Using My Bosses Lasers

[matt heinzel]

I have been working in a trophy shop for a little over two years. I have a what I would think is a great working relationship with my boss. Ever since I started he lets me and others use his equipment after hours if we have our own materials to work with.

Recently I have begun to work with acrylic mirror. I am having a lot of fun with it. Anyway I made a gift for a friend, and they want to buy some more, plus they know other people who would like to buy them.

I wouldn't feel comfortable just making them and selling them. My boss has to pay for the power and life of the laser.

First how should do you think I should approach this, and also what do you think the best payment system would be?

[Dan Hintz]

It is a sticky situation, but if your relationship is as good as you claim (not many bosses let you do side work on their equipment), you should be able to approach him without a problem. Consider working out a deal where he receives a percentage of the profit. Make it enough that he would be able to pay for wear and tear on the equipment (and lights, A/C, etc. to run the shop itself) as well as a little more over the top. It's business that he wouldn't necessarily have without your side jobs, so you should make it worth his while by giving up a little profit to him. You both come out winners... he gets a little extra dough with no extra work on his part, and you get a little extra dough using equipment you wouldn't necessarily have free/easy access to.

[matt heinzel]

That seems like a good idea. Otherwise I was thinking of going a by the minute or the 1/2 hour route. He is easy going, but I'm always nervous to ask him things like this.

[Joe Pelonio]

I'm glad you asked and are approaching this in an ethical manner. I had to fire someone for using mine after hours for personal gain. I have never had a problem with employees using my equipment to make things for themselves or friend/family member gifts, but once they start selling they are competing against their own employer, and in this case she was using it without permission.

One way is to suggest that he offer the items and that you get some kind of bonus/commission for finding the buyers. If he's not interested in doing that then a machine rental could be agreed upon, which would have to be based upon the original price of the laser, tube replacement cost, and electricity used per hour. It will vary by machine make and power. As the owner he should be the one to figure that out and tell you the hourly amount. Then you will have to decide if it's worth it.

[Dee Gallo]

Matt, I'd first like to say I wish there were more people with work ethics like yours!

Secondly, I agree with Joe that you should ask your boss if he would consider carrying this new line. I would think any businessman would jump at the chance to increase $$ without having to buy new equipment and be happy to have a go-getter for an employee who is not trying to cheat him. If he's not interested in this, then you'll know you are not competing with him for customers and the rental deal will be more acceptable to him.

Just my 2¢ -- dee

[matt heinzel]

Thanks for the input Joe. I wouldn't want him to get screwed on this.

[David Lavaneri]

Matt,

Your drumming up side business could also be seen as the first step in possibly going into your own business.

I suppose I see it that way, because, before I started my own business (1990) my employer knew I needed to make more money than he could afford to pay and actually offered the use of his equipment for my side jobs, as a means of keeping me as an employee, for a couple years longer than I would have otherwise stayed on.

You may not be thinking along those lines now, but given enough success with your product(s), I suspect you will.

David "The Stunt Engraver" Lavaneri

[matt heinzel]

David that is exactly my thoughts on things. Now I need to convince my wife! I would love to go into business for myself at least part time. My boss offered to sell our M-360 to me a while back, not sure how serious he was though!

[Bryan Cowan]

Matt, I'm in the same boat you are. However, we are not in the laser engraving business. We only brought in a laser system to replace our old roll-stamping process. So in essence, I'm not stealing business away from my company, but I am using the equipment, electricity, and the building itself.

I have a very good relationship with management so I'm not worried about asking them. I just need to get all the information I need first before jumping into it. I have no idea how to calculate the energy consumption though amongst the other odds and ends, but it may small enough where it wouldn't bother them. I don't know, we'll just have to see. I plan on asking this Saturday.

Bryan