Nashville hot or not so much?

How busy are ya'll selling cords this summer? I don't have any data to compare yet. Sure feels busy. I hope all is well and you guys have great numbers.

 

Nashville is where all the Benjamin’s can be found.

 

My woodstand is growing cobb webs. I'm not bothered but slightly dissappointed. Had hoped the river crowd would buy it for recreation. So far not so much, but it's been hot. I'm not really in a high traffic location. Stand has paid for itself, but I need to move half of the current inventory in it to get the bags covered and should have no further 'spend' until next year sometime based on past sales, for more bags. I did put out the little white oak 'solo splits' last weekend trying to cater to the back yard burners.

 

Ive tried to step up my business for the warm weather. Been hoarding more and procured a steady source for wood. Had requests last Winter for loads of rounds and green/semi seasoned splits and have accommodated where possible. Have a half cord of semi seasoned (CS in February) going out today to a long time regular. He got two loads last week. Another will go to him next week. That should be it for volume sales until early Fall. I picked up another bundle account last Winter. With seven stores to supply its a year round venture. My numbers for the warm months have been the highest since I've sold wood. Smoker bundle sales have been okay. Nothing gangbusters but a lot more profit vs normal bundles and easy since they come to me to buy them.

Im not Nashville hot, but content with what I've done. Just need to keep on hoarding. Cant sell it if you don't have it.



I'm not making Nashville money, but am content with what I've done.

 

This Nashville talk has me wanting some "Hot Chicken"

 

I had a Craigslist ad out for about 3 weeks back in May-June, which netted me 6 Colorado loads (2 cords) in wood sales. I had to pull the ad because my "excess" dry inventory of hardwood is dwindling. The one really good thing that came of first time summer sales was gaining a steady customer for oak. I'm fine being a small seller, with no plans to expand beyond my 6-8 cord per year average.

 

And that is how I started.

 

About the only thing "hot" down here has been the temps. We have been CSS totes for the coming winter sales. Sold a load to a regular customer a couple weeks ago, and the restaurant will get another load this week. We have a regular customer that wants a load soon. My regular work schedule has been crazy since May, and will be till end of Sept.
We did carry this big load of VERY DRY wood to a rehab place.

 

On October 1st my son and I will be in business for one year. We really don't know what to expect. This is a side hustle my 14 year old talked me into. My primary job, I am away from home 12-14 hours daily without overtime and with who knows. The market's we serve are so wildly different from each that other than for conversation purposes are not comparable. I find it interesting to hear trends and what has always been.

We have done better that we had hoped for. We are at 183 cords sold plus 900 bundles. July was our busiest month at 29 cords and 350 bundles. We only have white spruce for wood. No BBQ restaurants'/personal use -- market exist for us. Here its pellet grill/BBQ.

I see the fun had in the other thread. Figured we could have one that may be useful. Never know when a nugget/idea gets shared.

A fellow I know in New York has his hand in every cookie jar it seems. One of the interesting things he does is make grade stakes. I have been toying with the idea of getting a sawmill and grade stakes will be on the menu. I pass through a 16 mile construction zone on my commute. I have been watching just how many grade stakes they use. Might just be worth a go.

 

Funny you should mention that, seems I may have read about that. Its a little out of my delivery area, but I guess here in a few years I can retire close by. And provide a world class delivery service. Buy someone else's cheap wood, sort/dry and deliver a desirable product. Company truck, uniform and price so high it you have to be vetted to purchase. I should start the application process for customers.

 

I am in what's referred to as interior Alaska. I am 200 miles from Fairbanks and 350 miles from Anchorage. My small town is 1,200 or so. The closest town in 107 miles between me and Fairbanks (west) the next town is 150 miles southwest on the way to Anchorage. And 100 miles from the border with Yukon, Canada. We have 5 surrounding native villages of 50-75. Home heating wood and bundles are our market. Most people heat in the 250+ days a year range. Between that and our cold temps an ageing population and people who are tired of doing wood. Many of my customers are retired, widowed or have disability/injury that makes it tough for them to process their own wood anymore. Very few that are able bodied, young and still employed. We know many in town between our kids playing hockey and professionally with my main job. We have picked up quite a few new customers this summer. Some have commented they wanted to see if we would be in business for the second winter. I think the quality of wood, doing what we say when we say. Has also gotten around town and certainly helps.

 

We are not Nashville money either. I'm glad you're getting after it with more hoarding. The seven bundle accounts must keep you busy. We have three and I am thinking of a electric bundler. Is there any insight as to why sales are up for your warm months?

I am proud of the service and product we provide to the community. It's a good feeling when the elders of the community are appreciative for the service provided. They all love seeing my son with me on the delivers. They normally complement him for doing the work and having a smile on his face. These older generations don't give out complement's unearned.

 

I like spicy chicken, its unfortunate that most places just make it hot where you can only taste the pepper. I want to taste chicken and it to be spicy. Ya chicken does sound good right now.

 

Sounds like Craigslist did you right. It's daunting getting bigger. We struggled with that decision ourselves. My son hasn't missed a beat and is leaning towards logging/firewood and general hustling. That's our reason for growing.

 

Always impressed with the cordage and work you do.

 

I always love seeing your work and growth, the Mrs's and you do a fantastic job.

 

I am with you on that. I have a limit as well. Hot to the point where it is just hot and you have no clue what else you are eating because of the heat is past my legal limit.

 

Thank you, my friend .
I'm really impressed with the amount ya'll are getting done and your growth.
A great product sells itself.
I can't imagine working in the temps yall have...

 

Hot comes in handy when my in laws cook. All I taste is tobasco sauce, totally takes the bury, unseasoned- makes it somewhat palatable.

I love spicy but I want to taste what I’m eating…until I don’t.

 

You know how it is, when there’s work you do it. Working in the cold is easier than heat. I can always put a layer on.