Making Money With Your Creative Paint Finishes

by Harris, Lynette

• ISBN13: 9780891348245
• ISBN10: 0891348247
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 1998-06-01
• Publisher: North Light Books

Summary

In the home decor industry, artists who have mastered faux finishing, stencilling and mural painting are in high demand. With the smart-business sense featured in this new guide, those with a flair for decorative finishing can turn their talents into profits. Decorative finishing specialist Lynette Harris shares her 10 years of home-based business experience to show artists the keys to building their own decorative finishing enterprise. From advertising and accounting to customer relations and pricing, Harris covers it all so artists can start out with the knowledge and confidence it takes to succeed. -- How to put together a quality portfolio, for any level of experience -- Creative ways to publicize and bring in the business -- Dos and don'ts for dealing with potential clients -- How to quote a job and settle on a fair price -- Practical tips for smooth-running projects, from setup to cleanup -- Tips for "getting in" by working on showcase homes and with established professionals -- Effective methods for managing the legal and financial side of the business.

Table of Contents

Preface A Labor of Love	VIII
Introduction	1	(5)
Making the Leap From Hobbyist to Professional
A Sketch of This Book
Chapter 1 Laying the Foundation for Your Business	6	(11)
Naming the Business
Fine Tuning Your Decorative Painting Skills
Creating a Business Plan
Chapter 2 Legal and Financial Management	17	(9)
Managing the Business Legalities
Setting Up Your "Doing Business As" Business
Licenses Required for a DBA Business
Incorporating Your Business
Managing the Business Finances
Bookkeeping
Keeping the IRS Happy
Insurance
Chapter 3 Business Management	26	(16)
Operating a Home-Based Business
Telephone Lines
Organizing the Home Office
Keeping Your Time Calendar
Record Keeping
Creating the Studio/Work Space
A Checklist of Office Supplies and Equipment
Decorative Painting Supplies and Equipment
Tools of the Trade
Master Supply Lists
Chapter 4 Marketing Your Business	42	(15)
Marketing Tactics
Business Cards
A Portfolio of Your Work
A Networking Strategy
Advertising Strategies
Chapter 5 Pricing and Estimates	57	(15)
Pricing Your Work
Timekeeping
Figuring Your Billing Rate
Preparing the Estimate
Estimating a Job Price
Charging Friends and Family
Chapter 6 The Initial Consultation	72	(6)
The Initial Phone Contact
Preparing for the Appointment
Get a Briefcase
Dress for Success
Meeting With the Client
Chapter 7 Proposals, Contracts and Letters of Agreement	78	(12)
Putting It in Writing
Proposals
Letters of Agreement
Contracts
Terms and Conditions
Chapter 8 Sample Making	90	(7)
Using Index Cards
The Mechanics of Creating a Sample
Sample vs. Reality
Chapter 9 Managing the Job Site	97	(8)
Setting Up
Painting
Breaking the Monotony
Tear Down/Cleanup
Chapter 10 Partnerships, Assistants and Employees	105	(6)
Partnerships
Partnership Agreements
Assistants and Employees
Chapter 11 Working With Interior Designers and Other Professionals	111	(10)
Making Contacts
Showcase Houses
Billing Arrangements
Subcontracting
Referral Fees
Ethics
Working With Contractors, Architects and Other Professionals
Chapter 12 Craftsmanship	121	(6)
Becoming a Master Craftsman
Ten Commandments for the Decorative Painter
Chapter 13 Caring for Your Most Important Asset--You!	127	(6)
Controlling Muscle Fatigue
Conquering Mental Fatigue
Dousing the Flames of Burnout
What to Do If You Are Well Done and Fully Cooked
Epilogue And Finally	133	(2)
Appendices	135	(14)
A. Recommended Reading	135	(4)
B. Resources	139	(7)
C. Educational Institutions/Schools	146	(3)
Index	149