Looking to get started and figured I'd introduce myself. My name is Matt, and I live in Tecumseh Michigan.
Last year my third Box Store powerwasher took a dump. I put it on CL and thought nothing of it after my massive pull of $80.
Last fall somebody asked to borrow it....and it dawned on me that I needed another one, so I started looking at commercial units and researching...then I found this forum and a few others.
Then it dawned on me....there isn't a single insured PW business anywhere in my area, just a bunch of people on CL operating out of their truck with consumer level equipment and chemicals. Nobody with a website, nobody advertising and nobody with insurance. I sat on that thought until last month, then started endless hours of research on chemicals, equipment, insurance, business practices, etc. I currently own a business repairing anti-lock brake modules for Volvos and a few other makes, so I'm familiar with SEO, Google AdWords, the business side and dealing with people/problems.
I've also worked with the mentally ill, sociopaths and manipulative types for 17 years. That being said, I have a knack for dealing with people of all kinds.
My one and only current worker is extremely bright, loaded with common sense and loves to work. He's also leaving for college in September and was asking for more hours.....that's when I decided we as a team were going to make this happen, but only with loads of cautious and well thought out planning. We've sat and had a few brainstorming sessions recently and put together a list of every person we know well. With all of our contacts between the two of us we're almost connected to every single person and opportunity around. Realtors, business owners, landlords, HOA presidents...you name it. As a bonus, both of us are well liked...at least we like to think so!
Here's the plan.....baby steps to start. The plan for the first year is strictly residential and light commercial.
1. Establish business name, LLc and start on the website. I've done this stuff before and one of my good friends is a corporate attorney and takes care of that.
2. Purchase Equipment/Trailer with a starting budget of $6k all in.. Just to start I'm going with a 4kpsi/4gpm belt drive unit, enclosed trailer, buffer tank, hose reels, surface cleaner and a slew of stuff to go with it. I probably have over 20 hours of time just into researching this stuff.
3. Practice...We have about 10 houses of relatives lined up and a couple of commercial buildings. Some vinyl, some brick. Some flatwork thrown in. I've been researching techniques every day...I didn't realize how ignorant I was in the past, I'm lucky I never destroyed anything.
4. Advertising and launch website. Business cards, AdWords fired up and door flyers. I'm not going to cover the world with the door flyers to start, just one part of town at a time and see how it goes. I'm cozy with a lot of local businesses, so I can put cards all over. Gotta pound the pavement too and put ourselves out there.
I told my guy tonight...We aren't as smart as we think we are, we're going to make mistakes and we're going to learn a lot. As much as we think we've covered it all, we haven't even come close, but we're going to make this happen, make a good name and make some money.
And...I forgot to add this. I have three kids, 14, 7 and 4. When I was younger I always had jobs where I was treated well and taught to do the best you can...essentially have some pride in your work. I don't want my kids working at some menial job when the time comes, so this is for them also.
Last year my third Box Store powerwasher took a dump. I put it on CL and thought nothing of it after my massive pull of $80.
Last fall somebody asked to borrow it....and it dawned on me that I needed another one, so I started looking at commercial units and researching...then I found this forum and a few others.
Then it dawned on me....there isn't a single insured PW business anywhere in my area, just a bunch of people on CL operating out of their truck with consumer level equipment and chemicals. Nobody with a website, nobody advertising and nobody with insurance. I sat on that thought until last month, then started endless hours of research on chemicals, equipment, insurance, business practices, etc. I currently own a business repairing anti-lock brake modules for Volvos and a few other makes, so I'm familiar with SEO, Google AdWords, the business side and dealing with people/problems.
I've also worked with the mentally ill, sociopaths and manipulative types for 17 years. That being said, I have a knack for dealing with people of all kinds.
My one and only current worker is extremely bright, loaded with common sense and loves to work. He's also leaving for college in September and was asking for more hours.....that's when I decided we as a team were going to make this happen, but only with loads of cautious and well thought out planning. We've sat and had a few brainstorming sessions recently and put together a list of every person we know well. With all of our contacts between the two of us we're almost connected to every single person and opportunity around. Realtors, business owners, landlords, HOA presidents...you name it. As a bonus, both of us are well liked...at least we like to think so!
Here's the plan.....baby steps to start. The plan for the first year is strictly residential and light commercial.
1. Establish business name, LLc and start on the website. I've done this stuff before and one of my good friends is a corporate attorney and takes care of that.
2. Purchase Equipment/Trailer with a starting budget of $6k all in.. Just to start I'm going with a 4kpsi/4gpm belt drive unit, enclosed trailer, buffer tank, hose reels, surface cleaner and a slew of stuff to go with it. I probably have over 20 hours of time just into researching this stuff.
3. Practice...We have about 10 houses of relatives lined up and a couple of commercial buildings. Some vinyl, some brick. Some flatwork thrown in. I've been researching techniques every day...I didn't realize how ignorant I was in the past, I'm lucky I never destroyed anything.
4. Advertising and launch website. Business cards, AdWords fired up and door flyers. I'm not going to cover the world with the door flyers to start, just one part of town at a time and see how it goes. I'm cozy with a lot of local businesses, so I can put cards all over. Gotta pound the pavement too and put ourselves out there.
I told my guy tonight...We aren't as smart as we think we are, we're going to make mistakes and we're going to learn a lot. As much as we think we've covered it all, we haven't even come close, but we're going to make this happen, make a good name and make some money.
And...I forgot to add this. I have three kids, 14, 7 and 4. When I was younger I always had jobs where I was treated well and taught to do the best you can...essentially have some pride in your work. I don't want my kids working at some menial job when the time comes, so this is for them also.
