<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"><head><meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"><meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)"><style></style></head><body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple><div class=WordSection1>Hi Marshall,<o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>You are new at it Marshall.  It took me many, many years to build it up.  How long and how fast it builds up depends on how hard one works at building it up along with the quality of workmanship that you do.  I worked my tail off doing whatever I had to do. I worked on “almost” any type of piano but square grand’s.  As my business increased, so did my rates but at the same time, I started turning down the “lesser quality pianos” working my business up to the better quality pianos and the clients with more money so that if the economy was affected, I would not be as apt to affected so much as the next tech that will be affected that relies on mostly incoming calls to stay busy.  By lesser pianos, I mean, pianos with all plastic action parts and such.  I’ve paid my dues on those 10 times over replacing all of the parts on them.  J  However, it took me many years to get to that point, where I could start cutting back on that sort of thing.  If one is busy enough, you can pick and choose more on which pianos you would like or not like to accept for tuning but, again, that will take you many years, 10, 15, I don’t know, it all depends on how much you work the system itself and your particular community.  I used to even resort to thumbing through the phone book!!  Anything to get just one tuning!  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>You HAVE TO HAVE a good attitude no matter what with your customers.  This morning, to be frank, I am in a ROTTEN mood but, is it showing?  J  I hide it with my clients if I am grouchy, or down, or worried about whatever because they don’t want to see it,  they don’t want to know it and least of all, they don’t want to hear it.  Anymore than I want to know about from them.  J  As I said before, attitude is everything. I have a motto.  No matter what life brings our way, “life is what you make it.”  If we have less work, “life is what we make it.”  When a loved one dies, “life is what you make it.”  If you can’t make a living, “Life is what you make it.”  Notice the word YOU in it…  Nobody makes me or my life happy but for myself.  A better attitude makes for a happier person and for better quality work too.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>If you wait for the work to come to you, it’ll take forever to come to you, if it comes at all.  You have to go after ‘it.’  Work the business.  That’s one mistake newer people make, they wait for “IT” to come to “them” and then they get down on themselves when it doesn’t.  NO business builds itself up all by itself.  Make cold calls for example.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>As I mentioned in a previous thread, but, I forgot about until this morning was after my mom died, my dad KEPT the college for himself.  He didn’t turn the business over to me for about 3 more years or so, I don’t remember the exact year.  He refused to do so until I took my RPT exams.  I finally did 2 or 3 years after I drummed up the courage….  Without the college tunings, I had mostly nothing to tune.  For me, it was like starting a business from scratch like anyone else.  The difference is that I worked it and worked it and worked it and I worked it.  Day and night.  I made calls, drove to churches and schools and I knocked on one door after the other introducing myself over and over again.  I became friends with several dealers of which we now only have 2 left but, I remain friends with them to this day.  To satisfy anyone, I worked days, evenings, Saturdays, NO Sunday’s though.  I refuse them all and still do. I don’t believe in it.   Speaking of the college, I’m supposed to be there right now….  I’m tired this morning, not much sleep last night and so, I am procrastinating leaving here but yet, once I do leave here, I will not come back until I have tuned at least 5 pianos.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>As for price increases.  My accountant told me many years ago that we need to increase our rates by 3.5 % PER YEAR in order to just stay even with inflation.  More than that if we wish to remain one step above it.  4 % for example.  I’ve raised my rates yearly or every couple of years for the most part.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p>Our economy has an impact on everything.  The more people that are working and making money, the more taxes uncle Sam can take in.  <o:p></o:p><o:p> </o:p><div><div style='border:none;border-top:solid #B5C4DF 1.0pt;padding:3.0pt 0in 0in 0in'>From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of Marshall Gisondi Sent: Friday, September 02, 2011 8:29 AM To: pianotech@ptg.org Subject: [pianotech] building a business<o:p></o:p></div></div><o:p> </o:p><div>Hi Jer, How many years did it take you to build up to that point?  Would you agree that the economy has an impact on how fast we build our businesses.  Is the short amount of time I've been doing this evidence as to why I'm not busy, or is it more the economy?  August was dead. This month is starting to pick up.  My concern is if I raise my price for tuning, will that cost me the customers I have in that I don't have a huge customer base, or would it still even out?  How does one have a good attitude when business is slow.  I'll be honest, I've been depressed the entire month of Agust, about drives my wife crazy when I get like this.  I get in this rut that I can't seem to get out of where motivation is shot.   I do agree with those who mentioned the importance of joining the PTG.  It's definitely well worth it,but in my case money is just too tight. I don't agree with anyone who would say, "Well make it happen..."  I keep telling myself, if I could just get a windfall I could join and pay off other bills too.  When I left the school and moved to the Philly area, I immedietly met with Blind and  Visiual Services, and although I'm approved for services I finally received the word that I should be hearing from those who will assist in obtaining a new computer, my point being they also agreed to cover my dues for the PTG, and it's been how long now? I moved back here 2 years ago.  I wish the PTG had a payment plan a way to make it more affordable for those of us who just can't afford it but LOVE the organization.  I think the PTG is awesome!  One may say the price is worth it and in deed it is, but what does one do when the heart is willing but the bank account is weak?  So all of this money or lack therof just wears me out quite honestly, and I'm not sure how to rise above that rut   Well that's my thoughts Marshall Marshall Gisondi Piano Technician Marshall's Piano Service pianotune05@hotmail.com 215-510-9400 <a href="http://www.phillytuner.com/" target="_blank">www.phillytuner.com</a> Graduate of The School of Piano Technology for the Blind <a href="http://www.pianotuningschool.org/" target="_blank">www.pianotuningschool.org</a> Vancouver, WA <o:p></o:p></div></div></body></html>