David Commeree was a product development manager for Vancouver-based New Tradition Homes when the national and local recession hit in 2008. As demand slowed for the company’s new-home subdivisions, New Tradition reduced Commeree’s work hours. He used the off time to plan his own start-up architecture business and launched it in June 2009, shortly after he was laid off. Commeree’s business, DLC Architecture LLC offers architectural design services and planning and project management consulting for public and private projects.
BIGGEST CHANGE, SO FAR: The biggest change for me is having to do everything, in terms of running a company, from finding the work to paying the bills. That’s been the biggest challenge for me. At this point, I’m a one-man show with aspirations to grow the company.
I LEFT BECAUSE: Essentially, I was laid off because of a lack of work, with the reduced volume of home construction.
I WAS OUT OF WORK FOR: I anticipated the slowdown and wanted to be proactive, so I ended up going through the process to form the organization (new business) while I was working for the other company. Even though I didn’t launch it while I was working for the company, I wanted to have the ability to start up as soon as possible.
I RELIED ON: As soon as I was laid off, I filed for unemployment benefits from the state, as most people would do in that situation, not knowing when I would get my first paying consulting project. It didn’t take long for me to get a project and then start making more than the unemployment benefits would pay. I never did end up having to draw any of the unemployment. I’m very fortunate I didn’t have down time and a floundering period. I knew already this is the direction I wanted to go, so I went into marketing mode and was able to get a few things going. By being prepared, I was able to create my own opportunities.
THE NEW GIG IS: To put it in a word, it’s exciting. Every day there is something a little different. Somebody might call about a small tenant improvement project or I might get a call from Evergreen Habitat for Humanity, requesting design assistance. I am trying to divide my time between working on paying projects, donating my time to nonprofits and looking for work by networking at local events.
ONE THING I MISS ABOUT THE OLD JOB IS: I miss working with the people who were at New Tradition Homes. Fortunately, I still get to see them from time to time, but I miss that close interaction we had for four years. These were people I’d grown accustomed to and really liked being around.
ONE THING I DON’T MISS: Is the daily grind, sort of, the 9-to-5. It seemed like I always had to do something. Maybe I’m a little bit of a rebel, but this feels like every day, I’m breaking the rules.
ONE SURPRISE ABOUT MY NEW JOB IS: The actual amount of hours it takes to run a small business. I was surprised by the time. You’ve always got to look out in the future for your next job. There always seems to be something to do and there never seem to be enough hours in the day.
I’M LUCKY THAT: What’s lucky about the new job? I would use the word “fortunate” that I was able to get jobs lined up so soon. I guess you could say that I’m lucky that I had enough work to get going and, so far, seem to be percolating along.
THE HARDEST PART OF THE TRANSITION WAS: I think the hardest part was managing cash flow in the beginning. You do the work, you submit a bill, you wait for the bill to be paid, and meanwhile, you have other bills to pay. You have to keep in front of the cash flow. That was one of the hardest things to grapple with.
I LEARNED THAT: You have to fully commit to what you have to do so that you can give yourself the best chance to succeed. I didn’t just start out with a toe in the water, I jumped in with both feet, and I really committed myself to making the company succeed.
MY ADVICE: Try and save some money to help capitalize your company or small-business venture, because that will make it easier. I didn’t try to get a loan, but I imagine it would have been very hard to obtain start-up funding in this economic cycle.
If you have a job transition story to share, please send e-mail to Cami Joner or Libby Tucker at cami.joner@columbian.com or libby.tucker@columbian.com
