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Roger Swearingen
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So many Chairs, yet no time to sit
In October 20003, I lost my job at a local large lumber company due to downsizing. I was 57 years old at the time, and couldn't find another job due to my age and previous income level. I ended up taking a part time job as a school bus driver. This gave me lots of "time on my hands"' plus I needed to earn extra income to support my part time pay.
Then God sent me my answer. I had never subscripted to, or received Woodworkers Journal, but one day it appeared in my mailbox. That is when I found the Ad for Eureka Business Products featuring the Adirondack furniture.
I had dabbled in wood crafts for about 30 years. And here was a business that was going to let me use my knowledge of wood working and earn he extra income i needed.
After talking to Harry and asking a million questions, and having him call my wife and talking to her about her concerns, I ordered my producer package in December 2003, and ordered my first shipment of lumber January 2004.
Our first show was in late February 2004, and we were very pleased with our sales and the interest customers had in a well made, comfortable Adirondack chair. All of our marketing so far has been through shows. However we have just recently contracted with 2 local businesses to carry our furniture as display pieces, with the businesses getting a percentage of the sales they create.
Because of customer request at the shows our first year, I have developed a glider chair and a swing. I'm in the process now of developing a lounge chair and beach chair.
While set up at one of out shows this year, a writer for our local large newspaper stopped by our display and asked if she could write an article on me. She specializes in articles about local crafts people. The article appeared in our paper Mother Day weekend and I couldn't believe the calls, interest and orders I got. We also found out several weeks later that this article was syndicated and appeared in newspapers all over the country. Since then, I have received orders from Pennsylvania, Michigan, Texas, New Jersey and Tennessee.
I increased my sales by 200% the second year of business, and this year looks to be a huge success, also. I also now have several distributors.
In June of this year, I was 1 of 4 businesses out of 300 submitted businesses to be a finalist as "Client of the Year" through SCORE, counselors to America's Small Business, Greater Cincinnati, Chapter 34 in recognition of top client services and company growth.
I look forward to growing my business in the next several years to the point of doing this full time.
Woody's Woodworks
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