Quote" I'm well aware that I need to release more models, but without money to pay sculptors or Craig's wages, that isn't going to happen because I end up doing all the menial work myself. As it is, i have to do all the remoulding, casting of masters and even casting of some figures that Craig just can't seem to get out of the moulds without them being all shiney and horrible. I also have to answer emails and do all the admin stuff and this means less and less actual proper time (and just as important, less motivation) to just sit and sculpt. It's a vicious circle. I haven't touched a sculpting tool since before a few weeks before Salute. Lack of enthusaism partly. I am burnt out from almost ten years of non-stop effort and hand-to-mouth living regarding Heresy." QuoteI am sorry that you would contemplate closing Heresy Miniatures. From a business point of view this is my 2 cents worth:
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I'm well aware that I need to release more models"
From a buyers point of view, that is usually a large determinator of success for a miniature line, but not always the main reason.
"without money to pay sculptors or Craig's wages, that isn't going to happen" You just acquired Spyglass, which is, at least, a good decision when you can afford it. If you close Heresy, does that mean you close Spyglass as well? Maybe this line will kick-start your sales as soon as they are released. A burst of sales at this point will be of no help to the future health of Heresy. While immediate sales will give you some relief in paying your employee or to invest in the metal it takes to put out your new releases and the Spyglass minis or even a few new sculpts, the income will die back again and you will be left in the same position. You need to work toward the long term.
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I end up doing all the menial work myself. As it is, i have to do all the remoulding, casting of masters and even casting of some figures that Craig just can't seem to get out of the moulds without them being all shiney and horrible. I also have to answer emails and do all the admin stuff and this means less and less actual proper time (and just as important, less motivation) to just sit and sculpt. It's a vicious circle."
Since you have an employee who does not seem to be able to do the tasks you set for him, why don't you train him to do the admin work instead, freeing you up to do the mould making and casting which you seem to have to do anyway? Or, better yet, take the time to stand over him and train him on mould making and casting until he can do it in his sleep and to your satisfaction. If you think you don't have the time to do this, you need to re-evaluate your commitment to your business and your sanity. Seems to be a good investment of time that will free you up in the future to sculpt.
Over here, business owners will tell you that owning and running your own business is more than a "throw up a sign and open your doors". It is not unusual for owners to work 12-14 hour days, 6 or 7 days a week to keep their doors open. Vacations are low on the list of priorities and some never see a vacation in their lives. They are tied to their business, and know it is the only way they can be successful. If they find themselves looking down a financial shotgun, as you seem to be doing, they tighten their belts, get rid of everything non-essential (including employees that are non-productive) and do the work themselves until they are on good financial footing again. If less than this level of commitment burns you out now, you might as well close your doors. It does not seem logical to think you can have a successful business if you do not have your head and your hands in every facet of your business. Somehow, time off is an alien concept to most of us and certainly not something we feel we have to have to survive. (Unlike most Brits, I don't like theme park vacations anyway - too crowded, to0 expensive, too far to travel...)
Losing Heresy would be a shame, but if you really feel this way, like Steve, you might consider selling your lines and going to work full time for another company as he did with GW or make your living sculpting commissions from various other miniature companies. That would definitely free up a lot of your time and help your burnout problem.
As for your windowless office, just get lots of daylight bulbs for all the lighting fixtures and/or buy more table lamps to light up the space. You sound like you are suffering from a type of clinical depression called Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) caused by lack of sunlight, whether it be in winter or in a windowless office. It might also help to buy and frame a poster of a beautiful beach scene and hang over your worktable so you can glance up at it every so often. ( I guess a picture of a girl in a bikini on the beach would work as well)
I hope the dragons that were prepaid for are not in danger of being extinct, so to speak. I would not be happy if my dragon did not appear on my doorstep sometime in the near future since at least one person has already received his.
anatora
