Well Shaved Gentleman....almost ready

Tony Miller · 06-02-2008, 02:56 AM

Hey guys. Just a quick heads up as I am getting a lot of e-mails. The shop is pretty much back together again and I will open again mid week. I have orders to fill for John Crowley's Shaving Shop and Jim Ayars' Vintage Blades LLC first then I'll be back with Apprentice Strops and 4 Side Paddles and open the storefront again.

I'll make a post, Tuesday night or Wednesday explaining what we are up to, product availbility, etc....

Thanks for you patience while we are finishing up things here.

Tony

RayG · 06-02-2008, 02:59 AM

Good to know, Tony.

Father's day is a-coming!

Tony Miller · 06-04-2008, 02:53 AM

Okay guys, we will be back on Wednesday morning, June 4th. The storefront is back up now, products tomorrow.

I am going to be doing things a bit differently now, basically my wife and I are taking a big step......BACK.

This started as a hobby for me and over three years has grown into a business that has consumed every waking hour of our lives. I feel blessed to have had so much of your support and patronage over the years but the time has come for us to focus on our lives a bit more and draw a few lines as to where business stops and relaxation starts.

I have a challenging career by day and my employer has taken on a major contract that revolves around me. After an 8 to 10 hour day Lorrie and I typically spend another 6 hours at the strop business and even with that we cannot come close to keeping up with demand. I have tried adding an employee or two, part time but simply cannot pass most tasks onto anyone but myself. I need to cut the hides, I need to prep and finish each strop myself if I want it done to my standards. I have a few Amish friends making my wooden paddle blanks for me and I am overwhelmed by their fine craftmanship. None of the other tasks has been able to be handed off. Once production reaches a certain level making strops ceases to be fun and I do my best work, only when I am having fun. So...things need to change a bit.

We toyed with doing only wholesale for a while but I was blessed with your patronage because I am involved with you all every day here and on other forums. Stepping away from retail would take away my interaction with you all and my much of enjoyment as well. We have become one large family it seems and even my wife recognozes names and address from my many repeat customers every time they contact us. No way am I giving that up!

So, we need to step back a bit to where this operates more at the level of a hobby again. I plan to offer 2 or 3 select products each week in order to keep manufacturing and sales to a reasonable level that Lorrie and I can manage in a few hours each day. The next week I'll offer a different assortment of products, again, 2 or 3 select choices, then rotate each week. I'll make posts here in the vendor section and on my storefront as to what is being offered each week and what is on the bench for next week. This will mean a wait for some things but it is the only way I can continue and the only way I can keep my enjoyment level up with what I make. Sitting in the shop cutting hides and finishing leather is very relaxing for me if done at my own pace. When I am happy, my products excel, when my products excel you are happy too. I am and have always been a craftsman, the manufacturers hat does not suit me nearly as well.

I will continue to support my buddies at Shaving Shop, Vintage Blades and Straight Razor Designs with my strops but may not be able to keep them supplied 100% at all times so have patience with these fine dealers as they are offering a hand made, limited production item.

Thanks for your understanding in all this!

Tony and Lorrie Miller
Heirloom Razor Strop Company

Ookla · 06-04-2008, 03:08 AM

If taking a step back helps you enjoy your life and "hobby" more, I am all for it. I wouldn't try digging an early grave for monetary success. I think anyone who owns things you have crafted will agree that they are well worth the wait.

joke1176 · 06-05-2008, 01:58 AM

No doubt. I have a 2 1/2' latigo and it is fantastic, everybody should have one! That being said, if you feel the need to post like that, it must be bad. Good luck and keep it fun if you can.

Tony Miller · 06-05-2008, 04:17 AM

Joke1176,
I decided to share my thoughts as I wanted people to understand why things are changing. From most e-mails I get the impresion people thought we were a large full time business with much greater resources. People seemed surprised that I would answer the phone and assumed I had a staff

. If this was my full time business and I had real, full time employees I'd be jumping on the chance to expand even more.

I enjoy my career of 26 years, my business/hobby of making strops, but over the last two years, when things really started to grow here I realized I mostly enjoyed my weekends off with my wife. My daughter is off on her own now, halfway through college and I am seeing just how fast time flies. I'm not planning to miss another minute of it.

Tony

joke1176 · 06-05-2008, 12:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tony Miller

Joke1176,
I decided to share my thoughts as I wanted people to understand why things are changing. From most e-mails I get the impresion people thought we were a large full time business with much greater resources. People seemed surprised that I would answer the phone and assumed I had a staff

. If this was my full time business and I had real, full time employees I'd be jumping on the chance to expand even more.

I enjoy my career of 26 years, my business/hobby of making strops, but over the last two years, when things really started to grow here I realized I mostly enjoyed my weekends off with my wife. My daughter is off on her own now, halfway through college and I am seeing just how fast time flies. I'm not planning to miss another minute of it.

Tony

Smart man! Seems like most folks don't realize they left their life behind until it's too late. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy.

If you can keep it fun, the money is just a bonus. Take care.

netsurfr · 06-05-2008, 12:47 PM

Tony -
Thanks for giving us an insight into what is going on with the business.
Personally, I think you have made a wise choice that you will look back on and appreciate more as time passes.
Thank-you for your craftmanship, your spirit, and your participation in the forums (teaching and mentoring folks).

Best regards,

Joe Chandler · 06-06-2008, 09:39 PM

I recently had the same epiphany, and can fully understand where you're coming from. If you cease to enjoy it, what's the point? And if you gain the monetary rewards, but lose time with your family, that's a bad trade. Kudos for having your priorities in order.

jwoods · 06-06-2008, 09:45 PM

I wish to thank you tony. your products are top shelf,but your family,your health, your main job have to come 1st, i am grateful that we can get your products thru the different vendors you use,as well as your site,dont burn yourself out whatever you do,your products are worth waiting for

KenS · 06-06-2008, 10:49 PM

Tony,
I can only hope that you do what is best for yourself and your family. I enjoy using the strop you made for me on a daily basis, and hope you can continue to make folk happy with your products. Even more importantly, my wish is that you are able to enjoy the time you spend doing it.
Best regards, Ken.

Tony Miller · 06-06-2008, 11:36 PM

Thanks guys. I had started scaling back in mid May but the past week has gone even better. I got lots of stuff finished and shipped, finished a Shaving Shop order and still had lots of time for family and other interests.

Having the retail outlets is a mixed blessing <g>. First I am honored that so many shops wanted to represent my items and every one of their sales is one I don't pack and process here saving me more time so I can play craftsman rather than businessman. The only drawback I suppose is I cannot possibly keep them supplied at the rate they would enjoy and feel bad when I see "out of stock" on their website as much as my own. Either way it is a blessing though as they are all my friends and not just business accounts, and I'll work with them as long as I can and that they will have me!

BTW, Joe...nice getting a chance to talk with you today on the phone. Joe Chandler is another fine example of a guy working to keep a grip on sucess and growth vs. valuable time with his family.

If you had not already guessed, my "Are You Happy" thread a few weeks ago was part of this need for a change. It was not so much designed to be a complain about issues thread as a "do you enjoy what you have now, or will you try to change what you don't have" mission.

Tony

Kees · 06-07-2008, 05:07 AM

Tony,

Reading your posts I think you are blessed with a very patient wife who has allowed you to spend so much time in your worksop in the persuit of you hobby and business. IIRC she has had some health problem lately. In my experience failing health is a time when people start to reflect on their lives and what is really important to them. I am sure we all will appreciate that you have decided to spend more time wtih her.

Jfala · 06-07-2008, 07:09 AM

Tony,

I also enjoy your craftsmanship on a daily basis with my #2 Latigo strop. It is a hallmark of great quality and care - two things that you are looking to put back into your personal life; and I applaud you. Take care of what you need to take care of, we are all happy to wait a little longer for the quality you provide.

the wanderer · 06-16-2008, 06:03 AM

Tony,

I just purchased one of your "Starter Apprentice" strops last week after selling my Illinois to a friend who wanted to get started. I have to say, I'm exceptionally well pleased with my new strop. I can't say enough about how well it works, and the craftsmanship, while simple, is incredible.

I've only stropped two of my razors with it, but the edge finishing is vastly superior to my Illinois strop, and the extra half-inch of width is very useful. Great work.

So you do whatever you need to do to keep it a hobby and take care of yourself and your family. Next time I'm in the market for a strop I'll wait as long as it takes. Real quality is worth waiting for.

Blazed Monkey · 07-02-2008, 07:48 AM

Tony,

I made it a point to register here just to say THANK YOU! I just recently (within the last 3 months) got into DE shaving, and have even more recently (within the last 2 weeks) gotten bit by the straight bug. Everywhere I looked, people were recommending your strops as the 'go to' for quality and affordability. I waited patiently for you to finish your remodel, checking your site every day for word that you were back at it, and it was well worth the wait.

I purchased a travel/apprentice from you, and I have to say, I can certainly see why your products are so reveared

I may not be married, or have any children myself, but I can certainly respect the need for time with the family. They are the ones who understand us, the ones who keep us sane in this world, and the reason that we keep going every day. I'm sure everyone here would agree: Take the time that you need, we will all wait patiently, and happily for that matter, to do business on your terms.

Once the combo paddles come back around, I will be coming back to put in my order, along with an Artisan. For now though, I just wanted to say thanks, and let you know that you are appreciated

iron maiden · 07-02-2008, 08:03 AM

Tony,

I understand your need for fun and family time. I really enjoy the strops of yours I have bought, and I use them every day. But if the hobby has ceased being fun, it has become work....and that is just another dirty 4-letter word.

I can only tell you that I wish you continued success and happiness in your endeavors.