Sorry Tim I didn't respond as I thought some whom saw for a living would have chimed in.
Lumber prices are all over the place PENDING your geographical location AND the demand. I also from middle TN have seen the cherry market be sky high and with in 2 years being sold at pallet wood prices.
The state forestry dept has market prices updated pretty often and just in TN the market varies by divisions, some a good even balance while others major extremes. I don't saw as my primary income so I don't follow prices daily....not really at all. I do custom and custom is NOT market average. I figure up what it would cost me to make a living at sawing INCLUDING tools, break-downs, Ins, health ins, equipment, routine maintainence, groceries, vehicles,salary etc., etc happy wife & family into a bundle for year (YES, making a living), then divide by 52 weeks then by 32 hrs (this is how many hours per week minimum I figure to break totally even) equals the amount you charge per hour or bf however you wish. Everything over the 32 billable hrs per week is extra to set aside or towards retirement/your desires.
ALL are just numbers you seek or demand BUT vital to success. I am self employed for 35 yrs in construction and LEARNED a LOT of HARDKNOCKS at my EXPENSE.
1) YOU build YOUR own reputation and respect. Find you a local businessman/woman that is SUCCESSFUL and talk with them for business strategies.
2) YOU are WHOM you are in business. #1 thing is DON'T go cutting other peoples prices, BE where you desire. I set and get my price(s) or they can go somewhere else, I and they already KNOW my quality, my high standards, my workmanship prior contacting me. ASK anyone from my area about me and you'll get one of 2 answers "...he's good !!!..." or "...he's expensive!!.." that's my reputation. I'm booked at 1 year behind and still have 900 of a 1,000 first box of business cards I had printed, word of mouth has BLESSED me good!!!
3) read and study your field of sawing, the trees, the lumber each produce, what it's used for, why this species or that species is better. Study your saw, how, who, what, when and where it performs as limits and specialties, blades(brands and tooth sets), different blades perform better in different woods.
4) take a business class. The state has several free or almost free on business start-up, expanding, new world advertising
5) IF your "just" breaking even then you might as well be at a factory and no headaches. IF a person isn't profitting he/she's not doing him OR his/her family justice. You're in business, there WILL BE HEADACHES at times, THAT'S when you hold your head up high, take a DEEP BREATH and smile....IF you'll study the headache you'll learn a valuable lesson and adjust from there forward.
SOME people will just beat you down IF you let them. Be VERY careful doing business with family and friends!!!! THEY (most) WILL want the most for nothing.
My mom told me in my beginning that there is no friends and family when running a business, you charge everyone the same RICH or POOR, FRIEND, FAMILY or STRANGER!!! It takes the same $$$ to operate and profit everyday to be successful. I have some family members I work for AND others I DON'T, same with friends. At the end of the day we all have to lay our heads down and be satisfied at our decisions we made or need to change, LIFE still goes on!!!
I wish you well in your venture(s).
Have a Blessed and Prosperous day in Jesus,
Tim