<html><body> <DIV><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size=4>Hi J R, </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>I agree with you there.  Maybe I didn't explain myself real well, but I do agree that we must keep moving on.  What I menat was that business climate may vary from person to person given their situation, but a person still must keep moving on regardless of the climate, or in my case, make for a better situation.</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial size=4>Marshall</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: "J. R. White" <jrwhiteltd@msn.com> <BR> <META content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)" name=Generator> <STYLE> v\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} o\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} w\:* {behavior:url(#default#VML);} shape {behavior:url(#default#VML);} </STYLE> <?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:SmartTagType name="time" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType><o:SmartTagType name="date" namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags"></o:SmartTagType> <STYLE> st1\:*{behavior:url(#default#ieooui) } </STYLE> <STYLE>  </STYLE> <DIV class=Section1> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">You still miss my point: <U>business climate doesn’t matter</U>.  There are those whose attitudes and focus make them winners in any business climate.  If you don’t know this, every minute of every day, self-employment is likely frequently to scare the hell out of you.  Being scared like that is not necessary – and won’t happen – if you simply keep your eye on the task at hand.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Over the years, piano technicians in my market – my very neighborhood – and with more experience than I had at the time have gone out of business.  More than fifty of them.  They all blamed “business climate” or business conditions as the reason.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Yes, you have to be very good at what you do.  You have to work at it.  And you have to use good business practices.  But you don’t have to be sensitive to – or even particularly concerned about – every chill wind that blows.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Bottom line: keep on keeping on.  Contact your old clients.  Solicit new ones.  Treat people kindly.  Just do it.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">J R W<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=blue size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><A href="mailto:jrwhiteltd@msn.com">jrwhiteltd@msn.com</A></SPAN></FONT><FONT color=blue><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=blue size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">(253) 922-2372</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Behalf Of </SPAN></B>pianotune05<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Wednesday, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="5" Day="03" Year="2006">May 03, 2006</st1:date> <st1:time w:st="on" Hour="7" Minute="08">7:08 AM</st1:time><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> Pianotech List<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: Business climate</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">I think business climate does hold some validity.  Of course, climate could vary from place to place, but I agree, pressing on is the key.  </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">As for those of us who are out there starting up, I think the climate can be affected by numerous factors.  That's why I said before that my area is saturated.  I think business climate can be affected by a person's individual situation ie. poor transit system, being new and slower than other tuners etc.  However, one can overcome these factors to a certain degree however, I do believe that in order to thrive at any business one must look at his or her individual situation and make the proper adjustments in order to thrive and succeed.  In my case with only one piano store in the area and a bus system that's limitted, I'd do better in an area with a better transit system and more piano opportunity.  So for me, my area is too saturated.  For the guy who's been here for 30 plus years who would say, "Our area isn't saturated," doesn't make sense. It reflects his i ndividual situation. </SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Business climate then is often relative rather than set in stone, and pressing on is the only way we have in order to determine if we're working in a good or bad climate.</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Marshall</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; PADDING-LEFT: 3pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN: 5pt 0in 5pt 3pt; BORDER-LEFT: black 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">----- Original Message ----- <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV style="font-color: black"> <P class=MsoNormal style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4"><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <A title=jrwhiteltd@msn.com href="mailto:jrwhiteltd@msn.com">J. R. White</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">To:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">'Pianotech List'</A> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Sent:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> Tuesday, <st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="5" Day="02" Year="2006">May 02, 2006</st1:date> <st1:time w:st="on" Hour="23" Minute="22">11:22 PM</st1:time><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Subject:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> RE: Business climate<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">Repeat business is holding up quite well, for me, even after thirty-five years.  Forget the so-called business climate.  Just keep pressing ahead.  That’s what entrepreneurs do; that’s what sets ‘em apart.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana">J R W<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Verdana color=blue size=4><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 14pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: Verdana"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=blue size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'"><A href="mailto:jrwhiteltd@msn.com">jrwhiteltd@msn.com</A></SPAN></FONT><FONT color=blue><SPAN style="COLOR: blue"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Comic Sans MS" color=blue size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt; COLOR: blue; FONT-FAMILY: 'Comic Sans MS'">(253) 922-2372</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <DIV> <DIV class=MsoNormal style="TEXT-ALIGN: center" align=center><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"> <HR tabIndex=-1 align=center width="100%" SIZE=2> </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold; FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">From:</SPAN></FONT></B><FONT face=Tahoma size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma"> <A href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org">pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</A> [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">On Behalf Of </SPAN></B>KeyKat88@aol.com<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Sent:</SPAN></B> Tuesday, <st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="5" Day="02" Year="2006">May 02, 2006</st1:date> <st1:time w:st="on" Hour="14" Minute="41">2:41 PM</st1:time><BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">To:</SPAN></B> pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B><SPAN style="FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Subject:</SPAN></B> Re: Business climate</SPAN></FONT><o:p></o:p></P></DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face="Times New Roman" size=3><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 12pt"><o:p> </o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">In a message dated <st1:date w:st="on" ls="trans" Month="4" Day="14" Year="2006">4/14/2006</st1:date> 7:03:14 PM Eastern Standard Time, Erwinspiano@aol.com writes:<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; PADDING-LEFT: 3pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN-LEFT: 3pt; BORDER-LEFT: blue 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="BORDER-RIGHT: medium none; PADDING-RIGHT: 0in; BORDER-TOP: medium none; MARGIN-TOP: 5pt; PADDING-LEFT: 3pt; MARGIN-BOTTOM: 5pt; PADDING-BOTTOM: 0in; MARGIN-LEFT: 3pt; BORDER-LEFT: blue 1.5pt solid; PADDING-TOP: 0in; BORDER-BOTTOM: medium none"> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">  Anyone noticed a drop in repeat business this spring?  I wonder if higher fuel prices are pinching budgets and one place to trim is piano tuning.....<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Tahoma color=black size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; COLOR: black; FONT-FAMILY: Tahoma">    Mike Kurta<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Greetings,<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">        business is actually picking up for me...but then again i am starting my third year in business and thst is probably why.<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial"> <o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Julia Gottshall<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV> <DIV> <P class=MsoNormal><FONT face=Arial size=2><SPAN style="FONT-SIZE: 10pt; FONT-FAMILY: Arial">Reaidng PA<o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV></BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>