re: Do you have your own business?

I'm glad you fixed that.

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and getting clients to pay in a timely manner.

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or at all

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i own my own business, and marketing is what kills me. i am not so good at it.

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might be your capitalization and spelling ( or lack of) on your brochures.

(no message)

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seems like the one thing most small contractors like that have in common is the inability to manage money

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There are a few things that set contractors small and large back.

1) What you said. They rob Peter to pay Paul and eventually that kills them.

2) They aren't where they say they will be when they say they will be there.

3) They don't communicate - particularly bad news.

I do.

The biggest challenge is making my self do the fricking work somedays.

I have no boss and no employees, so if I don't feel like working it can be a real bitch to motivate myself

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1) What you said. They rob Peter to pay Paul and eventually that kills them.

2) They aren't where they say they will be when they say they will be there.

3) They don't communicate - particularly bad news.

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my Dad was a GC, had a pretty good sized operation and those were huge issues with him, he eventually more or less absorbed 2-3 subs because he needed to keep them from going under so that he could bid sizable jobs and have the work force to complete the job, did their pay roll, bonded them, took up the notes on their equipment, you name it

At one time I owned 4 retail hardware store with service centers. Biggest issues I had was controlling inventory, outdoor power equipment don't get in a bind floor planning product you cannot sell quickly, extended warranty companies wanting me to do service work for next to nothing, finding trainable employees, and dealing with partners.

I walked away from doing business from some very large extended warranty companies and mfg's. They sent me a lot of business which looks great. After looking at the numbers I was trading dollars over the counter. If you have a good service don't give it away when you don't need to.

I really don't mind good sales people.
Those are the people that ask about my business and show me some great solutions to maximize profits.
My partners and I always made time to listen to good salespeople.

Hey I love pets. Pets need to stay at home.
I did not like one of my partners bringing his dog to the store letting him roam around the store. Did not appreciate a $20 hr plus commission mechanic walking his dog. I need that mechanic making me money. It is unprofessional plus you are opening up the company to liability if someone gets bit.

A customer who owed me $1,500 sold their business and honestly believed they no longer owed me the money because they sold the business. Hard to believe how many grown people have the rationale of a 6-year-old.

One more:

Take in laundry before you take in partners.