[AlisherPainting]

I am 25. When 17, I started college full time and graduated when 23 (3 years English and 3 years Major). Because i was not an American and enjoying the american college, I had to pay my tuition in full and pay tuition for "2 americans". While I was a full time student, I was a full time painter making money to pay for college. How I lived those 6 years were a nightmare. Very often used to skip sleeping to get the college assignments done. Before even I graduated college I was already a professional painter doing some side work in addition to my full time painting for a company. I love painting. After graduation, college found me job in a big Engineering firm that handles huge projects. It is 10 minutes away from home, i have my own cubical, vacation, health Insurance, paid hollidays, bonuses and more benefits. They can even pay my tuition if I want to continue education. Coworkers are great. Often we have fun events and parties. The job is CAD, basically drafting blueprints on the computer. As a job, I get bored very often, i get tired, no energy, depressed. I notice its affecting my vision and I already got 40 pounds of fat just in a year and a half. Moreover, I still paint on my weekends for my own customers. Over the past couple of years I was reffered to many people that now I hire couple of painters I know for the weekend to finish the projects. Sometimes I complete more than 1 project on the same weekend. Sometimes no project. During the year and a half of of office job, I made more money painting on my weekends than my primary office job income. When I paint I feel very energetic, excited no depression and some sort of freedom. Getting to the point; I am stuck between the two choices or foundations I had built to live in the future. Both can be successful or risky but I have to choose 1 to build further. Please share your thoughts. Thank you!

 

[ReNt A PaInTeR]

If you are thinking about starting out a painting business you can kiss vacation, paid holidays, bonuses and benefits good bye.

 

[fauxlynn]

You are young, you are just starting in your field. If it were me , I would find out what I need to do to move up to the next level in your field, or in something related.Your company will help with continuing education?- take advantage of it.

I completely understand the thing about hating to sit behind a desk thing, but c'mon,when you are 40 yrs. old, your knees are not going to want to be climbing up and down a ladder. Enjoying painting is not the same thing as running your own business.As R-A-P pointed out, that comes with a whole different set of problems.

 

[AlisherPainting]

@Fauxlynn,

You are right, but I dont plan to physically paint when I am 40 or older. I will have guys working for me. I know a guy who is about 45, he runs the painting company has about 12 guys working for him. He does not spend a penny on adds all customers are referrals, no office. He makes no less than 1k a day. He treats his guys very well. He only does estimating and collects payments. He had a situation like mine when he was about 25. However, he does say sometimes that he is tired of doing this but I think its just because of the redundancy in his life, i know him and his family is very happy, with vacations as much as they want ;-) . But I know not everyone can be successful as someone else doing the same thing. Thats why I am stuck on decision making.

 

[ReNt A PaInTeR]

Ahh you want to be out of the bucket..... You've come to the right place, There is lots of successful painting contractors that can help you.

 

[PressurePros]

Here's a reality and it will work in your favor. Anyone can paint but making the phone ring and keeping a business afloat is the part that sinks most people. It sounds like your job is relatively stress free so.. do what you did it college. Suck up the longer days or limit your painting to weekends and do it part time. This is always the solution I recommend to people that already have a decent job and are exploring a trade.

If you quit your job and opened a painting business tomorrow, you will make approximately $10K for yourself after expenses. Can you live on that? Do you have enough liquid savings to get you through until your thrid or fourth year when you actually might come close to making your current wage?

Do both (keep your job and paint on the side) and you will have nothing to lose. In a couple of years you'll have the answer as to which way you should go.

 

[AlisherPainting]

@Rent A Painter

That's what I am talking about.
All I am worried about is how successful and lucky will I get in building that chain of customers. For all the rest I trust "me" and my proficiency.

 

[AlisherPainting]

@PressurePros

Well I can really see and agree with you. But now I am quite beyond that, I am starting to have problems with trying to get the projects done on the weekends, not everyone wants it on the weekends. I already rejected couple of Huge commercial projects that could pay off to cover my 2 year office job income. I could afford quitting my job and just do painting right know but I am worried will it continue the same way and grow. I already have a cargo van and all the tools.

 

[PressurePros]

@PressurePros

Well I can really see and agree with you. But now I am quite beyond that, I am starting to have problems with trying to get the projects done on the weekends, not everyone wants it on the weekends. I already rejected couple of Huge commercial projects that could pay off to cover my 2 year office job income. I could afford quitting my job and just do painting right know but I am worried will it continue the same way and grow. I already have a cargo van and all the tools.

If you have leads coming in for commercial projects (leads and won bids/contracts are two different things) and you are properly setup (hint: my guess is you are not), then go for it. You have to pull the trigger a some point and make it work.

A question for my curiosity.. How with no experience, no insurance, no labor force, no business name, and not even preparing a single bid are you certain that you would have landed two large commercial jobs?

 

[AlisherPainting]

If you have leads coming in for commercial projects (leads and won bids/contracts are two different things) and you are properly setup (hint: my guess is you are not), then go for it. You have to pull the trigger a some point and make it work.

A question for my curiosity.. How with no experience, no insurance, no labor force, no business name, and not even preparing a single bid are you certain that you would have landed two large commercial jobs?

You are right I am not properly set yet as far as making contracts for huge commercial projects. I would do it through another home improvement company that I know. They will make the contract and get some percentage at the end, i do have guys, pro guys. But if I start now of course everything will slowly be set up properly. But i am more interested in the residential projects. They are easier to land and quick.

 

[ReNt A PaInTeR]

A question for my curiosity.. How with no experience, no insurance, no labor force, no business name, and not even preparing a single bid are you certain that you would have landed two large commercial jobs?

I think someone has been reading too many Richmond's posts.

 

[RH]

If you are thinking about starting out a painting business you can kiss vacation, paid holidays, bonuses and benefits good bye.

I disagree. Every day painting is like a holiday to me. And a warm smile from my customers is all the bonus I ever need. :yes: :whistling2:

 

[Wolfgang]

I disagree. Every day painting is like a holiday to me. And a warm smile from my customers is all the bonus I ever need. :yes: :whistling2:

:blink:
:lol:

 

[Gough]

I disagree. Every day painting is like a holiday to me. And a warm smile from my customers is all the bonus I ever need. :yes: :whistling2:

RH, I'm glad that I've already got my waders on....

 

[ReNt A PaInTeR]

I disagree. Every day painting is like a holiday to me. And a warm smile from my customers is all the bonus I ever need. :yes: :whistling2:

I know I know. You never told us how much you were gonna charge on your estimate for painting that bedroom.

A least that lady knows how much to pay his brother in law now. :whistling2: :lol:

 

[danpaints]

This might help.

http://www.painttalk.com/f2/new-members-visitors-so-you-think-you-want-painting-contractor-2879/. It is a dream. If you do it and can accept the consequence of complete failure. Then do it. I work from time to time on an hourly rate... it is no more than shackles and motivation. You mentioned your love for freedom and that in painting. Go for it and accept the consequences. Learned and educate yourself on the business side. Give. Be generous to your laborers. Know the craft. Love the craft. Put your family first. Be honest. Have no regrets .....and if you fail. Get up. If you fall...get up. If you make mistakes. Admit it as you stand up... once you start...you don't stop or give up. Bend and don't break. This is all things in the American spirit and capitalistic system. Most are looking out for their own interest. Be your best. Do your best and be honest and you will succeed. If you at willing, you can do it. You will fail and suffer great loss. But if you fight and are willing to compete there is great venture to be gained. Ask any veteran. Ask all the Americans who have preceded you in the books you read in college...Ford, Carnegie, or Bell. Einstein... Be the best and gain connections. Teach and be supremely confident in your craft. Or go away and leave it up to us to fill the void.

Dan

 

[epretot]

I used to work in a cubicle.

Start a painting business.

 

[Scannell Painting]

Because i was not an American and enjoying the american college, I had to pay my tuition in full and pay tuition for 2 Americans.

Explain please?

 

[Dave Mac]

wear are you located

 

[AlisherPainting]

Because i was not an American and enjoying the american college, I had to pay my tuition in full and pay tuition for 2 Americans.

Explain please?

Lol ;-) i was an international student. If you are an international student you pay $3 instead of $1. Than that money becomes the part of the FAFSA. Makes sense?