I quit my job: What this means for NWFA

[40calruler]

Joe,
This site is a great place I can get away and enjoy my love of shooting and collecting guns. The setup and forums are great and there is not another place I am aware of that is close to this site for those of us here to debate, discuss, buy, sell, and do pretty much anything that has to do with the love of shooting.
Thanks for creating a place I can keep up to date on my rights, new laws, firearm related news, new guns to me and allowing me to get great feedback from a lot of much more skilled shooters than I.

I sold two restaurants for the reasons you speak of a while back. People think because you own a business that you are wealthy. After 80+ hours a week and making less than my cooks I needed a change so I can completely understand what you are saying....I lived with my brother for a year back then as well. It is tough but I hope this becomes a profitable highly successful job for you.

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

As someone that sips from the same internet tap as this site, I can tell people that the money is nowhere near what they imagine it to be. In fact, I have nearly 80,000 viewers on my youtube channel and I get over 50,000 hits a day and I could make more money collecting cans or washing windshields at an intersection downtown.

 

[HappyRoman]

Congrats,
Will upgrade my membership on Next renewal. You deserve it.. A++

 

[PlayboyPenguin]

PS: I meant to ask...now that you have quit does that mean that your old corner is now available down on Stark?

 

[BGS2]

Good for you, Joe!! We'll look forward to seeing you at the shows. Best of luck.

 

[Dump lead]

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

Keep truckin

 

[Lilhigbee]

Good Luck, Joe, I hope it exceeds your wildest expectations. Want to know what I think about you taking a paycheck?? Just upgraded to Gold Supporter. Use it in good health. Thanks for the site, it is great!!

 

[prkrgrp]

Don't quit your day job.

 

[gigatexal]

Joe,

Keep up the good work!

 

[BZawlocki]

Joe -

Best of luck with your decision. Have you thought about:

1. Using your knowledge and experience building this web site to offer sites to other groups. For example, there are lots of Yahoo Groups that might be willing to move to a real forum web. Perhaps you could create a generic forum site and replicate that for other groups. Charge each member a minimal fee like $12 per year to obtain a login. These type of forum gives so much more than the Yahoo Groups. Just thinking out loud. You seem to be able to attract sponsors.

2. Put up a porn site to make money - my neighbor makes his living running 1 porn site. To be honest, I haven't thought this idea through completely - LOL.

Just my 2-cents worth.

Bill

 

[gigatexal]

pfft pr0n sites are akin to selling dope, don't do that.

 

[BZawlocki]

pfft pr0n sites are akin to selling dope, don't do that.

Actually I agree - I was only half serious about my suggestion.

 

[Joe Link]

I've been reading this thread for the past couple of days, trying to come up with some sort of reply that would reflect my appreciation of all of your support. I just can't find the words...

The way I am, I just can't imagine not being open and honest about everything here. This place wouldn't exist without our members. I know many forum owners who treat their members as if they're lucky to be on the site. The way I see it, there wouldn't be a site without the members, so it's me who is lucky to have all of you.

Short of being active here, donating (most of you have), and visiting our Supporting Vendors, there isn't much you can do to help. If you have or know anyone who has a website, a link to Northwest Firearms would be great, as well as telling whoever you know about the site. The IT field is saturated, but if you know of any part time IT work, I'd be interested. Actually, I'd be interested in just about any field that I could work a day or two per week and make a decent side income.

This is a very uncertain time for me, but I'm confident I'm making the right decision.

P.S. Quite a few of you have become Supporting Members after reading this thread. Thank you!

 

[Burt Gummer]

I can relate. Quit a great paying job many years ago (found out my employer was scamming customers) to go off and start my own thing. Then unexpected expenses of course, and starting funds were $44.00. Now I still run one of the better established VOIP/telecom companies in the area.

They say know your limitations. I know mine - never been the sharpest tool in the drawer, however I make up for it with a never-stop attitude. So if a guy like me can do it so can you. Keep the overhead low and the income/profit as high as possible, of course.

 

[Joe13]

Not been here long an need to pay up for a membership soon.

Hope this works out they way you want. It's a great site and I'm glad to have found it.

Maybe ask for an optional 1 or 2 % from gun sales... If you can afford to buy or sell a $2000 gun, you can probably send the admin $20-$40 bucks.

Just a thought.

 

[gigatexal]

Joe13 has a good idea, using the classifieds section of the forum should warrant a sort of renter's fee, I mean we are using your site to sell or buy guns.

 

[Shooter11b]

Rock on Joe and LUCK! In my experience, hard work replaces luck and success depends more on hard work than luck anyway. Knowing that, NWFA will THRIVE and grow and become what you dream it will be and I for one will be here doing whatever is needed to help, all you gotta do is ask.

 

[206thsense]

Thank you for all your work on NWFA, and of course, your honesty. Best of luck as you transition from the old to the exciting new!

 

[fredball]

Let's all be thankful we still have few good men in this community that stand up for all of us
let me know if I can be of any help with a raffle PS Thank you for all you do

 

[kev350]

Thanks for all the work you've already put in and all the you will be doing . I will be renewing my membership soon.