Best and worst stage of your business

soutz · 10th May 2008, 11:16 PM

Hi guys, what have been the best and the worst times in your business. Those times when you cant believe how well its all going. Or the times that you wonder why you got out of bed that morning. Even more important I guess is the lessons you have learnt from those experiences. This is a chance to reflect and give your 2 cents worth.

Therrin · 10th May 2008, 11:51 PM

Well I'm right in the thick of it, so I'll give it a shot. (great thread topic by the way)

The best parts of my business have been: Giving a quote spot on, arranging for the job, doing the job, and coming out the other side with the profit I planned on.
Everytime I build my business further, expand my technique and my equipment, and get closer to my goals on the horizon, I'm moving forward.

The worst times have unfortunately been far more numerous, but as I'm within the "first 5 years that most small businesses don't make it past" well, I'm trying to temper all of my "worst times" into learning experiences which push me that much further forward.

Underquoting a job, having everything go wrong from workers showing up late, to equipment malfunctioning, h.o. being an ass, truck breaking down at the h.o.'s house, having to make repeat trips which shouldn't have been necessary, getting rushed and making bad decisions and absolutely losing my shirt on a job (all in the same job) definitely ranks up there at the top of "worst times".

It's difficult to get out of bed after stuff like that happens and tell yourself "my business will be okay, I'll pull through" and think that life's gonna be fine.

However it's also just about the time when I figure I should just go back to the local workforce and find some mundane job that tempers the resolve to push myself further.

I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't really love it. I'd be insane otherwise.

For me, seeing my goals being met, one at a time, and building and building to reaching bigger goals, are the best things.
When I obtain new gear, try new advertising, have work when other tree company's trucks are sitting in the yard, am able to buy bigger equipment, and have clients calling more and more regularly, I wouldn't trade what it took to get to this point for anything.

I think that giving a competitive quote, doing the job in 1/4th the time you thought it'd take, everything goes smoothly, ya get a tip, you can give your groundies a bonus, and get home with double what you thought you'd end up with..... then it's some of the best times.

Done it · 11th May 2008, 06:03 AM

My 2 cents worth, Therrin seems to have covered it pretty well, except it's 31years 2 months since I started. Gut busting days then, it's easy now with all the equipment, but sometimes?
I can handle the breakdowns, the crap repair jobs, I've had to do over again myself, [chipper work, they didn't tighten anvil bolts, smashed knives, anvil, etc] the door knockers, the bad days, the really hard days, BUT when you rely on someone and they don't turn up, THAT'S THE ONE thing that really gets me,

Tree Machine · 11th May 2008, 06:52 AM

Worst stage is the costs and time in upgrading, modifying or fabricating the gear that will make your work life easier and more profitable. You lose income (opportunity cost), pay out of pocket and set your schedule back during the upgrade.

Best stage, when your work life becomes easier and more profitable because you endured the costs and time to upgrade, modify or fabricate the gear you need to do what you do.

newguy18 · 11th May 2008, 08:05 AM

well right now it would be the best of times,I have 2 ongoing land clearing contracts,i'm the only tree guy 2 of the largest families in live will hire and i regurlary sub contract for a local handyman service.

Worst of times was when i first started and was lucky to do one job a month.

I also believe i owe my sucess and understanding of trees to the good lord and the fine members of treeworld who have taught me so much.That knowledge is priceless.

soutz · 11th May 2008, 01:07 PM

Thanks guys, certainly seems that treework the world over needs resolve and a tough skin, interested in the upgrade of gear being one of the worst but also one of the best.
Workers. thats all i have to say about that.

10th May 2008, 11:16 PM	#1 (permalink)
soutz Sappling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: new zealand Posts: 46	Best and worst stage of your business Hi guys, what have been the best and the worst times in your business. Those times when you cant believe how well its all going. Or the times that you wonder why you got out of bed that morning. Even more important I guess is the lessons you have learnt from those experiences. This is a chance to reflect and give your 2 cents worth.

10th May 2008, 11:51 PM	#2 (permalink)
Therrin The Tree World Bandit Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Lancaster, Ca Posts: 1,254	Re: Best and worst stage of your business Well I'm right in the thick of it, so I'll give it a shot. (great thread topic by the way) The best parts of my business have been: Giving a quote spot on, arranging for the job, doing the job, and coming out the other side with the profit I planned on. Everytime I build my business further, expand my technique and my equipment, and get closer to my goals on the horizon, I'm moving forward. The worst times have unfortunately been far more numerous, but as I'm within the "first 5 years that most small businesses don't make it past" well, I'm trying to temper all of my "worst times" into learning experiences which push me that much further forward. Underquoting a job, having everything go wrong from workers showing up late, to equipment malfunctioning, h.o. being an ass, truck breaking down at the h.o.'s house, having to make repeat trips which shouldn't have been necessary, getting rushed and making bad decisions and absolutely losing my shirt on a job (all in the same job) definitely ranks up there at the top of "worst times". It's difficult to get out of bed after stuff like that happens and tell yourself "my business will be okay, I'll pull through" and think that life's gonna be fine. However it's also just about the time when I figure I should just go back to the local workforce and find some mundane job that tempers the resolve to push myself further. I wouldn't be doing this if I didn't really love it. I'd be insane otherwise. For me, seeing my goals being met, one at a time, and building and building to reaching bigger goals, are the best things. When I obtain new gear, try new advertising, have work when other tree company's trucks are sitting in the yard, am able to buy bigger equipment, and have clients calling more and more regularly, I wouldn't trade what it took to get to this point for anything. I think that giving a competitive quote, doing the job in 1/4th the time you thought it'd take, everything goes smoothly, ya get a tip, you can give your groundies a bonus, and get home with double what you thought you'd end up with..... then it's some of the best times. __________________ Ken Fessia I.T.S.A. Tree Service (661) 916-4703

11th May 2008, 06:03 AM	#3 (permalink)
Done it Semi-mature vigorous tree Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Parramatta. nsw. Australia. Posts: 219	Re: Best and worst stage of your business My 2 cents worth, Therrin seems to have covered it pretty well, except it's 31years 2 months since I started. Gut busting days then, it's easy now with all the equipment, but sometimes? I can handle the breakdowns, the crap repair jobs, I've had to do over again myself, [chipper work, they didn't tighten anvil bolts, smashed knives, anvil, etc] the door knockers, the bad days, the really hard days, BUT when you rely on someone and they don't turn up, THAT'S THE ONE thing that really gets me,

11th May 2008, 08:05 AM	#5 (permalink)
newguy18 Part of the Furniture Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Live Oak Florida home of the crapiest trees you will ever see. Posts: 2,629	Re: Best and worst stage of your business well right now it would be the best of times,I have 2 ongoing land clearing contracts,i'm the only tree guy 2 of the largest families in live will hire and i regurlary sub contract for a local handyman service.Worst of times was when i first started and was lucky to do one job a month.I also believe i owe my sucess and understanding of trees to the good lord and the fine members of treeworld who have taught me so much.That knowledge is priceless. __________________ Have your say join us today. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzkd_m4ivmc http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xzfzb...eature=related http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-OqK...eature=related

11th May 2008, 01:07 PM	#6 (permalink)
soutz Sappling Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: new zealand Posts: 46	Re: Best and worst stage of your business Thanks guys, certainly seems that treework the world over needs resolve and a tough skin, interested in the upgrade of gear being one of the worst but also one of the best. Workers. thats all i have to say about that.

11th May 2008, 06:52 AM	#4 (permalink)
Tree Machine Over mature heritage tree Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Indianapolis Posts: 569	Worst stage is the costs and time in upgrading, modifying or fabricating the gear that will make your work life easier and more profitable. You lose income (opportunity cost), pay out of pocket and set your schedule back during the upgrade. Best stage, when your work life becomes easier and more profitable because you endured the costs and time to upgrade, modify or fabricate the gear you need to do what you do.

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