we do lighting installations for mostly residence. Our customers are typically high middle / upper class.
Been in business since 2004. In 2008 work stopped like we hit a wall, this time around it’s been more of a slow crash but I can definitely feel it. If it wasn’t for our long time return customers and referrals we’d be in big trouble. New calls have dropped off to the point where sometimes I wonder if there is something wrong with our phone system.
The other problem is that a year ago we were scrambling to find employees. Forced to pay them more then we normally would because there were so many jobs choices. Now it’s a double whammy with slow downs combined with employees making top dollar. I pray I don’t have to lay off any of these young guys. The economy is definitely worse then what’s being portrayed.
Thanks for your response. My BIL owns a packaging company and we have a good friend that owns a few Melting Pots and they’ve never been able to find good help since Covid and now they’re slowing down as well. Two industries that have been strong for 20-30 years are suddenly crashing along with mine (manufacturing). I rarely get rattled, but this time around seems different.