Restarting a business

[Brian Holden]

Hi Russell

I've often thought of doing the same thing myself but haven't got the nerve
to do it.  Of course a lot of it would have to do with how aggressive your
opposition is.  I am the only tuner in my city although a couple of others
travel here regularly.  I guess in time they would take over my work should
I leave.  A tuner from a neighboring town moved away about five years ago
and my business has flourished having to travel there once a week.  If he
were ever to return after all this time, he would find a large hole in his
clientele and would have to work hard to get them back, though I'm sure he'd
get a few.  I go overseas for two months every two years and I am always
conscious of losing a few clients, but most do hold off.  If I went away for
two years with the intention of returning, I would try to get as many
tunings as I could, up to date and slip away on my sabbatical unannounced,
apart from advising my regular clients of my intentions (which I would
definitely try to do).  As many customers want their pianos tuned only every
18 - 24 months, you would probably pick them up on your return.  Once again,
it depends how many piano tuners are lurking around out there wanting to
snap up your work.  If it were me, and a strong desire to escape was hanging
over me, I'd take the punt and go - life's too short not to.  If you do it
right, and have a good reputation, there'll still be work for you when you
get back.

Brian Holden

-----Original Message-----
From: Hrschm@AOL.COM <Hrschm@AOL.COM>
To: pianotech@ptg.org <pianotech@ptg.org>
Date: Saturday, 15 January 2000 17:49
Subject: Restarting a business


>       Has any one had the experience of leaving the city in which one has
>built up a successful tuning business and then moving back two to three
years
>later revive it? How much time does it take to get back up to the former
>level of business? I'm wondering how much I would be giving up if I
decieded
>to move away for a couple of years to pursue opportunites not available to
me
>here. I think I have a well established reputation where I am. I just
wonder
>if this assest could be easily reclaimed after a couple years absence.
>
>Thanks for any experiences you can share with me on this subject
>
>
>Russell Schmidt R.P.T.
>