Question for all of the self employed guys

Jeremy9

Jeremy9

Location
Rochester, NY
I would like to know if your glad you made the move? Any regrets, or things you would do different? I'm thinking about making the move, and would appreciate any advice I get.
 
As a sub, having all the rigging goodies necessary for accomplishing very strategic removals safely, all locked away inside your tooltruck, preferrably a 4X4, increases your ability charge serious coin and be worth it. Atleast to tree companies lacking those skills and rigging goodies.

Good luck as an independent sub mate. Raised three fine children doin it.

jomoco
 
No regrets! Make a schedule and stick to it! If you are married and are used to a continuous income, think again. This trade can be very weather dependent, both adverse and fair depending on your market as I am sure you know. There are highs and lows in any self employment. Make a schedule and stick to it. Once you are self employed, you are in charge. In charge of getting work, getting paid,paying help, paying the Gov paying Ins,paying the bills, fixing the equip, maintaining the equip....... It is a win for many, but a struggle for more. Personally, I love it and hate it. My other half doesn't care much for it, but we live in a half million dollar home have two children and can go and do whatever whenever. Good luck!
 
Take a small business course. Write a business plan for the next 5 years. It's not easy but it will force you to really think about how you will grow and capture the market share you need to consider yourself successful. By that, I mean doing the kind of work that you love, make the kind of money you need/want to have the life that you hope for, that your working with the kind of clients that appreciate your talents. Like Ocean said, build it around your values and when the client is asking you to compromise them be willing and able to say no, walk away.

Make that business happen for you instead of to you.
 
"It is a win for many, but a struggle for more. Personally, I love it and hate it. My other half ....we live in a half million dollar home have two children and can go and do whatever whenever. Good luck!"

Took the words out of my mouth. Seen the struggle part, fo rsure--don't quit your day job until you weigh everything fairly. You might see the present gig is not all that bad.

5-year plans are good; even better if followed...
boidchick.gif
 
X3 on getting a plan together. Also think about setting up a book keeping
system, either an actual book keeper/accountant or a good software system
to do it yourself with.
It is easy to get behind on that stuff.

All in all I'm still loving the freedom and ability to control my company.
I am only 3 year in so not a huge force yet but slowly growing.

It has helped to be diversified for me. I do a forestry tree planting contract
every spring and have been driving a truck in the winter. That gives me
the capitol in the spring to be able to bid properly. My first year I was starving in the spring so I ended up bidding trees lower than I should have.
Good luck!
 
Remember that there is a delicate balance between physical work & office work/phone calls, etc...

Also, know the most empowering response: "No". Saying "yes" too much can bury you.
 
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Also, know the most empowering response: "No". Saying "yes" too much can bury you.

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This is some very smart advise! Been working full time and running my own gig for just over 12 years now. I have found myself absolutely burried in work twice in that time. All from not saying "NO".

I would say I would do it all over again if I had the chance though. BUT, you have to make sure that you can compete in your market without cutting your standards. Otherwise you wind up just being one of "those hacks". Good luck.
 
I've been self-employed since 1985 and have never regretted it. I've probably done it all wrong; started with 2 chainsaws and a pickup truck, no capital, no leads, just me and my brand new bride out there hustling for jobs. I've managed to build it into a profitable business with 4 employees, bucket truck, chip truck, chipper, mini, spider lift, etc. I have a nice house, 10 kids, currently have 3 kids in college at private schools, one just graduated, and four still at home. So I guess, in spite of all the mistakes, I consider myself successful. My best advice is to be true to yourself and your customers, do the right thing, always, even if it costs you money. And be careful out there. Cheers!
 
I've been working for a boss for 14 years. Years I needed to 'grow'. When my son turned one something triggered my urge to start my own busyness. So I could control my own future.
My son is 15 now and I have no regrets what so ever.
 
Thanks for all the response. I think for me the business side of things will be the most challenging part. I've seen a lot of good tree guys struggle with there business, while people who have know business doing tree work prosper. All I know is I've been doing this work for almost 20 years know and I'm not going anywhere, so it's time for a change, at least I have the whole winter to reseach and plan.
 
Get some good equipment(loader would be great) and have it paid for. Also take some sales classes if you aren't already skilled in that area.
 
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I've been self-employed since 1985 and have never regretted it. I've probably done it all wrong; started with 2 chainsaws and a pickup truck, no capital, no leads, just me and my brand new bride out there hustling for jobs. I've managed to build it into a profitable business with 4 employees, bucket truck, chip truck, chipper, mini, spider lift, etc. I have a nice house, 10 kids, currently have 3 kids in college at private schools, one just graduated, and four still at home. So I guess, in spite of all the mistakes, I consider myself successful. My best advice is to be true to yourself and your customers, do the right thing, always, even if it costs you money. And be careful out there. Cheers!

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Mr sir I have said it before but I must say it again you are someone I have to say I admire. Raising 10 kids and putting them through school is quite a feat. Kudos to you Sir. A child has a lot of needs from birth to 21 and to do thing consistently with 10 is an amazing feat. I am sure you must be a great dad. As a father myself I believe it is a very important role. Back to topic I have always loved working for myself, but I do struggle with paperwork. Get a good accountant if this is not your strongsuit.
 
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Read the book "The E-Myth" before making the leap. It can help you save tons of headaches.

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I agree this little book is a must for business owners.
 
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