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“Time’s fun when you’re having flies.” –Kermit the Frog
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Well, my annual work retreat is over and I am pooped.
This year I spent 2 weeks in San Diego and like all the previous work retreats over the past 12 years, I had no preconceived notions as to what I was going to accomplish.
The nice thing about a work retreat is the ability to go down rabbit holes to see what lurks in the recesses of one’s mind. This is really not possible in the office or at home–the blocks of time you think you might have everyday get whittled rather quickly. It is just too hard to have continuity of thought. Maybe that is why it is called “work”.
I am excited about what transpired in San Diego. I hope you will be too–more later.
Right before I left for San Diego, I received a copy of an email that Tom Lie-Nielsen (Lie-Nielsen Toolworks) received from one of his customers;
“Have you ever thought about buying Bridge City Tool Works?”
We laughed, particularly since I told Tom that I would pay him to buy us. It then occurred to me that the woodworking tool business, by comparison, is a rather little place.
How big do you think the woodworking tool business really is (not including the imported junk at box stores)?
Before I answer, consider the 2011 income for the following athletes;
1) Tiger Woods: $62,294,116
2) Phil Mickelson: $61,185,933
3) LeBron James: $44,500,000
4) Peyton Manning: $38,070,000
5) Alex Rodriguez: $36,000,000
This is almost a quarter billion dollars–for five guys.
If you attended Woodworking in America, you were able to rub shoulders with just about every boutique tool maker in America. The combined revenues of all of these tool makers? About what Tiger Woods made last year, but if you want to split hairs, throw in the revenue of Phil Mickelson. If you want to add the last three, then you can include all the revenue from the top three or four selling woodworking magazines–maybe all of them.
Dean Kamen, in speaking about America, claimed that as a culture we are what we celebrate.
According to a recent article in The Daily, the average monthly revenue for “Simpsons” merchandise is $135,000,000 which makes it a 1.65 billion dollar industry.
Why do I share this? It’s just a little hug to remind you that all of us in the woodworking tool business greatly appreciate your support!
Duh!
–John
PS: Last time I checked the annual revenue in America for screwdrivers was $185,000,000. No wonder I can’t find one when I need it.