Took the Plunge

[crashthegrey]

So with my recent negative situations, I have fully committed to trying to make it all a positive experience. With my love of Kaywoodie pipes, I have gone full time into selling new Kaywoodie pipes, among others which I will add over time. This isn't a sales post, so no website. I just wanted to share my excitement. It has been a crazy adventure and I love trying to make a living in a community which I know and love. This forum is a big part of the push to make this real. Thanks to all of you, for doing what you didn't know you were doing. Pushing me to try something new.

 

[ashdigger]

Good luck. New ventures are exciting, frightening, humbling and nerve-racking, but they are also rewarding, frustrating, mind-boggling and worth it.

 

[crashthegrey]

Definitely frightening with a family to support. But I have to give it a go or I will always regret it. Thank you!

 

[ophiuchus]

That sounds just cool as hell! You'll have to journal your experiences with this endeavor here. ::

 

[crashthegrey]

Thank you, ophiuchus. It took about a month of selling some of the Kaywoodie 100th Anniversary pipes to get the funds to incorporate, and then I spent a couple of weeks building a website linked to a Facebook account and an Instagram account. I used one of my own paintings as a basis for the logo, my wife digitized and turned it into the logo. Now all is up and running, and I spend a few hours a day sending orders, tweaking the website, fixing the costs and metrics, updating social media, and talking to my favorite people, other pipe smokers. I am working on materials to keep shipping costs down. I bought a dip pen, or nib pen, to handwrite a note to every customer, and they get a piece of candy or other gift in every order. It is a blast so far.

 

[npod]

Strong work! Will you be representing Kaywoodie in Chicago, or are you going for personal pleasure?

 

[crashthegrey]

Thanks, npod. It was far too late to get a table, but I will have pipes with me. I plan to try to get a table at the preshow Friday, but either way I'll represent as best as I can for such short notice. Plus trying to just enjoy my first Chicago show.

 

[ophiuchus]

This is clearly well beyond a hobby now. I'll be checking it out. It's great to see Kaywoodie get some love like this.

I bought a dip pen, or nib pen, to handwrite a note to every customer, and they get a piece of candy or other gift in every order. It is a blast so far.

And that sounds pretty classy! ::

 

[weedsnager]

Where are you selling them ?

 

[crashthegrey]

Wow. Thanks. I still collect Kaywoodie pipes for myself, but I had a dream of every pipe smoker having new Kaywoodie pipes. When I first started buying at shows where I met Bill, I would abuse my first Super Grain pipes. Smoking them non-stop for months to see how they stood up to real use. I was blown away that a $50 pipe could do so well. So I decided that I wanted to see them more available to people besides those of us lucky enough to see Bill personally, so yes, more than a hobby now. Heh. I'm all in.

 

[crashthegrey]

weedsnager, I have a website which will carry more than Kaywoodie, but that is the primary focus. I have not paid to advertise here, so I will not take business from our sponsors. I don't believe any of them carry my product, but I respect this forum and the rules, as I have been a long time contributing member and love it here. Feel free to PM me and I'll shoot you a web address. I have more inventory being made for me right now and will have a rotating stock of brand new Kaywoodie pipes. But again, I am more interested in celebrating these steps toward happiness with the people who made me dive so deep into this pastime of ours.

 

[jpmcwjr]

Sounds crazy good, and good on ya for going for it. Best of luck!

 

[crashthegrey]

Thank you! It has certainly been an adventure so far.

 

[xingpao]

Good luck!!

 

[crashthegrey]

Thank you!

 

[redglow]

That is awesome! Best of luck!

 

[crashthegrey]

Thank you. Chasing dreams is fun!

 

[didimauw]

That sounds like the greatest job ever. Congrats!
Thinking of moving up to b&m status some day? Or strictly online?

 

[crashthegrey]

Thanks, didi! I'm certainly quite thrilled thus far.

 

[tschiraldi]

Congratulations, bud, and the best of luck!