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Bit of advice/thoughts please gentlemen. Basically been in the building game for 20ish years and for about the last 5 odd years I have been really bored of it, had no interest in it at all, been going to work irregularly and with no positive thinking, been getting quite down about it to be honest....makes me a bit depressed on this in tern knocks your confidence etc. Don't get me wrong I am good at what I do, get repeat work of contractors and private customers and to mine knowledge never have left a bad job behind.

I also have a small website selling men's clothing it 's hit and miss, makes a couple of quid but it's not regular or enough to live on...mortguage, three kids, two cars etc.etc. I started off getting clothing and selling it out the boot of my car round the pubs, and it wasn't bad. Then some landlords got a bit funny and other people were selling fake gear so some punters started thinking mine was fake, and it all became a lot of hassle, so thats why I started the website...the next step, so to speak. I also sell on Amazon and (reluctantly) on Ebay. The problem is I don't have enough stock to keep it turning quickly, thereby releasing a wage and working capital. Everything I have done, I have funded myself, no loans or credit. To make it work I would have to take out a rather large loan for stock, the website, advertising, photo work and more. I enjoy the clothing work and want to branch out in other projects with clothing and design.

Do you think getting into this game is a good move, doing something I feel passionate about and would really love to do, open new doors and experiences.....etc, etc. I know from everybody i have shown my designs too, thinks that i can do it, (and not just family) people that have been in the game for a long time, one chap, some of you know, has asked me to design a small collection for him, get the garments produced and hopefully work together on a project.
Or should I take my head out my arse, be grateful i've got a job and can be my own boss, start appreciating that i'm good at what I do and get my confidence back and stay in the building game?

Thoughts please, really at a cross roads at the moment and i'm standing still not knowing which way to go!

I worked for Caterpillar for 17 yrs , nice job , safe , good money but felt like a robot going into work, just going thru the motions daily really got on my nerves . I decided to retrain ( whilst still working for them ) , passed my exams and finally got the balls to leave . That was 8 yrs ago , never regretted it.
You have the saftey net of having a trade behind you that you are good at, so if it doesnt work you can always go back into it .
So id say go for it , we are only here once and dont want to go thinking " i wonder what if ? "

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,
And sorry I could not travel both
And be one traveler, long I stood
And looked down one as far as I could
To where it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,
And having perhaps the better claim
Because it was grassy and wanted wear,
Though as for that the passing there
Had worn them really about the same,

And both that morning equally lay
In leaves no step had trodden black.
Oh, I marked the first for another day!
Yet knowing how way leads on to way
I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh
Somewhere ages and ages hence:
Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,
I took the one less traveled by,
And that has made all the difference

Robert Frost -

Hard to give advice on such matters, so many considerations. But if you're not happy doing what you do ... Good luck with your choice, mate. Best wishes!

There is nothing worse then doing a job you hate.
If you are going into the clothing game you are going to need contacts. (lots)
friend of mine has been in the clothing business for years and twice he has tried to start up on his own and failed. Its only now its working out ok.
not trying to put you off but its going to take a lot of contacts, networking and a keen/trained eye to make any real dough.
Good luck

Tough times in retail at the moment,even for well established. unsteady and changing grounds. Impact of shipping malls on city centres. Accessibility to similar proct online perhaps cheaper. Do people have money to spend?

Well the retail market is pretty dead and I reckon in the next 2 years building work will really pick up again. Depends if it is enjoyment or a nice bank balance you are after. Personally I'd do them both.

Quote: SAFCBeaufort wrote in post #5

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Tough times in retail at the moment,even for well established. unsteady and changing grounds. Impact of shipping malls on city centres. Accessibility to similar proct online perhaps cheaper. Do people have money to spend?

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Get your head out your arse mate! Only joking mate...but if you can earn a few quid building then do that...terbulant times to be a builder never mind a retailer....do the clothes thing as a sideline/hobby...re assess in a couple of years....at the end of the day family comes first...that's my advice for what it's worth...ATB!

I'd love to say follow the dream as that is what we'd all like to do.

As others have said though you have responsibilities and most businesses (especially clothing retailers) are having hard times at the mo.

Is there an option to increase time one clothing to build that up whilst reducing the building work?

Quote: SAFCBeaufort wrote in post #5

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Do people have money to spend?

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me personally , would stick to what you know, sounds safe and boring, but will keep you and your family safe in your current lifestyle,
also the contsruction industry will boom again, its all cyclytic and being around when the next boom comes , will be financialy benefficial to further fund your passion/hobby

Quote: jack5 wrote in post #6

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Well the retail market is pretty dead and I reckon in the next 2 years building work will really pick up again. Depends if it is enjoyment or a nice bank balance you are after. Personally I'd do them both.

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Oh yeah, promote your site better, put a link in your sig.

Retail is changing fast, they need other options fast and labels need to be realistic, In my view i always follow my heart and passion will prevail, take risks, follow your instinct and work with atleast as many people as possible,
Offhand would never have started without taking the plunge neither would Oak st order and other things, I have took many risks and been in financial ruin, i have also been in hospital fearing its all over and it put things into perspective,
Allow time to shape your destiny, try fail, try fail, you only live once and learn by your mistakes,
We need more people with passion in this fucked up industry, its all got lost with the bullshit, as you know my feelings my good man,
I could never live with myself if i had not atleast tried somrthing

Id have a think about what you want to do clothing wise seems if your not sure whether to retail or design from your post.
If retailing, think outside the box we don't need another polloi/end selling the same brands, but take into consideration your local area, is there a shop that caters local for shall we say our lifestyle/culture?? If not the smart thing to do would be to go all out and open a physical shop.

If it's brand send me a pm and ill point you in the righy direction of manufacturers and anything else I could help with?

pick something that will sell bundles. more retail tips next week!

You'd be fucking mental to get into the retail game at the moment mate. I have a back bedroom full of Cabourn i can't give away. My mate has a shop full of stock he can't sell until he gets to sale time and 50% off sale time. No one wants to pay anywhere near rrp any more.
I do ok at Stoney and CP, but then i have a core of loyal customers. It certainly wouldn't make me anywhere near a living.

if your job is makin you un happy take a chance i worked in building game 13 years and got made redundant in 2008 . and decided i wanted a change went into social care as such went on alot of courses ect...i earn the same amount of money however its more mentally drainin if you know wat i mean and there are days where i wish i was back on site graftin but thats just the politics in my feild.. if you have kids and commitments its a big leap.. if youre earning a decent wage sometimes you have to be humble with wat you have got . in the current climate..i would say tread carefully..

I'm in the same boat mate, building but now office based & it's shit but keeps a roof over the families head, would love to re-train but what doing i don't know ,plus time is not on my side being 45 , I'm sure there are plenty like us about.good luck whatever you do.

Thanks gents, some good points....lots to think about. At the moment I'm juggling both and it's not leaving a lot of time for anything else. Follow my heart or follow my wallet???