Guidance sought on possible career move

Bro put your balls on the table and start taking loans out for equipment.
Sounds like you got more skills then most guys who run tree services.

Start with a brand new one ton. Maybe $700-$800/mo. Worth every penny to haul you and your gear around. Decal it up, make it look like you are the man. In the beginning scope the people and businesses that might be able to help you...not the other way around. Ideally the least investment on your part is the best. Maybe you find a landscape service that dabbles in trees, but does not have the desire/skills to chase all those jobs. I get a fair amount of work from those type. They may even be able to clean up after your jobs before you start buying the rest of the equipment.

Get your own insurance, should cost round $2k. That's huge if you can sell yourself to others who don't need a full time guy and/or you can just work for yourself.

Sell folks on you just working in the trees. I get plenty of work where the customers just want the trees on the ground. Wish they were all like that and I never had to clean anything up.

Just dream, think positive and start networking/putting yourself out there. Some thing will happen, probably great.
 
Gotta tell you, having been in a similar(well not really) situation recently, the only thing keeping me from pulling the plug and going out on my own was the time commitment. My 7 year old will not suffer because I invest 75% of my waking hours into building a biz. Other than that, I don't know anybody around here who would run things the way I would do it. I was willing to compromise on some things in exchange for spending the majority of time with my son! That was my deciding factor. Not money, not the market, not the equipment, kinda employees.
 
There's a lot of good advice in this thread. Again I am glad I started TreeBuzz 16 years ago. This kind of sharing and giving is priceless.

I will add one thing....look at your skills- your strongest traits and use them. Not everyone should run their own business. You could be far more successful adding something of importance to a good company where you could invest your self in their future and have them repay you by taking care of you in return throughout the rest of your career.
 
Mark Chisholm said:
There's a lot of good advice in this thread. Again I am glad I started TreeBuzz 16 years ago. This kind of sharing and giving is priceless.

I will add one thing....look at your skills- your strongest traits and use them. Not everyone should run their own business. You could be far more successful adding something of importance to a good company where you could invest your self in their future and have them repay you by taking care of you in return throughout the rest of your career.
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And when you find that place within driving distance of Virginia Beach save me a seat!
 
Yea, don't blame me if you decide to start your own thing and get a bit stressed from time to time.
But...if you your wife can support you. Man, being your own boss has it's perks.

I probably could double my income if I actually worked as much for myself as I I did if I had a real job, lol. Yet, I make way more then a full time job owning my own business. The fact is, I spend a lot of time with my family. I get to take when ever I want off and travel. If a kid is sick or my wife is traveling for work, I can help out so much more then if I was working for someone else. Ohhhh the best part is all the toys I get to buy and play with at "work"
 
I want to thank you all again for the advise. I have been checking out the ISA certified arborist list and the MAC website to get a better feel for what is out there. My findings are that where I am going is wide open. There are not many people out that way with certifications. I think what I may do is hire on with a company until I get some roots put down in my new home. After that, if I am not satisfied, I'll start doing some networking and research to see if there is a market for me to work with and then try to ease into working for myself. In another life I owned my own small construction business, so I am somewhat familiar with the benefits and pitfalls of working for yourself. I honestly not eager to do it again, but if that is what I have to do to earn a living then I will. But you all have given me a lot to think about and I think I am ready to start working the problem. If you guys have any further advice please shout it out. I am always eager to learn how everyone else does things. I would also like to echo Mark's comment about TreeBuzz . . . I don't post much but I am on here lurking around and trying to take in as much as I can. TreeBuzz is a large part of why I have made it as far in my career as I have and I hope that it is a big part of taking me all the way through to the end. I thank you all for making this place what it is.
 
CutHighnLetFly said:
Keep looking man. Dont waste your time with wanted adds. Ive met more people (to include myself) that have found themselves at excellent companies because they emailed their resume/credentials to top companies. Some companies don't like posting help wanted adds cause you get the same old riff raff, the guys that have worked at every company in the local zip codes. They might not be looking for help, but quality, qualified, experienced, and certified help is few and far between, some places won't turn down an opportunity to take on a good guy.

Best of luck with your transition. Don't settle for an unsafe/unexceptible work place.
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I would second that. Pick your companies, send an inquiry. A decent company will make a place for a good worker.

Tony
 
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