I don't get it. I'm better off now than I was 4 years ago. This really has very little impact from the president.

My client company has more work for me than I'll be able to accomplish, I've managed to get out from under all my credit card debt I'd acquired from dating a high-maintenance girl on a biotech-startup salary. My condo has likely regained some of the value it had lost back when I'd initially considered putting it on the market, enough that I'll likely make a 75% profit off the sale.

I've got a job, it pays well, it will likely continue paying for a long time.
I constantly get offers for additional work in the area with different companies.
I'm not carrying any operating debt, and will likely have eliminated all debt in my life within the next few months.

I don't understand how so many people can be claiming to be worse off.

victor809 wrote:

Guess I should have closed down back in ‘08 and gotten under Obama’s cone of protection (i.e. gone to work for the government, GM or Wall Street).

dpnewell wrote:

I own and operate a small (2 employee) awning & canopy company. I've been in business for over 30 years. Before Obama, I've had maybe 3 down years, which where always followed by a stellar year that more then made up for it.

Although awnings, canopies, patio rooms, carports, etc., are nice to have on your home, they are not necessities. The bottom fell out of my industry right after the ‘08 elections, and the entire industry has stayed flat ever since. No one has ever seen it so bad. Folks are afraid to spend money, and I attribute that directly to Obama’s failed policies. My closing rate used to be in the 80% to 90% range. Now I’m lucky to close 20%, and I’m not losing jobs to competitors. It’s because folks decide they’re not doing the work “right now”, due to the economy. You have no idea how many times I’ve heard “we’re going with you, but, we’re going to hold off right now. Maybe next year, or the year after.”

Folks who’s businesses and/or jobs rely on the general public are the ones taking the hit. Government jobs, or companies that rely on government are doing just fine (for now). Guess I should have closed down back in ‘08 and gotten under Obama’s cone of protection (i.e. gone to work for the government, GM or Wall Street).

dpnewell wrote:

Ever think it could have to do with the housing market?
I could think of a number of trends that would impact awning companies which have nothing to do with the president....

The new housing construction has been abysmal for a while (way back to bush), fewer new houses means fewer houses that may potentially need awnings.

Current construction sales is just barely starting to make a come-back. Again, change of ownership would be a factor in driving upgrades like that.

There's a trend towards city living, away from suburbs. More people buy condos, that lowers the percentage of population in need of awnings.

Anyway, it's your business. My point is just that additional factors, completely disassociated with the president will impact it. Just like I don't give any credit to the pres for my good fortune, I don't see a reason to think that he's the main reason people aren't buying awnings.

victor809 wrote:

My condolences to my fellow entrepreneur however- the awning guy. Hang tough & perhaps expand ...

bloody spaniard wrote:

😟
:-k

DrafterX wrote:

I own and operate a small (2 employee) awning & canopy company. I've been in business for over 30 years. Before Obama, I've had maybe 3 down years, which where always followed by a stellar year that more then made up for it.

Although awnings, canopies, patio rooms, carports, etc., are nice to have on your home, they are not necessities. The bottom fell out of my industry right after the ‘08 elections, and the entire industry has stayed flat ever since. No one has ever seen it so bad. Folks are afraid to spend money, and I attribute that directly to Obama’s failed policies. My closing rate used to be in the 80% to 90% range. Now I’m lucky to close 20%, and I’m not losing jobs to competitors. It’s because folks decide they’re not doing the work “right now”, due to the economy. You have no idea how many times I’ve heard “we’re going with you, but, we’re going to hold off right now. Maybe next year, or the year after.”

Folks who’s businesses and/or jobs rely on the general public are the ones taking the hit. Government jobs, or companies that rely on government are doing just fine (for now). Guess I should have closed down back in ‘08 and gotten under Obama’s cone of protection (i.e. gone to work for the government, GM or Wall Street).

dpnewell wrote:

ever hear of Sequestration? There's been no money allotted to budgets for some time. .

bloody spaniard wrote:

If sequestration happens, Arlington, Alexandria and Fairfax counties in Northern Virginia will become Appalachia poor in about 60 days. They're predicting a quarter of a million jobs lost here. Mine will be one of them.

Mathen wrote:

But best of all my ex stopped talking to me completely.

Win-win. 👍

DadZilla3 wrote:

I don't get it. I'm better off now than I was 4 years ago. This really has very little impact from the president.

My client company has more work for me than I'll be able to accomplish, I've managed to get out from under all my credit card debt I'd acquired from dating a high-maintenance girl on a biotech-startup salary. My condo has likely regained some of the value it had lost back when I'd initially considered putting it on the market, enough that I'll likely make a 75% profit off the sale.

I've got a job, it pays well, it will likely continue paying for a long time.
I constantly get offers for additional work in the area with different companies.
I'm not carrying any operating debt, and will likely have eliminated all debt in my life within the next few months.

I don't understand how so many people can be claiming to be worse off.

victor809 wrote:

Sounds like we need massive tax increases to keep the government sector the largest part of the US economy.

HockeyDad wrote:

Wait, I thought that's what everyone here was waving their pitchforks and torches against. Big Government is bad I guess unless you make a living from it making pitchforks and torches.

pdxstogieman wrote: