Swamped versus Time

            I think it’s an old discussion for almost any one that owns a business. Would you rather be swamped and never have time to do research and development?

            Being swamped is good for me in that I’m new to this business and it allows me to perfect the process of making the many products already in my catalog. I can make the details a part of my memory and not have to rely on the written instructions as much. And it allows me to pay for the business and purchase more supplies for more orders down the road. I have also been making an extra item or two when I figured it wouldn’t take much more time. Having an item here and an item there to add to “stock” will help me fill orders quicker down the road and it takes less time to do an extra item when I already have the supplies out. The drawback is that I have limited space and I don’t want to get too many unfinished project scattered about either.

            However, part of what I want to do is to expand the line of items offered to include more gear that can be added on to the Flaming Star pack system. Bow and Rifle cases, fishing pole tubes, float tubes, axe or hatchet attachment systems… you get the idea, things you might take on your llama trek but are not offered from any of the makers of llama gear. To do that, I need time when I don’t have orders to fill. Keep checking back to my main page at: http://www.llamahardware.com for updates.

            The age old catch 22 of any business I’m sure. Add in the fact that I’m still trying to make items to post on my Etsy page for wood working https://www.etsy.com/shop/RockRabbitEnterprise and the list of items there is long as well… wonder if I could get myself cloned? No? Well it was a thought.

            Also, since I have been working long hours and generally 6 days a week, we decided to take a day off and Not stay home where we tend to go back to the shop and work ‘for just a little while.’ Take a look at the photos here to see some of the beautiful country Montana is known for and that we have not visited nearly enough recently. https://www.flickr.com/photos/rockrabbit/ The power of an avalanche is very impressive and is enough to make you think about where you go in the winter.

           

Rendezvous and business update

            Well it’s been a fun few weeks! We did a week of “vacation” time in NE Oregon and did the first Annual Galloway Top Shot event near the Eagle Cap Wilderness and the location of Joe’s ashes.

            While the turnout was not as large as we had hoped, it was still very good and fun was had by one and all. We did a less formal shooting event this time to allow everyone to have input in to what they wanted for next year. The plinking was a great hit as were the cans of shaving cream. Next year we will have more targets and a more regimented competition to go along with our informal plinking time. The plinking will give everyone a chance to shoot several guns that will then be designated as the ones used by all the shooters in the formal shooting event. (formal might be too strong a word, but it will have to do.)

            If you are interested in attending, mark your calendars for the third (3^rd) Saturday in June, 2015 and meet us there!

            After coming back down from the mountain (we spent a much needed couple of extra days camping once everyone else left). We spent another day in Pendleton and returned to Elgin and moved our “77” Chevy pickup and the flatbed trailer with the 32 AA Ford to Lynn’s dad’s place in Imbler. We wanted to take it to Pendleton but there was simply too much wrong and too little time to get things fixed before I felt safe taking them up, and more importantly, Down, Tollgate.

            On Thursday Lynn and I drove to Estacada to attend the Llama Rendezvous there. It was nice to visit with old friends and make some new ones as well. The park where they had the Pack Llama Trials Association (PLTA) event was nice, and the weather was nearly perfect for hiking.

            We talked packing gear each night and the improvements that people would like to see made to the Flaming Star system. (very few actually). On the list of things I need to pursue is a system to attach a hatchet/ axe to the outside of the system along with the fishing/ hunting gear I am already working on developing. Everyone there seemed pleased that I was taking over for Barb and Sid and were pleased with the quality of the product I’m turning out.

            The return trip on Sunday was delayed for nearly two hours outside Pasco when we had a flat tire and realized the ‘four square’ tire iron was still with the old pickup and trailer in Imbler! Robert to the rescue from Pendleton and we were soon back on the road for home. Still made it in just under 14 hours and averaged 14.77 miles per gallon while towing our trailer. Not great, but I’ll take it! I think it would have been better had it not been for the head wind on Thursday in the Columbia River Gorge.

            The last couple days have been spent unloading, cleaning, and getting back to normal routine. Three pack saddles left yesterday for Switzerland and the three used systems have been sold as well. One leaves for Germany tomorrow and the last two will head for Switzerland as soon as I can get a couple of Britchen done to accompany them.

            I “hope” to be caught up on All orders in the next couple of weeks and start on new orders/ stock for the shelves.

            This time away has re-enforced one thing… the only thing better than going on vacation, it getting Home from vacation! J