Closing up shop

carolina-rig-01 · 02-14-11, 02:23 AM

Well after a few months of debating whether it was the right thing to do or not, Britney and I decided to close up ThunderStruck Jigs for a while. While we were making a little money off of it, we just weren't enjoying it like we did when it started. Since Lake was born I found myself wanting to spend less time building jigs for customers and wanting to spend more time wrestling and playing with Lake. It really came down to the fact that it just wasn't as much fun as it once was and if we weren't enjoying it then there wasn't much point on continuing. We decided to take a little break and later on we may revisit the possibilities of starting it back up. I started making jigs for my own use years back and it grew into a business that found us meeting a lot of new people, many of whom we are proud to call friends. I will keep building jigs for myself and friends but I am going to lay off of the business end for a while and take a break. I want to thank each and every one of you who gave us your business in the past, and I truly hope that our jigs met your expectations because we always did our best to deliver a top quality product.

keithdog · 02-14-11, 07:39 AM

Kory, I fully understand pal. If your heart isn't into it and you want to refocus your life, then thats what you should do. I'm sure Lake will appreciate it.

bkeenom · 02-14-11, 09:43 AM

It is hard to balance it some times. I run 10-20 orders per week through Whopper Baits. Some are easy and in stock and others are custom and time consuming. these are the ones that keep me in the shop late at night. Whatever choice you make, it is the right one as long as it makes you happy.

HarveysMinnow · 02-14-11, 10:17 AM

I don't blame you a bit, Kory. Having tried to run a single proprietor business myself in the past, I know what a hassle it can be. The main lesson I learned was that turning a hobby into a business is a good way to take the pleasure out of a hobby.

Also, anything that takes time away from you and your family being together is something to avoid, IMO. Your son will grow up far too fast anyway, and you don't want to miss the good times you can share NOW.

So, thanks for the enlightening videos and the quality products you have provided. You have done the fishing community a service, I believe.

Harvey

WaffleJaw · 02-14-11, 11:11 AM

You may come back even stronger when Lake gets old to enough to build em with yall.
Thunderstuck jigs and wholesale Revos=)...Think about it.lol

It can be a p.i.t.a to work full time,family,and try to run a business out of home..Ive been finding this out over the last year.
But I strongly agree with if your heart aint into it,and its not fun...Whats the point?
Good luck Kory!..and thanks for the awesome jigs,they are truly the best FB jigs Ive bought

CamG · 02-14-11, 11:26 AM

I can completely understand your situation Kory. Running small business' is more times than not a real pain. I hope you have a good time with your little one, and get to spend more time enjoying what you want to do!

carolina-rig-01 · 02-14-11, 11:54 AM

Thank you all for the kind words, and I am glad you understand. Although we are closing up shop for a while, if you ever run into a special color you need that you can't get anywhere else I will be more than happy to try and help you out. I won't mind doing a little of this on a once in a while basis.

Bassboss · 02-14-11, 12:53 PM

Dang, sorry to hear that korry. I never got to use any of them jigs, and wish I had when I had the chance!

WatterBoy · 02-14-11, 01:18 PM

Hey Kory, it's cool to see that you have your priorities in the right order. And like the other guys have said, if the enjoyment level wasn't there for you any longer, that's when it's time to make the decision you did. I was planning to order some jigs from you for this season so I could finally try to learn how to fish jigs, so from my selfish personal standpoint, it's a bummer you're closing up. But I have no doubt in my mind you're making the right decision, and I wish you, Britney and Lake all the best as you close up this chapter, at least for now anyway, in your life.

Dean

Jrob78 · 02-14-11, 02:00 PM

Sounds like you have made the best decision for you and your family. When and if you decide to start back up again, just know you have a built in customer base! You made a great jig, I'm going to have to be extra careful with the ones I have left!

If you have any leftover stock you need to get rid of, let me know.

BigBassin144 · 02-14-11, 02:08 PM

Sometimes the right decisions are the hardest ones to make. You'll be glad you got to spend more time with Lake and Britney when Lake is all grown up and you're an old fart!

BB

WatterBoy · 02-14-11, 02:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jrob78

. . .

If you have any leftover stock you need to get rid of, let me know.

Ditto for me!

carolina-rig-01 · 02-14-11, 02:38 PM

Jrob and WatterBoy, I sent you guys a pm.

screwballl · 02-14-11, 03:37 PM

I understand, it takes quite a bit of time and energy to keep a business going. I was actually looking at them a while back and never had the money to get any ordered (finances have been tough this past year).

Whenever you decide to kick it back up, let us know!

WatterBoy · 02-14-11, 03:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

Jrob and WatterBoy, I sent you guys a pm.

Thanks, Kory. I sent you one back.

CMorg · 02-14-11, 05:12 PM

Dude wtf ? I was waiting patiently for those flippin' jigs.

MississippiBoy · 02-14-11, 05:25 PM

I hate to hear that, Kory. I know you'd mentioned something about it, maybe on the chat one night or something. Making money is good, but it's definitely not worth losing so much time with your family. And it's really a shame because you make some damn fine jigs...

carolina-rig-01 · 02-14-11, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMorg

Dude wtf ? I was waiting patiently for those flippin' jigs.

I know you were dude and I appreciate it. In fact that is another part of the whole deal that lead to my burn out. I had several prostaffers who over promised and under delivered and I didn't get the support from them that I thought I would. I had a guy who was supposed to be building that flippin jig for about 2 years now. I was as fair and descent to that guy as I could be and it lead me down a dead end road. I promised him that I would not rush him into finishing it because I wanted it to be right when it was done. I told him to keep me up to date on where he was at with it but in no way did I want him to get it back to me in any way other than as perfect as he could get it. For a few months he was really good about keeping me up to date and in fact at one point he told me that it was almost ready. Now a year and a half later I can't get a response out of him and that frustration alone was enough to make me consider doing away with the prostaff altogether, which I considered. But even if I just did away with the prostaff the problem of not wanting to do it anymore was still there and in the end there was just one way of fixing that. I will be ordering myself some flippin heads from the company that was pouring for me and when I do I will look you up and give you a shot at a few of them if you want.

Thanks for all the support guys, it really helps me know that I am doing the right thing for my family and myself.

bamabassman · 02-14-11, 06:56 PM

taking a break and enjoying your son is FAR more important than the jig company right now kory. sometime in the future, when lake is older and can help, i am sure the 2 or 3 or 4 (if and when ya'll decide to have another baby) of you guys decide to give it a go again. it'll be even more fun. and hopefully more profitable too. we can wait pal. raise oyur son, oyu're a great dad........even if ya do come from mizzo. hahahaha.

CMorg · 02-14-11, 07:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by carolina-rig-01

I know you were dude and I appreciate it. In fact that is another part of the whole deal that lead to my burn out. I had several prostaffers who over promised and under delivered and I didn't get the support from them that I thought I would. I had a guy who was supposed to be building that flippin jig for about 2 years now. I was as fair and descent to that guy as I could be and it lead me down a dead end road. I promised him that I would not rush him into finishing it because I wanted it to be right when it was done. I told him to keep me up to date on where he was at with it but in no way did I want him to get it back to me in any way other than as perfect as he could get it. For a few months he was really good about keeping me up to date and in fact at one point he told me that it was almost ready. Now a year and a half later I can't get a response out of him and that frustration alone was enough to make me consider doing away with the prostaff altogether, which I considered. But even if I just did away with the prostaff the problem of not wanting to do it anymore was still there and in the end there was just one way of fixing that. I will be ordering myself some flippin heads from the company that was pouring for me and when I do I will look you up and give you a shot at a few of them if you want.

Thanks for all the support guys, it really helps me know that I am doing the right thing for my family and myself.

Yes sir , I always did want some of you jigs. But I really didnt think I had a need for football heads. Now last year I fished alot of riprap , and now realize I could have used some of those football heads... But yeah , look me up please. Thanks , and enjoy your free time !!

carolina-rig-01 · 02-14-11, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CMorg

Yes sir , I always did want some of you jigs. But I really didnt think I had a need for football heads. Now last year I fished alot of riprap , and now realize I could have used some of those football heads... But yeah , look me up please. Thanks , and enjoy your free time !!

To be honest in my experience a roundhead will come through rock alot better than a football head. Football heads really shine for me when I am dragging them in areas that have scattered rock. I don't know how soon it will be when I order the flippin heads but I will get ahold of you when I get them.

bcklash · 02-14-11, 09:47 PM

Kory I gave up fishing for a few years when our sons started playing little sports. We would go every now and then, but when you have two sons playing sports year round there wasn't much time for fishing. I don't regret it one bit. Now I go fishing whenever and wherever I want with the best fishing partner a father could have.

Yes I think you made a good decision, you won't regret it

woody · 02-14-11, 10:12 PM

Kory, you have my support. Family comes first.

-Mark

everettvet · 02-15-11, 01:19 PM

Kory,
Good choice!

DVT Mike · 02-15-11, 02:41 PM

Kory,

FWIW, you're doing the right thing. They're only little once and in the blink of an eye, thery're off to school etc. Good luck and enjoy!

02-14-11, 02:23 AM	#1
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Closing up shop Well after a few months of debating whether it was the right thing to do or not, Britney and I decided to close up ThunderStruck Jigs for a while. While we were making a little money off of it, we just weren't enjoying it like we did when it started. Since Lake was born I found myself wanting to spend less time building jigs for customers and wanting to spend more time wrestling and playing with Lake. It really came down to the fact that it just wasn't as much fun as it once was and if we weren't enjoying it then there wasn't much point on continuing. We decided to take a little break and later on we may revisit the possibilities of starting it back up. I started making jigs for my own use years back and it grew into a business that found us meeting a lot of new people, many of whom we are proud to call friends. I will keep building jigs for myself and friends but I am going to lay off of the business end for a while and take a break. I want to thank each and every one of you who gave us your business in the past, and I truly hope that our jigs met your expectations because we always did our best to deliver a top quality product. __________________ You only live once. But if you do it right, once is enough.

02-14-11, 07:39 AM	#2
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Kory, I fully understand pal. If your heart isn't into it and you want to refocus your life, then thats what you should do. I'm sure Lake will appreciate it. __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

02-14-11, 11:11 AM	#5
WaffleJaw BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Dallas,TX (DFW) Posts: 2,212	You may come back even stronger when Lake gets old to enough to build em with yall. Thunderstuck jigs and wholesale Revos=)...Think about it.lol It can be a p.i.t.a to work full time,family,and try to run a business out of home..Ive been finding this out over the last year. But I strongly agree with if your heart aint into it,and its not fun...Whats the point? Good luck Kory!..and thanks for the awesome jigs,they are truly the best FB jigs Ive bought __________________ [nelsoncustomrods.com] Last edited by WaffleJaw; 02-14-11 at 01:33 PM.

02-14-11, 12:53 PM	#8
Bassboss BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Shawano, WI Posts: 7,761	Dang, sorry to hear that korry. I never got to use any of them jigs, and wish I had when I had the chance! __________________ If you can't fix it with heavy squats or fish oil, you're probably going to die.

02-14-11, 02:00 PM	#10
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	Sounds like you have made the best decision for you and your family. When and if you decide to start back up again, just know you have a built in customer base! You made a great jig, I'm going to have to be extra careful with the ones I have left! If you have any leftover stock you need to get rid of, let me know. __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L

02-14-11, 09:43 AM	#3
bkeenom BassFishin.Com Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Meeker, OK Posts: 13	It is hard to balance it some times. I run 10-20 orders per week through Whopper Baits. Some are easy and in stock and others are custom and time consuming. these are the ones that keep me in the shop late at night. Whatever choice you make, it is the right one as long as it makes you happy.

02-14-11, 10:17 AM	#4
HarveysMinnow BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Central NC Posts: 224	I don't blame you a bit, Kory. Having tried to run a single proprietor business myself in the past, I know what a hassle it can be. The main lesson I learned was that turning a hobby into a business is a good way to take the pleasure out of a hobby. Also, anything that takes time away from you and your family being together is something to avoid, IMO. Your son will grow up far too fast anyway, and you don't want to miss the good times you can share NOW. So, thanks for the enlightening videos and the quality products you have provided. You have done the fishing community a service, I believe. Harvey

02-14-11, 11:26 AM	#6
CamG BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Superior, NE Posts: 974	I can completely understand your situation Kory. Running small business' is more times than not a real pain. I hope you have a good time with your little one, and get to spend more time enjoying what you want to do!

02-14-11, 11:54 AM	#7
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Thank you all for the kind words, and I am glad you understand. Although we are closing up shop for a while, if you ever run into a special color you need that you can't get anywhere else I will be more than happy to try and help you out. I won't mind doing a little of this on a once in a while basis.

02-14-11, 01:18 PM	#9
WatterBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Owatonna, MN Posts: 2,280	Hey Kory, it's cool to see that you have your priorities in the right order. And like the other guys have said, if the enjoyment level wasn't there for you any longer, that's when it's time to make the decision you did. I was planning to order some jigs from you for this season so I could finally try to learn how to fish jigs, so from my selfish personal standpoint, it's a bummer you're closing up. But I have no doubt in my mind you're making the right decision, and I wish you, Britney and Lake all the best as you close up this chapter, at least for now anyway, in your life. Dean

02-14-11, 02:08 PM	#11
BigBassin144 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toledo, Ohio Posts: 9,463	Sometimes the right decisions are the hardest ones to make. You'll be glad you got to spend more time with Lake and Britney when Lake is all grown up and you're an old fart! BB __________________ As of June 14, 2014 the members of the BF.com forum have moved to basschat.yuku.com!

02-14-11, 02:38 PM	#13
carolina-rig-01 BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Webb City, MO Posts: 6,387	Jrob and WatterBoy, I sent you guys a pm.

02-14-11, 03:37 PM	#14
screwballl BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: NWFL Posts: 654	I understand, it takes quite a bit of time and energy to keep a business going. I was actually looking at them a while back and never had the money to get any ordered (finances have been tough this past year). Whenever you decide to kick it back up, let us know!

02-14-11, 05:12 PM	#16
CMorg BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Southern , IN Posts: 1,832	Dude wtf ? I was waiting patiently for those flippin' jigs.

02-14-11, 05:25 PM	#17
MississippiBoy BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: May 2007 Location: Ridgeland MS Posts: 3,923	I hate to hear that, Kory. I know you'd mentioned something about it, maybe on the chat one night or something. Making money is good, but it's definitely not worth losing so much time with your family. And it's really a shame because you make some damn fine jigs... __________________ I smell smoke, and I hear sirens. Do you think that's a problem?

02-14-11, 06:56 PM	#19
bamabassman BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: cedar bluff, alabama Posts: 15,292	taking a break and enjoying your son is FAR more important than the jig company right now kory. sometime in the future, when lake is older and can help, i am sure the 2 or 3 or 4 (if and when ya'll decide to have another baby) of you guys decide to give it a go again. it'll be even more fun. and hopefully more profitable too. we can wait pal. raise oyur son, oyu're a great dad........even if ya do come from mizzo. hahahaha. __________________ so many lures, so little time.

02-14-11, 09:47 PM	#22
bcklash BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Elliston, Va. Posts: 4,372	Kory I gave up fishing for a few years when our sons started playing little sports. We would go every now and then, but when you have two sons playing sports year round there wasn't much time for fishing. I don't regret it one bit. Now I go fishing whenever and wherever I want with the best fishing partner a father could have. Yes I think you made a good decision, you won't regret it __________________ The soap box, the ballot box, the jury box, and the cartridge box. keep us free:

02-14-11, 10:12 PM	#23
woody BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Jonesville, Indiana Posts: 3,597	Kory, you have my support. Family comes first. -Mark

02-15-11, 01:19 PM	#24
everettvet BassFishin.Com Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Paducah, KY Posts: 730	Kory, Good choice!

02-15-11, 02:41 PM	#25
DVT Mike BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Milford,PA Posts: 312	Kory, FWIW, you're doing the right thing. They're only little once and in the blink of an eye, thery're off to school etc. Good luck and enjoy! __________________ Visit us at www.delawarevalleytackle.com

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