WoodDefender Newsletter
November 2006
EXCITING OCTOBER 6th TRAINING CLASS!
The October 6 Training Class was a huge success, with both existing fence companies and entrepreneurs in attendance. Representing four different states and multiple cities in Texas, the class attendees learned a lot of valuable information regarding the fence staining business, purchased equipment and are enthusiastic about getting their new business up and running! Attendees:
| • | GFC Fence: David Goodson, MI |
| • | The Wood Doctor: Michael Chustz, LA |
| • | Fence Stainers: Ryan Boyd, LA |
| • | Cobalt Stain & Seal: Josh Amaton & Tino Ortiz, OK |
| • | Pro Stain: Timothy White, TX |
| • | Jeremy Hoffman: TX |
| • | Carlos & Rod Valdez: TX |
| • | Frank Ehrlich: TX |
We appreciate these companies taking the time out of their busy schedule to spend the day with us and we look forward to writing success stories for each of them.
Standard Paint’s News:
Due to the success of our Wood Defender customers, Standard Paints Inc. has been forced to expand. After 17 classes and a growing attendance at each of those we have contracted to have a new 8000 square foot building built behind the manufacturing facility. This new building will house a new classroom/training area, equipment manufacturing & service facility. Moving current operations from our existing space will allow for greater Finished Goods inventory helping to insure your orders are in stock.
We are also in the process of increasing our largest batch sizes. Currently, the largest batch of stain that Standard Paints Inc. is capable of producing is 2750 gallons. We will be increasing this capacity with the installation of two 4000 gallon mixer/tank combinations.
We anxiously await the completion of these projects so we can continue to provide you with the quick order turn around that you have come to expect from Standard Paints Inc.
Marketing Tips:
Don’t spread yourself too thin with the high prices of fuel. Successful contractors have been enjoying the successes of focusing on one neighborhood.
Neighborhood Case Study:
On average, neighborhoods will have around 250 homes. For example, If one were to focus your efforts and stained half of the fences in this neighborhood (average fence 1800 square feet) you would profit $43,212.50 ($172.85 per hour).
Let’s look at the numbers! If you figure it takes you an average of one hour per 200 foot of fence and an hour to sell each job (worst case scenario) that would be 125 hours of labor and 125 hours of sales. For a total of 250 hours worth of work for $43,212.50 or $172.85 per hour, while reducing travel time and cost between jobs.
| Total Square Footage | 150 x 6 x 2 | 1800 |
| Customer Charged | 1800 x .28 | $504.00 |
| Coverage | 1800/175 | 10 Gallons |
| Material Cost | 10 x $15.83 | $158.30 |
| Gross Profit | $504.00 - $158.30 | $345.70 |
| Total Gross Profit | $345.70 |
Motivation/Goals set by Cobalt Stain & Seal
Josh Amaton & father in-law Tino Ortiz were among the attendees at the October 6th training class. After having numerous conversations with Josh during August and September regarding the opportunity of the fence staining business, he decided to attend the training class. Prior to attending, Josh called and we discussed possible names for his new service business. During the conversation Josh mentioned his real motivation for this venture was to purchase his wife a new Cobalt pleasure boat. The next time we talked he introduced himself as “Josh Amaton with Cobalt Stain & Seal”.
As with any business, GOALS are the motivator. Without GOALS, there is no reason to wake up early on a Saturday to sell jobs, no reason to get yourself cleaned up after a long day of staining to go sell one more job. Our current customers that set GOALS for their companies are the ones who consistently order pallets of stain.
Set a GOAL for your company or yourself, whether it is to give four estimates this Saturday or buy your wife a boat…………….you’ll see results.
Southern Fence: FL.
Dan attended our August 2005 training class looking for a service to add to his existing fence company as a way to set himself apart from his competition. Over a year later, Dan has been very successful with his venture and has recently added new markets to his repertoire. Realizing that cities in nearby states had a need for this service, Dan set up meetings with numerous fence companies and offered his staining service. The response he got from these meetings was outstanding and he will be staining fences for three of those companies. He found a common denominator in the meetings, the companies are consistently asking for the staining service, they just don’t have the time to do it. That is a nitch that Dan recognized and took advantage of.
Congratulations Dan and way to think outside the box. We are anticipating great things from your company in the future.
Aggieland Fence Stain:
Owner, Jamie Parsons attended the training class in August of this year along with his father Gary Parsons. After staining his fathers fence with a pump up sprayer and stain from a local paint store, Jamie saw the potential for the fence staining business in his community.
At 20 years old, Jamie purchased the Wood Defender Pro Packageand started knocking on doors. The response he has received has been very exciting for him and us at Standard Paints Inc.. Every time I hear from Jamie he is telling me of another job he has landed or another fence company he will be doing work for. He is currently working on securing a job for a developer/builder that will encompass over a mile of perimeter fence along with 25 privacy fences to be stained.
Jamie has done an excellent job marketing and promoting his business in a start up market. Keep up the good work!
ST-250 Tech Tips:
Ways to increase the longevity of your motor and pump and lesson down time of your ST-250!
Filter Maintenance: Make it a habit to clean the inline filter on your machine. Doing so will keep a steady spray pressure and minimize the risk of starving the pump of product.
- Tank Maintenance: Always a good idea to rinse the insides of the tanks with mineral spirits on a regular basis to reduce the buildup of dried material on sides of tanks (which will invariably clog the filter)
- Motor Speed: Don’t idle the Honda motor for extended periods of time as it will foul the spark plug. Start the machine and raise the rpm of the motor to a step above idle. There is no incentive to running these motors at a high rpm other then to aid in the agitation of the stain stored in the tanks for an extended amount of time.
Overall, the lack of scheduled maintenance on the ST-250 lends itself to neglect in some cases. If you keep up with the filter, motor oil and cleanliness of the tanks the ST-250 will give you many years of continuous use.
ST-250 Pro Package:
The ST-250 Pro Package underwent a makeover a few months ago. The Pro Package comes with a full vinyl wrap. We have found that this form of advertising pays for itself in a short amount of time. Customers have told us that they are receiving work simply because of the wrap.