Going Full Time!!!

jtemple0622

jtemple0622

New member
For the last 8 months I have been trying to get my business off the ground slowly while holding down a full time job as a General Manager of a restaurant. Well I was called in Monday morning to find out the doors were shockingly closing. The owner has been absent the last year dealing with personal "drama" and He decided it was time to just move on. Any advice out there from the seasoned vets? The plan was to drop the other job at about the year mark but that choice wasn't left up to me! The good news is I have a pretty cool ad coming out Feb 11th in a monthly publication here so I guess I will just keep my fingers crossed!!!
 
with you being in Fla. i imagine there is a lot competition. you should set aside something for advertising. It doesnt have to be a huge ad but something that grabs attention. most of my work this last year came from advertising. It was like $180.00 for 2 days a week for three weeks.

once you pick an area that you want to advertise in and as long as you get some calls stay with it. dont bounce from publication to publication. It would be a waste of cash to only advertise once or twice in one paper.you can do multiple ads in different papers but just stick with them. brand, brand, brand. get your name out there That and hustle every chance you get. hustle hustle hustle
 
Thanks Steven. We have been mulling over which paper to advertise in for about 2 months. Finally decided on one 2 weeks ago. I agreed to 6 months. Your right its a tough market down here. I was talking to a gutter business last week because I was referring somebody their way and low and behold not only does he do gutters but will clean your roof and drive way at the same time. Such an odd business plan. I only found this out because i called the lady back to schedule the cleaning and she informed me the gutter repair company offered her a better deal lol
 
jtemple0622 said:
Thanks Steven. We have been mulling over which paper to advertise in for about 2 months. Finally decided on one 2 weeks ago. I agreed to 6 months. Your right its a tough market down here. I was talking to a gutter business last week because I was referring somebody their way and low and behold not only does he do gutters but will clean your roof and drive way at the same time. Such an odd business plan. I only found this out because i called the lady back to schedule the cleaning and she informed me the gutter repair company offered her a better deal lol
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WOW! Talk about low class! He had the nerve to steal your client after you were nice enough to bring business his way? You won't get far in life stabbing people in the back like that. Seriously bad karma.

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JDhomeservices said:
WOW! Talk about low class! He had the nerve to steal your client after you were nice enough to bring business his way? You won't get far in life stabbing people in the back like that. Seriously bad karma.

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I didn't read it that way, I read it the guy was laying it down.
 
Jason, don't just rely on the ad... get out into the community and use your contacts. Friends, family other businesses in the area, former colleagues, church groups, networking groups, local charities, etc., etc... Get known for what you do, people will hire you if they like you, give more people the opportunity to know you, like you and see your work - this will help reduce the 'I went with the other guy because he was cheaper' instances.

Seriously though, do not put your heart, soul and $$$$ into hoping that an ad alone will bring in business - it's all the other things tied in with it that will bring in the leads. The business is going to be 24/7 to get it rocking and rolling - positive from being forced into full time is that you can now dedicate your efforts to being your own boss!!

Good luck
 
Steven Button said:
Jason, don't just rely on the ad... get out into the community and use your contacts. Friends, family other businesses in the area, former colleagues, church groups, networking groups, local charities, etc., etc... Get known for what you do, people will hire you if they like you, give more people the opportunity to know you, like you and see your work - this will help reduce the 'I went with the other guy because he was cheaper' instances.

Seriously though, do not put your heart, soul and $$$$ into hoping that an ad alone will bring in business - it's all the other things tied in with it that will bring in the leads. The business is going to be 24/7 to get it rocking and rolling - positive from being forced into full time is that you can now dedicate your efforts to being your own boss!!

Good luck
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Excellent advise Steve. Never put all your eggs into one basket.
 
Good advice Steven.

Making your presence known is really important. Some groups may or may not be membership driven. If they are, it is usually free to attend meet and greet events. Some groups, offer first year at no cost or will trade out for your services. Always ask.

Another great resource is a Barter Club/Network. Many times they have a plethora of advertising opportunities that promote to cash customers. Many allow a line of trade credit up to a certain amount, and are always looking for reliable contractors. Do not rely on it, but it is a source that can let you expand with trade services.

Ask all of your contacts if they "Are" or "Know of Anyone" involved in the following types of groups. I do my homework to find out which groups benefit people the most. This goes for any networking group.
 
GET OUT AND KNOCK ON DOORS! But look at this as an opportunity that has come your way. You are supposed to be done with that job precisely at this time. If you were not then it would not have happened. Get out and hustle. Knock on doors and do some free demos. Don't just sit around hoping that your phone will ring.

A similar situation happened to me but I just quit my job and gambled. For the first month I picked up a few jobs here and there and barely got by. Then I decided I am going to get up off my butt and knock on doors. Since then, I have been busy every year. Oh yeah, also post some ads on Craigslist as soon as you wake up in the morning. Craigslist does not bring the high dollar customers but some times you get lucky and pick up some good work to hold you over.

Good luck!
 
I agree with you completely Steve, I was just making reference to the timing of starting an ad campaign. It was a blessing we did it at the right time. As far as networking goes and getting out in the public that's all I do. My last job took about 60 hours of my week but they were evening and early morning hours so I spent my day time always looking for work and following up with property managers I've done work for in the past. Good News is now I have an additional 60 hours a week to do those types of things. I'm excited, and nervous at t he same time. Was hoping to make this transition a little bit more prepared.

Its amazing how things do work out sometimes. I went to publix to pick up some groceries since my last post and I ran into my roof customer. He asked how things were I explained I was doing pressure washing full time now and he said to stop on over he needs his house cleaned and drive way.
 
Was in this same boat 5 yrs ago. Ron invited me to an NCE event. Changed my life and the way we did business. Have been full time ever since. Will never go back to working for someone else. The best thing you can do is attend as many round tables as you can. Build a soild network of PW's in your area. It can be ground breaking during the upcoming busy season.
 
Steven Button said:
Jason, don't just rely on the ad... get out into the community and use your contacts. Friends, family other businesses in the area, former colleagues, church groups, networking groups, local charities, etc., etc... Get known for what you do, people will hire you if they like you, give more people the opportunity to know you, like you and see your work - this will help reduce the 'I went with the other guy because he was cheaper' instances.

Seriously though, do not put your heart, soul and $$$$ into hoping that an ad alone will bring in business - it's all the other things tied in with it that will bring in the leads. The business is going to be 24/7 to get it rocking and rolling - positive from being forced into full time is that you can now dedicate your efforts to being your own boss!!

Good luck
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Great advice
 
AZ PowerWash Pros said:
GET OUT AND KNOCK ON DOORS! But look at this as an opportunity that has come your way. You are supposed to be done with that job precisely at this time. If you were not then it would not have happened. Get out and hustle. Knock on doors and do some free demos. Don't just sit around hoping that your phone will ring.

A similar situation happened to me but I just quit my job and gambled. For the first month I picked up a few jobs here and there and barely got by. Then I decided I am going to get up off my butt and knock on doors. Since then, I have been busy every year. Oh yeah, also post some ads on Craigslist as soon as you wake up in the morning. Craigslist does not bring the high dollar customers but some times you get lucky and pick up some good work to hold you over.

Good luck!
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More great advice
 
Jason, give me a call sometime next week. You are not too far away and I get calls from your area a lot. In fact, I passed on a pool cage in Flagler beach last week as it's a bit far for me to travel for smaller jobs. But small jobs done well will lead to bigger jobs, and this prospect had a big house and long driveway that could be profitable future work. Also, try to get your website listed high on Google and perhaps use Google Ads (pay per click). I didn't see you on any Google page 1's on my search tonight. Lastly, should there be a Florida roundtable, perhaps in Tampa this year, go to it as it will provide a tremendous learning opportunity.
 
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