ksroofs Report post Posted March 21, 2013 Just finished a great read on movitation and inspiration for young entrepreneurs.. You don’t have to be young to take something from what im about to say. Were all in the same boat here, majority of us on any of these boards have a small company (under 20 employees) and most CEO/owners are on the job daily and strive to see their business prosper in times of hardship. When times get tough, its not the time to sit back and let things run their course. A lot of people have been asking, how did you get there? How do you get jobs? Is it all from the internet? Weren’t you scared to start your own company and not finish your last year of school? Its called getting uncomfortable, I mean uncomfortable like how you would feel on the night of your first prom, maybe the day of your wedding where you have that pit in your stomach. With risk comes reward. Everyone asks how did you just leave school and start a company? Well it wasn’t that simple, or easy. I started out real young in the business world by simply cutting the neighbors lawns, as the years went on those few lawns doubled, then tripled then quadrupled, it got to the point it was time to take the next step and incorporate the company. This was a long and slow process which gradually got my feet wet as I moved through college. While attending college and running my landscaping company , I worked as a beach stand operator ( run around and put umbrellas up for old ladies) not a bad gig! After that I worked for a commercial crane company as a rigger, this job was 100 miles away but I needed the business experience and the days of the week allowed me to continue to run my landscape company. As the years went by in school, what used to be small landscape company continued to grow so I took up a minor in turf management. My junior year I picked up mechanical engineering and got a summer job designing and building armored vehicles for the Military ( everything from design, build,and test). Not one of those jobs did I ever apply for, each job I was approached and asked to come work for them just because of my work ethic and getting out there and being un-comfortable with my landscape company. I approached people that I had never meet before to ask if they had any work that needed to be done? This landscape company funded my start up for my roof and exterior cleaning company, along with a property investment company. Which ultimately led to my early retirement from college! Starting another company was no big leap for me, with all of this behind me it was just the next step. People don’t understand what it takes sometimes to become successful , you have to remember that success doesn’t come over night, and you have to work hard to get it! Being un-comfortable means going outside of your comfort zone and taking a risk, do something tomorrow that you wouldn’t have done today. What can you do that is uncomfortable? Incorporate your business? Buy a web-domain? Get thos DOT numbers? Approach that big account that you drive by every day?? Ask out that girl across the street?? Post a reply on below, then follow up with us and let us know the results! 1 TBR Roof Cleaning WNY reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liberty SoftWash Report post Posted March 21, 2013 I hired my wife full time!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksroofs Report post Posted March 21, 2013 I hired my wife full time!! happy wife happy life! now pick something else and go after it! ps. I gave some lady your number at the last homeshow I did, hopefully you get a call soon when the weather breaks.. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 22, 2013 Great topic!!Talk about going outside of our comfort zone...my partner, and future wife, lives in Chattanooga taking care of a disabled aunt. I happened to be up there to pick up my mom and two elderly aunts over in Murphy, NC., and stopped by to see her brother-her and I have been together commuting back -n-forth for the last three years. She happened to have a degree in Entrepreneurial Mgt., and I just happened to be taking over my fathers business after his death. We have stepped outside of our comfort zone in changing the name of the business; modifying our target markets; incorporating; setting up a website; networking; and just plain old hard work. I will say that sitting down and doing a long range business plan, even if it changes, has helped us to see where we want our business to be in five years, and has committed us to doing what it will take to get there-even if it is slower than our plan! More to come.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 22, 2013 I had no idea I was going to like the non pressure roof cleaning business as much as I do when I started it, 20 some years ago. It has been a wild ride, but I would not trade it for the world. Whenever I got bummed out, and wanted to quit when I was new, I would simply get up at 5.30 am, and watch cars bumper to bumper, driving to work one way for an hour! No thank you! I will take non pressure roof cleaning, any day! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksroofs Report post Posted March 23, 2013 I had no idea I was going to like the non pressure roof cleaning business as much as I do when I started it, 20 some years ago. It has been a wild ride, but I would not trade it for the world. Whenever I got bummed out, and wanted to quit when I was new, I would simply get up at 5.30 am, and watch cars bumper to bumper, driving to work one way for an hour! No thank you! I will take non pressure roof cleaning, any day! Sometimes thats all it takes! And those reallll nice days when you can end early and get out on the boat! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Sometimes thats all it takes! And those reallll nice days when you can end early and get out on the boat! Got That right! I could never work for anyone else again. My guys brought in over 2 grand today, cleaning roofs! And, we are so busy, I had 2 cancellations this week. Hey, before I forget, did I tell you about the Mobil 1 synthetic oil yet ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
ksroofs Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Got That right! I could never work for anyone else again. My guys brought in over 2 grand today, cleaning roofs! And, we are so busy, I had 2 cancellations this week. Hey, before I forget, did I tell you about the Mobil 1 synthetic oil yet ? haha yeah you did! mobil 1 in the honda and the comrpessor unit lol I won't forget! 3 did three houses today and they said it was blowing 25, and never got above 40 degrees.. but we just took our time and they looked awesome, just shot inbetween the gusts! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Sometimes thats all it takes! And those reallll nice days when you can end early and get out on the boat!Isn't life grand when you are a professional non-pressure roof cleaner?!! Wouldn't change it for a nine-to-five any day. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Got That right! I could never work for anyone else again. My guys brought in over 2 grand today, cleaning roofs! And, we are so busy, I had 2 cancellations this week. Hey, before I forget, did I tell you about the Mobil 1 synthetic oil yet ?That's the nature of the non-pressure washing businesss. To have great days, that is!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Stepped out of my comfort zone when I was coaxed into beginning an advertising campaign (my father taught me word of mouth was all you needed, of course he started the company back in the early 70's) but it surely has paid off. Not just in a monetary way, but in networking, getting invited in to those closed board meetings, and improving my outlook on advertising. Next, that account I have passed for years.... Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Stepped out of my comfort zone when I was coaxed into beginning an advertising campaign (my father taught me word of mouth was all you needed, of course he started the company back in the early 70's) but it surely has paid off. Not just in a monetary way, but in networking, getting invited in to those closed board meetings, and improving my outlook on advertising. Next, that account I have passed for years.... what kind of things are u doing ? Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 what kind of things are u doing ? Some of the advertising we are doing (not inclusive to) is direct mailing to residents/businesses introducing our business and what we specialize in. It has proven to be cost efficient, and very receptive to invites in to gated communities-which pays off tremendously! We also have inside CAM's helping us, that have been in the area for more than 20yrs, and this has allowed us to network with a group of CAM's (luncheon once a month) that are eager for knowledge to pass on to their community's homeowners' (and board members) on the proper way to clean tile roofs (what is used, what not to use, etc); what to look for in a professional non-pressure company; what to ask for in the ways of ins/lic, and once they have the right answers; they can put to rest all doubts to the homeowner. Of course we always attend communty functions, and set up a business info stand. The list goes on....networking with CAM's has been our most powerful advertising!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Some of the advertising we are doing (not inclusive to) is direct mailing to residents/businesses introducing our business and what we specialize in. It has proven to be cost efficient, and very receptive to invites in to gated communities-which pays off tremendously! We also have inside CAM's helping us, that have been in the area for more than 20yrs, and this has allowed us to network with a group of CAM's (luncheon once a month) that are eager for knowledge to pass on to their community's homeowners' (and board members) on the proper way to clean tile roofs (what is used, what not to use, etc); what to look for in a professional non-pressure company; what to ask for in the ways of ins/lic, and once they have the right answers; they can put to rest all doubts to the homeowner. Of course we always attend communty functions, and set up a business info stand. The list goes on....networking with CAM's has been our most powerful advertising!! WTF is a CAM ? Does it go inside a Motor 2 smittyshomeservices and richard bond reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 WTF is a CAM ? Does it go inside a Motor LMFAO...they are Certified Association Managers, and they actually have a membership, not unlike our own, with which to provide networking-if you can get in! We got in by the grace of God and hard work!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 23, 2013 LMFAO...they are Certified Association Managers, and they actually have a membership, not unlike our own, with which to provide networking-if you can get in! We got in by the grace of God and hard work!! Wow, you are one LUCKY Dude Brother! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
smittyshomeservices Report post Posted March 23, 2013 Wow, you are one LUCKY Dude Brother! Luck will be flowing to all the RCIA members once we are certified as non-pressure roof cleaners, and present the information to them...they will be talking amongst themselves about RCIA all the way to Alaska! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Apple Roof Cleaning (813) 655-8777 Report post Posted March 24, 2013 Luck will be flowing to all the RCIA members once we are certified as non-pressure roof cleaners, and present the information to them...they will be talking amongst themselves about RCIA all the way to Alaska! I like it! 1 smittyshomeservices reacted to this Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
FullBlast Report post Posted March 29, 2013 I hired my wife full time!! Was that stepping outside your comfort zone Eric??? LOL Hey my wifes helps me way more than I give her credit for!! They are great partners!! Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Christopher Haines Report post Posted April 5, 2013 I know its a real newbie rediculous question.Anyone have any marketing materials they care to share or know where I can go that might b "canned". Instead of experimenting. thanks chris haines Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liberty SoftWash Report post Posted April 5, 2013 Was that stepping outside your comfort zone Eric??? LOL Hey my wifes helps me way more than I give her credit for!! They are great partners!! She is on the truck with me everyday now! It's all good after 16 yrs it can't get any worse. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Liberty SoftWash Report post Posted April 5, 2013 I know its a real newbie rediculous question.Anyone have any marketing materials they care to share or know where I can go that might b "canned". Instead of experimenting. thanks chris haines You have to use what works for you, though the years we have made many mistakes. It's called branding your company. Share this post Link to post Share on other sites