Independent Service

[MAE]

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Independent Service

I'll leave the positives and negatives for others but I want to say this: Your success or failure will be all on how hard and smart you work. Forget 40 hour work weeks for at least the first year. How long should you work each week? For as long as it takes.

[MAE]

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Independent Service

Amen. You think I’m too old to give this a shot? I’m always second guessing myself. Do you work independently?

Too old? Hell no. Best of luck to you. You can do it.

Quick story. Many years back me and one of my best friends worked for the same copier company. Things changed at the company for the worst and we both quit about the same time. One day he calls me up and asks if I wanted to start a business with him. I had both sales (my dad was a car dealer) and technical experience. I knew that the way to grow a business was through sales, not service. Don't get me wrong. Service is of the utmost importance. It's just not the way to grow a new business.

Why am I talking about this?

If you don't know anything about sales you need to learn. Read at least one sales book a month. Practice everything and find a technique that works for you. Most importantly, you're gonna have to call on a lot of strangers to get business. Most of those will go nowhere. Don't give up....no matter what. You will improve over time.

I recommend starting with this book. This is my sales Bible: Your audiobook is waiting | Audible


PS - Yes, I'm an independent. I love it.


PSS - I told my friend that I didn't want to start a company with him (long story). We both started a company. He knew nothing about sales. He lasted less than a year.

[MAE]

Re: Independent Service

Ok. That will be my first book and first lesson. So learning how to sell does not just apply to hardware it also applies to service?

[BillyCarpenter]

Re: Independent Service

Ok. That will be my first book and first lesson. So learning how to sell does not just apply to hardware it also applies to service?

Hey, you have to sell a machine to get the service contract. Yes, you may manage to wrestle a few service contracts away from the competition but you're not gonna make it like that.

Most people hate sales. It makes them uncomfortable as hell and it's scary if you've never done it. If you have enough money you can hire a sales team, then maybe you can avoid learning sales. Maybe. But you really need to learn how to sell if you're planning on starting a new company. It's the most important thing you can do.

[slimslob]

Re: Independent Service

Even if at first you don't have equipment to sell, you still have to sell yourself as the person to be providing them service. Selling gets you customers but quality service keeps those customers.

A couple of other things to consider.

1. Do you have the initial capitalization to build an stock-age of parts and supplies? You will also within no more than a few months to be able to purchase a line of used entry level models that you are familiar with to sell.
2. Have you written your business plan?

[MAE]

Re: Independent Service

Billy

Are you independent as in service or sales or both?

[MAE]

Re: Independent Service

Slim

1) no
2) no

Billy and Slim

Here is my plan please tell me what you think.

I am currently employed in the industry full time. I also do side work on FN and WM. I only take printer calls. I am also trying to become a direct contractor with several companies. The plan is to become fully independent by means of being a contractor while at the same time looking for my own customers. My current financial situation is bleak. I have a lot of debt and bad credit. What I have done so far is registered as a LLC, got a business checking account, and a small business credit card with a 500 limit. I have been looking into Google ads a little but not too much yet. I have looked at suppliers like Metro Fuser and Precision Roller but I doubt they will give me a line of credit. I did notice that they require a vendors license so I have been looking into that as well. One of them needed a Dunn and Bradstreet number which I have acquired too.

[slimslob]

Re: Independent Service

Slim

1) no
2) no

Billy and Slim

Here is my plan please tell me what you think.

I am currently employed in the industry full time. I also do side work on FN and WM. I only take printer calls. I am also trying to become a direct contractor with several companies. The plan is to become fully independent by means of being a contractor while at the same time looking for my own customers. My current financial situation is bleak. I have a lot of debt and bad credit. What I have done so far is registered as a LLC, got a business checking account, and a small business credit card with a 500 limit. I have been looking into Google ads a little but not too much yet. I have looked at suppliers like Metro Fuser and Precision Roller but I doubt they will give me a line of credit. I did notice that they require a vendors license so I have been looking into that as well. One of them needed a Dunn and Bradstreet number which I have acquired too.

By vendor license do they mean a reseller number? Here in California you are required to have a reseller number on file with equipment, parts and supplies providers. Otherwise they will charge you California sales tax on every purchase.

[MAE]

Re: Independent Service

Yes. A reseller number.

Any suggestions on where or what to do now with my limited resources?

[slimslob]

Re: Independent Service

Word of mouth. Family, friends, neighbors, church members, etc.

[MAE]

Re: Independent Service

Do you work for yourself? If so, how long?

[slimslob]

Re: Independent Service

I have been retired since the spring of 2017.

[MAE]