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I started a business and now I'm doubting it

minivanman

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Two business ideas that you can start quickly are painting and cleaning. @minivanman has in depth knowledge of cleaning for sure - because I was surprised he explained that residential cleaning can be much more lucrative than commercial cleaning. I thought it would be the opposite.

What I like about these two business ideas is they can fold in and compliment your existing power washing - AND they are a service that is already popular. Another added on service could be moving - but that would involve setting it up. I think the idea of moving AND cleaning the house when you're done could be a great combo deal. If setting up the moving part is too difficult at this point, you could partner with several movers. They could pay you a referral fee for finding the work - and it would be a good lead in for cleaning and power washing.

See how things are expanding? This is starting to look a little more like an empire in the making, and less like a time consuming job!

You're on the right track. I don't know your market at all, so this is as deep as I can go. Some places in my market HATE cleaning windows and doing lawn work, so those are two more things that you can consider. You'd be surprised at the simple things and how much in demand they are.

But the real expert in this is... where the hell is @minivanman anyway? It's almost 4 am here, so he might be sleeping. He's getting lazy. Some of us work 20 hours a day and floss with broken glass... (all together now - BOO YAH!)

Yeah, a day late and a dollar short as always. :) Actually the guy I used to open up my pocketbook to for racing had a lil racing accident so we had to get his car & trailer back to his house from 5 hours away. He should go home tomorrow from the hospital and be good as new by the middle of June.

Hopefully we can all help this poster but I'll read through the thread as soon as I can.
 
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minivanman

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I like that you bought the cheaper van and equipment with no loan. I'm just not a loan type of guy. Some people make them work but way more fail with loans. I don't see how a new truck/van will make you any more money than a used truck/van. I like the plan of buy a $2000 van, drive it a year, sell it for $1000 and buy another $2000 van. After the 1st year you only have $1000 tied up in the work truck/van. This way you never have to do any repairs except change the oil. No buying tires or anything. You can do this with multiple trucks/vans. By the way, I'm a van guy. I love vans!

So are you still washing windows along with pressure washing? I'm a huge fan of the window washing business although I'm not sure how popular it is in your country. How popular is it? If you are still washing windows, what is your plan with this part of the business?
 

biophase

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So if the poor equipment is making it take 8-10 hours, how much time would better equipment cut off? And how much is the better equipment?
 

momomaurice

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I like that you bought the cheaper van and equipment with no loan. I'm just not a loan type of guy. Some people make them work but way more fail with loans. I don't see how a new truck/van will make you any more money than a used truck/van. I like the plan of buy a $2000 van, drive it a year, sell it for $1000 and buy another $2000 van. After the 1st year you only have $1000 tied up in the work truck/van. This way you never have to do any repairs except change the oil. No buying tires or anything. You can do this with multiple trucks/vans. By the way, I'm a van guy. I love vans!

So are you still washing windows along with pressure washing? I'm a huge fan of the window washing business although I'm not sure how popular it is in your country. How popular is it? If you are still washing windows, what is your plan with this part of the business?

I am still doing both right now. Washing windows is OK here, a lot of people only get them done once a year I noticed. More people would like to do things themselves here if they can. I am on Facebook groups with people from the UK and have seen that lots of guys have window cleaning rounds, I have heard nothing like that where I am.
 
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momomaurice

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So if the poor equipment is making it take 8-10 hours, how much time would better equipment cut off? And how much is the better equipment?

If I had the correct equipment I reckon I could nearly half that time. Decent equipment would cost me another 2 to 3 thousand.
 

momomaurice

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@Kak doesn't see this as an insult lmao he's actually like that

Also... you make (on a high day in high season) $1500/week. $72k/yr is a job, man. A decent paying one, but still a job. How can you get more billable work? Figure that out.

You say you work Mon-Sat. How many hours of billable work do you do per month? If that number is low, and your time is filled with 'biz stuff', then you need to hire out the cheapest of that 'biz stuff' to work more billable hours. Then, once you've filled your time with billable hours + high-return 'biz stuff' (strategy, marketing, partnerships, etc), hire someone to take that billable hour load off of you. Use debt to do it if you have to.

Seasonality isn't that big of a problem if your margins are big enough. Low season is perfect for high value 'biz stuff' to help you prepare for high season. Go into next high season having taken over so much of the market share in your local area. The following high season, you should be in multiple local areas.

Building this business is going to take years, and for the next few months you're gonna be grinding it out. It'll never be 'fully automated' like your vision but it'll certainly get to the point where you can put in 10 hours a week of 'high value' work that pays dividends in later years.

And maybe you stumble along the way. Maybe you burn out. Maybe your competition is just so much better than you that they beat you on service quality alone. Maybe there isn't enough work for you out there. Maybe your margins can't support growth. Whatever happens, you've done more than most of the people reading this thread right now + you'll leave with the satisfaction that you really did do your best to make it work.

Maybe this business isn't fast lane enough. I am not sure how I will feel in winter if I have no work. I am not someone who can just sit around and do nothing. The technical hours I'd work right now including doing all the work and handing out flyers would be about 70 hours a week. Rest would be office stuff and doing courses or reading.
 

Andy Black

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minivanman

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So, what excites you? If I could snap my fingers and magically make it happen, what type of business would you own?
 

momomaurice

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Waking up for work this morning and I can't stop thinking that I created a job for myself and not a business. Is this a
So, what excites you? If I could snap my fingers and magically make it happen, what type of business would you own?

To be honest I am not sure what business I would own. I had a good think yesterday and no matter what business you own you are always going to have problems. I am going to continue with what I started and learn from it. Use this as a stepping stone to better things in the future.
If you could snap your fingers I would own Spotify Or Netflix ha...Monthly subscription businesses like that are a brilliant way to make money.
 

biophase

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If I had the correct equipment I reckon I could nearly half that time. Decent equipment would cost me another 2 to 3 thousand.

I would get a loan and purchase the new equipment and save half of your time. Your equipment will pay for itself in less than one week.

You may have different thoughts on this business if your labor time was cut in half.
 
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biophase

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Waking up for work this morning and I can't stop thinking that I created a job for myself and not a business.

If you could snap your fingers I would own Spotify Or Netflix ha...Monthly subscription businesses like that are a brilliant way to make money.

Do you actually think that you would work less hours if you owned Spotify or Netflix? Why do you think that? It's different work, but alot of work.

This just tells me that your mindset is wrong.
 

momomaurice

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I would get a loan and purchase the new equipment and save half of your time. Your equipment will pay for itself in less than one week.

You may have different thoughts on this business if your labor time was cut in half.

You're dead right and that's what I'm aiming for in the next few weeks
 

momomaurice

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Do you actually think that you would work less hours if you owned Spotify or Netflix? Why do you think that? It's different work, but alot of work.

This just tells me that your mindset is wrong.

Did you read all of my quote? I clearly said no matter what business you own you are going to have problems. He asked what business I could own and I gave an answer, it wasn't serious.
 
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biophase

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Did you read all of my quote? I clearly said no matter what business you own you are going to have problems. He asked what business I could own and I gave an answer, it wasn't serious.

Yes, I did. Just curious that you picked a subscription service over something else. I think it was because you think that they have tons of subscribers and automatic income coming in each month.
 

Andy Black

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So, what excites you? If I could snap my fingers and magically make it happen, what type of business would you own?
I was asked something similar a while back:

“If money was no object, what work would you be doing?”


Then:

“What’s stopping you?”
 

VirginiaR

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I started a business because I spent too much time thinking about starting a business and just said f*ck it I'll start a power washing business. 2 months in and some mornings I dread the thought of waking up and doing the work thats ahead of me for the day. I'm making more money that I ever made in my life but I'm finding it a struggle to keep going. I know having a passion for your business is bullshit but shouldn't there be some bit of interest in what you do? Shouldn't I be waking up in the morning feeling happy that I'm in business? Is this normal to feel like this? I feel a bit lost and would love some advice on the matter.

Hi Maurice , Nice and open post you posted. I can imagine how frustrating this feels. And you know, everybody is different and has different needs for seeking that fulfillment. You are really trying your best and I think experimenting with the Unscripted mindset and seeking your own path. I am a person, as I discovered over the years, that I DO HAVE TO do something I am passionate about. Otherwise I feel empty. And I felt empty many years not doing living up to my true self. I am earning triple what I did before I chose for doing what I was meant to do. Cause people notice the passion that you share for what you do, gives others more energy and believing more in what you do. I am not a millionaire. But working on being financially more established and for me its more about personal growth. I do believe that MJ has solutions to combine your passion with the unscripted mind set. I think overtime it will present itself to you, when you are trying out things and discovering more of yourself. Don't lose faith, you have so much to offer, and the willingness is there. Goodluck Maurice, I feel for what you are going through. And it's so personal.
 
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Kak

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So if the poor equipment is making it take 8-10 hours, how much time would better equipment cut off? And how much is the better equipment?

This is extremely true.. My neighbor has a high end pressure washer with the thing that looks like a push mower... I borrowed it once and did my big circle driveway in less than an hour.

Assuming you hire the labor at some point... The right equipment makes the labor cheaper... It's the best investment you can make. WAY cheaper than letting expensive labor blast away all day with shitty equipment and if you buy it right you can always get your money back out of it.
 

corphelp

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I started a business because I spent too much time thinking about starting a business and just said f*ck it I'll start a power washing business. 2 months in and some mornings I dread the thought of waking up and doing the work thats ahead of me for the day. I'm making more money that I ever made in my life but I'm finding it a struggle to keep going. I know having a passion for your business is bullshit but shouldn't there be some bit of interest in what you do? Shouldn't I be waking up in the morning feeling happy that I'm in business? Is this normal to feel like this? I feel a bit lost and would love some advice on the matter.
RESPONSE:
I agree Hire someone and consider building a business that you are willing to sell down the road. With just two months in now would not be the time consider selling your business. Good luck
 
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@momomaurice Is there any way you could offload some of the work to local subcontractors? Would that work in your area? even if its just a couple of days a week to start, having them free days for managing the business you'll begin to feel like your working "on the business" rather than "in the business" like a job.

Vet them for insurance, qualifications certifications , experience etc. Give them a trial day to start. Have more than one so if one lets you down you've got a backup crew ready to go. Give them more days once you know you can trust them to do a good job/ turn up on time, pay them on a piece rate per completed job, also pay them a bonus based on getting the jobs done on time and to a good standard/ use customer surveys at end of each job. Once you've got enough work to keep that crew busy for a few weeks, sub contract a new crew/ expand to other areas. Then if it makes business sense, look to switching the subys to employed crews.

In my experience subcontractors have a better attitude to work than employees do, take more pride in their work. You don't have the headaches of owning any vehicles/ equipment/ maintenance/ worrying about quiet periods- you let your subbys deal with that and just focus on getting enough work for them. If it was me i'd subcontract 100% of the labour and just focus on customer service, getting enough jobs for them and adding additional crews and expanding into new areas. maybe down the line as it grows have office employees for marketing & customer service/ operations.
 

momomaurice

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@momomaurice Is there any way you could offload some of the work to local subcontractors? Would that work in your area? even if its just a couple of days a week to start, having them free days for managing the business you'll begin to feel like your working "on the business" rather than "in the business" like a job.

Vet them for insurance, qualifications certifications , experience etc. Give them a trial day to start. Have more than one so if one lets you down you've got a backup crew ready to go. Give them more days once you know you can trust them to do a good job/ turn up on time, pay them on a piece rate per completed job, also pay them a bonus based on getting the jobs done on time and to a good standard/ use customer surveys at end of each job. Once you've got enough work to keep that crew busy for a few weeks, sub contract a new crew/ expand to other areas. Then if it makes business sense, look to switching the subys to employed crews.

In my experience subcontractors have a better attitude to work than employees do, take more pride in their work. You don't have the headaches of owning any vehicles/ equipment/ maintenance/ worrying about quiet periods- you let your subbys deal with that and just focus on getting enough work for them. If it was me i'd subcontract 100% of the labour and just focus on customer service, getting enough jobs for them and adding additional crews and expanding into new areas. maybe down the line as it grows have office employees for marketing & customer service/ operations.
@momomaurice Is there any way you could offload some of the work to local subcontractors? Would that work in your area? even if its just a couple of days a week to start, having them free days for managing the business you'll begin to feel like your working "on the business" rather than "in the business" like a job.

Vet them for insurance, qualifications certifications , experience etc. Give them a trial day to start. Have more than one so if one lets you down you've got a backup crew ready to go. Give them more days once you know you can trust them to do a good job/ turn up on time, pay them on a piece rate per completed job, also pay them a bonus based on getting the jobs done on time and to a good standard/ use customer surveys at end of each job. Once you've got enough work to keep that crew busy for a few weeks, sub contract a new crew/ expand to other areas. Then if it makes business sense, look to switching the subys to employed crews.

In my experience subcontractors have a better attitude to work than employees do, take more pride in their work. You don't have the headaches of owning any vehicles/ equipment/ maintenance/ worrying about quiet periods- you let your subbys deal with that and just focus on getting enough work for them. If it was me i'd subcontract 100% of the labour and just focus on customer service, getting enough jobs for them and adding additional crews and expanding into new areas. maybe down the line as it grows have office employees for marketing & customer service/ operations.

To be honest doing all that now, 2 months in to my business life scares the shit out of me
 
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Andy Black

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Would you be doing what you're doing now Andy?
Pretty much.

I'd probably spend more time helping local youngsters help local businesses with their marketing.

I'd spend less time on bespoke client work, and more on building a lead generation business in specific verticals. But this is a work-in-progress anyway, and I'm happy to chip away at it.

Reminds me of this thread: You can go slower than you think

(Not to be confused with this thread: "You can't break tackles at marathon pace")
 

ZCP

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subscription pressure washing? seems like businesses might go for it....... work on that part in your spare time....

buy equipment to save time ..... use that time to land more profitable work and setup the subscription model ....... learn and fail a lot ..... then pivot if needed.......
 

Real Deal Denver

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I would get a loan and purchase the new equipment and save half of your time. Your equipment will pay for itself in less than one week.

You may have different thoughts on this business if your labor time was cut in half.

GOLD GOLD GOLD!

Double your income working the same amount of hours.

SOLID FREAKING GOLD advice here!
 
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Anshu

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I think that it is a good idea for a business follow some rules.I had good feel about your suggestion.I think that start any business should be a positive thinking.
 

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I would be in your shoes i would step up my game (marketing, quality, prestation, etc..) to be seen as a Premium Services and not just the good old joe (no offence) who come to clean the fences
And by stepping up the game, i also mean billing more, it has to be worth your time.

You also must focus on client satisfaction, with this comes more client (referral) and at a certain point you'll have less flyers to post !

Think R.Estate Agent, going door to door, being on a sector for weeks, nobody knows you...but then when you makes sales and you've been doing a very good job, your become the men to call, it's your sector now.
The point is : Make yourself seen as the guy of the situation, who knows his craft and is willing to put the extra mile


Not having any interests in your business is something to be think about, imagine yourself cashing money with this business and ask yourself if that would fulfill yourself or not, if not you may have got your answer on what to do with this.

I personnally would have a bit of interest in my business if i start one, you'll pass a bunch of time there, think about it

Also, this kind of business are scalable as hell, look at success stories of entrepreneur who have successfully scale this business, they are doing good now.
 
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momomaurice

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I had a listen to Grant Cardone Sell or be sold when I was driving around today. It got to the part about commitment and how a lot of people start something and don't fully commit then they start something else thinking that the grass is greener. He said commit 100% to anything and see what happens, only great things can happen. That's the way I was thinking the last few days and after hearing GC say that I said I'm going all in on my business now. 100% commitment.
 
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Real Deal Denver

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I had a listen to Grant Cardone Sell or be sold when I was driving around today. It got to the part about commitment and how a lot of people start something and don't fully commit then they start something else thinking that the grass is greener. He said commit 100% to anything and see what happens, only great things can happen. That's the way I was thinking the last few days and after hearing GC say that I said I'm going all in on my business now. 100% commitment.

Wow. You just made MY day!

It's so refreshing to see a champion get up, dust himself off a little, and go forward, come hell or high water (I don't know where that saying came from, but it has a nice ring to it!).

It's all mental. Congrats on opening up your mind and harnessing your potential! That's what defines a winner!
 
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