hello-
this is my second post. be easy on me.
I am 28, and three weeks ago, had a total reconstruction done to my left shoulder socket. This is a blessing for two reasons, one being that my shoulder will stop dislocating if I sneeze hard, and two that it is my opportunity to sit down, and think about who I am, and exactly what kind of carpentry business I want to run. My background is in production woodworking and finish work. I will work for homeowners or GCs, and have and will GC large projects again. I carry insurance, and am trying really hard to become a good contractor.
what would you oldheads have done differently for yourselves, if you were forced to sit in a chair, and write in a notebook for 6 months?
I have been looking at a good bit of work, but have been really wanting to move away from doing things that I don’t want to do.
Please help me structure my next four months to be very productive and good for my business
thanks
Aaron
Replies
>>what would you oldheads have done differently for yourselves, if you were forced to sit in a chair, and write in a notebook for 6 months?
I would advertise heavily for work and for employees. Then play match game with the talent I recieve and the work leads I get.
Then go out and sell more work.
I have been having a really hard time selling work with my arm in a sling. Something about it seems to put off the customers.I am going to be back to work in October. I have never once tried to sell work that was more than a month in the future.my three yr old was listening to me talk to my wife the other night, and helped coin the phrase "one bad arm, whole new ball game"I have David Gerstals book, and am reading it, and also going through the archives. The Contractors Legal kit is in the mail.one bad arm, whole new ballgame!
Spend a lot of time here at BT. You'll learn a great deal here.
Marry a wife who gets benefits at work.
Learn the business end of things inside and out, up and down.
Learn how to be an employer. Two hands is not enough sometimes to make a good living.
Eric
I Love A Hand That Meets My Own,
With A Hold That Causes Some Sensation.
[email protected]
but have been really wanting to move away from doing things that I don't want to do
Spend at least some of that precious time figuring out what you do want to do. Then, when you are able, do it. If you do what you don't like and do a good job of it, you will get more calls for that work. Be patient and do the work that you want to be doing. Sometimes you may have to wait a little for that to come along but when it does you will be available. Soon you will have a good reputation for this work and a list of people waiting for you to work for them.
Good luck with your shoulder. When I was just a little younger than you I had a dislocated shoulder that left me partially paralyzed in that arm for six months. After a few subsequent falls which reinjured the shoulder over a period of ten years (but with no additional side effects) the shoulder has been good for fifteen years. I still remember fondly that enforced six month layoff.
I'd be enrolled in classes at the nearest college
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Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
What kind of classes?
Depemnds where he wants his business to go, or where he feels weakest in terms of skills necessary for his career, or maybe in lines of interest...Business management maybe marketing
CAD or IT intro
Architectural basics
Contract writing
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
Everyone here so far has had excellent advice! Let me complement theirs with some gems of my own:
First, being booked up for months brings a whole new set of challenges; i.e., keeping to schedules, dealing with antsy homeowners, alloting labor appropriately during multiple projects. However, don't be afraid! I've had some really good "breakthrough" projects and clients in recent months and because of that, I've also been carrying a wait of at least one to two months since X-mas. Of course, it's not without consequence; some people want estimates and work NOW, but most of them (IMO) are propsects that I am better off without, anyway. The best clients (and most suitable projects) will see that you are busy because your company is professional and delivers where it counts. It's a nice feeling to hear "We're only talking to you/Start whenever your schedule frees up/Name your price."
Second, find good employees! It's been incredibly difficult for me to accomplish this, but it's worth it because you can spend more of your time securing work and running the company and less time hoisting beams in place.
Third, even when you are getting those dream jobs and great clients, there will always be a job here and there that bogs down or ends up with you looking less than stellar. I recently completed one. With that in mind, when you meet with the client(s) that first time, take in everything: The kind/ condition of the current house, their professions (income), how they respond to you, the questions they ask, the quality of plans, etc. Go home and evaluate EVERYTHING. And above all else, trust your gut; if there's a nagging feeling, chances are something's gonna go bad somewhere down the line.
Best advice yet.
Who Dares Wins!
I am planning on taking some summer courses.business and design.learning how to read and write english again.and doing my best to catch up on my homework so to speak.ordered the legal kit from my local bookstore. spending time in the archives.taking notes during most conversations.later clarifying them more in depth.arm is healing well. thanks again for the input.aaron
It's a good time to put family things on top too. Money in the emotional bank, so to speak...
Welcome to the Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime. where ... Excellence is its own reward!
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Allen in Santa Cruz