|
Grad and Student Feedback
"Words can't express how grateful I am to my PSU team! I had some very basic experience in shop way back in High School over 20 years ago, but loved knives. When I started the bladesmith course, I honestly didn't know a quillion from a ricasso. But I was desperate, my construction job was gone and I was running out of time and money, and on the brink of losing my home. Your program literally saved my livelihood! I knew I couldn't become a custom knifemaker overnight after the first 10 minutes of the first course, as it can take years to make $5,000 quality knives. However, your business assistance, wholesale buying with my cert, and financing my shop through ETI brought in enough in purchased knife sales that I had time to start producing some of my own limited designs for local shows. The e-commerce sections of the courses made me $55,000 the first year, which is only $8,000 less than when I was working full time, and I'd never done anything but email before! I have now sold many of my own knives, one for over $1,800. I will make nearly $118,000 this year, in my own business, without worrying about bosses, slow times, or being fired. You have even sent me military procurement projects, what other school does that?? I am so busy with commissioned projects that I no longer am worried about finances. This is the first time this has ever happened, and I'm reinvesting in my own shop so my designs are getting both better and easier. PLEASE use me as a reference ANY time."
"I was 60 years old, diabetic, and had no money to retire. I couldn't get disability or health insurance, and no one would hire someone who has to make a pit stop every 10 minutes due to his blood sugar. I also did not qualify for disability, it was a vicious circle, and 'retirement' was out of the question without Social Security for 5 more years, and only a $900 check when it did come! I HAD to either work in my own business, or go the Wal Mart greeter route and lose my house. You laugh, but I was competing with kids on school break even for the Wal Mart job, and lying about my health! I had a friend who was making beautiful custom knives and selling them on ebay. He told me about your school and how you'd gotten him started. All I had for a 'shop' was a vice and a grinding wheel, and tools like socket sets that have nothing to do with bladesmithing. BUT, I collect and have always loved knives, and that is what xxxx (my advisor) said was most important. She was right! Starting on a shoestring ($1,300, my whole life savings), I bought and sold knives for ebay and gunbroker and your knife auction site, and got a basic shop set up. My first knife took almost two weeks, was three inches shorter than I'd started it out to be, but sold for $800! I'm not out of the woods, but I am paying my bills each month. I've decided that working for myself is a lot more fun than retiring anyway."
"I wanted my knife license more to buy wholesale as a collector, and protect my collection from the new wave of ban Dems taking over DC. My PSU certification as a Master Bladesmith opened doors I hadn't even imagined, especially on the business side. I was only going to do this as a hobby, and it has evolved into my life work. Who starts an entirely new career at 56? Some of the world's best have taken 30 years in the past to become world class. You convinced me that modern technology including CAD CAM and pre forged blanks can make even a beginner a world class designer if he at least has a little creativity. Because of a slow economy, I had a jeweler friend who would set small stones I'd buy on Jewelry TV into my designs, and the perceived value of my "mini dagger" series was $600 when it was costing me $60. Please don't publish my name, I don't want my buyers knowing my margin, and besides, when I add my time, I'm probably only making $1 an hour (I'm slow!). I now have another friend doing engraving before final firing, and am making over $12,000 a month, way more than as a part time electrician!"
"I still have to pinch myself to believe you guys are real. I finished my Journeyman Bladesmith course in less than two months, for under $250, with no hidden fees, tool requirements, and all online. The closest second program wasn't online, cost $25,000 a year, and took three years, and over 30 classes! I know that is apples to oranges because the residency program is for young kids starting out, but at 38 I am in no position to go back to school for 3 years only to become someone's apprentice. An online school can never replace hands on, but your coaching, and especially your business support, allowed me to make money from day one, as my cert allowed me to start buying wholesale for BOTH components and finished goods. I had some experience making some basic designs, and a little tool and die work in the military, and you were generous about taking my life experience into account. I read all those quotes from guys who quit their jobs, but I'm not at that point yet. I am making an extra $5,000 a month part/spare time, and at some point I will be able to make this my full time business. That's not my point: it is what you get for what it costs that is truly the valuable service, THANK YOU."
"Here I sit as a PSU Master Bladesmith, and haven't sold a single knife I made myself. I've made many, but they are not up to my own standards, and I love them too much after all that work to sell them. I've gotten lots of offers, but I'm not there yet. You might think this is a criticism, but I'm actually emailing to thank you! The OTHER part of the courses helped me get started in my own online knife business, and I've expanded my niche to components and accessories, and am now doing it full time. I'm enrolling in your Journeyman course today, not just for the technical tips, but also to help with my knowledge, which is what is selling products in my main business. I don't want to give away my secret, but being able to describe an item far better than anyone else, with great photos, is a big part of the secret (hint!)."
|
|