Wow. Almost a year since I have updated this. Much has changed.
Covid. Changed everything as you all know. Business dropped way off. PA closed us down but that only lasted about 3 days before I got a manufacturing exemption from the state and we reopened. I had 2-3 guys working and the rest on unemployment.
We kept our heads above water, barely. We got a PPP loan and that made the difference between life and death. I never saw it as a handout, just my own tax money coming back to me, which I'm fine with.
We finished the year out with a $16k loss. Could have been way worse.
I had 8 full time employees this time last year, plus me and the Mrs. Currently 3 plus me and the Mrs.
Since moving last year, we spent most of the summer working on the new place, cleaning out the old place and just enjoyed the new house. I worked from home for most of last year.
The old house went on the market last November and sold at the end of December. After living through 2020 we decided to make debt a target. We took the majority of what we got back from the house sale and paid off three machines that I owed on.
That leaves me with only one machine payment now. I actually have that one for sale with a used machinery dealer. I don't
have to sell it but it would be better if we did.
Business is still way down. We applied for and got a second PPP loan, thankfully. Even with one machine to pay for (about $3500/mo) labor is a huge cost and the PPP covers that until it runs out. I'm hoping business picks up in the meantime.
I have been quoting a shit ton of parts lately so here's hoping something sticks.
Worst case plan is I make whatever I can may by myself if we have to lay off everyone else. I can survive like that, even if it's not my preference.
A while back we started the process to bid on DoD work and have gone down that rabbit hole. They are requiring a lot of cybersecurity guidelines be met before we have access to controlled unclassified information (blue prints for parts) and Mrs Monsterlover is heading up that project as that's her specialty. I just know how to turn a computer on
I think there's money to be made there so we're pursuing it. Military spending won't ever go away. 700+billion in 2021 I think? Even a fraction of a percent would be enough for me.
Time will tell.
