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Gravy's Hustle Thread: $100k/mo or Bust!

Antifragile

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Looking at your attitude and action it is so easy to predict what will happen to you over the next 10 year. Brother, you have it in the bag. You are an inspiration to all. Keep grinding!
 
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GravyBoat

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One thing that holds people back is seeing this and thinking "I make nearly that much with my job, and it's easier."

But, what you are doing here is scalable and can expand into a CENTS business.

Very cool video!
This is a valid point. Which is why I said in the video “a salary is JUST enough to make you sell your dreams of working for yourself”

Let’s be real here, what I did in the video was hard a$$ work. It took balls. It was NOT easy even for me, and there were times during the day where I didn’t know if I was going to make the 5 houses.

But the universe saw my action taking and rewarded me with success that day.

It took me quitting my job and going all in to one day have a business that semi runs itself and makes me good money. That’s what it took for ME.

If someone is making $500 profit per day at their job, then by all means, keep the job... IF you can use it to funnel $, buy employees, and work on a side business that will hopefully turn more than $500/day soon.
 

GravyBoat

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@GravyBoat
Looking at your attitude and action it is so easy to predict what will happen to you over the next 10 year. Brother, you have it in the bag. You are an inspiration to all. Keep grinding!
Thank you for the kind words. Hard for me to think that far into the future but I’m sure it will be bright. Just Godda want it bad enough.
 
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This is a valid point. Which is why I said in the video “a salary is JUST enough to make you sell your dreams of working for yourself”

Let’s be real here, what I did in the video was hard a$$ work. It took balls. It was NOT easy even for me, and there were times during the day where I didn’t know if I was going to make the 5 houses.

But the universe saw my action taking and rewarded me with success that day.

It took me quitting my job and going all in to one day have a business that semi runs itself and makes me good money. That’s what it took for ME.

If someone is making $500 profit per day at their job, then by all means, keep the job... IF you can use it to funnel $, buy employees, and work on a side business that will hopefully turn more than $500/day soon.
I said that, but I admit that very few people make that much at their job, because that's $130,000 after taxes.

When you look at it that way, and consider you are cleaning gutters, it's obvious that your way produces way more value than just becoming a worker (because $130,000 post tax will require a job with a lot of slowlane credentials, compared to gutter cleaning).

Just think what that $130,000 worker could make in their own business!!

You rock man!! Love the video.
 
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Kid

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You want your online presence to come across as professional and someone who knows what they are doing - would suggest having a look at some of the previous videos on your Youtube acct and cleaning up the junk:

I would be 50/50 on this.

Look when someone says "look make $500 a day" it makes people wary.
Keeping some videos raw and uncut makes Gravy more credible.
And thats more valuable than spending $100 for editor that will polish
videos and make it look like corporate ads.

my 2c.
 

GravyBoat

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Just think what that $130,000 worker could make in their own business!!
Two more points:

With your own business, you can work when you please. If you want to take a month vacation, you can at the drop of a hat. Provided you've created enough income to afford those activities.

Also, when you build a business, you build an asset that can be SOLD. You cannot sell a job. There's no asset.

If you make $130k/year in a business, you can sell that business anywhere from 1-3x multiple (for service businesses) if done correctly. Just in case you wanted to cash out.
 

DavidL41

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in your opinion do you see value expanding your business to offer similar services?

For example, house cleaning(dedicate staff for this), gutter cleaning, deck and fence pressure washing and staining, car cleaning and car vacuuming, edging small lawns. You could throw a pressure washer, lawn edger, fence stain, shop vacuum, into the back of a van/truck/minivan and pitch clients these services too. Ideally, using the same employees to do these services where you can hire more people as it grows. Do you see potential in this approach? If not what is the approach?
 

Cpatton88

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The main reason for this thread is because I'm sick of hearing excuses from people.

There is literally NO excuse not to do this and make $ TODAY. No virus, no shutdown, no nothing.

These times will pass. I'm seeing a reoccuring theme between action fakers / complainers. It doesn't matter what day it is, or what's going on in the world. There will always be an excuse not to take action.

What the f*ck else better do you have to do? Watch more YouTube? Read more business books? Listen to more podcasts?

Do you really thing you're just one video/book/podcast away from success?

Here's a tip: Cut the bullshit. Lock your business books away in a cupboard. Block YouTube and Instagram. Block your podcasts. Block any other dopamine hits that let your brain THINK you're taking action, when you really aren't.

Go start a home services business exactly like I did. Fall FLAT on your face. Fail. Learn. Fail. Learn. Do it again until you make money. Then repeat. And repeat again.

Then scale. Then build systems.

The beauty of what I'm doing is that it doesn't matter your background. It doesn't matter if you went to school. It doesn't matter if you've failed in business for the past 10 years. It doesn't matter if you've action faked your way to your current situation.

You can pick this shit up TODAY and make money TODAY. The first job you get pays for ALL of your startup costs.

You can float your AdSpend on Yelp for a month straight, 2 months if you know how to game the system. I did this. Made a bunch of money and didn't pay a dime till later.

There are just no more excuses. Every time I hear an excuse or complaint in other threads, I'm just going to start roasting.

I want people to skip YEARS of hardship, self doubt, udder failure, action faking, etc. I wanna see people quit their shitty jobs. I want to see that spark that hits when you FINALLY make something work. Do something that's PROVEN to succeed quickly, just to get some success under your belt. This will allow you TIME and MONEY to pursue another business, or scale this business if you so choose. Either way, the choice is yours.
I know this is over a year old but would you mind helping me with the floating AdSpend on Yelp thing you were talking about?
I just printed some flyers this morning to put out tomorrow. I desperately want to get started in the window cleaning & gutter cleaning business.

I am about to start watching your YouTube videos right now also.
 

GravyBoat

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I know this is over a year old but would you mind helping me with the floating AdSpend on Yelp thing you were talking about?
I just printed some flyers this morning to put out tomorrow. I desperately want to get started in the window cleaning & gutter cleaning business.

I am about to start watching your YouTube videos right now also.
Hit me up on IG brotha. I can help you out. I respond there ASAP.
 

GravyBoat

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in your opinion do you see value expanding your business to offer similar services?

For example, house cleaning(dedicate staff for this), gutter cleaning, deck and fence pressure washing and staining, car cleaning and car vacuuming, edging small lawns. You could throw a pressure washer, lawn edger, fence stain, shop vacuum, into the back of a van/truck/minivan and pitch clients these services too. Ideally, using the same employees to do these services where you can hire more people as it grows. Do you see potential in this approach? If not what is the approach?
This is entirely possible. Though I’m working on something much bigger. Will post up once it’s done.
I’ve been big on the “show, don’t tell” principal recently after being burned and having friends burned from talking about what they’re “going” to do. By burned I mean the thing never happens, or gets shut down.

I’m a firm believer in this principal and it’s something I need to work on. I am very extroverted, and I think through problems by discussing with others. I am erasing the words “going to” from my vocabulary and only discussing things that have already been done, as to not jinx myself.
 

GravyBoat

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I’m sorry to report that my executive assistant of 2.5 years has passed away yesterday :(

He was out for a week, then died in the hospital last night.

I am deeply saddened by this personally, and it has and will put a large strain on the business (my time and energy).

I am hiring another right hand man as we speak. Doing interviews.

The poor guy was only 28 with a wife and young kid.

I created a go fund me for the wife and kid, which I am going to match (double) proceeds towards, to keep paying his salary to her.

This has been quite the business lesson as well. I am strained because of his entire work load, and will now need to hire and train for the next few months.

If you feel compelled to donate, here’s the go fund me.

This guy touched a lot of Fastlaners lives in many ways.

Really appreciate everyone who has already donated, and any that still do. It’s going to a really good cause.

I will report back once I’ve hired another assistant.

Best of luck to everyone.

David

 
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EmotionEngine

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Just found this thread today. Read through most of it. Incredible. Sorry for the loss and +1 like for your challenge video.
 

GravyBoat

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Just found this thread today. Read through most of it. Incredible. Sorry for the loss and +1 like for your challenge video.
It’s funny it doesn’t seem very incredible to myself but I know the feeling reading other threads on here and just thinking… wow.

All perspective. You can do anything you set your mind to.
 
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GravyBoat

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I have semi recovered from the loss in the business recently, and ended up splitting the job into two jobs. Two new people are hired and working. One is better at some things, the other is better at others.

The first person has legit corporate experience with executive assistance, so it’s cool to get a fresh take on some things.

We are expanding as usual. Trying out San Francisco market. Seems to be good thus far.

As far as providing value, I’m coming to a loss as to what else I can say about this business.

One thing I will say that I’ve been drilled on recently is the Fastlane Commandment of Control. If you don’t have control in your biz, the universe will remind you over and over until you fix it, sometimes with very costly mistakes.

MJ was not joking when he made those commandments. Anyone reading this that doesn’t know what I’m talking about, save yourself LOTS of headache and make sure your biz adheres to them.

My new businesses will be built with those things in mind FIRST.

Oh I also hired a financial advisor that I’m meeting with once a week… he is very by the book, so I get checked on stuff I forget. I recommend learning your personality type, and hiring people (or consultants), or becoming friends with people who fill your pitfalls. (IE I suck at finances, so I pay someone that’s good to play that role, etc)

More to come. Stay tuned. Big shit on the horizon.
 

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How's business gravy? Killing it? Good thread, deserves bump
 
Last edited:

MJ DeMarco

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How's business gravy? Killing it? Good thread, deserves bump

Safe to say he's dealing with some life-changing personal issues, the type that makes "business" seem entirely irrelevant.
 
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Zane

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What's up Fastlaners!


I haven't posted on here in quite some time.


I joined the forum in late 2013, before reading MJ's book. I found the Fastlane Forum through a forum called Luxury 4 Play (about cars). Someone had posted a link in the "business" section. I always asked myself, 'how do people afford these crazy cars?!' So I decided to delve down the rabbit hole and find out.


In 2014, I attended the Capitalism and Bacon meetup in Houston, Texas. There, I was introduced to the world of entrepreneurship. We had a blast over the long weekend, and made some life long friends to boot.


I lived in Idaho/Washington for the vast majority of my life. From 2014-2017, I started several online businesses, all of which failed in one way or another. Either I didn't put in enough effort, or the products weren't viable. I learned alot about myself during this time, and don't regret "action faking," since it taught me many invaluable lessons. I also found myself growing stagnant, and comfortable during this time. I partied alot, f*cked around, had an IT job making around 60k/year (age 18-22).


One day, in late 2017, I found myself laying in my girlfriend's bed, Netflix blaring in the background. I was blankly staring at my phone. I wondered how I had gotten to my current position. I wondered what else there was in store for me. I would equate this to my "f*ck this event," only it was a long time coming. I packed up my few belongings into my 87 Honda CRX, called my boss and told him I was quitting on the spot, and decided to move to Southern California.


Thankfully, one of my friends from the 2014 meetup was in a similar position. We ended up getting a house in San Diego, which we deemed the "Entrepreneur Hustle House." Since, we have had 2 other Fastlaners live with us, and countless others come to visit.


I had absolutely no money when I first moved here. We're talking maybe 3 grand saved up. I should have had alot more, but I was still in sidewalk mindset at the time. I started a drop shipping business, which ended up making a few k/mo, and sustaining me for a while. This didn't last, and before I knew it, I had maxed out several credit cards trying to keep this business, as well as others, afloat, alongside paying my rent.


I tried running an ad agency for other businesses as well, but realized it was inauthentic to myself. This floated me for a few more months, but came to a screeching halt one day when I realized I didn't even have enough money to pay rent.


This was possibly the lowest point in my life that I had experienced. I had crushing anxiety, defeating depression, and was overall underachieving in every aspect. I knew I could do much better, which is the reason why I felt so terrible.


The year before, I had met a guy in LA who owns a window cleaning business. I remember posting about it here long ago, he was actually trying to sell it. I asked him if he would let me work for him for a few days (another time where I didn’t know if I was going to be able to pay rent.) Thankfully, he let me, and in doing so, taught me the ropes of what he does. I soaked up information, asked lots of questions, and tried to gain clarity on the situation.


Last year, I decided to bite the bullet, swallow my pride, and start an offline service business, just like he had.



I set up a Yelp page, made my Google listing. Printed out thousands of door hangers and flyers. Spent my last few bucks on a squeegee, mop, and bucket, and began hitting the doors. I had a fire lit under my a$$, and nothing to lose, so I went as hard as I could, every day, until I started getting jobs.


Due to the low startup costs, and low barrier to entry, and insane work ethic driven by necessity, I was profitable within about 48 hours of deciding to start this business. I haven’t let up the gas since. By the end of 2019, I had grown the business to over 20k/mo revenue, around 80% margins. My only expenses were marketing, and a little gas to get to the jobs. I threw two ladders inside my sedan, used a hose, bucket, mop, and squeegee to perform home services for customers.


I realized in order for this business to scale past 20k/mo, I need systems in place. I have since hired a full time secretary to deal with all day to day, and help me create systems. I implemented a CRM, accounting software, and automated lots of daily tasks. I also became legit, finally got insurance, and a business license (LOL). I have also hired another employee to work in the field.


I have done alot of “soul searching” in the past few years. I took alot of time for myself, and really dug deep. What kind of person do I want to be? If I could do anything in the world money aside, what would I be doing? What is AUTHENTIC to my character, and what are things I really love doing?


I realized my gifts are along the lines of helping others. I genuinely want to push other people along to achieve their goals and dreams (especially when it relates to my personal story). My long term goals include blowing up my “entrepreneur hustle house” concept, only this time, I will own the houses, and rent them to young people who didn’t go to college, as a sort of “incubator tank” for businesses. I want to push young guys especially, just like myself, because I’ve seen the power of it.


My current goals, in line with my larger goals are:

Scale the offline home service business

Create YouTube videos helping others do the same thing I have done

Network with those people

Get them to move in together

Invest in their businesses (once I have more capital)


I want to create an ecosystem for myself in the future. So I am taking steps to get there today.


I will use this thread as a place to hold myself accountable, but mainly for a place to be able to look back and see my story over the next few years. I miss posting on the Fastlane Forum. It was a huge part of my childhood, and has led me to meeting some really cool people. I owe it to other readers and members to document my journey.


I hope other people can relate to countless business failures, action fakes, and losing lots of $ in the process to find something that actually works for them.


Comments/questions/concerns welcome.


David
@GravyBoat I appreciate your post. Major congrats on diving into a business that makes sense to you and that resonates with your inner-being.

Your goal to create an incubator spot-on and one that I've considered, too. Being involved in a community that focuses on a single purpose is powerful.

I can relate to your story in the sense that I've had several action fakes and business failures. While I'm in finance now and work 9-5, my ultimate aim is to provide a service and/or product of value and transition out of said environment.

Well done, GravyBoat! Looking forward to hearing more about your progress in life and in business. Cheers.
 

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