When life gives you lemons...

[dc]

Anyone in need of an highly experienced and talented Creative/Art Director or Senior Designer?

Looks like my company is in the process of closing it's doors or at least destructively restructuring. Not sure what's next for this boy...




Maybe somewhere warmer? Anyone looking for a nice townhome in the Chicago suburbs? LOL.







Ugh.

[Mike B]

Anyone in need of an highly experienced and talented Creative/Art Director or Senior Designer?

Is this a co-worker of yours?


Seriously, welcome to the club. Sorry to hear it.

[rickjohnson356]

Well, sorry to hear about your impedning situation.

Perhaps we should all consider renewing our ApexSpeed memberships via donations.

Is PayPal the best way to get it done?

[RussMcB]

Sorry to hear this, Doug.

If it helps, you've created a lot of good will and and an incredible network here. Hopefully one of us will hear about something and think of you. You never know where a job opening will come from.

Can you create a logo and some graphs? :-).

[tjcezar]

Stay positive (sounds like nothing's happened yet) but if it does everything happens for a reason. I look at situations like this as a test. Maybe a higher power or the forces of nature are testing you to see how creative you can really be? Facts are you definately have some talents and maybe there are places where you will be even better off "like somewhere warmer!". There is a brite side to everything.

Hey Rick clear your pm's I've been trying to get you.

[Dale Carter]

Hey Doug, cleaning coolant tanks this afternoon. You can always come take my job. Lots of hours, no money, but I love my job. Wouldn't have it any other way. You'll be fine. Dad

[WorldSpeed]

Doug,
I am sorry to hear this.

I'm working on our marketing plans for 2010 and will be including ApexSpeed in the mix. Hopefully some of the others who enjoy your site will also step up.

[Steve Demeter]

Doug,

Was there 16 months ago and might be there again.

I feel your pain.

But remember that good people will always be able to find work, no matter how bad things are.

[dc]

Well I went into the office this morning to find out with 100% certainty that my company is closing the doors. At least I was prepared for the worst case scenario today. I did spend the weekend trying to come up with a new plan and direction, and I think it made it easier to take, having to hand in my key on the way out. At the very least, though, I was given the opportunity to take on all of the company's existing clients as my own—which will help a ton.

So now, a new path. My own. It's been a long time in the back of my head. Now it's time to put the idea to reality and make a go of it. Terrifying, yet really exciting at the same time. Probably not the best time to be venturing out in a new business, but I guess it could be worse.

www.squareheaddesign.com launched this weekend, and will be the stepping off point for everything here on out for me. I'm suddenly not adverse to whoring myself out, so if you are in need of, or know someone who is in need of, high end print or web design, I'm pretty easy to find right now.



One shot... here we go.



Thanks for all of the well-wishes. It has most certainly helped to stay focused.






d

[John Robinson II]

Doug,
Place a majority ownership in your wife's name, apply for every sba and minority advantage group out there. You can also check for local disadvantaged business aid. There is lots of money and mentoring programs being offered if you meet the qualifications. Unfortunately, I and my company do not. I just got through wading through a lot of this crap as I was bidding more government work.
Good Luck,
John

[Matt King]

Good luck, Doug. Hopefully this won't prevent you from running that shiny new FV next year!

[Rick Iverson]

...www.squareheaddesign.com launched this weekend...

$hit hot, Bud.

Denise may want some help. I'll get back to you.

Iverson

Post Scriptum ...make lemonade!

[Ty_Handke_83]

Good luck Doug, although I have no doubt you'll succeed.

[Tifosi]

You hated that place anyway Doug. Good luck bud!

[Ralph Z.]

Doug:

I have two companies and one is an outsourced sales and marketing firm. Not sure if there is a fit between us but I can tell you based on my 14 years of running my own show that your network and strategic partnerships are an absolute must for long term success.

Always be looking out for others to connect with who can provide channels to business for you...and vice-versa. Call me if you wish and I can lend some counsel and perhaps opportunity.

This is not a bad time to launch your own thing. I did it in much worse times and have always been able to put food on the table. You already have customers which is awesome. This may be the best opportunity in your career.

Ralph Z.

330-342-0923

[Purple Frog]

Many great companies were started in the midst of the Great Depression.

Good Luck! You'll do fine.

JR2 made a good point. The majority owner of Purple Frog LLC is one Janice Eakin.

[tjcezar]

This is the best time to get going! Complacent businesses are dropping like flies which opens up territories to those who are hungry for it! If you care about what you do and treat your customers right you'll be their best choice

[Mike B]

Well I went into the office this morning to find out with 100% certainty that my company is closing the doors.

I think the warning sign was when they turned off the heat last week.

Seriously, good luck!

[Steve Demeter]

Sweet work examples on your website Doug.

You should do well.

And do take advantage of every minority proirity you can by having it in the good half's name.

Nothing illegal or immoral about it.

Godspeed as they used to say to the astronauts before lots of you young whippersnappers were born.

[Larry]

My very best wishes in your new endeavor! I can pass along a few hard-earned lessons:
1. Watch your overhead! Keep it low, and don't just buy things because they are for the business. Track EVERY nickel, and spread-sheet everything so you know with certainty what all of your expenses are.
2. When the time comes, hire slowly. Fire quickly! If a new person isn't working out, you can't carry them and you can't let them harm your relationship with your customers. Let them know what you expect, and if they can't deliver, say "Adios."
3. No matter how busy you get, spend at least 20% of your time cultivating new customers. This is where I blew my consulting business. One customer was buying 100% of my time, and I had plenty of income--and then the economy went south and he stopped buying my time. Had I put 20% into business development, I'd still be in that business today.

Good luck, and go get 'em!
Larry Oliver
International Racing Products

[Ralph Z.]

Larry give sound advice...low overhead, proactively manage your people and constantly look for new business. I couldn't agree more.

[Wee Bobby]

Doug,

There is some good advice in the posts above.
I had to start my own business after I was "de-hired" way back in '77. Never looked back.
Some really great stuff at squareheaddesign.com
Will send you a PM.

Wee Bobby
Haggis Racing

[dc]

Just a bit of an update on the happenings since that wonderful week in mid-December...

The company launched officially at the start of the year, and the client list is growing. Thankfully, the work has been good so far, but I'm always looking to add new clients and customers to the mix. If you or someone you know is looking to develop your company's branding or marketing through print or web media, I specialize in industrial and motoring companies, but can handle just about anything you can throw at me.

My expanding company website is developing here: www.squareheaddesign.com


2010 is going to be a great year!

[Mike B]

This sure looks like a retail post.












Congrats!

[dc]

It's good to be the king.




Then again, I DO have a banner running, too.

[rmccown]

Arent prices supposed to be posted?

[dc]

All of my prices are now double for you, Bob.

[Tifosi]

Hey Mr Webmaster
Your skype link is showing me a red x.

[dc]

Hey Mr Webmaster
Your skype link is showing me a red x.

Where, here or the SH website? Hit refresh, either way, the images are all there...

[Tifosi]

Here. refresh doesn't help.