Thinking of leaving my job to wash fulltime...

H

hazmatt41741

New member
I joined back late last year and havent posted much, just read and tried to learn more and more. I have a pretty decent machine and I do as much as I can but still have no time to wash due to my job. I work 45 hours or so a week and have to drive an hour each way to get there so it obviously leaves little time. Ive been pondering on it for a while now but have decided I need to make a decision pretty soon because its may already. Financially im stable already, have no debt, not on my machine or Anything else and still relatively young and still live at home so I can afford to take a risk better than a family man with a house/wife/kids/bills. I guess I just need a little motivation. Ive got quite a bit of experience with power washing, grew up working with my dad who also did it on the side, but he never did it solely for a living. Im pretty unsatisfied with my job even though it pays pretty well, just not happy and dont enjoy it and thats what really sparked this whole thing. I think my quality of life would be alot better and Id be alot happier even if I didnt make as much money to begin with. Im sure some of you on here have quit a pretty good job to wash full time? Just need a few pointers or suggestions on where to go from here, thanks.
 
Looks good....There are pros and cons both ways. I do it full time, but my wife makes pretty good money.

Life is short...too short to not be happy...You are in a good situation while still living at home and having no debt. Maybe work a part-time job for a while to keep some money coming in while trying to build your business.

Pray about it...Many people never get the opportunity to be self-employed due to family obligations....you're young and can afford to take a leap of faith....

good luck
 
Im still on the payroll at a local grocery store, started working there when I was 16 so Ive got some time in. I work there atleast once per pay period to stay "active" and they even offer benefits to part timers which I find is pretty rare and is a definate plus.
 
hazmatt41741 said:
Im still on the payroll at a local grocery store, started working there when I was 16 so Ive got some time in. I work there atleast once per pay period to stay "active" and they even offer benefits to part timers which I find is pretty rare and is a definate plus.
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I wish i could have something like that! In my opinion, if you are sure this is whaat you want to do go for it. I left a great paying job to do this, even though i am fairly new to this i believe it was the right choice. I love working for myself, being outside, and making peoploe happy. Just follow your heart. Good Luck!!
 
Nice trailer setup there; you might as well get your money's worth out of it. It's paid for, so now it can start paying you. Or something like that. ;)

You sound like you're already leaning toward leaving the two-hour-round-trip job thing. And if the store job could be flexed around your washing business, instead of trying to fit the business around the job, that could ensure a check (and bennies) coming in during times when washing jobs weren't happening.

Whatever you decide, good luck with it.
 
19. I graduated from school a semester early, went and got a class A cdl, always wanted to drive a truck like the rest of the men in my family. Well no one wants to hire anyone to drive a commercial vehicle at age 18 even if they have a class A cdl. I ended up finding a job at a LTL company driving a switcher truck on the yard and it pays quite well, imo anyways. Saved up some money, which was easy to save up enough to buy the machine since I was living at home and all. Since my dad sold all of his equipment his previous customers/people we both know always kept asking about washing this and that but we had no machine so I decided to buy one and now Ive got the machine, have alot of things lined up but no time to do them.
 
I say you live at home, have no bills, and only work 2 times a week? focus on your bizz for a while build up clientel, work at the store buy more goodies for the trailer invest on getting your name out, when you have at least 3-4 days a week then quit. but until then milk it wile you can. thats the way i did it.
 
I always plan to keep my job at the store. No reason at all to quit that job, ever. Its always a good plan B. Enjoy working there when I do too.
 
hazmatt41741 said:
I always plan to keep my job at the store. No reason at all to quit that job, ever. Its always a good plan B. Enjoy working there when I do too.
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I would do the same based on what you explained earlier, but i would deifinentaly go for it. Im just a year older than you but i have a family to take care of so it was/is a little harder for me, but if i were you i would definently go for it.
 
Nice looking rig-cept its way to clean!!!
What part of NC are you in.
 
I suppose there is a lot to be said about the situation you face. Having a good paying job at 19 is something very good, and obviously going full time changes things. You go to being manager,business owner and technician all at once. you seem like a hard worker and these things may come easy to you.

How are you on the sales part of pressure washing? maybe on any days off or a Saturday. Go around and talk to some management companies or apartment property managers see how it goes. You definitely want to make sure you able to line up work. Also how is your winters going to be.

You are definitely doing the right thing asking around and finding out what you should do.very wise of you. Whats your dad say about it? i wish you the best of luck.
 
hazmatt41741 said:
I joined back late last year and havent posted much, just read and tried to learn more and more. I have a pretty decent machine and I do as much as I can but still have no time to wash due to my job. I work 45 hours or so a week and have to drive an hour each way to get there so it obviously leaves little time. Ive been pondering on it for a while now but have decided I need to make a decision pretty soon because its may already. Financially im stable already, have no debt, not on my machine or Anything else and still relatively young and still live at home so I can afford to take a risk better than a family man with a house/wife/kids/bills. I guess I just need a little motivation. Ive got quite a bit of experience with power washing, grew up working with my dad who also did it on the side, but he never did it solely for a living. Im pretty unsatisfied with my job even though it pays pretty well, just not happy and dont enjoy it and thats what really sparked this whole thing. I think my quality of life would be alot better and Id be alot happier even if I didnt make as much money to begin with. Im sure some of you on here have quit a pretty good job to wash full time? Just need a few pointers or suggestions on where to go from here, thanks.
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Get a pricelist an go for it, that job will be waiting if you fail.
 
I do not like "plan B's".


I'm not trying to say others advice is wrong and I know everyone is different. I know there are many part time guys that are doing very well. I also know in my case and in the case of some friends that I've helped start a business, you have to be 100% committed if you want it to work.
<O:p
I think a plan B always keeps you from being totally committed. There is always something to fall back on. You never really are forced to give it everything you've got because you can rely on your other job. I feel that putting everything on the line is what really ensures success.
<O:p
When I started my business I was most inspired by this story from Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich". It is definitely applicable in this situation.

"A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation which made it necessary for him to make a decision which insured his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered his own. He loaded his soldiers into boats, sailed to the enemy's country, unloaded soldiers and equipment, and then gave the order to burn the ships that carried them. Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, "You see those boats going up in smoke. That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win! We have no choice - we win or we perish!" They won."

<O:p
 
ckingclean said:
I do not like "plan B's".


I'm not trying to say others advice is wrong and I know everyone is different. I know there are many part time guys that are doing very well. I also know in my case and in the case of some friends that I've helped start a business, you have to be 100% committed if you want it to work.
<O:p
I think a plan B always keeps you from being totally committed. There is always something to fall back on. You never really are forced to give it everything you've got because you can rely on your other job. I feel that putting everything on the line is what really ensures success.
<O:p
When I started my business I was most inspired by this story from Napoleon Hill's book "Think and Grow Rich". It is definitely applicable in this situation.

"A long while ago, a great warrior faced a situation which made it necessary for him to make a decision which insured his success on the battlefield. He was about to send his armies against a powerful foe, whose men outnumbered his own. He loaded his soldiers into boats, sailed to the enemy's country, unloaded soldiers and equipment, and then gave the order to burn the ships that carried them. Addressing his men before the first battle, he said, "You see those boats going up in smoke. That means that we cannot leave these shores alive unless we win! We have no choice - we win or we perish!" They won."

<O:p
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Didnt I say that?lOL
 
Sounds to me like you are ready, you have jobs lined up and the equipment...Here's some motivation for you I have a little extra to share.;)

If you want to collect some more just come to the Milwaukee round table and you can get a lot of up close and personal assistance from many experienced vetrans...
 
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