Jumping in with both feet?

[syzer]

I have some issues that will be appearing soon at my work place. They are changing some things around that will be totally screwing me in more ways then one. They have already done and put some things on me I don't like, but I like the job and have good supervisors so never really fuss much. This newest change I cant deal with and should be in effect (if it does go in effect) maybe in March.
My question to you guys is this, I as all of you have many bills, mortgage, loans, and some little odds and end I of course have to pay. If they make this change I was planning on telling them I will be giving my two weeks and calling it quits. My bro and I have just started our business last year, and though I didn't expect it we have picked up 5 accounts.
Now I know this would be a gamble but should I go through with my plans and give them my two weeks when they make me aware of the change? Is this something that I could make work? I have no idea how fast I will be able to pick up jobs in the spring, but I dint think it will be very difficult.
I just don't want to jump ship and drown. What would you guys do?

Thanks for the advice,

Chris

[Runner]

How long have you been with this company? Does it provide medical? What kind of changes are you talking about? If you have a good steady income, and you're just starting your business out, stay with it the job until you know you're well established enough to break off. You also have to be realistically well disciplined at budgeting and saving for the winter months AND taxes at that time.

[SodFather]

I myself faced this problem a few years back and the way I made it work was to do both. Get the business started up and when you have enough accounts then jump ship at your job. One question to ask is how many accounts do you need to pay the bills?? Another BIG question is if the business fails and you left your job how will the bills get paid. I know how you feel but try and stick the other job out until you get everything up and running and then you can tell your boss goodbye. Good Luck.

[awm]

Runner made some excellent points.
Can you make it . Yes if you got it in ya.
Only you know that.YOULL BE ALRIGHT

[Island Lawn]

I got out from under a satan/boss last year
Genuine bad person
I took a lot of hot pitchforks to the ass before I walked out.
FEAR!
Looking back, I should have done it sooner!
Better late than never.
Freedom!

Sounds like you got desire too...

[moonarrow]

Syzer, I know how you feel,I had a similar incident happen, and could not stand staying there any longer. I went out bought the equipement, gave a two week notice, and bailed out. The first year was a little tough but did get the bills payed, not much left to play with though. the second year my company more than doubled. And this year it is still growing considerably. The main thing for me is that I have been much happier since I bailed the other job. Good luck on your decision

[syzer]

I have been with the company since October 98, make decent pay. I drive to and from work with my bro and this is where I get screwed up. I was taken off the street for dispatch and he is still on the street. The street guys are going to be 4 10 hours days with a 5 day weekend every third week. I think cool, I can do the same sched and since I make the schedule up I can synch the weekends off and we can still ride together.
However there is one boss who doesn't like the idea of me having off every other weekend for 5 days since I alternate schedules with only one other dispatch. I have a legit gripe, and I believe the project manager and other sup are with me though they wont oppose the other sup. I snuck a peek at this sched he is trying so hard to justify today and he has me one week at 5 9 hour days and the next at 4 7 hour days and one 9. Then I hear that we will be going on salary forcing me to work 82 hours every two weeks and not even getting the two hours paid OT. This is total bs among other things they have me slaving over that I shouldn't. My biggest concern would be budgeting for the winter. I'm not to sure what I should do. Thanks for all the advice, I know it will be tough in the beginning should I choose this path. I just want to know how possible it is to make it.

Chris

[moonarrow]

get as many of your customers to pay you on a twelve month pay schedule even if they don't want winter service, just divide the eight mth payment total, by twelve and tell then this will make it easier on them. It is a growing business, one factory rep told me they weren't concentrating on residential mowers as much as they used to because more and more people are paying us guys to do the mowing for them. there is a lot of work out there to be had all you have to do is find, it is very likely you could be successful and make more money than you have been making depending on YOU. Good Luck my opinion is go for it

[Runner]

If you don't mind me asking, what do you do? Is it union?

[syzer]

No union, I work for baltimore gas and electric...actually vsi who was just bought out by exalon. A whole lot of things are changing. I make decent money and my job isnt all that hard stressful though =(.

[awm]

Things changing up an down the line.
hit me two yrs ago.

[TJLC]

"Don't sit upon the shoreline and say your satified, choose to chance the rapids and dare to dance the tide"

[powerreel]

Are these 5 accounts $1500 a month or are they $150 residentials?

[George777]

Kris, My partner and I got laid off last week from a factory job. We launched our business Feb 1st, we only have one account to date but each day we have been pounding the pavement. I've had people tell us "this is the most expensive bid I've ever seen". The fact of the matter is that my partner and I have developed a bull dog attitude. we don't hear the word no. If they so no, we say next and boggie on down the road and find more potential customers.I can tell you this much I have learned a lot of what not to do. This site has helped me more than you can imagine. I believe in my partner and he believes in me. Together as one team we shall overcome.

I'm tired of going from job to job and each time you start out at the bottom and must prove yourself worthy of a .25 cent pay raise.

We both have families and bills and house payments and shall we keep the faith we shall prevail.
Kris, I believe if you want it it is there for you.the only advise I could give one starting this business is not to quit.
God Bless.
George

[Vibe Ray]

Hey Syzer! Read my signature.....

[Turfclippings]

You can do it. Its still early. Start advertising in a weekly newspaper, very cheap, get a nice flyer made up. You cant be afraid to do more than mowing, right now. If you trim shrubs, remulch flower beds, and general spring cleanups. Build your mowing schedule up, then u can do what ya want to. By the end off the year, youll see theirs all kind of outdoor work to be done. I was PT since 94 to 97. I to jumped ship, and its the best thing i have done, still occasionally struggle here there, winter work, i found a gig delivering phone books this month making $100+ a day, and i am getting in shape for spring. So go for it!!!

[MIDSOUTH]

I was fed up with my job and decided to do this, I got twenty accounts and said the heck with a job and quit the machine shop, my family thought I was nuts, my friends said I was stupid. I have between 65 and 70 accounts now and it is a year later, I now own a f-250 4x4 crewcab powerstroke (something I have always wanted) I could of never dreamed of having a 40,000.00 truck working in a machine shop. If you put your mind to it you can do it, trust me I did. I have not found anything more profitable and so easy. $270 - $400 a day is easily obtainable by a one man show.

[Green Finger]

Syzer, man you can do it.

Get your flyers printed now. (about 2000) Start passing them out now! Or go to a local news paper put an ad in the paper. Do it now! Advertise like crazy.

Build up your clientele.

Check the past threads about health insurance.(Get rates) When the money starts to roll in. Budget and save your money for the winter months.

You can do this. But
Plan
Plan
Plan.
Write the vision and make it plane

[syzer]

Thanks allot for your confidence guys. Last night I figured out bills for myself and my bro deducted about 10% for taxes and made the best attempt to see what we would need to cover the bills. It looks like roughly about 30 accounts averaging about 35$ a job which I don't think is going to be that hard to get beings that we already have 5. That is not counting the winter months though, but also not counting fert, aeration, fall clean up and spring clean up. Also I think I can do some things with my old man who is into buying and selling houses in the winter. Or maybe the extra $$ from the clean ups and aeration will be enough to pay the bills in the winter? We will see i need to do a little more research. Thanks again for all the back up guys =) you have me ready to quit now heh. I have to be careful though.



Chris
Precision Landscaping.

[Eric Green]

Syzer, I know its a difficult decision to make but you can do it!!! this is the best support system around. Even when family and friends doubt you, the guys here at lawnsite understand where your coming from and believe me they can tell you how to get to the next level as well!!! Do like I did, study these threads,plan, say your prayers and go for it!!! Always be on the look out for a chance to talk to potential customers,Keep flyers and business cards handy. Even in the cold months build those relationships! If you can conceive it you can acheive it!!!!!


Eric

[syzer]

I love you guys =)



Chris
precision landscaping

[Green Finger]

I don't drink, but you are not going to have my bud lite.

[Scape Sculptor]

Syser, Don't sit back and wait too long... Get those flyers out there and start to advertise in your local weekly papers. NOW!!! Get 2000-3000 flyers out right away and keep putting them out periodically all season. You will get enough work. If you have to, hold onto your job until the beginning of April. You will have plenty of work lined up by then or shortly there after. Good luck