Beckdolf
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Hi all,
here I am again with a progress thread. After trying different things in the past few years (shiny object syndrome), I finally learnt that the best thing for me is to go with what is already working. I am self-employed for many years already and worked for about two years also with an older businessman, doing the same thing: house and flat renovations, as well as smaller maintenance jobs.
I recently listened to an audiobook about scaling and selling a business: two things stuck with me: you need a service that is simple and scalable and processes that allow further growth.
The work I was/am doing is very broad and requires knowledge in plumbing, painting, basic electric work, tiling etc. basically all possible work around a house (including shed conversions, roof repair etc.). Very hard to find employees that can cover all this. So far, my employees were only doing specific things (like painting) and I had to do all the other things myself. Of course, scaling this business could not be done this way. Scaling also means, that my personal hands-on work can be done by someone else.
First step for me was to find a specific niche, that is not so broad any more. After checking successful jobs of the past and doing some simple research, I realized that my perfect positioning is already a part of what I am doing: preparing properties for sale and re-letting. Of course, this includes more than just painting, for example, but having a painter and a handyman (still have to hire one) they could do all the work themselves and whatever is lacking, I could train them.
So I branded my business under a business name and started to look out for this specific niche. Shortly after I met a lady that is doing house staging and who was thrilled to hear that I would move toward this niche. I already got 4 jobs just from her. Yeah, when you take steps, "luck" happens.
I am determined to get this business from just me (and a few young employees who help out with painting) to a business that is scalable and grows (while I work less than before).
I had this on my agenda for a couple of weeks already, but work kept me too busy. This is why I start this thread to keep myself responsible.
I just published a job ad looking for a handyman. Got a few applicants already. In this week, I will have a call with all of them to figure out who would be the best fit. I need someone experienced in a variety of handyman tasks and above all, someone with good manners and attitudes (inspired by the book "Hiring For Attitude" by Mark Murphy). Will try to keep you all updated at least once a week.
here I am again with a progress thread. After trying different things in the past few years (shiny object syndrome), I finally learnt that the best thing for me is to go with what is already working. I am self-employed for many years already and worked for about two years also with an older businessman, doing the same thing: house and flat renovations, as well as smaller maintenance jobs.
I recently listened to an audiobook about scaling and selling a business: two things stuck with me: you need a service that is simple and scalable and processes that allow further growth.
The work I was/am doing is very broad and requires knowledge in plumbing, painting, basic electric work, tiling etc. basically all possible work around a house (including shed conversions, roof repair etc.). Very hard to find employees that can cover all this. So far, my employees were only doing specific things (like painting) and I had to do all the other things myself. Of course, scaling this business could not be done this way. Scaling also means, that my personal hands-on work can be done by someone else.
First step for me was to find a specific niche, that is not so broad any more. After checking successful jobs of the past and doing some simple research, I realized that my perfect positioning is already a part of what I am doing: preparing properties for sale and re-letting. Of course, this includes more than just painting, for example, but having a painter and a handyman (still have to hire one) they could do all the work themselves and whatever is lacking, I could train them.
So I branded my business under a business name and started to look out for this specific niche. Shortly after I met a lady that is doing house staging and who was thrilled to hear that I would move toward this niche. I already got 4 jobs just from her. Yeah, when you take steps, "luck" happens.
I am determined to get this business from just me (and a few young employees who help out with painting) to a business that is scalable and grows (while I work less than before).
I had this on my agenda for a couple of weeks already, but work kept me too busy. This is why I start this thread to keep myself responsible.
I just published a job ad looking for a handyman. Got a few applicants already. In this week, I will have a call with all of them to figure out who would be the best fit. I need someone experienced in a variety of handyman tasks and above all, someone with good manners and attitudes (inspired by the book "Hiring For Attitude" by Mark Murphy). Will try to keep you all updated at least once a week.
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