What Should I Do?

simpletim · Post by **simpletim** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:01 pm

I am in a serious situation and need all the good advice I can get from
everyone.

Jam Crib is faced with increased financial obligations coming due the first of January that can't be paid without an increase in your business over the next few weeks. I desperately need you to come in and use the facilities in order to stay in business.

I invested nearly all of my life savings to build Jam Crib and work seven days a week so that you have a wonderful place to pursue your musical ambitions. It has also cost the breakup of my 23 year marriage and health problems from extreme stress. I strive to keep faith in this vision and a commitment to serve you all, but this is evidently still not enough.

Since May 2005, Jam Crib has 836 members. Some come in at least weekly, some monthly, and others possibly a few times a year.

A question I have for all members is what were your expectations when
you joined? Does Jam Crib live up to your expectations?

What was attractive to you about Jam Crib when you joined? What do you
dislike?

Are there things that you think need to be changed? Why don't you use
the the Jam Crib more often?

Do you think the pricing is reasonable and affordable?

I believe Jam Crib can be a place of great value to the music community and desire to do those things to make it so. Would you please clue me in on how I can better serve you?

I have the utmost gratitude for everyone who has been a loyal patron
this past year, I sincerely appreciate your support.

As a new small business owner, I am struggling to survive while this
business grows.

I am asking for your support which you might be able to do in one of the
following ways:
â€¢ Renew your membership if it has expired or buy a membership for a
friend
â€¢ Rent a studio and maybe record yourself playing some Christmas songs
you could then give out as gifts
â€¢ Purchase a monthly Jam Pass and come out to play in the jam sessions
â€¢ Buy a Jam Crib gift certificate for someone else or ask someone to get
one for you
â€¢ Sign up and take Jam School Classes

If half of our members would come in just once this month and make a purchase it will make all the difference to keep things going. I sincerely hope that you value what Jam Crib is trying to accomplish in its support for local musicians.

Thank you and best wishes for happiness during the holidays.

Tim

rezin · Post by **rezin** » Fri Dec 08, 2006 10:48 pm

damn man...

hope things work out for you...

this town disappoints me sometimes...

shattered existence · Post by **shattered existence** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 9:01 pm

Well Tim, I don't have any ideas for you off hand right now. I'm one of your few times a year members. There's been a couple times, including last week, when I wanted to stop in there on my day off of work. Loaded up my equipment, drove out, then realized that you don't open until 4:00. It might be worthwhile to take a survey from your members and see how many people would like to come in earlier than 4:00 without having an appointment and then decide whether or not it would be cost effective to pay someone to come in and run things a little earlier. Not that that would help you out right now, but I just thought I'd throw something out there for you. In the mean time I'll try to stop by atleast once this month. I need to tweek the settings on my amp and I can't crank it up in my apartment. Hopefully things work out for you. Good luck.

simpletim · Post by **simpletim** » Sat Dec 09, 2006 11:26 pm

FYI, I'll always open earlier than 4pm during the week by appointment, no problem. Just give me a call. Thanks for your help.

jewlee138 · Post by **jewlee138** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 3:31 am

Tim-

If I wanted to do a show for 21+ at a venue other than Jam Crib, do you have a sound system available for rent? If so, how much would you charge.

kylek · Post by **kylek** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:11 pm

Tim,

I think jamcrib is amazing. I just dont know why people wouldnt use it.

The one thing I have noticed is for the all-age shows. It seems sometimes that its only the bands that advertise for them, and I know you can potentially get a decent fare from the door on those.

Benefit show? I know that we'd be down as soon as our new drummer feels confident enough.

simpletim · Post by **simpletim** » Sun Dec 10, 2006 1:27 pm

jewlee138 wrote:Tim-

If I wanted to do a show for 21+ at a venue other than Jam Crib, do you have a sound system available for rent? If so, how much would you charge.

See PM reply. Thanks.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:19 am

Benefit show? I know that we'd be down as soon as our new drummer feels confident enough.

I'm not a tax expert, but I believe this is prohibited for a for-profit business.

Idea... File as a 501C, appoint a board and draw a salary, as opposed to trying to operate as a for-profit business. It would open you up to donations, and while maybe not fulfilling your business dreams it would allow you to operate the jam crib full-time. I don't know all the particulars, but it might be worth pursuing.

Silencio · Post by **Silencio** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:28 am

Of course you meant 501(c)(3).

"501(c)(3) exemptions apply to corporations, and any community chest, fund, or foundation, organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, or educational purposes, or to foster national or international amateur sports competition, or for the prevention of cruelty to children or animals."

Obviously, this is not an option.

Tim, if it's not too late to turn things around, feel free to PM me. I have more than 25 years experience in the advertising and marketing business, and am also a member of your target audience. I have nothing to sell you... I'd just be willing to discuss some ideas with you as to how you can market JamCrib to capture a wider audience.

bwohlgemuth · Post by **bwohlgemuth** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:28 am

Tim, have you approached the acting community? That stage could be used for small plays, etc...

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 9:55 am

educational purposes

Might apply.

and yes, I meant 501(c)(3)

Silencio · Post by **Silencio** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:02 pm

bassjones wrote:
educational purposes
Might apply.

No, it wouldn't. Not unless JamCrib was an educational venue, which it is not.

ihitwithstix · Post by **ihitwithstix** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:30 pm

Silencio wrote:
bassjones wrote:
educational purposes
Might apply.

No, it wouldn't. Not unless JamCrib was an educational venue, which it is not.

why not?he has the jam school there. and they offer lessons as well.

bassjones · Post by **bassjones** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 3:58 pm

He could set it up very similarly to The Ark, which is a non-profit, requires membership for certain benefits, but is open to the public for concerts, does a variety of art/music educational activities in the Ann Arbor community, etc... I could see that working and being completely legit.

zenmandan · Post by **zenmandan** » Mon Dec 11, 2006 4:00 pm

In order to qualify as an educational endeavor under the umbrella of a 501(c)3, one must undertake much more than just lessons and a school of rock. Lessons and the school would need to be given to a majority of the students for free, therefore reaching those who can't afford them, or something of the like. Nonprofits are a multi billion dollar business in the US, and the government, grant givers, etc. are quite selective in whom they give their money to. Trying to qualify as one just to save a struggling business would never get through the first round of the process, let alone actually become a nonprofit. Becoming a nonprofit takes years of work. Most grant givers want to see at least 3-5 years worth of what you have been doing (pretty much for free) to get an idea of what kind of business it will be, and whether or not it would be in their best interest to give their money to you or some other deserving business. Even though what Jam Crib does may be worthwhile, it would never be able to become a nonprofit in its current form.