[Question]: Building the Empire?

Ray, I appreciate the words. Sales is fairly easy for me in actuality.

What I've learned to do is find people who are GREAT at what they do, and they have been a big help in our business. What I did was absorb everything they knew, and if they ever left, I'd just teach it on down to the next guy.

(NOT THAT I WANT TO JUST USE PEOPLE, BUT I DO TAKE PRE-CAUTIONARY MEASURES, AND I TAKE GOOD CARE OF MY GUYS)

I learned a lot of my business saavy through working dead end retail jobs. I took systems from big box corporate jobs I worked and implemented the same thoughts and processes with my own twist to really get that idea down.

What I'd like to do now that I'm almost at the end of my first year is optimize any loose systems and really hone in on efficiency and implement more training hours for the techs! Like you said, they don't care about the work they do as you do!

But ultimately, I'd like to find a balance between Maintenance and Project based and really take a strong approach to replicate current success, implement new tactics, and scale it up!
 
As I've heard before...you're not a PW business who specializes in service...you've got to be a SERVICE company who specializes in PW!!!!!

Greater words have never been spoken on this thread.
 
As mentioned, I have been doing this for 6.5 years now on my own and seen many try to grow too and go under. One good year, and they hire and buy lots of equipment, only to not be able to pay for who they hired or the equipment the next year. You could be the exception don't get me wrong, but 9 times out of 10 guys that expand as fast as your are saying are not around 5 years later.

You need to look at expansion in terms of employee's and numbers.

First you hire labor's to help pressure wash, once you get so many of those and have constant work you look at the guys and see which ones you can mold into the above positions while still having them wash. One of the guys might be a leader or a sales guy, and if they know how you work and want things and can wash then it will help them with the next step. Aside from the accountant if you hire guys that don't understand what you do there will be many rocky roads ahead.

I couldn't have said it better myself Benjamin. After almost 10 years doing this I still have no desire to put a 2nd truck on the road or hire a bunch of people.
 
I couldn't have said it better myself Benjamin. After almost 10 years doing this I still have no desire to put a 2nd truck on the road or hire a bunch of people.
And I agree with you Vince. I don't want to sound to ignorant but all I want to work is 1300 hours a year. I figure if I can average 90 to 110 an hour I will be sitting semi fat come winter time.
 
Guys you know, I've put some thought into what you all are saying... And what you guys are saying is absolutely right.

I need to optimize what I have before I expand. And then I will have 2 or 3 REALLY GOOD crews as opposed to 7 or 8 SUCKY crews lol

UAMCC IS AWESOME.
 
I couldn't have said it better myself Benjamin. After almost 10 years doing this I still have no desire to put a 2nd truck on the road or hire a bunch of people.

Bigger is not necessarily better

I know a few guys who were doing big numbers who scaled back due to the headaches

A company i was a sub for was doing 9 mill then 5 mill and now 1.5 and the owner is relieved- far less headaches

Its all about manageability and Profitability
 
I think it also depends on what line of work you get into...

Whatever it is, like you say mike, it's about how manageable it is.. AND ULTIMATELY HOW PROFITABLE IT IS!

I think I've found my niche(s), which from there I only plan to scale up.
 
The four steps to a failed business....
1. Create and build
2. Manage
3. Excuses
4. Failure

Simply stick to number 1 and you cant go wrong.

Gunna (John)
 
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