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I've always believed utmost transparency with the NWFA membership is the best way to go. I'm writing this to let you know of a big change in my life, one which will directly affect NWFA.
Since the beginning, I can't think of a time when Northwest Firearms hasn't been in direct competition for my time and attention. Goals and aspirations don't put food on the table, so I have been forced to relegate NWFA side-project status since its inception in 2008.
Putting what is essentially my life's work thus far on the back burner has been difficult, but it's what I've had to do. I've upset girlfriends with my lack of attention on nights and weekends, with me married to the keyboard. I've been caught working on the site at work innumerable times, other times successfully working it into employment negotiations. Between day jobs and NWFA I don't believe I've worked any less than 60 hours per week in years, and easily upwards of 80 for some extended periods. I've known for quite some time now I've been spread too thin.
Nine months ago I decided I needed to start making moves to make my exit, in order to focus solely on NWFA. I'm not the type to make uncalculated risks, and I knew what I had to do. I stopped going out, cut out all unnecessary expenses, even moved in with my brother so I could save every bit of money I could. Many of you who have been here a while know, and some will be surprised to hear, that I've never taken a paycheck from NWFA. All donation and advertising revenue (our only two sources of income) we collect have been used for maintenance, upgrades, development, and marketing.
The primary reason I'm writing this is to be honest with our membership. I will be taking a very small paycheck from Northwest Firearms for the first time since its launch in August of 2008.
After I made the decision that I had to make this move, I set a target departure date of June 1. I'm happy to announce that last month I sent my resignation letter, wanting to give my employer ample time to find and train my replacement. As of June 1 I will be self-employed, with 100% focus on NWFA.
Many people think this site makes much more money than it actually does. Most people would struggle with the challenge of living on a wage several dollars less than minimum wage, but this is not uncommon among small business owners. My eventual goal will be to earn a wage I can live on more comfortably, but you have my word I'm not going to compromise any portion of NWFA to get there. Should I find I can't manage, I'll accept defeat and re-join the workforce.
The benefits of making this jump are endless. I have a three page to-do list of tweaks that need to be made to the new software, not including the new features we'll be developing. I'll finally be able to get back to working the gun shows around the Northwest, dusting off our booth we haven't used in years. Much work needs to be done in our forests to ensure these public spots stay open. Hopefully I'll be able to draw some larger advertisers, and convince them to put together some great giveaways for our members. We might finally get our first member from Idaho
Over the years I've had many people comment on the way I write these honest, open letters to the members of the community. It's true I didn't have to write this. Some would say this is none of your business, but I don't believe that. I've always viewed this site as more than just a website or forum, more as a community or as a family of gun owners. Whether omitting facts, being vague, playing with words, or outright lying, it's all dishonesty to me, and I don't believe in that.
As always, I greatly appreciate your support of both myself and Northwest Firearms.
Thank You,
Joe Link
Since the beginning, I can't think of a time when Northwest Firearms hasn't been in direct competition for my time and attention. Goals and aspirations don't put food on the table, so I have been forced to relegate NWFA side-project status since its inception in 2008.
Putting what is essentially my life's work thus far on the back burner has been difficult, but it's what I've had to do. I've upset girlfriends with my lack of attention on nights and weekends, with me married to the keyboard. I've been caught working on the site at work innumerable times, other times successfully working it into employment negotiations. Between day jobs and NWFA I don't believe I've worked any less than 60 hours per week in years, and easily upwards of 80 for some extended periods. I've known for quite some time now I've been spread too thin.
Nine months ago I decided I needed to start making moves to make my exit, in order to focus solely on NWFA. I'm not the type to make uncalculated risks, and I knew what I had to do. I stopped going out, cut out all unnecessary expenses, even moved in with my brother so I could save every bit of money I could. Many of you who have been here a while know, and some will be surprised to hear, that I've never taken a paycheck from NWFA. All donation and advertising revenue (our only two sources of income) we collect have been used for maintenance, upgrades, development, and marketing.
The primary reason I'm writing this is to be honest with our membership. I will be taking a very small paycheck from Northwest Firearms for the first time since its launch in August of 2008.
After I made the decision that I had to make this move, I set a target departure date of June 1. I'm happy to announce that last month I sent my resignation letter, wanting to give my employer ample time to find and train my replacement. As of June 1 I will be self-employed, with 100% focus on NWFA.
Many people think this site makes much more money than it actually does. Most people would struggle with the challenge of living on a wage several dollars less than minimum wage, but this is not uncommon among small business owners. My eventual goal will be to earn a wage I can live on more comfortably, but you have my word I'm not going to compromise any portion of NWFA to get there. Should I find I can't manage, I'll accept defeat and re-join the workforce.
The benefits of making this jump are endless. I have a three page to-do list of tweaks that need to be made to the new software, not including the new features we'll be developing. I'll finally be able to get back to working the gun shows around the Northwest, dusting off our booth we haven't used in years. Much work needs to be done in our forests to ensure these public spots stay open. Hopefully I'll be able to draw some larger advertisers, and convince them to put together some great giveaways for our members. We might finally get our first member from Idaho
Over the years I've had many people comment on the way I write these honest, open letters to the members of the community. It's true I didn't have to write this. Some would say this is none of your business, but I don't believe that. I've always viewed this site as more than just a website or forum, more as a community or as a family of gun owners. Whether omitting facts, being vague, playing with words, or outright lying, it's all dishonesty to me, and I don't believe in that.
As always, I greatly appreciate your support of both myself and Northwest Firearms.
Thank You,
Joe Link
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