Today I start with my best friend in a joint venture. Farming, ag repair, ag parts sales, hydraulic hose sales, welding (fab and repair), power sports repair and auto repair. In other words, a general repair shop. We figured with so many skills between the two of us, why not? Some of these things are seasonal, so we don't expect a high volume of them, but could provide a nice filler when things might otherwise be slow. Of course if we get a whole lot of one particular thing, then we may well have to dedicate more time to it and back off of the others.
One reason for doing so many things at once is because only one of them is a "niche". In other words our area already has pretty much all these services. We're hoping to catch people who know us (plenty) and are loyal to us (from other dealings) and get their word of mouth. Also, no doubt there are plenty who have had bad experiences from the other local service providers, so we're hoping to draw these people in to get us started. The welding and fab work, is somewhat of a niche in this area as the one fellow who has been doing it for as long as I can remember has effectively closed his doors to walk-ins. The rumor is that he has a big contract with a company and he has little time and resources to deal with the public.
Due largely in part to my friend's good financial head, success at farming and hard work, he's managed to pay off virtually all debt and amass a fair collection of equipment. So we're set to go into this venture with low to no debt, money in the bank and the willingness to do a good job at a fair price. There's a few things we need to get finished yet before we get rolling, so we won't really be actively seeking work yet, but will be soon enough. We've got to get his hay finished, a building he started last year finished and some driveway work done. But soon enough we'll be hard at it.
It's kind of ironic that Critic started his thread on leaving, and was asking for resignation letter advice at about the same time that I wanted to start a new thread, as it's a topic that I had to cover with my boss and the advice given to Critic is spot on.
I have worked for three and a half years as a mechanic at a local indy shop. Didn't much care for the boss or how he did business and wanted to get out (largely why my friend started this deal). Still, I wasn't wanting to burn my bridges, because he can also spread negative word of mouth. I'd much rather have him as an ally, than an enemy. And that's how it went. I told him the truth (that I'd be given a terrific opportunity and that I'd be a complete fool to pass it up), gave him notice of leave and let him decide how to react. He took it well, so I opened up a bit and we had a good conversation. While I was still there, he tried three times to keep me, but each time I politely passed on the offer. My last day was to be 8/23/13, but this last Friday 8/16, he approached me and told me that if I wanted to go now, I was free to. No doubt it had something to do with the incredibly slow times at the shop. I said that I gave 2 weeks and I'll happily fulfill that if you wish. He said that there was no need and to feel free. So it was done...
We had as good as split as I could have ever hoped. He told me that I was welcome back at any time. Not only that but he even offered to send welding/ag work our way if possible.
So all in all, I'm very excited and extremely thankful of my friend's incredible generosity, and can't wait to make a go of it. It'll be hard work, but I'm no stranger to it.
One reason for doing so many things at once is because only one of them is a "niche". In other words our area already has pretty much all these services. We're hoping to catch people who know us (plenty) and are loyal to us (from other dealings) and get their word of mouth. Also, no doubt there are plenty who have had bad experiences from the other local service providers, so we're hoping to draw these people in to get us started. The welding and fab work, is somewhat of a niche in this area as the one fellow who has been doing it for as long as I can remember has effectively closed his doors to walk-ins. The rumor is that he has a big contract with a company and he has little time and resources to deal with the public.
Due largely in part to my friend's good financial head, success at farming and hard work, he's managed to pay off virtually all debt and amass a fair collection of equipment. So we're set to go into this venture with low to no debt, money in the bank and the willingness to do a good job at a fair price. There's a few things we need to get finished yet before we get rolling, so we won't really be actively seeking work yet, but will be soon enough. We've got to get his hay finished, a building he started last year finished and some driveway work done. But soon enough we'll be hard at it.
It's kind of ironic that Critic started his thread on leaving, and was asking for resignation letter advice at about the same time that I wanted to start a new thread, as it's a topic that I had to cover with my boss and the advice given to Critic is spot on.
I have worked for three and a half years as a mechanic at a local indy shop. Didn't much care for the boss or how he did business and wanted to get out (largely why my friend started this deal). Still, I wasn't wanting to burn my bridges, because he can also spread negative word of mouth. I'd much rather have him as an ally, than an enemy. And that's how it went. I told him the truth (that I'd be given a terrific opportunity and that I'd be a complete fool to pass it up), gave him notice of leave and let him decide how to react. He took it well, so I opened up a bit and we had a good conversation. While I was still there, he tried three times to keep me, but each time I politely passed on the offer. My last day was to be 8/23/13, but this last Friday 8/16, he approached me and told me that if I wanted to go now, I was free to. No doubt it had something to do with the incredibly slow times at the shop. I said that I gave 2 weeks and I'll happily fulfill that if you wish. He said that there was no need and to feel free. So it was done...
We had as good as split as I could have ever hoped. He told me that I was welcome back at any time. Not only that but he even offered to send welding/ag work our way if possible.
So all in all, I'm very excited and extremely thankful of my friend's incredible generosity, and can't wait to make a go of it. It'll be hard work, but I'm no stranger to it.
