I lost my job today. They may be closing our doors as early as Friday. Barely one year after I lost my previous position. 14 years with the company. They're closing 27 out of 32 locations here in the cities, and my store didn't make the cut. Not sure what to do at this point. Going to keep looking for another job though. If anyone knows somebody who knows somebody with any possibilites, let me know.
DB,
I am so very sorry! I will be keeping you in my prayers that your search is expeditious.
Sending you lots of sparkly hugs and good luck!
Sorry to hear that DB. You and Nyte are in my thoughts and prayers.
Sorry to hear the bad news, DB. Steve and I will keep you and Nyte in our prayers.
Damn...very sorry to hear that. A real fear in my position lately too.
Keep your head up high, you did excellent work for many years, remember that! It's their failure, not yours!
I'm sorry to hear this - you're in my thoughts.
I am sorry to hear.
I've had a lot of my customers lose their jobs or had hour or pay cuts.
I have a party coming up at my business this weekend and I've been letting people know that if they've had hardships because of the economy to see me when they come in. I don't want anyone to miss out on the fun because of a little thing like lack of money.
I sure hope things start turning around soon, for everybody.
Ferret
That sucks out loud, DB.
May the next opportunity be the best one for you :)
Thanks everyone. I've actually been looking for another job for exactly one year now; I jsut haven't found anything. The problem that I've encountered is that I have a very narrow skill set. I was at my job for 14 years, doing pretty much the same thing. A lot of the jobs that I've been interested in and have applied for turned me down because of my lack of other skills or degree. Even with the experience that I do have, it's retail related, so it doesn't count for much.
If anyone has any suggestions of where to look or apply my skills, I'm all ears.
Th advent of the digital camera and cheap printers has put the hex on stores like yours. I would start hitting Best Buy, Target's electronics, even WalMart's electronics and maybe even Walgreen's. You might even take a photography course at a community college and start a wedding photog biz. (Or contact a few and see if they need peeps. Wedding season is fast approaching!) Contract a developer. Assemble albums yourself. Work from home! High school senior pics this summer.
Or, just a thought, contact the SBA and open your own store! You know the vendors, POS machines, products, etc. Add some printers and media and you're all set. Heck, have a contract photog for portraits and do the whole shebang.
Good luck! There's a lot of that going around lately.
You'll be free of the non compete clause. So you can do weddings again.
Quote from: William_MacKean on March 31, 2009, 09:40:23 PM
Th advent of the digital camera and cheap printers has put the hex on stores like yours. I would start hitting Best Buy, Target's electronics, even WalMart's electronics and maybe even Walgreen's. You might even take a photography course at a community college and start a wedding photog biz. (Or contact a few and see if they need peeps. Wedding season is fast approaching!) Contract a developer. Assemble albums yourself. Work from home! High school senior pics this summer.
Or, just a thought, contact the SBA and open your own store! You know the vendors, POS machines, products, etc. Add some printers and media and you're all set. Heck, have a contract photog for portraits and do the whole shebang.
Heh, umm, obviously you don't know my history too well. I went to school for photography. I had my own wedding photography business for about 12 years. Had to give it up because of Ritz requiring a non-compete contract and the advent of "digital-cameras-making-everyone-their-own-photographer". Mom and Pop studios have been dropping like flies for the past few years. I may do my own photography business on the side, but this just isn't the time to start that kind of business back up again.
Sorry to hear this DB. seems to be happening more and more lately. Why is it always the good guys that get all the bad luck? Wishing you well sir, and that something comes your way soon.
DB, so sorry to hear this.
My spouse was laid off in 2001, a week before 9/11, it is always a tough position to be in.
Since you've done the whole wedding photo thing before, have you thought about branching out into other niche photography. Friends of ours had a studio in Hopkins for quite a while (heck, they did my high school grad picture), but now, of all things, make a living doing pet photography. And then there is also the whole kids sports photography niche. Of course, like you said, now really isn't the time for a start up.
Let me know if you want more info regarding our friends' business model.
Good luck!
That really sucks DB, but with your talent and skills I feel confident you'll land on your feet and come out of this on the other end smelling like a rose.
So sorry to hear this!
I'm sort of surprised that they are closing so many stores. The store by us was just completely remodeled about a month ago. If it's a store that's on the chopping block, I find that a curious use of capital.
???
I will certainly keep my my eyes open and good thoughts going in your direction!!
xoxo
M~
Sorry to hear, DB....and I can definitely sympathize. Was "retired" by Tech Data in September...have been searching since, and substitute teaching and taking singing gigs in the interim.
Keep plugging!
I sincerely hope you find something soon.
Now is exactly the time to start a new business! SBA loans are easy to get. There are credits, give-aways, Dislocated Worker programs, tax incentives, etc. You name it. The field is heavily slanted to new businesses.
The small shops are closing because they don't have the incentives to maintain while biz is down. As a new guy starting back up, you have the advantage. You would be a smaller (lower cost) biz while clients are fewer. As the economy picks back up, you will be in the position to make a killing.
Most ground-up millionaire biz owners started in a recession when they lost their job. Recessions expose needs in the community. Needs that the courageous will try to fill.
In the mean time, you still need a paycheck... Servers, sub shops, any retail, security guards, etc. make decent money.
I am PM-ing you another opportunity.
DB this totally blows I must say. My suggestion to you is like above, find something like Best Buy or National Camera Exchange. It won't be much but it will be something.
In the interum...get your butt into college. And not for a photography degree. Go for marketing. With your skills with the intertubes and your photography skillz marketing would be a good choice, with all the advances in advertisment media it would be a really good place to tuck yourself. You have the skills and creativity for it and I think if you got in with the right company you could go really really far with it.
That sucks.
Maybe some of the Targets that have portrait studios maybe hiring. No idea what the pay scale is like but it could be something to look into. Also a possiblilty the photographers who do baby pictures at the hospital they could be needing help. Just a couple of ideas.
Very sorry to hear about your job...A while back I found myself in a VERY similar situation to yours...All I could do was reassess my skill set and pick one that I could earn a living with at the time. Minnesota has a very good program for displaced workers who would like to go back to school, I took advantage of it and have been doing well since. Ever consider something like Web site design? The positive side of this is that you now have your weekends free and you are completely free to explore which ever and how ever many options you want!
Wow. Awful news. :( The good news is you're very good at your "narrow skill set." ;) Nothing comes to mind immediately as a switch except doing advertising photography or learning about tv/movie cameras and seeing if you can get into a tv station. You know the lighting end of it already.
Man, you guys just don't seem to catch any breaks! Sorry you're going through this. At least with your situation there should be unemployment benefits.
Quote from: Rune on April 01, 2009, 03:07:35 PM
Very sorry to hear about your job...A while back I found myself in a VERY similar situation to yours...All I could do was reassess my skill set and pick one that I could earn a living with at the time. Minnesota has a very good program for displaced workers who would like to go back to school, I took advantage of it and have been doing well since. Ever consider something like Web site design? The positive side of this is that you now have your weekends free and you are completely free to explore which ever and how ever many options you want!
I just noticed a bit ago in an alumni magazine for Anoka Ramsey Community College, they've started a "Workforce Re-Training Initiative (http://"http://www.anokaramsey.edu/news/story_576.cfm)" for unemployed people so they can take classes at 50% off. Comm College Credits are also the cheapest by far (around $140 per credit vs $300+ at state). Chances are good Anoka Ramsey isn't the only one out there with a similar program. Plus there's a grant (the schools will know the name) for $500 if you've been out of school for a certain amount of time, I think it's 7 years.
Good luck!
Verizon wireless is always hiring. I'm straight out of high school and akready have an interveiw. I'm sure some one like could could start off far better then myself. You don't need any special degree or any degree at all for that matter but if you want to go back to school for business or something similar they will pay for school too. I hope you find a job soon :)
Sorry to hear about your bad news DB. That really sux....
While you are out looking, maybe check into what the state can do for you. I have a friend who got laid off and checked into other unemployment benefits (besides a check), and found out that state has programs that will actually pay for you to improve your education (and thereby your skill set) while you are laid off. He attended classes to get his class A drivers license (so he could drive semi's) and the state paid for it. And these were real classes too. He went for a few weeks, got behind the wheel (as well as class room) training, and even drove semis on some trips to Wisconsin as part of the deal. Anyways, something to maybe look into.
Quote from: Storm on April 01, 2009, 07:31:28 PM
Sorry to hear about your bad news DB. That really sux....
While you are out looking, maybe check into what the state can do for you. I have a friend who got laid off and checked into other unemployment benefits (besides a check), and found out that state has programs that will actually pay for you to improve your education (and thereby your skill set) while you are laid off. He attended classes to get his class A drivers license (so he could drive semi's) and the state paid for it. And these were real classes too. He went for a few weeks, got behind the wheel (as well as class room) training, and even drove semis on some trips to Wisconsin as part of the deal. Anyways, something to maybe look into.
Dislocated Worker Program
Well, I've been given a "stay of execution" so to speak....my district manager called late tonight and gave me the news. Starting tomorrow, they're transferring me to another location (about an hour away from where I live...Grrrrr) that isn't on the chopping block (yet). It will be even harder for me to prove my worth at this location from what I understand, but hopefully that means more time to look for another job...
Whew....as you say - the drive will suck, but at least you have some breathing space to consider alternatives and work on other plans!
DB, I'm so glad to hear that you'll at least have more time to search for something else.
Sending good thoughts your way.
See, you're so good they can't let you go even when they close nearly all of their stores ;D Thank heavens for the reprieve!
Quote from: Deadbishop on April 01, 2009, 11:29:48 PM
It will be even harder for me to prove my worth at this location from what I understand, but hopefully that means more time to look for another job...
Awesome!
This sounds like the challenge you are needing. When you meet this (and we all know you will) you will be better off for it. If not there, then in your next endeavour!
PS Email that guy I told ya about. You can make some mad (short term) money working for him. He's an awesome guy.
Quote from: William_MacKean on April 01, 2009, 08:02:58 PM
Dislocated Worker Program
DWP is all fine and good but they have SERIOUSLY strict guidelines. DWP is what they put me on when I was unemployed and PREGNANT. I had to show that I was working 35 hours a week searching/interviewing for jobs I had to list and have copies of every resume and site I applied to, I had to show up once a week and listen to them talk about how to interview, what to wear to an interview, and in general telling people who have NEVER had a job how to get one. They kicked me off when I called in sick to one of the weekly meetings and said I had not maintained the requirements to stay on the program.
So yeah if you get one that one, DO EVERYTHING THEY SAY TO THE LETTER!
DB, sounds like you got breathing room, if nothing else. So sorry to hear about the stores closing, I'm getting really tired of seeing "Oh, that place went out of business". I know without customers there's no business, but without steady reliable work people aren't spending, and where are people supposed to work if the businesses close because people aren't spending because they don't have reliable work, ad libitum ad nauseum ???
Wish there was something I could do to help,
Dayna
That is good news DB!
It sounds like they value you as an employee if they are willing to find a position somewhere for you, even if it is an hour away. That bods well for you if things turn around!
I am sure you will be up to the challenge of proving yourself, and at the very least it does give you more time to find something else!
Make sure you hit the library for some books on tape or CD. REALLY helps ease those long drives!
Thanks everyone. I'm glad that I made it to a store that isn't closing (but for some reason I still feel like I'm on a sinking ship). I have to count that as a blessing, I suppose. But geez, today was stressful. First day at the new location. I spent all day fielding calls that I had no answers too about what was happening with the company. Sounds like everything may be closed by this weekend. Just speculation, but lots of hints points towards it.
Books on tape is a great way to make productive use of a commute. Pick a subject you want to learn about. Get some cds from a library or even download podcasts. Then learn while your in traffic.
Sorry to hear all the bad news. I hate that things are so damn bad and people are out of work. So many it has effected. Glad you got something DB.
Quote from: Deadbishop on April 02, 2009, 11:02:21 PM
Thanks everyone. I'm glad that I made it to a store that isn't closing (but for some reason I still feel like I'm on a sinking ship). I have to count that as a blessing, I suppose. But geez, today was stressful. First day at the new location. I spent all day fielding calls that I had no answers too about what was happening with the company. Sounds like everything may be closed by this weekend. Just speculation, but lots of hints points towards it.
Sorry you had a stressful day. That what doesn't kill us makes us stronger! I would definitely treat it as a "sinking ship" however and actively look for other opportunities (as I am sure you are already). I mean how many times can you keep going through this...nobody needs that kind of stress. I
am very thankful you have a bit more time, however, to look for someone else. Sending you positive thoughts & hugs. :) ;)
What Syn said... And wouldn't it be nice to give them a stressful day for once by calling in at the last minute and saying, "See Ya! I've got a better job!!" ;)
Quote from: Sorcha on April 03, 2009, 08:38:29 AM
What Syn said... And wouldn't it be nice to give them a stressful day for once by calling in at the last minute and saying, "See Ya! I've got a better job!!" ;)
You have no idea how long I've been waiting to do that....
When I heard the news and saw it in the paper, my first thought was of you DB. Believe me, I know what you're going through. I worked in contract mechanical design for over 30 years(w/o a degree). I was laid off in January of '03 and have not been able to get back into the field since. Five years ago I started doing courier work. Since the beginning of the year, I've only been doing about 30% of what I did this time last year. This economy sucks worse than I've ever seen in the past and that includes the recession of the 70's. You're still young and I have every faith that you'll survive this, so hang in there. The fact you got a reprieve is good to hear. My best wishes for you and hope to see you again at the faire! By the way, which location did you get transferred to?
I'm hoping the location where I got shifted to (Eden Prairie) is able to survive. They are leaving 4 locations in the Twin Cities, and one in Rochester. With that many locations getting closed, it's going to be hard for the last remain few to survive. Most people liked Ritz/Proex because of their convenient locations. That's gone now. No one is going to want to drive an hour to get pictures done when they can get them at the Walmart that's 10 minutes away.