Reply To: Dr. Vinyls Working Together

[mitchellreid]

To all Techs and Owners,

This is for anyone just getting started or those who may be struggling at this time. I know everything seems to be driven by the numbers you produce. I see those numbers in the Dr. Vinyl Newsletters and hear them at the Conventions we attend. While I know many people see those numbers and wonder how are they pulling off those staggering amounts? I remember when I was getting started and I heard what seemed like unattainable sales totals. While I know some people are motivated by those, for me they were kind of discouraging because they seemed so out of reach. For that reason, I have been very quiet about any numbers that I produce. I know that they might help some techs strive for more. However, I have always been concerned about becoming a stumbling block for another. I have spoken to other Franchises where the techs talk to each other about what they did for the day or week and this helps them to push each other. This even happens somewhat in our Franchise. While I don’t normally remember my totals, this past month was a bit of a high for me. I hope that sharing this helps someone who might be in a similar situation.
The following is all true…

When I started years ago, I was having a difficult time getting the sales goals I wanted and that my Franchise Owners, Chris and Tera Hawkins, wanted for me. They did not pressure me for higher numbers. They just wanted me to do well and be successful especially in the long term. To this day, they still find ways to not only encourage me but to support me in whatever my goals are. While I don’t remember the record highs from the early years, I do remember the lows. My first week out on my own after training and riding with a mentor was $254. That is not a typo. My first full year was $52,000. Even by the standards of 25 years ago that number should have been at least double that number.

I know this sounds bad. For an encouraging story this is starting out very poorly. There is, however, more.

Along the way, there were daily, weekly, and yearly records. There were sales records attained over a single weekend. I don’t remember what they were, but I know I was happy about them when they occurred. There were awards at conventions and atta boys from my Franchise. These were all good things that happened in a normal progression. A great milestone for me was when I stopped having goose eggs on days that I went out to work. Now, the only goose eggs I have are on my days off. For those of you that don’t know about goose eggs, they are days with $0 totals. They are not fun no matter who you are.

Last month I hit a number that was a bit shocking to me. When I received the August monthly recap for my sales, I thought there had been a math error by the office. I had to go back and double check them before I wrote this article.

The month of August’s sales eclipsed the sales numbers for my entire first full year of sales mentioned above. Let that statement sink in a little before reading on.

I am not sure how that rates by other people’s standards but for me that was almost unbelievable. I have no idea if that will ever happen again, but I now know it is possible. If it is possible for me, it is possible for anyone. I am nothing special. I am a tech just like you.

For me, nothing erases the memory of that first week’s total of $254. I remember where I started. I start every week, month, and year with a $0 balance just like you do. It does get better. Things do start to align. Your biggest sales numbers are just around the corner. Keep trying. I am no one of consequence. I do not have some special innate ability which you do not possess. As a matter of fact, I am not a particularly good salesman. I just didn’t give up. I just kept on trying and things worked out better and better as the days went along. For the record, in our Franchise I have phenomenal owners and a great team of techs that back me up, encourage me, and help me on my way. I hope all techs and owners will keep that in mind. Your team is what makes you great. Get out there and do great things. I know you can.

Mitch Reid
The Wandering Upholsterer
All Who Wander Are Not Lost