Ideas for Carpenters
After working for over 10 years in technology I finally gave it up for a career in carpentry last year. Since then I have been keeping busy building furniture, building fences and working as a handyman. I love what I do now and am finally happy with what I do.
I've been thinking of how I can advertise my carpentry skills to businesses. One idea I had was to advertise to small shipping companies and build custom shipping containers for unusual items. This is an example of how I am trying to use my skills.
I thought I would ask the community for their input. What are some unusual ways that you could use a carpenter? What businesses could benefit from someone who can read a tape measure, make an accurate cut and take a set of plans and build a product??????
I've been thinking of how I can advertise my carpentry skills to businesses. One idea I had was to advertise to small shipping companies and build custom shipping containers for unusual items. This is an example of how I am trying to use my skills.
I thought I would ask the community for their input. What are some unusual ways that you could use a carpenter? What businesses could benefit from someone who can read a tape measure, make an accurate cut and take a set of plans and build a product??????
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Fred Leo on -
Hi Richard,
Congratulations on creating your business. I love hearing stories like yours.
One idea that I had is to sell the plans and directions for making items. I know a couple of carpenter hobbyists that love to build items based off of plans that they buy from other carpenters.
Fred
http://www.48days.net/group/solobizcoach
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Permalink Reply by David Kimball on -
Make a list of 10 ways you can help businesses. Why do you want to work with businesses?
Write some articles and reports on why using someone with your skills makes sense for a business. Create some videos showcasing your expertise and explanations of your shipping containers or other items.
From this, create a DVD to handout and also put this same info up on your website.
Create that awareness and need/desire for your services.
David
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Permalink Reply by Richard on -
red, great ideas. I'm already doing something similar and have investigated the products on Etsy and ArtFire.com
"Why do you want to work with businesses?" Generally, more money is available.
I like the marketing idea using the DVD.
There are a lot of carpenters out there. What I'm researching is to identify a niche where I can offer my carpentry skills in a unique way where others haven't considered. The containers was just a thought I had after unpacking some items.
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Permalink Reply by David Kimball on
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[Generally, more money is available.]
Oops, not a very good USP.
Go talk with a few business owners and ask THEM what THEY want.
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Permalink Reply by Celeste & Phil Davis on -
I came on the site to propose a business idea for a carpenter, may be you are it!
We are wellness coaches and focus on food. Many people are becoming interested in gardening, composting, etc, however, they don't know where to start and composting the traditional way is a lot of work.
I have a relationship with a national company that has a completely natural and organic product that turns your food and paper waste into dirt in just 6-8 weeks! It is simple and easy and actually creates a raised bed garden.
A great business would be building the raised bed box, selling this product as a part of your package and teaching the people how to use it. The company would teach you how to do all that, the supplies are minimal just a few pieces of wood, some dirt,straw and this product; you could develop it further by partnering with a local nursery or organic seed company. In fact, this is something that could be developed with employees in your area or in other areas.
The great thing is it can be done on a patio or in a yard, you don't have to have a big area for a small raised bed box.
Let me know if you would like more information.
Celeste
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Permalink Reply by Jacob Woldstad on -
If you are interested in building custom cabinetry systems, you could approach high-end businesses and home owners. So much of the furniture people is junk, but it's cheap. However, there are lots of people who are willing to pay for quality. If cabinetry/furniture are not your cup of tea, maybe another specific area would make it easier to market yourself.
I think custom crates could be another good avenue, if it interests you.
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Permalink Reply by Richard on
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Jacob, I agree with your assessment. Unfortunately with the housing bust a big stake of the high end cabinetry went away. Those I who are still in the cabinetry business are struggling to cover their overhead. Hence my search for something outside of the box, like Celeste's suggestion.
Celeste - I'd like to know more about what you are proposing. I sent you an email earlier today to your 48 days' profile. Since I've posted this I've come across several different ideas I'd like to try and these suggestions are great!
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Permalink Reply by Michael Bushey on -
Why not contact a local community theater group. They are always looking for skilled craftsman who can be creative and build sets / scenery for plays and musicals.
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