Well I am now.
Today marks another momentous day in the evolution of skratchworx. A little over 2 years ago, skratchworx was born. Between then and now, skratchworx has spawned the skratchshop and the skratchlounge - a veritable skratch empire. My mornings and evening were spent trying and largely failing to juggle all the balls life throws at me and more often than not, I end up dropping them all. So enough is enough - the time has come to take the empire to the next level.
Today I quit my 9-5. Some of you knew it was coming, others think I do this stuff full time anyway. Thanks to the friends of skratchworx who have bought banner ads and the equally welcome customers and suppliers of the skratchshop - and let's not forget the small group of people who have used my ever developing web design skills, I'm now able to scrape enough of a living to chain myself to the kitchen table and make skratchworx so much more than it is now. Suddenly I'll gain 8am until 6pm, 5 days a week to do with as I wish. No more passing the same people at the same bus stops and following the same cars to work every damned day. I'll be in control of my own destiny again and making my own chances in life rather than making money for The Man. And I won't be pumping gallons of vending machine coffe into my veins anymore either.
So what does this mean for skratchworx? Well I'll be back on the ball again. I really felt that things have taken a slide while I've been working towards this major life change. I've missed some big stories and got reviews out much later than I'd hoped. The skratchshop hasn't been updated as much as it could either. But bear in mind that skratchworx must be self sustaining, so I hope people won't complain too much if there seems to be an increase in ads. Skratchworx is viewed by a whole lot of people all over the world and if I can make some money from it without compromising the site then it's all good.
But what does this mean for me? Well I'll be living my dreams at last. I've harboured the desire to be my own boss for years but fell into a job that saw me being very well paid with almost no pressure to perform i.e. a comfy rut. Boredom (amongst other things) has set in so now I can make my own way in the big wide world. So if anyone in the industry thinks they have freelance, contract or consultancy work that I might be interested in, holler at the usual address. I'll be free of the 9-5 in 5 weeks.
I really have to thank my family for making this possible for me. I'm utterly hopeless when it comes to the administration side of things and my better half is helping me through the maze of paperwork and official documentation that is running a business. Without Jackie and Hattie's tolerance and patience, skratchworx wouldn't be alive today.
Thanks for reading. I hope you'll continue to support skratchworx and it's siblings through the inevitable changes that will take place. Onwards and upwards!
Well Played Gizmo. Work is for the bods!!
Hope you enjoy working towards your real passion.
Keep the scratch mixer reviews coming, can't wait for a Mackie D2 review.
Congratulations, and good luck with the rest of your journey Gizmo.
You've created a great site and deserve alot of respect and congratulation for what you've down for the scratch community.
Props & Peace
charlie.
I'm happy for You!! your website(s) really made it so far that actually became rewardful
mad props! and I'm sure a lot of good stuff will come up in the future!!
good luck & Congratulations :D
[] Ze
that great news for you and
its got a be a great feeling.
Props to one the best sites on the web!
Damn, didnt see that one coming. Thats amazing, going all in for the dream. Just like Q-bert 8)
I really admire that.
well done gizmo....i wish i had the courage to do similar and fuck work off..all the best matey..i know you will do a good job at this too.
awesome! I hope you will be able to send ckratchshop to Russia soon, I am tired to paying juno and chemical, I would rather pay someone who writes all that stuff here
Best of luck to you, mate. I QUIT MINE TOO . . but starting another one soon.
Follow your dream!
Big ups! Mad props an respect!! :cry:
I guess when you realized while your are ambidextrous, you won't be a "socially disadvantaged", but rather socially advantaged -- meaning thumbing your nose @ the disadvantaged 9-5ers in the cage you so accurately dipicted above..
see ambidextrous is a good omen...
Glad I could contribute to your awakening ma man! :P
(Giz said.. "wait a sec
, what the.. (although he can equally use his right ) I am a lefty :d: .. that does it
, I am quiting my job damn it "
rules!!
'Bout bloody time too... :D
for life!
Congratulations Mark! Even though I've know for a little while, I'm still impressed.
Wishiing you the best of luck, even though I know you're gonna rock at this!('coz you already do!
Well done Gizmo....you deserve to be successful in the future with
and any other venture you decide to try. I hope the support from the industry and readers continues. A brave decision and I know a little about how much you have wanted this, so good luck from me. :D
You deserve all of this
Your websites are recognized worldwide
Honest reviews of the entire DJ product
We feel happy for you with this great achievement
rule ^_^
wicked brother giz, big your bad self all the way up.
live the dream bro,you always have my support.
elgee
i think u did the right thing.I wish a good luck to everything!
peace!
Congratulations, my man!
Good for you and the entire world of scratchheadz.
Heartwarmimg to hear that good things move in the right direction.
Is this a bad time to mention the lawsuits then? :D :P
loving the animation you chose by the way. and yeah all the best you know that.
Giz - Much respect as you take it to the next level. In a way I'm glad I read this today. Like yourself, I'm at the crossroads of my career. Nice job with good pay, but no challenge. I have ideas and plans for my own business, but fear of failing has stopped me from pursuing it. Before I read your article, I spoke with an attorney friend and after his reassurance that my business plan was a sound idea, I feel I am ready to take that step (totally on faith, ability & stubbornist) to the next level. Your actions have added fuel to my fire.
I don't have to say many blessings, or wish you luck, because the good karma that radiates from this website let's one know that it will be successful for many, many years to come. Just A simple congratulations will do, and thanks for giving us DJs SkratchWorx.
SpAzZ
All the best Giz
rules
Well done in making
a big enough sucess to allow oyu to do what you want to do.
I hope things now go from strengh to strengh. As for the ads and things i think you summed it up when you say "its all good" (that saying is quickly becoming my life philosiphy)
Congratulations
Very pleased for you hope, it all goes well for you
8)
Well done mate, based on your work so far there couldn't be a better man for the job - your product reviews in particular are the ONLY reviews worth bothering with for the turntablist (big budget mags take note!
, without them I would never have picked up a two years old, mint Xone:02 on ebay for £155!!!
I'm surprised by you had a mundane 9-5er, from what you've done on
I always thought you were a high flying freelance graphic designer/web designer - well paid with a highly flexible workload!
On a different tip - I've spent the last 2 years working for and generally helping two mates set up and run a similar website based business catering for an entirely different market. Unlike you they did it the wrong way - quit there jobs at the very beginning! By signing on they had just 6 months of free rent to launch there business and make it profitable. Despite making an unbelievable amount of progress and contacts they didn't realise the importance of making it pay!
Never be ashamed by the fact you have to make a living! Take every sensible profit making opportunity you have to - adverts, web design work, skratchshop etc
As long as you remember where you came from and why you do all this you can't go wrong mate!
Enjoy it, and I can't wait for the future
There's something worst than failing: to do not try anything !
Well done Giz, smart move !
Fair play man, you've got a tasty site and following and I've no doubt you've made a good choice. keep it sweet.
Buy a fishing rod and join me on the river aire! Sure beats working for a living ...
BIg news! Congratulations, I'm sure it will go well. This site has become indispensable. You'll be right.
you're living the dream, man. good on ya!
live the dream and make us proud....
best of luck Giz!.
congrats and good luck!
Nice one Gizmo,
Your pics are the best, the reviews are thorough and you stay true to the consumers needs.
You gotta hustle in this game and hopefully your input can continue to be an important part of a new generation that can put some umph and excitment back into the DJ industry.
Onwards and upwards......
Congratulations on this life change. That is totally awesome!!!
Big up
All the best mane!
It's great working for yourself!
Enjoy it.
AHEMMM ...(post 38) ...please don't ban me... :D
take poops at home!
Good luck man!
You total beast!
Congrats
wish i could quit my nine to five and do what i love.
Maybe one day (sigh)
Way to go man! I quit my day job almost 2 years ago to do the DJ thing full-time. Essentially my old boss was telling my in so many words that if I didn't "get on board" with the company's "new vision" (don't you just love corporate lingo), that I might not be a "good fit". So the next day I took the scary leap of quitting a decent paying job of 10 years (with senority and benefits). But because I no longer had a full-time job hindering me I was able to put 100% of my energy into the DJ thing rather than the 50% I had been putting in before, and it's really paid off. Now I'm making more or less the same money I did before except I only work about 20-30 hours a week, I'm my own boss and I don't have to report to dickhead superiors anymore and I'm doing what I love. I really enjoy the freed-up time I have now, it almost feels like semi-retirement lol.
Congrats Giz. Wishing you and skratchworx continued success. I remember when I saw the site in development and I sent you an email letting you know that you had done a great job. Little did either one of us ever think it would get to this point. Congrats again keep up the great work!!!
Good for you
Great work and goodluck. Designing is no easy feat, and your work is magnificant, but to take full control on what you want to do will really be rewarding. All the best and love this site! (I visit it almost everyday, hungry for a new update!
WOOO!!!
NO JOB!!
for life
hehehehehehe. hehehehehehe. you have now become one of those lonely 40 year old men who quit their jobs to spend more time computer nerding, lol j/k, wish all the best for your future and the future of
All the best!
^_^
Congrats.
Well deserved.
Wish all the best dude.
Make your money, and do what you love! Respect!
i told you...^_^ i knew u'd make it Gizmo...hopefully one day an offline skratchworx center!!! best of luck...
Looks like you've got a scratch army behind you, wanting you to succeed. Take on the industry, tell it how it is, and we'll be behind you all the way.
And since you've quit your job i'm expecting to see you at the Messe next month :P.
Also read that lil' post i did in the general topic about more structure on the review page.
That's all, i'm very pleased with you taking this step because in these days it's not the easy way to go. I really hope this works out for you and i hope you can set an example for other ppl... do whatever you feel is right and not because it doesn't work out now, doesn't mean it can't work out in the future.
Keep it up m8 and i wish you the best of luck.
ALL THAT
IS MAKIN' U RICH! :P
nice one for takin the plunge...
good luck!!!
not that u'll need it
but all the best and good luck mate
Good luck and all the best mate!
Congratulations. :D
fair play man...
you are brave to take the step but I think you will be fine. Keep up the good work and you will not fail.
best of luck
btw. I can´t´access the skratchshop. mac osx 10.4, safari.
little bit off topic but it has to do with your business so I posted it.
quote:
"btw. I can´t´access the skratchshop. mac osx 10.4, safari."
Oh dear. Seems I have no idea what I'm doing. Do you think my bosses will take me back?
The shop is an off the shelf model from 1&1 and has been known to be slow and sometime not even work. I just checked and it's working fine for me. I've just bought a whole new shop script that will allow me to close the £20 per month hosted shop and write a much better one that allows for stock levels etc. That'll take a while to configure but at least it'll be reliable.
I envy you so much bro...there are people around the world who want to do something and not be imprisoned by what they have to do..good luck to you...
forever
Good luck sir! keep the turntablism torch burning brightly...
Viva la
One thing i hope not to see with the site now is it becoming too complicated.
At the moment it is nice and simple to do what you want but has the information, too many web sites are just too complicated.
Please just remember the KISS idea (keep it simple stupid).
I recon the site will go from strengh to strengh and should start to get even more recognition from within the whole DJ scene
Anything we can do to help you along m8, just hollah!
quote:
"One thing i hope not to see with the site now is it becoming too complicated."
Dude - it's going to get simpler. People come for news and reviews and not much else. I plan to make both of those sections much stronger.
All the best Giz!
Let me know where to send the Denon DJ check :P
big up Giz on giving up the day job! all the best for the future.
ed
congrats mane. goodluck and have fun holmes. :d: :d: :d: :d: :d:
Best of Luck Man, This site has been an unbelievable source of info for me, even though i live in Montreal...! Big up! The turntablism community :d: of this site is very exceptional, always so positive and thoughtful (well, mostly 8) ). looking forward to more and more good stuff from
Peace!
Well, I'm way down here at the bottom of the comments but just wanted to say Good Luck!!!
Nice one Giz,
IT DONT COME FINER THAN SKRATCHWORX......
Future it is then..........
big up skratchworx 2006 w00t!i!
[skratchworx]
'Nuff respect, Giz.
It's a beautiful thing.
Congrats.
Tidy Darts Mark, have faith that the community you have served with unfaultering focus and dedication will have your back.
I'm off to the Skratchshop to order some Tools.
Ahh Port Meirion pottery. Perhaps a ltd editon Skratchworx inspired Gravy boat.
Respectfully, Papa Vinyl
haha...
Maybe I should stop with the skratchworx t-shirts and wear skratchworx blazers and deck shoes instead.
I'd rock a
blazer and a matching flatcap
On February 15, 2006, DJ @poc@lypse commented...
82 comments to this story