[truble]

Well i have to say this is the first time I have ever posted anything on the web but i need some input. I am 30 yrs old and have painted for 11 yrs. I have a very wide range of experience in commercial, residential, and production painting. I currently am considered an industrial painter and do alot of jobs for the military. The money is pretty good and i like the company I work for. I owned a painting bussines about 7 yrs ago and had to give it up for various reasons but I did very well. I am now married with 2 children and want to start my bussiness back up. I have moved to a larger city and have met realestate investors and various contractors who have asked of my service and I have refered them elsewhere because lack of time. I am hesitant to start bidding jobs and get them then having them interfere with my job. Should I just say screw it and quit my job start my bussiness or bid the jobs and if I get them call into work until Im fired? I am really confused on what to do.

If I quit my job my wife will probably loose her mind but I feel confident that we will do just fine, and i keep getting a funny feeling that i should be out there doing my own thing instead of giving away all that I know and have learned just for peanuts.

If someone can help I would greatly appreciate it..

 

[Rich]

First read "The E Myth"
Second read "Run Your Business so it doesn't run you"

When you're done reading those, still have a job, still have a happy wife, and now have a great plan of attack-then decide whether or not to start the business again.

My point is that there is much more to starting/owning/running a business than just 'wanting' to maybe do it again. These books will show you that you can't do it all yourself and that a business is not a job, it's a business....and they will help you attack any ideas you have. :yes:

You can probably find them on www.amazon.com www.ebay.com or www.overstock.com

Good luck man, please read these books if you haven't already.

 

[slickshift]

Well i have to say this is the first time I have ever posted anything on the web...

That's funny, there's a guy with your same user name and story that posted up on contractortalk...lol
:laughing:

Keep your "job" for as long as you possibly can before becoming a full-time business owner

 

[slickshift]

...I'd suggest starting off with treading the E-Myth Contractor
It's shorter, more specific to the trades, and can put things in perspective pretty quick

 

[Brushslingers]

It's very simple really, if you don't have credit or capital, forget it. If you do have credit, capital and savings... you gotta jump out on the limb and climb your way up. There is no grey area, do or die.

 

[Brian]

It's very simple really, if you don't have credit or capital, forget it. If you do have credit, capital and savings... you gotta jump out on the limb and climb your way up. There is no grey area, do or die.

I don't agree. I think a plan is far more important. If you have a plan you can overcome almost anything (if the plan is good).

Credit can be a black hole from which you will never escape.

Capital is important, but not nearly as much so in our industry. A good plan can overcome a lack of capital.

A good plan must focus on marketing. If you generate enough leads, you won't have to buy jobs. You will be able to generate enough work to earn a decent wage and build your business.

Brian Phillips

 

[Wolverine]

I remember when I had to make that decision.

So... here is what I do (suggest) when I have an important decision.

1) Pray about it! It's that simple. My life works best when I include God in it. My nature is to make some decision and THEN ask God to bless it. I can just imagine God talking out loud saying, "What are you thinking Eric?" So, Ive found that praying about things first gives me a better chance at success!

2) Include your wife! She is going to give you a higher degree of support if she feels like she had a say. And, you're going to need to get laid alot if you are going to be successful!

3) Make a plan... know what you need to survive... know what you want... Why are you taking on extra responsibility?

4) Remember your wife's needs. In general, women care ALOT less about money that your absense because you are working all the time...

Last, don't buy paint from the evil empire!

 

[Rich]

I have to say Brian has a good point. I had very little capital when I started up and I have yet to use any credit in my business (aside from paint store credit). I have enough debt from my personal life.

Wolvey, you and I are very alike my friend in all ways...that was some really nice advice you gave. Good to see another godly guy around.

 

[BenPaintinTooLong]

I don't agree. I think a plan is far more important. If you have a plan you can overcome almost anything (if the plan is good).

Credit can be a black hole from which you will never escape.

Capital is important, but not nearly as much so in our industry. A good plan can overcome a lack of capital.

A good plan must focus on marketing. If you generate enough leads, you won't have to buy jobs. You will be able to generate enough work to earn a decent wage and build your business.

Brian Phillips

I haven't charged any paint or equipment in over 10 years, I don't even have a charge acc at the paint stores, all my jobs support themselves.
BEN..

 

[MAK-Deco]

I don't agree. I think a plan is far more important. If you have a plan you can overcome almost anything (if the plan is good).

Credit can be a black hole from which you will never escape.

Capital is important, but not nearly as much so in our industry. A good plan can overcome a lack of capital.

A good plan must focus on marketing. If you generate enough leads, you won't have to buy jobs. You will be able to generate enough work to earn a decent wage and build your business.

Brian Phillips

I agree with Brian for the most part except that on contractor talk you mentioned that not being the best painter isn't as important than the "plan" but in order to have an effective plan and start getting referral business since I assume you will be the only painter at first you better do good work! Because if your a crappy painter doing residential re paints your plan will be no good.

I see a lot of hacks that advertise a lot! and they do a lot of one time jobs and never get referrals. Referrals is "one" of the keys to a successful small trades business. IMO

 

[Brushslingers]

I don't agree. I think a plan is far more important. If you have a plan you can overcome almost anything (if the plan is good).

Credit can be a black hole from which you will never escape.

Capital is important, but not nearly as much so in our industry. A good plan can overcome a lack of capital.

A good plan must focus on marketing. If you generate enough leads, you won't have to buy jobs. You will be able to generate enough work to earn a decent wage and build your business.

Brian Phillips

I agree, however.. from his standpoint, a woman and a family.... his question was to start out or not.... plan withstanding, if you don't have the money for direct marketing to KEEP those leads coming in.... i'd say forget it until you do. Little mouths eat alot. I suppose in this case, we will disagree.

 

[MAK-Deco]

I agree, however.. from his standpoint, a woman and a family.... his question was to start out or not.... plan withstanding, if you don't have the money for direct marketing to KEEP those leads coming in.... i'd say forget it until you do. Little mouths eat alot. I suppose in this case, we will disagree.

I agree with the money aspect, gotta have some and yes your going to have to advertise but as it rolls he can rely less and less on the advertisings. With the family capital is a must.

 

[Brushslingers]

Yup, I started my first with two bucks... failed within 3 years.... most of these guys on this board with ONE contractor, or ONE managment company will fail within three years or less. Takes a little more than one to run a successful company. Seen too many dudes jump out there with a sign on thier truck and one contract.... just to fail due to lack of work. Plan is good, but only as good as the market, and the planner.

 

[ProWallGuy]

I started off by doing sidejobs way back when. The occasional weekend or evening job. I used the money to buy equipment. Ladders, drops, brushes, paste machine, etc. The money always went toward my own business. It wasn't long before I had more and nicer equipment than the company I worked for. I'd bring my own ladders instead of using their 5hitty ones. I never really spent a dime on marketing or advertising, but steadily cultivated all these customers as long-time clients, and coached them into giving me referrals. When it got to the point that I had enough calls coming in to be able to afford jumping ship, I did. Unfortunately, back then there weren't forums like this one out there to help. I wasted many years and lost lots of time and money by making all the major mistakes. If I knew then what I know now, I'd be in a lot better position, financially, and spiritually.

 

[Brian]

I agree with Brian for the most part except that on contractor talk you mentioned that not being the best painter isn't as important than the "plan" but in order to have an effective plan and start getting referral business since I assume you will be the only painter at first you better do good work! Because if your a crappy painter doing residential re paints your plan will be no good.

I agree that if you are the only painter you need to do good work.

However, I was simply trying to point out that good painters can be hired. IMO, if you are going to run a business it is easier to focus on that and hire painters. Certainly that's not the only way to do it, but I do believe that it is easier and more effective in the long run.

Trying to paint all day and give estimates at night is very demanding and it is very easy to get burned out.

Brian Phillips

 

[MAK-Deco]

I agree that if you are the only painter you need to do good work.

However, I was simply trying to point out that good painters can be hired. IMO, if you are going to run a business it is easier to focus on that and hire painters. Certainly that's not the only way to do it, but I do believe that it is easier and more effective in the long run.

Trying to paint all day and give estimates at night is very demanding and it is very easy to get burned out.

Brian Phillips

I agree also but my point was starting out its hard to hire good guys, and expect them to do your good work before you have done good work and built a good reputation. In time hiring good guys is a great position to be in. I need a good one now but can't seem to find any one.

 

[Lornmastro]

prowallguy...would love to hear about some of your mistakes ...SO i'd don't make them too....or maybe i have already..lol. I think when you first start your business you need to be in the bucket...you need to provide quality work ,and only you ,the owner has enough invested in the company to be sure to do that. hire employees, train them yourself so they know exactly what you expect of them. then you can work yourself out of the bucket. My employees have a new saying when i'm not on a job WWLD.... WHat would lorna do??