Craftsmen's Corner

Your plastering is impressive, but how about your profits?

Good craftsmen can be good businessmen, too

Most craftsmen do what they do because they love it, not because the pay is great or the conditions cushy. They work independently or in small shops, without the sick pay, vacation time, retirement benefits and health insurance common in other fields.

Because Old House Authority connects historic property owners with qualified craftsmen and preservation experts we want to know about you and your particular skills. Our Preservation People Network is useful to us in making referrals and offers you the advantage of more exposure. It costs you nothing. Sign up now by clicking on the membership directory button and filling out a brief application.

Lacking marketing budgets, many in the traditional building trades depend upon word-of-mouth referrals. If the jobs slow down, so does income and the ability to plan for the future. Forget legal or accounting advice - too expensive. And who's got time to print business cards or paint his name on the side of a truck when there's real work to be done?

Well, you're not in it alone. You'd be surprised at the number of services - free or low cost - that can help make your business more profitable. For instance, the U.S. government created the Small Business Administration (SBA) in 1953 as an independent agency of the federal government to aid, counsel, assist and protect the interests of small business concerns. The SBA (www.sba.gov) can guide you in expanding your business; increasing business knowledge and productivity; and tapping into expertise at the local level for support.

Business Planning

Forget what you ever heard about the value of free advice. It's priceless in the case of SCORE. So, listen up. A nonprofit resource partner of the SBA, SCORE (Service Corps of Retired Executives) is a network of local affiliates harnessing the know how and drive of 10,500 volunteer counselors. These volunteers are working or retired business owners, executives and corporate leaders who have achieved success and want to show you the ropes.

If there were a business equivalent of a personal trainer, your SCORE counselor would be it: giving you direction, pushing you to succeed - but, FOR FREE! SCORE can help you write a business plan, find sources of capital, and sell yourself. (You can tell Old House Authority believes in these people). To find your local SCORE office, visit www.score.org.

Very Small Businesses are Different

A law firm is the last place many one or two-person businesses would expect to find good, tried and true, inexpensive advice. But, attorney Billy Ellyson (www.ellysonlaw.com) in Richmond, VA knows that very small businesses have less to spend than larger businesses and cannot afford to lose any of it.

For a very small (he is committed to small) annual fee, he'll help you unravel the mysteries of law, taxes and business. He'll also explain how to avoid law suits, limit costs, and protect your assets. Ellyson, a recognized authority in this area of law, employs a unique approach in that all clients pay the same fee. Check your local bar association (www.abanet.org) or Ellyson, wge@ellysonlaw.com for a referral to a firm in your area.

Professional Portfolio

Presenting yourself professionally is an important aspect of marketing. So consider documenting and continually updating your work visually in a professionally produced portfolio. Old House Authority suggests that you collect good examples of your work and arrange to have them professionally photographed. You will then have these images handy when you need to show clients examples of your work, place an ad, make a historical record, or produce samples for business or legal purposes.

Maurice Duke, photographer for the Old House Authority, offers photographic services for those interested in having visual documentation of what for most craftsmen regard as prized possessions and labors of love. Maurice is a former staff photographer for the Richmond Times-Dispatch and a former U.S. Navy photographer. He has also published books and articles on both Virginia history and literature and understands the importance of keeping the visual past alive for the future. Services run from the occasional single photograph to more extensive portfolios assembled over time. All images are delivered in digital form so that the client can have them printed in the form of his or her choice. Contact Maurice at maurice@oldhouseauthority.com for further information and price quotes.

A Place to Hang Your Shingle

Like a lot of artisans, you may be running your business out of a shop in the basement or back yard. But you might increase productivity (and profits) in a larger space, where you can take on more jobs, and maybe hire a few extra hands. The National Business Incubation Association (NBIA) (www.nbia.org) offers information, education, advocacy and networking resources to assist in startup and fledgling businesses. You could check with them to see if there is anything similar to BizWorks Enterprise Center in Richmond, VA (www.bizworkscenter.org or 804-275-5190).

This nonprofit business incubator houses, cultivates and helps small firms that are susceptible to failure during the early years succeed. The nurturing includes management guidance and counseling along with flexible office/workshop space, shared printers, fax machines and someone to accept deliveries. (A word of caution: Do not confuse nonprofit and for-profit incubators. Some want to make money while helping you; others are subsidized so they can give you the best deal).