Does anyone have a business built at least in part on a subcontractor network? I was thinking of developing storefront routes for individuals that would work them based on a percentage. They would bill under their name, then pay me a percentage. The scheduling would be shared on the computer for both them and me to see.
Henry
I’ve subcontracted my commercial routes for 30 plus years. The relationship I have with my subs is a bit different than what you described because most of them I train myself and get them started in the industry. I keep my customers dealing with my company and pay the sub on percentage to go out and represent my company.
Your concept is interesting also. In effect, you’re selling your customers on a perpetual royalty, I think?
This question reminds me of that funny video everyone was talking about a few months ago. The one where the guy claims to have a subcontracting empire and pulls a roll of dollar bills out of his pocket.
Happy to see this isn’t a crazy idea. Actually I am doing the same thing with a friend but in reverse. I am doing his route. Keeping track of it on a shared Google Spread Sheet. Billing the customers myself. They pay me. Then I pay him 20 percent of the monthly total at the end of the month. He gets to see everything I am doing all the time. And we can share notes on the spread sheet also. The customers have both our phone numbers and can contact either of us with any questions.
I have about 150 of my own jobs. Too much to handle myself. And I am disabled also so my earnings (adjusted gross income) is limited. Was thinking of subbing out my extra stuff. Training subbers as I go. Then continue building extra routes in different parts of the state. If it got big enough I would just maintain the routes for my subbers. I call the system ESP (Expandable Subcontracting Platform). The real key to making this system work is trust. The spreadsheet makes it much easier.
Henry
