I mentioned considering having a stairbuilding seminar last year on this forum….and received a lot of interest.
What prompted me to have one was a possible shoulder operation that would have me down for a few months…and I thought this would be a good way to make some income while not being to strenuous on my shoulder while its healing.
My shoulder problem isnt that big of a bother to me…I have dealt with it for 30 plus years since I rolled my snowmobile.
Anyway…..I decided not to have the operation last winter and thus shelved the seminar idea. That plus I wasnt comfortable that I was prepared to offer a seminar that most feel they got their moneys worth out of it.
I occasionally get an e-mail from people encouraging me to go ahead with the seminar….and just a few days ago I received another one that wanted to attend one immediately should I decide to have one.
I am 55 years old….and though the thought of retiring isnt even a fleeting thought…..words like slowing down and transitioning come to mind. I am constantly being encouraged to have a seminar…and these thoughts go through my mind every few days.
I have been mulling ideas over in my head the last year…and feel I am better prepared to do one.
Now to cut to the chase……I had a show of hands last year of those interested….and I would need to know for certain that I would have a full seminar. I am thinking of having 8 as my limit….Anymore is getting crowded….and any less would not make it worth my while to shut down my shop for a week.
I am sure like any initial show of hands for any type of interest will always be more than the “actual” number that do commit.
My idea is to first find a show of hands for a mid winter seminar….one week long….If it looks like there are plenty more than required to fill up this seminar…..
Then I would ask for a deposit with post dated checks … If my seminar is not filled before the post date on the checks…..all the checks will be mailed back before the post date….. If the quota is met, I will at my disgression choose the 8 that I would like to have attend this seminar.
I am thinking a 5 day seminar….say 7 a.m…..to 4 p.m. small break for donuts in the morning…break for lunch at noon…
There is a nice motel just down the road….good restaurant next to it. I would include the motel stay as well.
It would also include an exclusive follow up by phone/fax/e-mail….any stair layout assistance…..talk through…draw through…whatever assistance I can give for 6 months after the seminar. Knowing how I love to talk this stuff…I am sure if you call me a year later…I would be just as free to offer any help you need.
I know the next question will be how much? I have been thinking around $2500 for having this week long seminar….Its a lot of responsibility on my part….and will require several months of prep time getting a seminar program together that will make it worth it.
I could see if this was successful, having more of these in the future.
I know just saying mid winter isnt exact enough…but it was presented that way on purpose. I would be more precise and would narrow this down to say the first week in Feburary…something like that…depending on the inputs here.
I can see the economy completely changing the interest for attending a seminar such as this….as there definately is a slow down in the need for curved stairways….but on the other hand I feel many could benefit and broaden their horizons by attending such a seminar.
Either way…..I am busy building stairs…. But am seriously considering doing this despite having decided not to ha ve a shoulder operation. I would actually be more physcially able to do this anyway as I dont think me sitting in a sling would be as effective.
Your inputs? Just need ideas to kick around.
Stan
Replies
I'd do it in a heartbeat...if I wasn't dirt poor about-to-go-out-of-business broke! Maybe next go around I'll be solvent once again!
It sounds like a positively grand idea. If you were to include free doughnuts I am sure there would be a good response. But seriously now folks, I have seen a bit of your work and think that if I were able to glean just some of your hard won knowledge from years of sweat and determination then the price would be more than worthwhile. perhaps two different classes are to be in order. I do not posses sufficient knowledge in general stair building to warrant a "Master Class" as it were. So a beginners or primer class might be best to offer as well. A good deal of course material would be necessary, but perhaps some required reading before attending might be in order. I personally would be very likely to want to attend such classes.
My 2 cents: you should price it to be profitable with 6 students, but have room for up to 8. Or whatever numbers make sense. I think having a strict headcount could be a problem. Would you be negotiating a group tare at the motel? Or is there a B&B close by?
"Put your creed in your deed." Emerson
"When asked if you can do something, tell'em "Why certainly I can", then get busy and find a way to do it." T. Roosevelt
bump
stan... if i were in a big contract (which i may be by winter ) i'd think seriously about it
besides your seminar fee... i'd be looking at paying a week's wages for my guy... plus his transportation....probably another thou or two
I'd definately still be interested
Thanks, Mike
PS - Are the donuts included? :)
I will just keep bumping this to see if there is a lot of interest. If not...thats fine.
Stan
As I would love to come but no way I could see it.But!! I encourage you to pursue it. First I know making prep material is a great deal of time and expense. I have done this for a community college program. Professional exams, with performance check lists, pre-reading lists. Another for WHIMS and Workplace Violence Protection Prevention. But once it is done you have a commodity.Now with computers you can package many types of education formats from that knowledge base. Also with digital cams you don't have to wait 4 days for photos to get processed. As others, you could do a web cam based course at the same time. Sell CD's Get some one to make up a scalable scetchup drawing plug in.If you want to go for it I will gladly proof read for technical and the Wee Colleen is a grammar /spelling shark.Now you get paid for what you know, not what you can do.
Stan,
Count me as very interested.
Thanks,
Brian
Stan:
My brother the guitar player had a bad shoulder that supposedly required surgery. He fixed it with physical thearpy and avoided the knife. Give that some thought.
I think your idea is excellent, I would make every effort to attend and I don't do much stairbuilding.
After you assess interest, I suggest if you decide to have the seminar, then announce it and have it, no matter the attendance. This kind of thing may have to be built up over time. I could see an attendee writing an account of his experience on several construction websites and you selling out the following year.
Kowboy