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The drama of business (Squeak Latex)
9 years ago
General
As you know, I've built up and run a company called Squeak Latex. I created this business because it's something I wish existed back when I first joined the community.
I wanted to share my ideas and bring them to life so that everyone could enjoy this weird and wacky kink of ours. I spent many months finding a supplier, even changing early on when things weren't working out with our first one.
I spent hours upon hours on patterns and design. Spent money in the tens of thousands getting new designs off the ground.
I've dedicated years of my life to this business not only as my dream and my passion but as my livelihood.
Unfortunately, there are a group of individuals that are offended by me and my business practice. Some have actively encouraged what I deem to be very hurtful acts.
Believe it or not, I do actually sympathize and understand why they feel the way they do. I have privately lashed out to these people when I felt they were in the wrong and I was being attacked. For that I am truly sorry, I didn't mean to offend or hurt anyone.
It's hard to just lay there and take punches. If I try to stand up and explain or defend myself, it makes them and the situation with me worse.
I don't want these people to dislike me. Nor do I want them to feel like i'm swindling or taking advantage of their friends or the community. I hope that they see reason and understand the core purpose of business.
From what I can understand. They believe that having a product made in china and then selling it at a profit is bad. It makes me a bad guy.
But, that's like hating Apple, Car manufactures or in fact nearly 90% of the worlds companies for creating an item offshore and selling it at a profit.
Once again, I do see why they think it's taking advantage of the community. They think i'm ripping people off by making a profit on my products. But let me explain.
Those products, those designs wouldn't exist with out me, my time, my money or my efforts in the first place.
When I first started the business, at the time the only place that even came close to creating similar animal designs were charging upwards of $4000+
Most of the time they wouldn't even look at you or deal with you unless you where from the UK.
A particular Chinese company had made some poor copies of their products. But, it had me think what if with a designer behind the right supplier could make new items at a lower cost.
Not just for the exclusive and wealthy. So those all around the world can have fun squeaky critters hanging in their wardrobes.
I did look into having them created locally, but i'd have to charge upwards in the $4000 range like the other business. So, I spent time and money with suppliers till I found the one
that worked with me. (It was a rocky and stressful road to get that part going)
I did this so the cost of the product could be kept low. I charge under the $1000 range on most of my products. I'm not making a huge profit because I wanted to keep the costs low and reasonable so people in the community can enjoy the product. Considering the only other maker was charging over $4000. I could of charged $2000 or $3000 and made a killing as it is/was still cheaper than the other builder.
But, that's not what my intentions where with the business.
Most people know who my supplier is. Even people who purchase from me know who they are but, understand and want to support my efforts.
You see, some people justify that going direct to the supplier and cutting out the middle man (me). Getting the item for a cheaper cost and enjoying it just the same.
What I don't think they understand is. That inflatable animal, that hood, that cut and shape. Wouldn't exist without the time, money and effort I put into designing that character and pattern. It my mind, it is essentially stealing.
That iPhone you buy, sure probably costs $30 or less to make. But, the amount of money, time and in that case people it took to design the phone. What you're paying for is effort and time.
I'm not a huge company, i'm not some movie studio who doesn't get effected when you download a movie.
I'm one guy trying to make a living. A small business supplying content to a niche market.
Now, my supplier is great (Though a little slower than I would like). They understand and don't advertise my products on their own company website and we have an agreement and contract regarding my products.
Unfortunately, sometimes one or two cuts, patterns or products will slip through the cracks. It upsets me and we talk it out. Normally they compensate me for use of the pattern and products.
I actually have no problem with people going to my supplier with their own designs. I have friends that have had new things made by them. But, if one of my patterns or designs get produced that is when there is a problem. Sometimes at no fault to the customer buying from them. They asked for something and they got given a Squeak Latex design.
I just bring it up and then get compensated for the breach of contract with the designs. So in the end, that person owns a Squeak Latex product anyway, no harm done.
It's taken years of my life to get to this stage. I was proud of what I had achieved. Now, I just want to sell the business and move on.
It's not worth the hurt caused by some of these people. I know it's only a handful and it shouldn't effect me. It honestly doesn't even effect sales in the slightest.
But, it does hurt. It effects my happiness, my marriage, my productivity and my life.
I don't understand why i'm hated for trying to give something to the community. Am I hated because I lash out when i'm wronged or upset because of the actions of others?
I am only human and I am sorry for loosing my cool at times. Especially in bouts of depression brought on by the actions of others.
Whilst this is my dream and do this to give something back. I'm not a charity, I don't want to feel guilty for making money for time and effort. It is a business and my income.
Do people hate furry artists for charging for commissions? fursuit builders for making a profit on suits? Is the fact that I outsource the production of my patterns and designs that offends them?
Do they think i'm lazy for doing so? I wish they'd understand I do this for cost reasons, so I can keep the final cost of the product low and reasonable.
You can get a custom suit from me for less than that of a fursuit. Why is this a bad thing?
You think members of this community and kink would be happy that there is puffy animals bouncing around. I made that happen!
People think i'm mean or nasty. I'm not mean or nasty to every customer. Understand that if i'm loosing my cool at you, it's not random. You're offending me in a way that causes me to be upset.
I always try to be reasonable and understanding towards my customers, even when they have a problem. I've lost out big time by replacing suits for free or refunding without ever taking the item back.
(only to see it still in use, even though it was "damaged or unusable"). What business do you know would ever give a refund without taking the item back?
That just comes with business, if those people want to be like that. I can't stop them.
They hate me so much, yet are happy to have "fun times" in my suits. I'll help them, loose out. They still get their product to have fun in. Then will still turn around and talk trash about me and the company.
For whatever reason, these people try to push their friends to my supplier direct or simply talk ill of me and Squeak.
They think they're doing a service by cutting out me, the greedy fat cat just trying to make money off people.
But, that is not what is happening here.
I've tried to explain this to them, tried to have them at least consider and to understand my side. How business works.
They won't listen. I can't make them listen.
I could rant, rave and name names. To have those who do support me lash out at them. Create drama.
But, I don't want that. I don't even hate these people, I wish no ill of them.
They're just misunderstanding the bigger picture. Once again I do understand it from their point of view. I just wish they could try to understand it from mine.
In the end, I shouldn't feel like a bad guy or be persecuted when I make profit from my years of effort, my work and my designs.
I just want to move on from this whole thing. It upsets me to much and effects me more than most realize.
I'm contemplating what to do with the company. Especially if there is no buyer for it. Do I put it on hold? Do I close it?
I just want to create things that I wish where around when I first joined the community. I love seeing content out there and there was a time when I was proud to supply it.
Now, I just feel guilty and hated because of it. Even though it's only a small number who cause this. It's enough to effect me in a huge way.
Thank you to those who have read this. I appreciate taking the time out to understand why I get upset with some people who try to undermine my efforts. It's hurtful and offensive to me.
Lets try to move on from it.
I wanted to share my ideas and bring them to life so that everyone could enjoy this weird and wacky kink of ours. I spent many months finding a supplier, even changing early on when things weren't working out with our first one.
I spent hours upon hours on patterns and design. Spent money in the tens of thousands getting new designs off the ground.
I've dedicated years of my life to this business not only as my dream and my passion but as my livelihood.
Unfortunately, there are a group of individuals that are offended by me and my business practice. Some have actively encouraged what I deem to be very hurtful acts.
Believe it or not, I do actually sympathize and understand why they feel the way they do. I have privately lashed out to these people when I felt they were in the wrong and I was being attacked. For that I am truly sorry, I didn't mean to offend or hurt anyone.
It's hard to just lay there and take punches. If I try to stand up and explain or defend myself, it makes them and the situation with me worse.
I don't want these people to dislike me. Nor do I want them to feel like i'm swindling or taking advantage of their friends or the community. I hope that they see reason and understand the core purpose of business.
From what I can understand. They believe that having a product made in china and then selling it at a profit is bad. It makes me a bad guy.
But, that's like hating Apple, Car manufactures or in fact nearly 90% of the worlds companies for creating an item offshore and selling it at a profit.
Once again, I do see why they think it's taking advantage of the community. They think i'm ripping people off by making a profit on my products. But let me explain.
Those products, those designs wouldn't exist with out me, my time, my money or my efforts in the first place.
When I first started the business, at the time the only place that even came close to creating similar animal designs were charging upwards of $4000+
Most of the time they wouldn't even look at you or deal with you unless you where from the UK.
A particular Chinese company had made some poor copies of their products. But, it had me think what if with a designer behind the right supplier could make new items at a lower cost.
Not just for the exclusive and wealthy. So those all around the world can have fun squeaky critters hanging in their wardrobes.
I did look into having them created locally, but i'd have to charge upwards in the $4000 range like the other business. So, I spent time and money with suppliers till I found the one
that worked with me. (It was a rocky and stressful road to get that part going)
I did this so the cost of the product could be kept low. I charge under the $1000 range on most of my products. I'm not making a huge profit because I wanted to keep the costs low and reasonable so people in the community can enjoy the product. Considering the only other maker was charging over $4000. I could of charged $2000 or $3000 and made a killing as it is/was still cheaper than the other builder.
But, that's not what my intentions where with the business.
Most people know who my supplier is. Even people who purchase from me know who they are but, understand and want to support my efforts.
You see, some people justify that going direct to the supplier and cutting out the middle man (me). Getting the item for a cheaper cost and enjoying it just the same.
What I don't think they understand is. That inflatable animal, that hood, that cut and shape. Wouldn't exist without the time, money and effort I put into designing that character and pattern. It my mind, it is essentially stealing.
That iPhone you buy, sure probably costs $30 or less to make. But, the amount of money, time and in that case people it took to design the phone. What you're paying for is effort and time.
I'm not a huge company, i'm not some movie studio who doesn't get effected when you download a movie.
I'm one guy trying to make a living. A small business supplying content to a niche market.
Now, my supplier is great (Though a little slower than I would like). They understand and don't advertise my products on their own company website and we have an agreement and contract regarding my products.
Unfortunately, sometimes one or two cuts, patterns or products will slip through the cracks. It upsets me and we talk it out. Normally they compensate me for use of the pattern and products.
I actually have no problem with people going to my supplier with their own designs. I have friends that have had new things made by them. But, if one of my patterns or designs get produced that is when there is a problem. Sometimes at no fault to the customer buying from them. They asked for something and they got given a Squeak Latex design.
I just bring it up and then get compensated for the breach of contract with the designs. So in the end, that person owns a Squeak Latex product anyway, no harm done.
It's taken years of my life to get to this stage. I was proud of what I had achieved. Now, I just want to sell the business and move on.
It's not worth the hurt caused by some of these people. I know it's only a handful and it shouldn't effect me. It honestly doesn't even effect sales in the slightest.
But, it does hurt. It effects my happiness, my marriage, my productivity and my life.
I don't understand why i'm hated for trying to give something to the community. Am I hated because I lash out when i'm wronged or upset because of the actions of others?
I am only human and I am sorry for loosing my cool at times. Especially in bouts of depression brought on by the actions of others.
Whilst this is my dream and do this to give something back. I'm not a charity, I don't want to feel guilty for making money for time and effort. It is a business and my income.
Do people hate furry artists for charging for commissions? fursuit builders for making a profit on suits? Is the fact that I outsource the production of my patterns and designs that offends them?
Do they think i'm lazy for doing so? I wish they'd understand I do this for cost reasons, so I can keep the final cost of the product low and reasonable.
You can get a custom suit from me for less than that of a fursuit. Why is this a bad thing?
You think members of this community and kink would be happy that there is puffy animals bouncing around. I made that happen!
People think i'm mean or nasty. I'm not mean or nasty to every customer. Understand that if i'm loosing my cool at you, it's not random. You're offending me in a way that causes me to be upset.
I always try to be reasonable and understanding towards my customers, even when they have a problem. I've lost out big time by replacing suits for free or refunding without ever taking the item back.
(only to see it still in use, even though it was "damaged or unusable"). What business do you know would ever give a refund without taking the item back?
That just comes with business, if those people want to be like that. I can't stop them.
They hate me so much, yet are happy to have "fun times" in my suits. I'll help them, loose out. They still get their product to have fun in. Then will still turn around and talk trash about me and the company.
For whatever reason, these people try to push their friends to my supplier direct or simply talk ill of me and Squeak.
They think they're doing a service by cutting out me, the greedy fat cat just trying to make money off people.
But, that is not what is happening here.
I've tried to explain this to them, tried to have them at least consider and to understand my side. How business works.
They won't listen. I can't make them listen.
I could rant, rave and name names. To have those who do support me lash out at them. Create drama.
But, I don't want that. I don't even hate these people, I wish no ill of them.
They're just misunderstanding the bigger picture. Once again I do understand it from their point of view. I just wish they could try to understand it from mine.
In the end, I shouldn't feel like a bad guy or be persecuted when I make profit from my years of effort, my work and my designs.
I just want to move on from this whole thing. It upsets me to much and effects me more than most realize.
I'm contemplating what to do with the company. Especially if there is no buyer for it. Do I put it on hold? Do I close it?
I just want to create things that I wish where around when I first joined the community. I love seeing content out there and there was a time when I was proud to supply it.
Now, I just feel guilty and hated because of it. Even though it's only a small number who cause this. It's enough to effect me in a huge way.
Thank you to those who have read this. I appreciate taking the time out to understand why I get upset with some people who try to undermine my efforts. It's hurtful and offensive to me.
Lets try to move on from it.
I hope that whatever you do next it brings you joy and happiness. I just hate seeing you so upset. I really hope everything gets better from here on.
The only thing you are mistaken by is the people who are offended by the kink.
The shitting thing about this, it is is fellow inflation furs and latex furs that have beef with me an the business. Not from people who don't understand the kink.
That's what hurts the most. These should be people happy that this stuff is being supplied to the community. Instead they do everything to try and stop it.
Money is a sad truth to the world, and no one should expect to get something from nothing. Simply covering direct expenses doesn't compensate that time that could be spent on another paying job. How hard is it for people to understand that basic business math of "I need money to survive, so I can't end up with the same amount I started with!?"
If it cost $10 to make something, and they provide you $10 to make it for them, and it is your business to make the item in question, how are you making money? If it's a business, it requires costs based on the time and effort because otherwise you've just wasted your time. If they supplied the materials, and expected you to put them together for free, it's the same problem.
You're not a hobbyist in this, this is your lifestyle! You need to profit or else you couldn't maintain the ability to even give the ungrateful customers something to show for it. This isn't a hard concept!
I don't have money to invest in anything as extravagant as what you provide, so I'm a little biased against that anyone would get so upset because of paying too much on something on the principle that a business makes money off of it. Those people probably shouldn't buy off-brand products from the market, because that market profits off of it.
Reading that just made me vent a little of the outrage, but whatever happens, I hope things work out in your favor. Whether you continue the business or not.
In some places of the world, you can sue if they tried to libel against your company. I suggest actually talking to a lawyer before you give up, and see if there may be some way they can stop their practices.
I regret how I acted towards you. I was feeling bullied and pressured because of something that was beyond my control.
My suppliers are slow sometimes and they'll promise me things with in a certain time period. I'll pass that information onto the customer. When it falls through, I look bad and I have to try and clean up the mess it caused.
I am only passing on the information I know.
Since that issue, I am now more forthcoming with the time that it may take on a product. Rather than say 6 - 8 weeks. I now state that it is any where from 3 - 5 months. Sometimes they surprise me and push things out in only a few weeks.
In the end, I did everything to try and please you. I took a big loss on your order and tried everything to make you happy.
I get that you where upset with the time taken and I reacted to that hostility.
I don't hate you, far from it. I do like to see that you are enjoying the suits when photos pop up.
Once again, sorry for lashing out. It was just a knee jerk reaction for someone lashing out towards me.
All the best.
When our friendship really started to hit the skids (we're both at fault here), I tried to hold onto what we had left by becoming your client. We both know that, in the end, this was a huge mistake. If you're truly not understanding why people dislike the way you handle your customers or relationships, or why you feel like the bad guy (as you mention in your rant), then I can't say anything more that'll help.
I'm telling you this so you know that I read every word of your journal. I do sympathize, but I'm definitely not going to be the one to tell you "It's not you, it's them." It's also you.
My frustration comes from the refusal of them to acknowledge or see that they are also just as much to blame for the situation.
I'm a flawed person.
I do want everyone to like me, I would do anything for my friends, my community.
Perhaps I over stretch myself trying to please everyone. This means I can't do what I set out to do or as promised. Causing stress, then confrontation between. Friends or customers.
It's an emotional reaction that isn't always the correct one. But, stress and disappointing others is incredibly hard to deal with.
I am aware I am in the wrong. But, I just wish sometimes people would see that it takes two to tango.
I'm not lashing out randomly.
you can please all of the people some of the time
but you cant please all of the people all of the time .
i think as a business owner you have came very far and given support for your products.
so you may have gotten emotional with some of it . we are human
if you have some people that dont like your product or dont like you and try to get you down
they are simply in it to get pleasure from seeing you post about them and how it makes you feel
they thrive on negativity. i know myself its hard seeing people hate you when you have done no wrong.
or done wrong but properly appolgized for it . but what it sounds like what a lot of growing business go through tho .
they grow. you bring in a lower priced item
they see the loss from there sales . they try to slam you for taking business from them
but its there fault for not doing it themselfs by suppliers. its your idea you made it . its worth it . you came this far
no reason to quit now . push on through the hatred and prove that you can rise above it .
and its ridicules your getting so much crap for making a bit of a profit. next they'd be saying you should give em away for free DX
it sounds like no matter what you do your damned if you do and damned if you don't
and with the minority of those people going out to spite you its just best not to take notice of them
I really hope you decide to keep running Squeaky latex I wouldn't feel comfortable ordering a inflatable suite from any one els
<;3
would like to say in advance that I'm really sorry to hear about that whole situation, and it seems difficult to think about (job that you enjoy not working out well).
But as for the people believing that you are just trying to make lots of money, and avoid you by going directly to the manufacturer i have a feeling that they are fully aware what they are doing. I doubt that they are idiotic enough to not think about the fact that someone would have had to design the suit, so i have a very large feeling that they are actively taking advantage of the situation. from my experience people just love taking advantage of things, even if it leads to someone losing everything.
kinda reminds me of my mother's grooming business.... she enjoyed working with animals, and realized that there was a lack of quality grooming services here, and wanted to be able to provide affordable pet grooming. but later on she was struggling due to customers complaining about prices, and customers flipping out and demanding refunds/lower prices over tiny little mistakes. these animals were in horrible condition.. fur matted like hell, overgrown nails, flees/parasites, infections/illnesses unnoticed, bad dental health, and violent behavior due to bad training (she got scratched/bitten many times.) yet my mom still tried to help even with people acting pretty much the way you described. she lost many of her customers due to trying to be fair and doing what her original intention was. they moved to other groomers but by the time they realized they were worse my mom's business was already dead, but they didnt care much since they dont care for their pets that much.
due to those people, the whole thing was ruined for everyone. my mom didnt realize that the people were taking advantage of her until it was way to late. she ended up grooming for free sometimes to try to keep customers but it mostly seems to have backfired. now as for what happened in the end... my mother lost her house, business, dogs/cats, being able to live here(SJ, Cali), and years of her life trying to help people by doing what she felt as a good thing, but they just saw it as an opportunity to get free/cheap stuff.
When ever i hear stories like this i always assume there are likely many bad intentions in it. so i guess pretty much what im trying to say here is be very careful with what you decide to do. it might be your dream job/something you really enjoy doing, but it might be something that would only work in a ideal society (something that we sadly dont have) from my (sorta outside) observation of the fandom it doesn't seem like a good place to make a living from (unless like fursuit creators you yourself have the ability to manufacture those suits, or if you find more secure manufacturing methods)
as for your attitude, while you might lash out at some people even if they were a good customer to me it seems completely reasonable with the way some people act/behave. hell it seems like something you enjoy but you are also trying to make a living off it (two things this world doesnt like being mixed together) and again many people just take advantage of that.
my best advice would be to have your income from something else, and try to avoid relying on the business (depends on how bad things are actually going) trying to be the "good guy" with business is something that just cant happen i guess. maybe just keep the business around as a hobby (iv got no experience in running one so im not sure how difficult that would be)
(sorry if this post is hard to follow, typed at ~5->7:31am... welp guess ill just stay up)
Good to see you venting some things here folks need to know. Most of the antagonizers here are unaware of how business works or what they're talking about. I know you'll keep doing what you're doing for those out there who truly appreciate it. :)
Keep up with the detailed work ya do and so
Please dont
I can relate. I draw comics and set up a small press to market them to vendors, libraries, individuals, etc. I've been attacked too for various reasons - some legitimately hate my work, some have a personal grudge against me, and there's also "tall poppy syndrome" where anyone achieving something is resented as they remind others, especially failures, of their own inadequacy.
I saw those Squeak Latex costumes and they were very impressive. The sheer genius that went into those - it's beyond amazing!
try not to let these fools bother you Oz. <3
Miss you!