jflis
Well-Known Member
- Joined
- Jan 17, 2009
- Messages
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2009 is ending and 2010 is about to begin. 9 years ago (plus a few months) I was gainfully employed in the computer industry designing Ethernet products, managing databases and otherwise doing my job as a cog in the big machine.
Shortly after that I found myself unemployed. Coupled with the fact that there were thousands of other qualified people also unemployed and very few jobs needing to be filled, I also found myself unemployable.
At the time I was toying with the idea of starting a small company to sell some of my rocket designs. As I was putting some simple plans together the monumental nature of the task started to weigh on my mind. At the time I got laid off I was also watching my kids leave home for college and I was near the end of a 30 year mortgage.
It all seemed to be fitting into place. If ever I were to start a company, this was the perfect time. The only responsibility being me and my wife. So after some lengthy discussions, Kathy and I agreed that our best solution to being unemployable was to employ myself. After an interview, and a follow-on interview, I decided that I was the best person for the job and offered myself the position of Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.
Over the years I have acquired many more hats, much more responsibility and not much in the way of extra pay. I have also made a point of commenting to folks that I have never worked so hard, for so long, for so little money, and been so satisfied in all my life.
Trying to make a living in the model rocket industry is not easy. Even the big-boys in the business will tell you that. A smaller company has to work even harder, with smaller margins, just to keep things going let alone trying to grow and expand.
Every now and then, because it feels good, but mainly because it is needed to keep my sanity, I would pat myself on the back for a job well done. But good job or not, none of this (FlisKits) would exist were it not for the loyalty and strong support of our core customer base. You know who you are. You were with us when we were young (or joined us upon discovery). Youve watched us grow. Youre still with us today.
For this I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 2002 was a frightening time. I had no idea how our products or company would be perceived by the rocketry community. 2003 was a whirlwind with so much happening it was hard to keep track. 2004, 05, 06, 07 were all exciting (its hard to imagine so many years have gone by). 2008 was a banner year with record sales and strong growth from within.
2009, on the other hand, was a very rough year. The economy hit hard. The previous years balsa increases were having a major impact. We listened to horror stories of job losses and financial hard times. We all felt it, we all lived through it for good or bad.
The latter part of 2009 saw strong growth and an upswing in sales and interest in our company and the hobby. Our hopes are for a strong 2010 and many more New Years after that.
Our thoughts go with all of you along with our wishes for a prosperous, fun and exciting New Year. You have helped make FlisKits what it is today. It is our hope that we have played a small part in helping you enjoy this most exciting hobby of yours.
Let us bid adieu to 2009 and look with hope to the new year with promises of only good.
Happy New Year everybody!
The folks at FlisKits.
Shortly after that I found myself unemployed. Coupled with the fact that there were thousands of other qualified people also unemployed and very few jobs needing to be filled, I also found myself unemployable.
At the time I was toying with the idea of starting a small company to sell some of my rocket designs. As I was putting some simple plans together the monumental nature of the task started to weigh on my mind. At the time I got laid off I was also watching my kids leave home for college and I was near the end of a 30 year mortgage.
It all seemed to be fitting into place. If ever I were to start a company, this was the perfect time. The only responsibility being me and my wife. So after some lengthy discussions, Kathy and I agreed that our best solution to being unemployable was to employ myself. After an interview, and a follow-on interview, I decided that I was the best person for the job and offered myself the position of Chief Cook and Bottle Washer.
Over the years I have acquired many more hats, much more responsibility and not much in the way of extra pay. I have also made a point of commenting to folks that I have never worked so hard, for so long, for so little money, and been so satisfied in all my life.
Trying to make a living in the model rocket industry is not easy. Even the big-boys in the business will tell you that. A smaller company has to work even harder, with smaller margins, just to keep things going let alone trying to grow and expand.
Every now and then, because it feels good, but mainly because it is needed to keep my sanity, I would pat myself on the back for a job well done. But good job or not, none of this (FlisKits) would exist were it not for the loyalty and strong support of our core customer base. You know who you are. You were with us when we were young (or joined us upon discovery). Youve watched us grow. Youre still with us today.
For this I thank you from the bottom of my heart. 2002 was a frightening time. I had no idea how our products or company would be perceived by the rocketry community. 2003 was a whirlwind with so much happening it was hard to keep track. 2004, 05, 06, 07 were all exciting (its hard to imagine so many years have gone by). 2008 was a banner year with record sales and strong growth from within.
2009, on the other hand, was a very rough year. The economy hit hard. The previous years balsa increases were having a major impact. We listened to horror stories of job losses and financial hard times. We all felt it, we all lived through it for good or bad.
The latter part of 2009 saw strong growth and an upswing in sales and interest in our company and the hobby. Our hopes are for a strong 2010 and many more New Years after that.
Our thoughts go with all of you along with our wishes for a prosperous, fun and exciting New Year. You have helped make FlisKits what it is today. It is our hope that we have played a small part in helping you enjoy this most exciting hobby of yours.
Let us bid adieu to 2009 and look with hope to the new year with promises of only good.
Happy New Year everybody!
The folks at FlisKits.
