Finally! Although a date has not yet been set for the start of construction, the new studio will be built this season. It was a struggle to get to this point, and plans had to change (don’t they always?), but the home stretch is finally upon us.
You may recall in earlier posts that I had said I would do whatever it takes to just get a roof over my operation so I can have a work space and a place to sell my pottery. I’m at that point now. About a week and a half ago I spoke with the contractor. The next day I had a new estimate from him. Thanks to the gracious assistance of a deer tick I had to take a couple of days to see to my health, but the following Monday I sat down and plugged the new numbers into the cash flow spreadsheet.
No negative numbers. We’re in business again!
So the new studio as planned now is a 24′ by 36′ two-car garage style building with two doors and two windows. It will have no insulation or heat. Nor will it have a second story – at least for now. And it will have a simple gable roof rather than the gambrel originally intended. I will operate seasonally as I have up to this point, and will add insulation and drywall as I am able to. When the building is insulated and the drywall finished, I will then consider a heating system (I already know what I want) and will move to year-round operation. I’m not sure how long this process will take. How well business develops will certainly play a role.
This is a realistic plan that will get me up and running.
The best news in all of this is that the bank is on board. They like the business plan and feel my numbers are realistic. Best of all, they believe in me.
The new studio will happen this year. It’s more modest than first envisioned, but it will work. Keep an eye out here for updates. They should start coming our more quickly soon!