Welder
New Contributor
Hey there, I came across the forum a week or so ago while researching business management and decided that now was as good a time as any to join up. Bought TMF ebook a few days ago and have been reading it when I get time before going to sleep.
I'm 23 years old, originally from northern Michigan, but have spent the past two years on Long Island, NY. I've been a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force for five years (three active duty, two NYS Air National Guard full time), and am currently overseas. Bounced around the states a good amount, with most of those 3 years active duty in Texas and South Dakota.
When I get back to the states, I'm going back to Texas for about four months for more (free) training in welding and machining, and when I get back I'm planning to start my own mobile welding business with myself as the sole operator until I am so swamped with business that I need to bring another man into the mix in order to expand. I'm armed with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology, soon to be another in Metals Technology (both free, courtesy of the USAF), an American Welding Society Structural Welding certification, and a determination to be self reliant.
I've got about 40,000 start up capital due to good financial decision making, and after investing in the required equipment and truck modifications (already own my truck outright), I'll still have a good safety net for my lifestyle. Also planning to continue working full time with the Guard as I grow my business and customer base in the evenings and on weekends, in order to maintain my income as I transition.
A good number of uncles of mine owned their own service businesses in the trades, such as carpentry and metal fabrication, and I've picked their brains on the finer points of that style business. However, I'd really like to hear more about service businesses from owners here on the forum, if there are many. I'm very eager to learn as much as I can about small business management, from taxes to advertising, and everything in between.
Thanks for your time, and I hope I haven't written too much for an introduction. Figured I'd get it all out there.
I'm 23 years old, originally from northern Michigan, but have spent the past two years on Long Island, NY. I've been a mechanic in the U.S. Air Force for five years (three active duty, two NYS Air National Guard full time), and am currently overseas. Bounced around the states a good amount, with most of those 3 years active duty in Texas and South Dakota.
When I get back to the states, I'm going back to Texas for about four months for more (free) training in welding and machining, and when I get back I'm planning to start my own mobile welding business with myself as the sole operator until I am so swamped with business that I need to bring another man into the mix in order to expand. I'm armed with an Associate of Applied Science degree in Aerospace Ground Equipment Technology, soon to be another in Metals Technology (both free, courtesy of the USAF), an American Welding Society Structural Welding certification, and a determination to be self reliant.
I've got about 40,000 start up capital due to good financial decision making, and after investing in the required equipment and truck modifications (already own my truck outright), I'll still have a good safety net for my lifestyle. Also planning to continue working full time with the Guard as I grow my business and customer base in the evenings and on weekends, in order to maintain my income as I transition.
A good number of uncles of mine owned their own service businesses in the trades, such as carpentry and metal fabrication, and I've picked their brains on the finer points of that style business. However, I'd really like to hear more about service businesses from owners here on the forum, if there are many. I'm very eager to learn as much as I can about small business management, from taxes to advertising, and everything in between.
Thanks for your time, and I hope I haven't written too much for an introduction. Figured I'd get it all out there.
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