AciDBatH666 wrote: I do dyes for $$$, but it's not like I'm making a killing off it. There's threads here on DGR explaining how there just isn't a ton of money to be made from it. You need a connection with a good hook up on plastic, cheap prices, and a way to be SUPER EFFICIENT with getting dyes done. Otherwise you're spending a few hours on a disc for a measly 7 bucks profit.
THe plotter helps a ton, but you'll honestly make more money with doing vinyl on a plotter than with dyes.
The amount of effort and time to dye a disc will rarely ever become worth more than what people will pay. Just my experience with it. I still enjoy doing the work, but I donate way more dyes than I sell. Even with the cheapest prices on the market and FREE shipping, not a lot of ppl are willing to pay for it.
I do have a connection (like I said, at the local disc golf store), and the nice thing is that, at least at first, these people are more interested in having their 'signature' (people are strange about writing names, they would rather have a weird hourglass with a line running through it to signify their nicknames), basic colors, and - most importantly for the small tournaments around here - prize discs dyed with '1st Place', etc.
As an example, when I told the groups around here that I had the ability to do more than one color and still charge less than the only dyeing business out here (not going to say the name...I don't want to downplay anyone else), they were extremely excited. So I'm not looking at incredibly complex designs, which is why I was interested in a plotter. I just need the ability to make the stencils fast, because what people want is actually fairly basic.
Once I have the ability (and by ability, I mean financially) to make my own order, the store will let me place my own bulk order through them, so at least I'll be doubling my profit margin that way....buying the discs for 8.75 (shipping included in that) and selling for $20-$25.
And more than anything, because I know I will be dyeing the discs anyway, at least I can get paid enough to cover the supplies and maybe even a portion of my time. However, my ultimate goal for making a name with my 'disc dyeing' company, is because I want to open a true, dedicated, disc golf store in this area. They're building two more courses in the next two years, so between the Norman area and the Oklahoma City area, there will be nearly 10 courses. It's going to popularize the game, and you'd think there was a dedicated STORE that sold Keene shoes, Underarmor, Fade/Innova/Revolution bags, and baskets in addition to discs, but there isn't. So the company recognition is the key factor here.
This has recently been discussed too here on DGR. A lot of women get discouraged with such a male dominated sport. If they'd play in tourneys and see that "MOST" of the community is positive about wanting them to come out and get into the sport they prolly wouldn't be so discouraged. Most of my ex girlfriends that I've taken to play hated it. One told me I was just playing fetch with myself and a disc and it was dumb. Another was mesmerized to see me throw a disc 400 feet and wanted to play instantly.
The only times I have been discouraged lately was when I finally realized why my midrange game was not improving at the same rate as my drives or putting. I play with a lot of very accomplished male golfers - usually in dubs rounds. So, I drive, they drive, and we inevitably end up taking their lie instead of mine. Then, they let me putt it out. I [b]rarely[\b] get a chance to throw a shot between 70-120 feet.
Every now and then, someone will make a crack about throwing from the ladies' tee, which I (sometimes not so gently) remind them that an appropriate term would be 'am pad' or something similar.
But I don't begrudge anyone saying 'you throw like a girl'. I may not be able to drive 400', but if you ask me to nail a pine cone hanging off a limb at 50 feet a way, I'd take you up on that bet. When someone says they throw like a girl, I take that to mean they are more accurate than powerful.
That being said, I do not appreciate women who come out to the course and just stand around. I understand that their significant other is out there, but if you're desperate enough to come out and join them on the course in the first place, why not pick up a disc (without complaint or degrading remarks) and give it a good ol' fashioned try....and for more than just 15 minutes one afternoon?
And from the single perspective, what girl doesn't want to be surrounded by dozens of outdoorsy guys with little competition?
Maybe I'm just a go-getter that way, but I can't pass up that opportunity....
How many women play in your area? There are only 12 or 13 who play consistently in Oklahoma, and I'm one of the only ones in the Norman area that plays daily anymore and enters everything.
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