If you're not working for your self

[bobbykerr]

Re: If you're not working for your self

Gents ,

I am very lucky to run my own service business , running the whole of a Ricoh based MIF in South East if any body is interested in a little self employed work or starting up on their own please pm me - as we are potentially expanding our base in the next three months - lots of travelling I'm afraid but potential financial benefits if you are prepared to work hard

[atwageman]

Re: If you're not working for your self

Screw it. After watching Napolean Dynamite, I've decided to reinvent myself. I'm gonna sell Tuperware door to door.

[sagar4]

Re: If you're not working for your self

First off I'll apologize, this really belong in the Rants and Raves, because that is what i am about to do.

Dave I feel your pain, but I think what your suggesting is just plain "BAD AVICE" for most average Techs.

I have been in this business since 1979. For nine of those years I ran my own successful Dealership. I was forced to sell it due to divorce, and I have been working for the company that purchased it now for over 17 years. I still occasionally have one of those what if thoughts but I shake that shit out of my head real quick.

If your a tech thinking of taking Dave's advice, fantasizing about handing in the keys to the service vehicle and cell phone, and venturing out on your own! Let me give you a picture of reality.

Even if you are "The Best Tech in the World" it doesn't necessarily mean the you are capable of handling an entire business. You got to be "The Best Tech in the World" because somebody else invested the time and money to make you that way. Think back on all the mistakes you made ( scratched drums, blown boards ect..) none of that came out of your pocket. Some Business Owner or Company shouldered all the cost of getting you where you are today.

Now here is what starting your own office equipment business usually looks like ( from my experience ).

1. Take every penny you have, savings, retirement fund, kids college fund, spare change from the sofa cushions, everything and invest that in business start up.

2. Secure credit! That means putting everything you have home, car, fist born everything up for collateral .

3. Make sure your Spouse has a good paying job and is prepared to pay ALL the household bills for the next 3 years.

4. Prepare to start from scratch! All those customers that you have been servicing for years. They are still going to continue with the Company you left NOT YOU!

5. Every penny you make for the first 3 years will go right back into the business!

6. If you make it past the first 3 years ( if you don't see lines 1 & 2 everything is gone), you may now have a positive cash flow and start paying off your debts.

7. At this point you will have to deal with Payroll, asset management, employees, expanding insurance cost, you may need a larger commercial building.

8. If your Spouse is still with you they are complaining about: the amount of time you spend the office, lack of vacations, your not spending time with the kids, your new secretary is too cute. ( The list is too long to handle)

9. Five years have gone by, things are looking brighter but! The tech you hired 2 years ago and invested thousands of dollars in, although he is a very good tech, has developed an attitude. he believes the business can't survive without him, he is worth more money than you can afford to pay him, you are getting rich off of his blood and sweat.

10. You remember fondly the simpler days when all you had to do every day was fix machines, a steady pay check, regular vacations, and dinner every night with the wife . Ahh the good old days of simply being a great technician.


Which end of the stick is the shortest?

I have to say it is not easy starting up an tech business. I began my journey 3 years ago and you have your up's and down's. But I never lost money from the get go. And now I have a partner that just bought 50% stake in my company and we were able to hire our first tech. First year lots of bumps now in our 3rd year and what a big difference I see. We have plenty of signed contracts. We mainly do Toshiba, Xerox, HP, and Sharp. So is it worth it I say yes.

[copymutt]

Re: If you're not working for your self

Very interesting thread. I made the jump 30 years ago. Never looked back. Made very good money, but never got vacations. Now its time to pass it on. Any one interested can PM me for a discussion.

Copymutt

[allan]

Re: If you're not working for your self

Try using a bicycle to do calls, I @#$%ed up the company Audi A4. The joke was on me for a couple of days.

[didi2005]

Re: If you're not working for your self

Anyone can share out where can i get cheap used machines?