Coeur d Alene, is the economy that bad?

[pacalady]

Here in Post Falls it is true the commercial construction is still going on (especially with the medical facilities) however the housing construction appears to be slowing.

I work in accounting (CPA firm) and we too are seeing most businesses struglling ...especially if they are in retail markets, since everyone is tightening up on discretionary spending. We're down to basics I think, with groceries, gas, utilites, mortgage/rent etc being where the dollars are spent.....so no retail 'fun' spending unless absolutely necessary!

Having a committment to exceptional customer service and quality performance will put any business at the top of the list! And advertise 'specialties' you can provide (pet stain removal, fire/water damage clean up etc). In these economic times 'cleaning' our home carpet is going to be done un-professionally! (By me and one of those grocery store rentals that I HATE!!!)

The other side of the equation is this: Find a NEED and FILL it! Commercial cleaning of new construction???? I'm guessing at this .....

Being flexible is important too:

Example is that with all the snow that fell recently, some companies shifted gears from their normal operations and hired people to shovel snow off the roofs of schools, malls, grocery stores, homes, garages, shops etc. Their employees (and additional ones) were 'working' and happy to be doing so!! Thus able to withstand the next few months at least! (Both the company and the workers!!)

Another thing to consider is this: Avista Utilities is proposing not one but TWO rate hikes on electricty/and gas ..... 9% increase for electricity use and 2% for natural gas. According to the news tonight, Washington State is challenging the rate hike, but the first one took effect the first of January! It will NET Avista over 33m dollars if not revoked!! (If Washington State get's the rate change revoked, it would be retroactive, but the whole process will take time...several months according to the local news network. In the meantime, WEHhave to pay the utility bills! Again, according to the news, the second rate hike is already being challenged as well, so we'll see what happens.....

I think that artisans who have a reputation and can provide references will still find work with even just a little marketing ..... can't always rely on referrals from past client's for future work! (Although it is a bonus if you get a new client who wants a referral!! )

If you are creative, an artisan in your trade, can do some limited marketing of your skills and back them up you can find work. I also know that skilled educated labor-force is in demand. No matter what, you need to be flexible though!

Keep up your research! This is only 'one' opinion! And comes with best wishes for your next adventure!

PacaLady

[ejay]

I have been in buisness here for 15 years never seen it this tight except in the eighties when people just walked away from there houses. I have work scheduled thru the summer I just have to wait until the jobs are ready for me. I am a custom two man shop so I don't need a lot to keep me busy. Heck one year I restored a wooden airplane that won first place at osh kosh. Hard to get guys to fork over money to fix airplanes now lol I have a lot of different job skills you have too, to survive here. I have talked to other shop owners I know and they are either almost closed or are in the process of closing. It's sad and it really bums me out at times to see that my way of life may change. I have a good thing going and I don't want to lose it.

[vette-dude]

Originally Posted by ejay

lol come by my shop and stare at the walls with me. My buisness is dead right now!!! And the other cabinet shops and outlet's are either going under or cutting employees.

Well, maybe President Obama will get the "NEWEST" stimulus package through ....w/out the GOP...as the case so far....it sould help this city as well as the rest of the country.....need to get up and quit sitting on their hands hey..major companies are laying off ppl daily....and it's terrible...