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kenimes
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« Reply #15 on: March 05, 2009, 05:36:05 PM » |
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Alright, here goes:
Started as a computer technician when I was fresh out of Walla Walla high school- working for my neighbor, who ran the computer shop out of the basement of his home. He was an economics professor at Whitman College full time, so this was his side business/ hobby. MIT grad from MA- Cape Cod area. He taught me from scratch- I had never dealt with computers other than using them, but he liked the way I worked on my truck, and thought I could handle computers as well. We happened to be one of the two or three computer shops in town, and the busiest with the Dell, AST, HP, Gateway, and Compaq service accounts- so I would run around the area fixing computers all day. Fun times.
Had to replace over 300 CPU's when Intel had the recall around '95, out at the Hanford Nuclear Reservation- that was interesting, wearing a PNAD every day- which is a radiation detector, and they would send me weekly printouts of my intake, which was minimal- or maybe it wasn't after my brief stint with cancer recently.....who knows.
Anyhow..
So, did that for a couple of years, then on to technical support for eMachines computers- was with them for about 3 years.
Then on to Verizon Wireless Data support- supporting anything that hooked up to their data network- PDA's, Blackberry's, Smartphones, etc....did a little bit with T-Mobile as well.
Then on to USCutter with Marcus supporting vinyl cutter/ plotters, and still to this day. Hoping the opportunity pays off, wanted to take a chance on a startup, and things are looking good so far.
Pleasure to assist whenever I can,
Ken
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FireMalt
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« Reply #16 on: March 05, 2009, 06:06:13 PM » |
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Just curious... how big(how many machines was USC moving a month) was the company when you joined, compared to now? And where do you see the company in 3 to 5 years?
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GraphTec CE5000-60|Flexi Pro 8.1|16"x20" Mighty press| Pcut 24" cutter as a spare.
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kenimes
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« Reply #17 on: March 05, 2009, 06:12:40 PM » |
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Well, when I started, we were only selling the MH series, and moving about 5-20 a day. Now we sell at least 4 different manufacturers of cutters, as well as heat press units and supplies for everything- and the shipping department plays hell keeping up with all of the orders, be it for cutters or supplies. 3 to 5 years? We will be the new and improved SignWarehouse/ Fellers.  |
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tlzimmerman
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« Reply #18 on: March 05, 2009, 06:19:38 PM » |
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We can only hope.....shipping times and selection are the only thing keeping me from buying everything from you guys!
Anyone else? I love this thread....fun to see how everyone uses their cutters! and where everyone comes from!
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Design...Cut....Scratch Head....Read....REPEAT!
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Rodger - unit # 982
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« Reply #19 on: March 05, 2009, 06:54:28 PM » |
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" 3 to 5 years? We will be the new and improved SignWarehouse/ Fellers. " THAT would be VERY KEWL  My friend of 40 years bought a vinyl cutter 20 some years ago . Always made me stuff ( for free ) , but was ALWAYS way too much in the artistic dept . His passion is doing dirt stock cars .. they turn out very pretty , but not readable , which is a must for me . I talked about buying a cutter for a long time & when another friend went ahead & bought a package from SignWarehouse ( we had talked about going into it together as a business ) , I decided to do that also . I within minutes of placing an order of $2500 + & decided to do a search on e-bay & found USCutter . I bought 2 Co-Pams & have not sold many decals , but have really enjoyed learning how to make/install decals .I think the cutters owe me nothing since I have lettered all my business trucks, equipment signs etc & got to do it " my way " . I plan on having a enclosed trailer set up when I semi retire & move to the farm . Livestock auctions , Flea markets , Car -Motorcycle races will let me have fun & make some cash . I am too busy now to commit to doing signs for other people . p.s. after seeing the Co-Pam do it's thing , my friend wishes He had found USCutter before buying his package from SW . |
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Alien
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« Reply #20 on: March 20, 2009, 01:57:50 AM » |
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I am an Industrial Electrician by trade. Been doing it for 34 years now. The factory where i work is closing after 19 years. All the factories around here are laying off or closing. The only jobs in my trade are in other states. Both children and all 4 grandchildren live here so I am not going anywhere else. I have always been artistic and very interested in signs, especially Neons. As i looked around for something to make a living around hear I decided it was time to start doing graphics and signs myself. So between doing signs and electrical work I hope to make enough to live on. I have been working on computers & robots for many years. I started with a Tandy computer from Radio Shack, used of course. Could not afford new. Then to a Commodor 64, then a Commodor 128 with all the bells and whistles. Had Floppy drives when floppys discs were floppy, not them 3.5 hard ones they got now. Got hooked on computers and been upgrading ever since. I now have a high end Gateway that was stuffed into an Antec case with a 600W power supply, Nvidia 8600 GTS, Creative Sound Blaster FX, DDR 2, Intel Dual Core, XP PRO. My latest jewel is a new Copam 2500 I bought one month ago, from US Cuttter of course. Photoshop CS4, Illy CS4, & Flexi8.1
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Johnnyboy7444
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« Reply #21 on: March 20, 2009, 02:27:58 AM » |
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Well my names John im from Idaho. I got into because i got laid off from my job (electrician) and needed something to make some money at so I was at a local sign shop to get some sticker made for my grandpa and watch what the kid did and said heck that looks pretty easy (im pretty good with computers) went home googled "sticker cutters" sent me to the uscutter website. Got to looking around figured out what would work best from me talked with some people(business owners) about it they all wanted stuff done so i ordered a creation pcut 630 and a bunch of vinyl my first order was 3 weeks ago 165 snowmobiling team stickers very detailed then some banners more team sitckers and now i already have store fronts and lighted signs to do. just can't beleive how busy i stay im evening going to the ISA sign expo in vegas next month to check out what else is out there. wanted it to be a hobby and now its become a living |
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24" Creation Pcut 630, Signblazer just getting started................. LOVIN IT!
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CyberChuck
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« Reply #22 on: March 23, 2009, 08:25:28 PM » |
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I am a commercial construction superintendent at my day job. And I play with computers when I'm not at work. I've always been one of those "gadget people" who enjoys buying stuff just to learn how to use it. I bought my PCut a short while back just to play with. I have sold some of my work, but I've given more away.
Although, that may change soon. A friend (who owns several companies locally) stopped by the other day and was wanting me to do a little graphic design work for him and create a database for him to track some contacts he has. He is starting to get into the outdoor marketing racket (brokering signs; banners; etc) and since I am a lousy salesman but a really good designer - and he is a lousy designer and could sell ice water to penguins; it seems like a good venture.
So, I plan on keeping it a fun hobby for now. If it becomes something more - great, but I'm not quitting my day job just yet (too hard to find a secure position in the construction industry right now).
Charlie
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PCut CN630 * PCMCIA Serial Port Adapter * SBE * Full-time Wood Butcher / Part-time Sign Guy * ATA Student * US Army Veteran
"There is always more to learn."
Eternal Grand Master H.U. Lee 1936 - 2000
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signworx
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« Reply #23 on: March 23, 2009, 10:21:27 PM » |
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In 2007, I was asked to join a team for an endurance team hare scramble fund raiser. One of the team members brought us decals with the team name for our dirtbikes for the event. After talking to this person for a bit regarding the decals, how they were made, the equipment needed, etc... that night when I got home, I started researching. After about a month of researching and thinking about it, I finally decided to pull the trigger and make a purchase.
I work full time as a professional firefighter, so I typically have about 15 to 20 days off per month. I liked the idea of working from home, and making a little extra cash. So in early 2008, I got my DBA, and converted one of our spare bedrooms into an office/workspace area.
The fire service has a 20 year retirement plan, and I got in when I was 24... thus I could retire at the young age of 44(i turned 34 yesterday). While this won't happen, and putting in 25 or maybe even 30 years of service is more realistic, that still put me at either 49 or 54 years old... my plan with this "business" over the years is to slowly build my customer base, so when I do decide to retire, that I can just slide over to my business and take it from part time to full time.
Currently, I have a 24" pcut(first cutter I bought, but is my backup machine), a 24" refine, and a 15"x15" heat press... future purchases include a 24" graphtec cutter and a 16"x20" mighty press(both hopefully this year, depending on the amount of business I can turn).
Thanks for taking the time to read...
im from ohio,and i have drove to gilmore texas to race a harescramble.have run gncc and ama district 11 for alot of years.there is no better workout,lol. |
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Rodger - unit # 982
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« Reply #24 on: March 23, 2009, 10:42:57 PM » |
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Hi , I will agree with you with 1 condition ... that is the best workout with clothes on |
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signworx
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« Reply #25 on: March 23, 2009, 11:04:20 PM » |
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yeah,lol.ill tell you what though,anyone that has not ridden a race has no idea.robbie jenks from KTM lives here in our town.man he pushes us.
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Rodger - unit # 982
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« Reply #26 on: March 23, 2009, 11:23:33 PM » |
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I understand  . I have done 6 hour enduros in 100 degree weather . My toungue was dragging about 10' behind me when I finished , but my heart rate was still ALOT slower than " other " moments |
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Alien
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« Reply #27 on: March 27, 2009, 02:02:28 AM » |
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AS Richard Pryor says "three minutes of that, and I'll need 8 hours of sleep"  |
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Tater
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« Reply #28 on: April 09, 2009, 09:30:14 PM » |
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Hello all... My name is Jason and I have been cutting for awhile now... I have had a brief recess in doing so (year or so?) and hope to be back up in full swing within a few more weeks.
I started up back about 5 or 6 years ago with and idea... My whole Idea was to sell on ebay part time... Well what I was looking for was something which I could keep little to no inventory on hand, and still be able to turn a decent profit... I thought about it for awhile, thought about drop shipping, i even thought SMC might be a good deal, then all of a sudden it hit me...
One day at work, one of my co workers showed up with a decal for his toolbox. I still cant rember to this day what it said. But anyways, Thats where it all started. I have bought decals in the past, but I could only rember that I could buy them at some flea markets or swap meets and thats when then came to town. I researched and researched, and like others on this board, didnt know the accurate term of 'plotter'.
My job was barely paying the bills, and needed some additional income fast but didnt want to pick up another job. I scraped up most of the money that I had and found what I thought was a nice little machine on ebay, a 15 inch roland sticka cutter... once I got the machine home and unboxed, I realized I needed some vinyl for this machine... I played with the Dr. sticka software, till my next paycheck came in to buy a 10 yard roll of 15 inch vinyl. Finaly it arrived... I made a 6 inch decal for my buddy just to try it out and he threw me 5 bucks. (i was just begining, i didnt expect payment, he insisted)...
Well if anyone has ever used the Dr sticka software, knows that its not very good, thats where it all started... I scanned some images into the software, applied them to glass, took some pictures and my business took off.. I sold on ebay for about a month with only white decals and quickly realized, my $700 15inch cutter was all paid off... My paypal account was at about $750 before I had to pay ebay fees! Ouch, What a rip off... But anyways, I gladly paid my $200 in fees and kept the rest...
My better half suggested that I re-invest into this business and think about doing them localy. I scouted some of the flea markets in my area, and for $10 bucks a day, I started doing that localy... Little did I know that it was going to be a hit. The owners of the market actually let me set up for free, or for trade for decals for there use... I was there a month before the building was sold out and the business closed....
A car show/flea market was coming to town and I thought, Hey, Ill try it... I set up there with 2 tables, and a power inverter running from my car to run the plotter and DESKTOP computer. Yes, Desktop, LOL. but anyways, I didnt turn much profit. My business didnt even have a name except the decal guy. A gentleman approached me and was talking to me about what I could cut.. Turns out, he was a vinyl cutter as well... He asked me If I wanted to see his booth, I went over there and wow, Tons of boards with pre made decals, tents, awnings and his own trailer. I complimented him on his stand, as he knew I was envious... I went back to my tables and continued.... It was getting late and I was shutting down and packing stuff up... He came back to my booth, he brought me 10 cds of vectors and all kinds of graphics. He told me that He normally wouldnt do this but he knew I was just starting out and didnt fear that I would be much competition to him beings how he was from a totaly diffrent state. I was greatful for his donation.
My business soared to a whole nother level... I found my 15 inch cutter was getting too small for what I needed. I found another cutter on ebay and bought it... a 24inch Master brand plotter, with WinPCsign... It was hard to learn that program, but I feel I am quite skilled in it now....
But anyways, Im rambling...
My business consists of now 24 inch refine, 24 inch Master, 36 inch master, a dozen tables, 3 awnings, 2 might pro heat presses, a hat press, winpcsign, flexi, signblazer, adobe illustrator, etc. Tons of vinyl and shirts and hats, Thousands of images, 3 computers and a nice little chunk of change in the bank...
All part time... Just doing this when I feel like it or whatever, I have a full time job that Keeps me occupied most of the time.
For bad luck reasons, I have not been cutting decals for about 1 1/2 years now, but hopefully up and running again soon....
Oh, the business is T-Town Graphix now...
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kenimes
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« Reply #29 on: April 10, 2009, 05:52:07 PM » |
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Hello all... My name is Jason and I have been cutting for awhile now... I have had a brief recess in doing so (year or so?) and hope to be back up in full swing within a few more weeks.
I started up back about 5 or 6 years ago with and idea... My whole Idea was to sell on ebay part time... Well what I was looking for was something which I could keep little to no inventory on hand, and still be able to turn a decent profit... I thought about it for awhile, thought about drop shipping, i even thought SMC might be a good deal, then all of a sudden it hit me...
One day at work, one of my co workers showed up with a decal for his toolbox. I still cant rember to this day what it said. But anyways, Thats where it all started. I have bought decals in the past, but I could only rember that I could buy them at some flea markets or swap meets and thats when then came to town. I researched and researched, and like others on this board, didnt know the accurate term of 'plotter'.
My job was barely paying the bills, and needed some additional income fast but didnt want to pick up another job. I scraped up most of the money that I had and found what I thought was a nice little machine on ebay, a 15 inch roland sticka cutter... once I got the machine home and unboxed, I realized I needed some vinyl for this machine... I played with the Dr. sticka software, till my next paycheck came in to buy a 10 yard roll of 15 inch vinyl. Finaly it arrived... I made a 6 inch decal for my buddy just to try it out and he threw me 5 bucks. (i was just begining, i didnt expect payment, he insisted)...
Well if anyone has ever used the Dr sticka software, knows that its not very good, thats where it all started... I scanned some images into the software, applied them to glass, took some pictures and my business took off.. I sold on ebay for about a month with only white decals and quickly realized, my $700 15inch cutter was all paid off... My paypal account was at about $750 before I had to pay ebay fees! Ouch, What a rip off... But anyways, I gladly paid my $200 in fees and kept the rest...
My better half suggested that I re-invest into this business and think about doing them localy. I scouted some of the flea markets in my area, and for $10 bucks a day, I started doing that localy... Little did I know that it was going to be a hit. The owners of the market actually let me set up for free, or for trade for decals for there use... I was there a month before the building was sold out and the business closed....
A car show/flea market was coming to town and I thought, Hey, Ill try it... I set up there with 2 tables, and a power inverter running from my car to run the plotter and DESKTOP computer. Yes, Desktop, LOL. but anyways, I didnt turn much profit. My business didnt even have a name except the decal guy. A gentleman approached me and was talking to me about what I could cut.. Turns out, he was a vinyl cutter as well... He asked me If I wanted to see his booth, I went over there and wow, Tons of boards with pre made decals, tents, awnings and his own trailer. I complimented him on his stand, as he knew I was envious... I went back to my tables and continued.... It was getting late and I was shutting down and packing stuff up... He came back to my booth, he brought me 10 cds of vectors and all kinds of graphics. He told me that He normally wouldnt do this but he knew I was just starting out and didnt fear that I would be much competition to him beings how he was from a totaly diffrent state. I was greatful for his donation.
My business soared to a whole nother level... I found my 15 inch cutter was getting too small for what I needed. I found another cutter on ebay and bought it... a 24inch Master brand plotter, with WinPCsign... It was hard to learn that program, but I feel I am quite skilled in it now....
But anyways, Im rambling...
My business consists of now 24 inch refine, 24 inch Master, 36 inch master, a dozen tables, 3 awnings, 2 might pro heat presses, a hat press, winpcsign, flexi, signblazer, adobe illustrator, etc. Tons of vinyl and shirts and hats, Thousands of images, 3 computers and a nice little chunk of change in the bank...
All part time... Just doing this when I feel like it or whatever, I have a full time job that Keeps me occupied most of the time.
For bad luck reasons, I have not been cutting decals for about 1 1/2 years now, but hopefully up and running again soon....
Oh, the business is T-Town Graphix now...
Glad to have you back in the game, TaterNuts. |
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