Hey Steve,
I’ve only been in business for two years and feel like I’m at a cross-roads. Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Up till now I have been an owner-operator with occasional part time help. But now I’m looking at a possible expansion over the next year. Hopefully hiring a full time helper first, and see where that goes. If it works out, I’ll train him to take the truck out as a technician and hire him another helper. Then I’ll buy an overflow truck and I can make up the difference on heavy days until I feel I have enough work to hire another team.
Things are looking quite promising for me if this past year was any indication of my future success. If anyone told me I’d be this far along in my business two years ago, I would have never believed them. Now I have to focus on keeping up with the flow and not making too many mistakes or poor decisions along the way. This is exciting stuff!
Excited in Phoenix
Dear Excited,
I’m excited too! One of the great parts of my job is vicariously coming along on your ride to success. As you’re finding out, this can be a great industry, IF you do it right! So congratulations on trying to see the pot-holes in the road BEFORE you hit them! So, what to do … There are many “business roads” for us to choose in the cleaning industry.
Right now you are at a big “Y” in the road. Should you build a business based on employees … or stay small as an owner-operator? Yes or no? The correct answer? It all depends! Simply put, Excited, you can choose the “big company/lots of employees road” and make more money, enjoy more security and potentially build a great organization that will sell for big bucks to fund your retirement.
Of course, building a business should be about more than just piling up tons of money. And yes, the big company route can be extremely gratifying emotionally. It is a true joy to build a team of quality people that will help you find success as you also help them achieve their dreams. OR you can choose the “small owner-operator road” and enjoy the freedom and lack of worries that not having employees gives you. Many carpet cleaners rank a worry free, low stress lifestyle far above achieving a huge net worth. And this “less is more” lifestyle approach can’t be faulted.
Here’s the problem, Excited. All too often carpet cleaners wind up on the dangerous and frustrating “road in between”. The “road in between” is where you hire employees (with all the potential problems and dangers that they present) but continue to run your business in the carefree (some might say careless!) manner of an owner operator. This is a difficult and potentially financially devastating place to be. This dangerous state of affairs is known as being “too big but too small.” How to avoid it? You guess it- download my free Special Report called “Avoiding the Road In-Between” at here.
Steve
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