So I climbed up on the ladder, cut ALMOST through the post and then should have reset the ladder to finish the job.  But it would have taken several minutes to clear out the junk below so I just leaned out and BANG!  The grinder stuck in the cut, kicked back and fell to the floor.  It wasn’t till I looked down that I saw my blood was spurting out 6” or so from my right hand every time my heart beat!  Whoa- this wasn’t just a band aid cut!

Of course I was alone- where’s my wallet, cell phone, car keys?  (Ever tried to dial a new smartphone one handed as you drive through the city to the emergency room?) And by the way, how come my right thumb doesn’t work anymore?  3 hours later, I learned I’d sliced though my extensor tendons and was scheduled for surgery the next day.  And I didn’t really care since I was wafting along on morphine and Percocet!

———–

The following day as Sioux drives us to my surgery I see my old competitor’s van out working.  It made me reflect:  What would I have done if I was still on the truck and with -no notice- could not run a wand for at least six weeks?  What about you?  Do you have a personal “Disaster Plan”?

Remember, it just takes one stupid and mindless decision.  (You’ve seen a fine example of this in my above anecdote!)  Or it can just be “a simple twist of fate”! (To channel Bob Dylan!)  Like a whacked out teenager that T-bones your cleaning van at 60 mph?  Or less dramatically you sprain or break your ankle tripping over your vacuum hoses!  It happens.  Seriously, right now- reflect on what you would do IF …

If you don’t like your options then puhleeease GET MOVING!  Do it today!  For example …

1. Do you have a liquid “Emergency Fund”.  Most experts say you need six months of living expenses.  If that isn’t attainable do you have at least 3 months?  One month?  Anything? Living hand-to-mouth is never a wise life style.  But a self-employed solo entrepreneur without savings is living in a very dangerous spot!
2. Have you developed a mutual network of “Strategic Partners”?  These can be reliable and honest competitors (is there such a thing?) that will handle your work while you are laid up and give you a percentage.  Or it can be some friends you have pre-trained to handle some of your jobs.  Anything to keep some cash flow coming in AND even more importantly preserving your client relationships while you are off work.
3. Take care of yourself.  Maintain a clean work area, slow down,  lift correctly, eat right and work out.  And above all else- move that ladder and handle your grinder with a cutting disk correctly!  Trust me on this one!

More ideas for the “Lone Wolf” owner-operator?  Just download my free Special Report.

Steve Toburen

PS:  Even if you have a “backup plan”, are you sure your fallback people have your same appreciation for your customers and the relationship you have so carefully crafted over the years …?  I helped Jon-Don produce a DVD that is both entertaining and very instructive. It can get your “emergency reserves” up to speed quick on The Science of Value Added Service.  Right now it has a super discount.

Hi Steve,

I was messing around with my son’s skate board today (yes, I know it was stupid so no lectures please!) and I wiped out REALLY bad. My knee is totally destroyed for three months and I’ll never use a knee kicker again.  And if my ankle ever works the same again I’ll be surprised.  I have over 100 stitches in me.  Now the problem is what do I do as a one man, solo operator?  I did have a guy that helped me as casual labor but he got a full time job last month.  I have 20 empty apartments and at least 10 of the related hallways plus a few other things scheduled just this week!  What am I going to do?  My head hurts from this seemingly unsolvable problem much worse than my leg does!

Wounded and Hurting in Oklahoma

I’m so sorry to hear about your problem, Wounded/Hurting. We take so much for granted, don’t we? Including our good health!

My guess your big problem right now, Wounded, is not cash flow. (I ASSUME you have an emergency fund of six months living expenses stashed away as ALL of us should have!)  Rather your big problem is satisfying all your regular, long term customers so they don’t “drift away” while you recuperate! Do you have a “friendly competitor” who can take your truck out when he isn’t busy and run your jobs without stabbing you in the back?

Pay him a big percentage, maybe even 60 to 75% of the job total, just to keep you square with your clients. Remember you’re not trying to make money on this. (Even though it wouldn’t hurt!)

It would be good to have a “letter of understanding” between you and whoever you choose spelling out what each side’s responsibilities are.

My very best wishes and let us know how you are doing,

Steve

P.S. This situation does point up one big reason to grow your business. At least once a day I would say, “That’s it. I’m firing all the techs and going back alone on the truck!” It’s a tempting scenario … until you seriously think about the different disasters that can happen to you that will seriously threaten your entire income, including skateboard wrecks! (And I used to do some serious single track on my mountain bike in Canyonlands National Park near Moab, Utah.  Those were the days!)

However, one warning, Wounded.  As you evaluate the advantages of hiring employees versus “staying small” there is one business model you absolutely must avoid- I call it the “Road In-Between“.