Posted by Jim R. on June 04, 2003 at 23:06:19:
In Reply to: Re: Improving business posted by Paul Roberson on June 04, 2003 at 20:09:51:
: : : Does improving your business require improving your skill? If you consider that Wal-Mart, Target and Sears stores are far from retailers of elite clothing styles and at best are carpeted warehouses that sell mass produced merchandise that can be found just about anywhere and still turn a huge profit, isn't there a place for the moderately skilled farrier that shoes a few horses a day for $40.00 a head? If we see a host of people that enjoy the "Get it cheap even if its not great" store, shouldn't the farrier industry accept the farriers that provide similar quality of farrier services to horse owners? Do all farriers have to be in the Hall of Fame? Isn't it more important to find a profitable niche and enjoy life than to make your life simply about the next clinic?
: : : Paul
: : I want to know: Other than people who work for minimum wage, who does not try to improve quality, knowledge, and ability? I think we are always working towards a "raise". now think about the cheapos.The idea of making a living is to get good and retire(hopefully). I am sure there is a place (and area) for the $40 shoer, but why would you want to be one. One word INFLATION ! Has anyone seen the price of fuel these days?
:
: If the $40.00 shoer has his clients close to home or on the way home from a fulltime job then gas is not an issue. If he gets 10 miles to the gallon then it will cost him $4.00 round trip to his customer. More than likely he does itemize his taxes and can't or won't deduct business milage. His/her view is that even if it cost fourty dollars in toole and other expenses for the first horse at a three horse stop, $80.00 has just been made for about three hours work and 20 minutes drive time. This $20.00 an hour is hardly minimum wage.
: Paul
Paul,
I've got more invested into shoeing horses than gas and tools. Your view is very simplistic. Is your truck paid for? What about insurance(truck, business, health, disiability, liability)? How about vehicle up keep? Phone? Bank charges? Retirement? Continuing education? Shipping? Office? Postage? These are just a few things to be considered when figuring your total cost -PER HORSE- not just the first horse. Geez, I almost foregot TAXES!!!! If you consider what I mentioned above I can guarantee you're not going to be getting $20.00/hour. What about sick days? Holidays? Bad weather days? Winter months? Just some things to consider that failed to be mentioned in your calculation of the cost/profit of shoeing a horse.
Jim R.