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| BBC @ HFL |
Big Board Cribbage took off. It's a success! Within less than six weeks, we're almost at a true break-even point on our start up costs. Of course, we don't count our labor---only out-of-pocket money. We've never met any entrepreneur who factored in the theoretical costs of The Labor Of Love in a new business.
Indeed, it actually IS a Labor Of Love--LOVE of Cribbage. Over the past six weeks, we came to realize we're doing much more than creating Big Board Cribbage (BBC) outfits. We're walkin', talkin', evangelizin', P.T. Barnum-promotin' proponents of The Royal & Elegant & Forever FUN Game of Cribbage.
We started this business on Faith and Hope that Cribbage Players would rally up to support our efforts. Yea, verily, that has been and continues to be the case. The enthusiastic support of active, past and future and wannabe cribbage players is both heartening and a genuine motivational inspiration.
It seems that every BBC outfit that finds a new home also generates and creates a unique story unto itself. One of these days we will write a post about some of those truly inspirational stories. They not only warmed my Heart when they transpired but they continue to warm my Heart Now & Forever!
That's really what has made this business so instantly special to me. It has never been (or will ever be) about making money. It's about The Heart & Spirit of Cribbage. As I told a BBC buyer today, "Either your instantly get it or you don't." And for those who "get it," this is what you can call a Really Fun Gig! I mean REALLY FUN GIG!
Friday The 13th of August 2021 was a Super Special Day. We took seven BBC's up to Island Park. We sold two boards and brought home $145 cash-in-hand. And we had a wonderful day in The Caldera, as Island Park is widely known.
We set up a delightful display at the Island Park Dam overlook area. Then we had a Dear Diary Day experience at IP's legendary Trout Hunter. And to make it even more special, we savored some sweet scenes inside the historic, iconic Henry's Fork Lodge.
Since we began BBC, we have created 19 Big Boards. We have sold 13, donated one and have five left in inventory. Meanwhile, we have shipped BBC's to Upstate New York, two to Texas, three to Arizona and one to Payette, Idaho. Along the way, we've forged a brand new awesome relationship with FedEx.
Every step of the BBC Way is filled with adventure and challenge. To begin, we must go to a sawmill and pick and choose slabs of Douglas Fir right off the saw.
And then we must heft those heavy 8-10 slabs down onto our work table and "find the boards." Early on this was difficult but now we can see them like shining beacons. They stand out like the proverbial sore thumb! It's quite fun.
Once we have bunked up all our newfound board blanks, then it becomes a matter of selecting each blank for "peg line layout". Laying out the peg lines is arguably my most enjoyable aspect of this esoteric business. I LOVE staring at a piece of wood wondering where the pegs will go!
Eventually, of course, the drill bit must hit the wood. But before those critical moments occurs, the "target" must be drawn onto each board blank. Trust me. That is a Very Tedious Process that takes a Lot Of Time.
And then there is the drilling of the holes. That's stuff for a separate post.
After the holes have been drilled the board needs to be fully finished. That typically takes four sandings but sometimes six depending on how rough the board was to begin with.
And then there is the Peg gig. Each board has its own pegs. Quite frankly, pegs are a PITA! But we get along with it all.
Then we have to "dress" the drill holes. Gosh, that's yet another long story.
And then we have to seal the board. And then we have to buff the board. And then we have to create the board's Certificate. And then we have to create a custom peg container for the board's pegs. And then we have to create a cardboard sheath to protect the board.
I mean, like, SERIOUSLY! This stuff seems to go on on forever.
But, eventually, a BBC comes to fruition and gets SOLD and it makes it ALL worthwhile. Right?
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