After a busy spring that saw the introduction of two new harmonica
models, I thought I might actually make this a survivable business.
But then things dried up over the summer, when harmonica players
were spending their extra money on $3/gallon gas and tickets to
Disneyland. My business dropped by 2/3, and I made the hard
decision to take a day job at 4 times the salary, plus benefits and
retirement. Sometimes doing something you love means taking care of
those you love. Maybe I can send my kids to college. At least I
can take them to the doctor when they need it.
I entertained the illusion that I was going to be able to work a
full-time job, take care of the kids after school, play in a band
AND build harmonicas, but I found it increasingly difficult to make
myself spend the last two hours of each day after the kids went to
bed, plus my weekends, building harmonicas for less than minimum
wage. Somehow, it's more enjoyable to pour a glass of wine and sit
down and watch Boston Legal with my wife. Go figure.
I am in the process of trying to complete the orders I have in
house, many of which are 15 or more weeks old, and in the mean time
have stopped taking new orders. It was a hard decision, having
gotten into and out of the harmonica business repeatedly over the
years, and continually disappointing a following that's tried so
hard to be loyal through all my flip-flops.
Who knows what the future holds? Hopefully good things for all of
us.
-tim
Tim Moyer
Working Man's Harps
http://www.workingmansharps.com/