Closin' up shop / Public Thank You.

treitz3
treitz3 Posts: 19,015
edited May 2013 in The Clubhouse
Many of you know me from my typing away feverishly here and on other forums. A select few have known me personally and have had the chance to follow the personal details of my life ever since I found this thing called a "forum".

For those who don't know me, here's a little history. I have owned my own restoration company for about a decade now and I've made more than a pretty damn good living at it....until Dec. of '07 when things started slowly sliding downhill. It has slowly dwindled down every month from that time 'till now. I have tried to keep the company afloat....always thinking that if I could make it past the first 3 years, I could make it through anything. The economy, on the other hand, had other thoughts in mind for me. :mad:

Well, I finally decided to throw in the towel. As of today, I have closed the company down. I still have more tools than I could ever imagine to do what it is I do but they are going to just sit idle for a while. That is, until I decide to do somethin' to MY house for a change. :D

Anyhoo, I'd like to publicly thank our resident member Lightman1 for recommending me to his upper for employment. I've known for about 3 weeks now that I got the position but today, I started. Now the wife can stay home with the new born [Aiden James Reitz, 6 mos.], she can work, she can start her own business, what ever she would like to do?.....well, she can do.

All I know is that now, when I'm off? I'm off. No more dealing with collections, invoicing, accounting, dealing with taxes, paperwork and the usual crap a business owner has to deal with after he/she is already off for the day. I'm OFF!

Off to enjoy life and my family with no further need to worry about when my hard earned money will actually hit my pocket [sometimes 4-5 mos. out, due to the economy]......and for that? I have Lightman1 to thank.

Thanks buddy. ;)
~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
Post edited by treitz3 on
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    You can come pee in my bushes anytime, my friend. :eek:

    Oh, and..........shut up Russ.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • NJPOLKER
    NJPOLKER Posts: 3,474
    edited January 2010
    Congratulations and good for you and your family.
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  • snow
    snow Posts: 4,337
    edited January 2010
    Sorry to hear about your business closing Tom but happy to hear you have a new job so that you can support you and yours.

    BTW I sent off your package at lunch today expect 3- 5 days for delivery. I will send you a PM with how I used it etc.




    REGARDS SNOW
    Well, I just pulled off the impossible by doing a double-blind comparison all by myself, purely by virtue of the fact that I completely and stupidly forgot what I did last. I guess that getting old does have its advantages after all :D
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  • polrbehr
    polrbehr Posts: 2,830
    edited January 2010
    Having been in pretty much the same boat for about the same amount of time as you have been, I can honestly say I understand where you're coming from. While I have been able to "stay afloat" for the time being (that sound you hear is me knocking wood ;)), I know that things can turn at any time... for good OR bad.
    So towards that end, I offer my sincerest best wishes for you and your family in the future!
















    PS Save your tools and stuff. Ya never know...
    So, are you willing to put forth a little effort or are you happy sitting in your skeptical poo pile?


    http://audiomilitia.proboards.com/
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  • ben62670
    ben62670 Posts: 15,969
    edited January 2010
    Well bro at the same time it is a crongrats. I know it sucks to lose your business. I think as a whole that this will better your family life style. I still have my tools from years ago, and once in a while a side job is a nice bonus. Be grateful you still have contacts, and you are able to get a good solid paycheck every week. Many have no jobs. I went through this swing in the late 80's, and 2007 also.
    Love ya bro, and chin up.
    Ben
    Please. Please contact me a ben62670 @ yahoo.com. Make sure to include who you are, and you are from Polk so I don't delete your email. Also I am now physically unable to work on any projects. If you need help let these guys know. There are many people who will help if you let them know where you are.
    Thanks
    Ben
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  • Polkersince85
    Polkersince85 Posts: 2,883
    edited January 2010
    You'll never know the meaning of success unless you know the meaning of failure. Get some food on the table and ride this thing out. Use the time with the pressure off to reflect on what you did right and what you did wrong. Then jump back in and just do what you did right.
    >
    >
    >This message has been scanned by the NSA and found to be free of harmful intent.<
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  • Pycroft
    Pycroft Posts: 1,960
    edited January 2010
    Congrats on retirement! I'm looking forward to it :)

    Edit: Not clear if it was by choice you're closing shop! I hope it is...but if not, hopefully things turn around!
    2 Channel/HT:
    Sony SS-M9 P's (ES version)
    Sony SS-M1CN Center Channel
    Polk RT800 Surround Speakers
    Odyssey Stratos Dual Mono Amplifiers
    TAD 150 Signature Tube Preamp
    Harman Kardon HK354
    Sony SACD Player
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  • madmax
    madmax Posts: 12,434
    edited January 2010
    I too have to offer congrats rather than feeling sorry for you. Working your own business is from what I've seen life consuming furious work to either skyrocket up at the end or crash. It can be really good, or not. You did it though and that is whats important! In some ways I can see it in the same light as I do higher education, completing the struggle at the right time and moving on to bigger and better things.
    madmax
    Vinyl, the final frontier...

    Avantgarde horns, 300b tubes, thats the kinda crap I want... :D
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  • MillerLiteScott
    MillerLiteScott Posts: 2,561
    edited January 2010
    Tom,

    Sorry to hear about having to shut down your business. I am essentially in the same business and have never seen it this bad in the past 21 years, 11 of which I have been on my own. I am glad you found some work and kudos to Russ.

    Best of Luck on your new opportunity.

    Scott
    I like speakers that are bigger than a small refrigerator but smaller than a big refrigerator:D
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  • Conradicles
    Conradicles Posts: 6,080
    edited January 2010
    I have a Man Cave that needs an "Extreme Makeover Club Polk Edition" if you ever get some spare time. Congrats on the new job!
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    Please, don't anybody look at this as a failure or something bad because I had to close up shop. I don't and s__t happens. I chose to do this and it has been in the works for about a half a year now. I was offered a position about 5 months ago.....right at about the time I had lined up about 3-4 months worth of work. I had worked my first account and after that, I found out that all the rest of them had fallen through due to the economy.

    This same pattern has gone on for so long that I just don't want to deal with it anymore. The last gig the company [what was left of it which was only me, used to have 9 employees at one point] was getting paid 1K a week to do whatever the cat said needed to be done. That was cool and it paid the bills but it wasn't permanent and steady. This is.

    The main thing I like is the fact that with this job? I'll be paid every week, instead of hoping that I get paid within the month, or within 2-3 months or worse. Hell, my wife is unemployed right now because she [indirectly] is in the same field. She's an interior designer and the firm she used to work for had 18 employees and they currently have two, one of which is the owner. :eek:

    She's still covered [and my son] for health insurance from her former employer in hopes that he can still retain her, which is unheard of in this economy. He even provides her with a Blackberry to communicate.

    The economy in Charlotte is so bad right now that I count us as being very blessed. Heck, two counties down from us, unemployment is close to 30%. I am very lucky, very blessed and thankful like you would not believe that I got a great paying job, first shift, in this economy, in this town, at this moment.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    polrbehr wrote: »
    PS Save your tools and stuff. Ya never know...
    That's my back up just in case s__t happens again. ;)
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • AudioGenics
    AudioGenics Posts: 2,567
    edited January 2010
    Best of Luck....


    “Be who you are and say what you feel because
    those who mind don't matter and
    those who matter don't mind.”
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  • schwarcw
    schwarcw Posts: 7,335
    edited January 2010
    Best of luck Tom! I hope that your future is brighter than any of your past. Your BEST days are still to come!

    Russ, you rock!
    Carl

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  • nguyendot
    nguyendot Posts: 3,594
    edited January 2010
    Sometimes change is for the better. I think you're embracing it as such and the future is brighter. If you learned anything from your experience, it was probably worth it then.
    Main Surround -
    Epson 8350 Projector/ Elite Screens 120" / Pioneer Elite SC-35 / Sunfire Signature / Focal Chorus 716s / Focal Chorus CC / Polk MC80 / Polk PSW150 sub

    Bedroom - Sharp Aquos 70" 650 / Pioneer SC-1222k / Polk RT-55 / Polk CS-250

    Den - Rotel RSP-1068 / Threshold CAS-2 / Boston VR-M60 / BDP-05FD
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  • coolsax
    coolsax Posts: 1,824
    edited January 2010
    Sorry to hear about the business but glad you were able to get a job right away.. good luck on it all.
    Main 2ch -
    BlueSound Node->Ethereal optical cable->Peachtree Audio Nova 150->GoldenEar Triton 2+
    TT - Pro-ject Classic SB with Sumiko Bluepoint.

    TV 3.1 system -
    Denon 3500 -> Dynaudio Excite 32/22
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    Thanks!
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • polkatese
    polkatese Posts: 6,767
    edited January 2010
    Grats Tom! one door closed the other...
    I am sorry, I have no opinion on the matter. I am sure you do. So, don't mind me, I just want to talk audio and pie.
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2010
    If you've ever met Tom....how he was a male exotic dancer for this long is beyond me. The world is now a better place.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • TroyD
    TroyD Posts: 13,077
    edited January 2010
    Hellz Yeah...rock on, brother!

    BDT
    I plan for the future. - F1Nut
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  • leroyjr1
    leroyjr1 Posts: 8,785
    edited January 2010
    Atleast you'll get to spend more time with the family, kids grow up so fast. Maybe you could have 2 or 3 more now that you've got more time on your hands.:D
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2010
    Good for you Tom,, I know that you must feel relieved somewhat. I know that you'll enjoy spending time with time with your family and the new addition of twins.;)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    Twins? :eek: :eek:

    *drops to floor*











    Who's the daddy? :D
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • george daniel
    george daniel Posts: 12,096
    edited January 2010
    LOL,, I was referring to your newest 40 watt addition.Now you have two.:)
    JC approves....he told me so. (F-1 nut)
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    YEAH BABY!!!!! :D:D:D

    *wipes brow* Man, thanks for clearing that up.
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • jax3822
    jax3822 Posts: 88
    edited January 2010
    You can close your doors, but you can never lose your trade. Glad you are working now. Keep those tools, keep your contacts, people will be looking for you to do their work when the economy gets better. Once you are your own boss, it can be hard to work for someone else, but sometimes it is good to let someone else make sure there is money in the checkbook to do payroll.
    I have been in the restoration field for 20 years now, and while business couldnt be better up here right now, (sorry), being diagnosed with Cancer (twice) with 2 kids (8 and 6), you realize that time with your kids and family is more important than the pursuit of money.
    Good luck with the new job, Congrats on the baby, enjoy you gear, and make it all count!!
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited January 2010
    Tom is OFFICIALLY my beyatch now!:D
    Anything for a brother.
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  • treitz3
    treitz3 Posts: 19,015
    edited January 2010
    Thank you Russ. Not only from me, but from my family.

    That said, shut up you ol' pole humpin' ****. :eek:
    ~ In search of accurate reproduction of music. Real sound is my reference and while perfection may not be attainable? If I chase it, I might just catch excellence. ~
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  • dorokusai
    dorokusai Posts: 25,577
    edited January 2010
    Nobody likes pole climbers and why should they.
    CTC BBQ Amplifier, Sonic Frontiers Line3 Pre-Amplifier and Wadia 581 SACD player. Speakers? Always changing but for now, Mission Argonauts I picked up for $50 bucks, mint.
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  • lightman1
    lightman1 Posts: 10,788
    edited January 2010
    dorokusai wrote: »
    Nobody likes pole climbers and why should they.
    You didn't hesitate to climb mine at Troy and Wendi's................


    Now gimme a kiss..
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