You prolly got the idea already from all the other posts, but I just wanna second that starting a business is really hard. There’s just so much more to it than meets the eye if you’ve never done it before. Looking at some people’s stories on the forum it seems a few were fairly successful pretty quickly, but for most it took several years of perseverance. Just be ready for that and be prepared for some really discouraging times. If you know to expect that, it can help you push through it when it happens. Best of luck.
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Hey man , nobody on here is trying to squash your dream. It’s just really difficult the first year. My first year was terrable , then my second year was better . Not until my 3rd year it’s where I felt more stability. Everyone is just telling you from experience to take a slower . Have you cleaned any windows yet ? Have you gone out to canvas for some storefronts and residential window cleaning jobs ? If not, do so tomorrow or in your next vacation . How many months do you have in saving ? 6 months is recommended. Have you made cuts in your household expenses ? Maybe you do , and that’s great ! You just want to make sure you have a solid foundation before you start , if not you will not last long .
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January 2016: $110
January 2017: $1,800
January 2018: $5,900
We left good paying jobs in Massachusetts when we moved to Florida. I can’t say we’re “killing it” but it’s been till the third year where our stride is really picking up. We’re booked the next two weeks but it’s taken a while to get there.
Enthusiasm is great, optimism is great but so is being realistic. If it’s what you want to do, just understand it takes time to get going when starting a business. Chin up, man.
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Another aspect to consider is this:
The money that you DO make in the first few years will be going back into your business.
Uniforms, equipment, dang rubber etc…
Marketing. Website. Upgrades to website. Printing. blah blah freakin blah.
Its all about creating the machine. That machine is hungry and it eats money at first before it starts pooping it out.
And she gets constipated too. Sometimes it gets the hershey squirts on good days, but even on those days gotta give it plenty of gatoraid…wait, what was I talking about…
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Y’all scared him away with reality.
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haha
Not trying to scare him but we all wish we were in his shoes! I wish I was. Shoot I’d take his job RIGHT NOW and be up his boss’s butt right out the gate trying to get that raise!
Now that I know about running a business I can bet I’d make his life a little bit easier for sure. Thats gotta be worth something.
I can’t remember what it was like to have a rock solid amount coming your way on time every time.
However…I really don’t know if I’m up to it. I’m not used to a regular job and time away from my boy…alright maybe I wouldn’t do it. But I think he’s making a terrible mistake given the amount of stress he’s about to get from not only himself, but all you who are married KNOW what’s up. You don’t bring home some cabbage, all her stress and worry sets the tone for the mood in the house, and get’s heaped up on to our shoulders, as it should be…but after a while, it really helps to take that backpack full of rocks off for a bit…
3 kids man. I only got ONE kid and I’m a stress case. Maybe all of us can relate…it sure does sound like a bubble popping thread response, although I know it wasn’t meant to come off like that.
I really hope he’s going to prove us wrong and just knock it out the park and we all look like a bunch of jay cats who don’t know what we’re talking about. That would give me some real inspiration right there.
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It’s harder than it looks is the expression that comes to my mind regarding the situation.
@thorSG1 I always love reading your posts because they are so colorful! (and straightforward)
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I don’t want him to be scared away either. I only brought out the “comic relief” cause he hasn’t replied.
I’m rooting for him! I don’t make 75k but I do make good coin, union and all the whistles with it BUT the guy says he’s unhappy and that means the most IMO.
He may kill it right away and he may not. He may have to work part time to keep income coming in the beginning. Who knows. I too have most people around me telling me to stay put. 2 kids, fiance and blah blah.
But he does need to realize he is going to get realistic responses. Being able to handle both positive and negative comments are key to any business owner. It’s nothing compared to dealing with some customers so this is great training 
It is definitely a tough choice. At least he has sat down and made plans.
I too hope he does well. And hopefully he will be happier than where he is now.
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No certainly I am not scared away. My old man could come back from the dead and tell me not to do something I still go with what I believe it… I wasn’t frustrated with people telling me how hard it was going to be… I broke my back to get where I am now, I worked my way up from a laborer in a scrapyard making 12hr to a Manufacturing Supervisor of Union Steelworkers within just a couple of years, no college at all, just being a leader, taking chances, selling myself, working hard and being ambitious, BUT I wasn’t expecting people to tell me to stay at my job, However you guys did open my eyes to the value of my current job… I sort of forgot how fortunate I am to have a steady income of 75K a year & a 10% Bonus at 27 years old… I just always feel like I MUST be a business owner or I am a failure… Idk why, my father owned 5 tattoo shops I was supposed to be his heir, but he passed away when I was only 15 and my stepmother got everything… Ever since then I feel like I MUST have some business to give to my kids or I failed them… But I guess I still have some time to make that happen… Anyway, New approach to this… My job isn’t that bad, I just fell love with the idea of running my own show so I started to hate work I guess… She had mentioned if I quit to do windows full time I am going to be out 80hrs a week just to stay afloat and what kind of freedom is that? I will become a slave to hustling and windows… Anyway I am a 2nd shift Production Supervisor I work 40hrs Mon - Friday… I work 2pm-10pm… So I am going to focus on Residential Monday, Tuesday, & Fridays 9am - 12pm… ( So like 1 house)… and then Saturday 9am - 6pm… So 2 houses or so… At that rate if I do 3 or 4 houses a week, I can make 500+ a week on top of my 75K I hit the 100K mark easy, and save up to open my other business… I am also focusing on Opening an Italian Brunch/Deli shop specializing in Jersey Breakfasts & Italian Lunches… I would like to have that be my Morning Hours of Business 6am - 3pm (Have wife Close up & and manage the joint while I do some Resi Appointments) and then head to my salary job… I should be rolling by then… I appreciate everyone advising not to give up good money like that… Its pretty sweet at times, all Upper management is gone by 3pm, I don’t have to answer to anybody after that Im the top dog from 3pm-10pm… I don’t have to do anything but manage production and browse the web at work lol… I am going to be starting my Window Part time adventure in 15 days… ( Waiting on Vinyl for the SUV, and my insurance policy starts on April 15th)
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I wouldn’t even want to quit MY day job for this yet, and I’ve only got a wife, 1 kid, and $12,000/year expenses.
You’ve got way too much stuff going on, man. You need to stop with the ADHD and focus on one thing. Now you want to open a sandwich shop, too? You will not succeed in any of your ventures unless you take them one at a time, pouring your effort and attention into each one, individually.
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Lol… I am focusing on one thing… But I plan for many… I’m not making any moves on the Deli at the moment because I don’t have the finances… Although I’m looking for a smallish non dine in Deli I still need 35-40Kish in the bank to start it up, I’m sitting at about 10K… So I’m not even think about it right now… When I get those numbers ( Next Feb Is my goal) I will start to make moves… After the Deli is rolling I am going to have a Tattoo Shop in the PM Hours… Im constantly thinking, planning, and preparing for the future… I want to have multiple streams of income… Deli AM income, Tattoo Shop PM income, windows appointment Resi Income, and my 40hr Salary… All have timelines and point at which I focus on them… Windows I enjoy doing, low start up cost, and great residual income… It is going to take me to get to where I need to get for the deli, so on so forth… All my efforts are on Windows right now, but that doesn’t mean I cant plan down the road… This is how I was brought up…My old man owned 5 tattoo shops, a Skate park, an Italian Deli, and a GO GO bar, and did plumbing on the side…
Since I was quick to reply to your first post, I want to be quick here as well. I’m glad you took a moment to get perspective before jumping in head first.
Keep in mind, our jobs/businesses do not define us. They provide what is needed for our families as well as future needs. That is the primary purpose of working. Other components can be added - personal enjoyment, fulfillment and satisfaction. But our primary role as husbands/wives and parents is to provide four our family. It sounds as if you are doing that and quite well.
If you need a side hustle to get the other components, you wouldn’t be the first. Go for it. Just don’t lose sight of the primary focus of your life at this time.
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Serial Entrepreneur. I’m there with you.
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What I’d do for this guys motivation lol
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Spending time with your kids is invaluable. I have had to work multiple jobs concurrently for many years and had to work out of town many times, including two mobilizations while I was in the National Guard. The first was for less than 8 weeks but the second one was for almost 19 months, which caused me to miss my daughter’s high school graduation and I wasn’t there to help her or my son get started with their first semester of college.
Now I just want to have more time with my kids and my grandson.
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Well, because of all your sacrifice your children have an opportunity to do well for themselves… That’s a win in my book, I respect that.You made it all possible, and now you have an opportunity to watch the fruit of your labors … I never had any family since I was 15. Just my wife and I been together since we were teenagers, been on my own since 17… So I need to give everything I got into life to make my family successful, Sunday is no work day, old school Italian… 110% and Grind out 6 days a week and Family day on Sundays… I don’t do anything ever Monday - Saturday, no events, outings, parties, friends, etc… just focusing on and tackling goals all day and make $$$… I have 2 white boards in my house hanging up… Constantly updating… I want to teach my children drive, determination, and ambition
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Good luck on your journey Anthony.
Remember to always live in the moment with your family and friends.
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Is the glass dirty on these routes your talking about ? IOr are you just looking at stores , An saying these are going to be my routes ?
Just starting out with a family you should consider keeping that job an starting this on the weekends , or getting a part time job ,An doing this also.
I wish you lots of luck ,but this is not as easy as you think. You should really put a little more thought into this.
