but the way I see it I need to take a leap if I want to do this as badly as I do.
Any advice and input would be very much appreciated. I know I can't exactly rush head first into this, but it may be the way to go.
Cosmic
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Post by Adkenpachi on May 17, 2013 17:28:54 GMT -5
Id suggest having a fall back plan in place to fill voids or take over if commissions stop coming in... Like genetic painting business stuff.
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Post by RedsandRoyals on May 17, 2013 17:32:18 GMT -5
I agree with Ad, except I hope he means "generic". Also, have you considered applying to work with a studio that's already been established? Might be easier.
Reds
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Post by Woz on May 17, 2013 18:03:06 GMT -5
Which pays better?
Does the time and costs of painting armies work out at more £ per hour?
Not forgetting that you'll have to pay tax and NI.
Personally I wouldn't take the plunge just yet as the economy is still a bit hit and miss. I'd stick to the day job and keep painting in my spare time. Just keep saving as much as you can. As well as needing money to start your business you'll need at least enough to live on for 12 months should things not work out.
If you go self employed then you can't just go and "sign on" when you have flat periods.
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Post by Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four on May 17, 2013 18:05:22 GMT -5
Yeah, what Woz said sums up what I was thinking. Also, what if you get burned out on doing commission work? I know the amount of passion you put into your painting, but is it something you will be able to sustain for an extended period, and what would happen should you "hit the wall"?
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Post by Adkenpachi on May 17, 2013 18:26:31 GMT -5
Perhaps reduce some hours at your current job to test the waters without losing all income and face.
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Post by Rook on May 17, 2013 23:20:15 GMT -5
I would wholeheartedly disagree with Woz. Jump in, jump in and own it. You are young enough to recover from mistakes. If I were you I couldn't live a life of not knowing "what could have been?"
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Post by ElegaicRequiem on May 17, 2013 23:30:11 GMT -5
I say take a week off work. Paint. Do nothing during that week but paint, then the gruelingest vacation ever. If you go back in to work the next Monday still interested in this idea, go balls deep.
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Post by Peter Cooman on May 18, 2013 14:47:42 GMT -5
Cosmic, i don't know how the law handles situations in england opposed to Belgium, but we have a system here that allows you to have a second self employed job. Basically it states that, if you have a main job, you can have a second self imployed job and still benefit in the same way as you only have one. It's hard to exlain in english, but i'll give you an example from the factory i work in. My collegue worked halftime in the factory, and was a self employed electrician for the rest of the time. If his income was higher on the main job than his self employed bussines, then he could still benefit from unemployment pay if something goes wrong with the main job. His main job also counted for retirement later and all that. It was a neasure from our governement to give people who want to start a little bussines by themselves a 'safety net' in bad times. It might be interesting to look at the 'legal' possibilities in your country to see if you could start something like this, as a tryout. My collegue did this for a few years and once he was sure he could live from being self employed entirely, he left that system. Also be aware, if you start something like this, that your social life doesn't suffer. It may sound weird, but a regular job offers much social contact, be it costumers or collegues or whatever, a self employed job of this kind will mean that you spend most of your 'working day' at home on your own painting. To each his own of course, but one of the things i like abut going to work is the people i meet everyday and the collegues that (after 10 years on the same job) have become good friends. So, as much as i would like to say go for it, as i would wish you the best of luck, i would advise you to think about this and try it out first while having a proper 'safety net' set up, so you don't suffer when things go wrong. I also advise you to read this intervieuw, it's about a man who started up a painting service himself after being out of work: www.pendrakenforum.co.uk/index.php/topic,6944.0.html It might be interesting to see if |
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Post by Cosmic on May 18, 2013 15:29:07 GMT -5
Thank you, everyone. You have provided me with lots to think about.
I do understand that I need something to fall back on, and as much as I'm getting fed up with my job it's something I feel I'm going to have to cope with for a bit longer.
Perhaps if I start to get a studio set up, sort out logos, prices, an image that sort of thing....I can keep that in my spare time and wait til I feel comfortable to leave and take a more prominent role.
I guess I got excited and confused at the prospect of doing more commission work. It's really helped looking at people's view of both sides, the jump in and do it, and the be cautious.
I'll start getting some plans together and work out some finer details before I work on making a decision.
Thank you again everyone, you've all helped.
@peter: that article was VERY interesting, thank you.
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Post by BG. Foster on May 18, 2013 15:34:06 GMT -5
Cosmic I don't often offer advice on this sort of thing as it's difficult without knowing everything else thats going on. However in this instance I will, 'do it!'. You'll regret it if you don't.
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Post by Soap on May 18, 2013 15:37:39 GMT -5
Is they something that you could do to run along side a painting studio? Something that links in, rather than have two seperate jobs? EG running a gaming club/store with commissions. Two jobs that compliment each other. Think that explains what I am getting at!
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Post by Cosmic on May 18, 2013 15:43:30 GMT -5
Is they something that you could do to run along side a painting studio? Something that links in, rather than have two seperate jobs? EG running a gaming club/store with commissions. Two jobs that compliment each other. Think that explains what I am getting at! I've always liked the idea of opening a club and store with gaming tables etc as well as an area for painting. However, that would take a lot more money to set up, you never know though, maybe one day. |
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Post by Adkenpachi on May 18, 2013 16:28:35 GMT -5
Is they something that you could do to run along side a painting studio? Something that links in, rather than have two seperate jobs? EG running a gaming club/store with commissions. Two jobs that compliment each other. Think that explains what I am getting at! I've always liked the idea of opening a club and store with gaming tables etc as well as an area for painting. However, that would take a lot more money to set up, you never know though, maybe one day. If the demand is there where you live... rent an industrial unit with a bus stop near by, put up some office cubical style partitions. .. done |
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Post by BG. Foster on May 18, 2013 16:44:25 GMT -5
Cosmic, Move to Sheffield/Rotherham. Open a gaming club, hire me and Dave, job done!
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Post by Soap on May 19, 2013 2:51:40 GMT -5
No, you need to come further north  I too would love to have a store/gaming club, but I can't take the risk with having a family. Unless someone is just going to pay me to run it :-) |
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Post by Boobs McGee, Esquire on May 19, 2013 16:53:11 GMT -5
Move to Cheshire put gamesworkshop in their place and become the overlord of little plastic soldiers But seriously as others have said make sure you have a safety net in place to start off with reduce your hours at work and just paint and get your name well known so you have a continual amount of commissions and once it reaches 'critical' mass you'll know you need to make the jump and that it will be viable. But for the love of god DO NOT LOSE INTEREST because as soon as it becomes tedious you'll lose interest, time, money and customers so don't take on too much than you can handle. But hey what would I know I'm just a greasy student |
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Post by AshotNINJA on May 19, 2013 19:36:53 GMT -5
i think that this boards members wouldnt generate enough business to earn enough... you would have to make a name for yourself on other boards like dakkadakka, cool mini or not and warseer... where the majority of gamers are located....
it certaintly would be something i would be interested in if i ever lost my job... i have 5 of so emails a week with people asking me to make and paint stuff for them.
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Post by Rolling Thunder on May 19, 2013 21:38:26 GMT -5
I would wholeheartedly disagree with Woz. Jump in, jump in and own it. You are young enough to recover from mistakes. If I were you I couldn't live a life of not knowing "what could have been?" Agreed. |
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Post by ElegaicRequiem on May 19, 2013 22:13:50 GMT -5
I could always use another flunkie. Unfortunately, this won't pay. It does, however, come with a benefit package. I trust you'll make the right choice.
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Post by Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four on May 20, 2013 15:39:48 GMT -5
I could always use another flunkie. Unfortunately, this won't pay. It does, however, come with a benefit package. I trust you'll make the right choice. *Has an image of Cosmic chained to a painting table in Req's basement flash through my brainmeats* |
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Post by ElegaicRequiem on May 20, 2013 18:26:18 GMT -5
Requiem does not use chains. Chains are so... lowbrow. Requiem uses coercion and the power of love.
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Post by Rook on May 20, 2013 19:18:03 GMT -5
Requiem does not use chains. Chains are so... lowbrow. Requiem uses coercion and the power of love. You spelled 'lube' wrong. |
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Post by Trooper One-Nine-Seven-Four on May 20, 2013 19:22:00 GMT -5
Requiem does not use chains. Chains are so... lowbrow. Requiem uses coercion and the power of love. You spelled 'lube' wrong. ^^^What Rook said, and I'm assuming that "coercion" is Jesus Juice laced with Propofol a.k.a. The Michael Jackson Special... <.< >.> Too soon? |
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Post by AshotNINJA on May 20, 2013 19:28:33 GMT -5
even 5 minutes after his death wasnt too soon.
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