One trick I learned from a CJF I apprenticed with: He wrote in Sharpie on the bottom of his clipboard (the one he wrote reciepts on) "I WILL MAKE MONEY TODAY". I did the same, and it reminds me everytime I write up a bill, I'm here to make money, not sell myself short.

Another thought he gave me too: After you set aside what you need for your taxes, set aside half of whats left for the business and the other for yourself.

Hope these help you as much as they've helped me.

Jack Evers wrote:Welcome John,
Jack
There shoeing them here for 50-55 and trimming 20-25. You should hear some of the responses I get when I tell them my prices. I get a lot of " and that's per horse" I reply " yes" then I'll I hear is click.......or dial tone.

All depends on location. We have a coupla guys here that jump the border every morning. They charge about $15-$20 to trim and $45-$50 to shoe. Live like kings on the south side of the border.

Dusty Roundup wrote:You better make dang sure you trust your girlfriend.
I treat my wife like a mushroom when it comes to my business. I wish it didnt have to be that way, but I am a saver and she is a spender. I have also been burned with an empty bank account and divorce papers. Lesson learned in my book. People change, and come what may I won't be in that position again. A good safe is a good investment.

Steve Swain wrote:

HAHAHA, I forgot you lived so close. If I travel a bit south there are the same problems. I go to Amado about 30 miles north of the border, the horses had been shod by these guys for about six months and looked like soup can feet. Never would have changed if one hadn't broken a coffin bone. He's the reason I'm there and the owners gives me 8 or 9 more to work on to make a good day. At $95 for four shoes, they can get two to three done by the border jumpers, it don't help my business to travel south much.

Well,
i think Ive got the Rates figured out.
Im going with what the other local Farriers are charging and it seems about right for where I'm at.
The one ?odd man out, was a feller is charging the local going rate, but the client brings the horses to him, so I figure he's making more for sure, as he doesnt have fuel and vehicle expense.
Seems like Im picking up a few of those accounts, LOL, of course , they pay the same , and get me to come to them.
But , theres a few other Farriers around , and Ive contacted and introduced myself to a couple of them.
I explained, i didnt want to undercut, to get business, i want clients that want me for my quality of work.
They took to me just fine, as we all know, theres all sorts of differences as to ,,who we like to shoe for, and theres all sorts of reasons why clients like one of us over the other.
So, I'm just going to go with the going rate for my area.
And so far , the accounts I've been picking up are Happy with my work.

It is deep winter now, and I guess I'll make do in whatever way I can, till spring.
I cant wait for spring, to get back to work. and I'm excited about the coming year.
I am going to add a few more products to my business, one of them being the vettec line.
I have "finally" talked 3 clients into using vettec products for crack issues.

2011 should be a GREAT year!

Dusty