Have You Given Up Yet?

[spraymasters]

It seems that there are many many power washers out there who start out with a gleam in their eye and within a year it turns to tears as they sell off all their equipment and take an 8 to 5.
The sense of obligation to continue is present in all of us. A duty to strive is the duty of us all. I felt a call to that duty. Abraham Lincoln
His Story:
Born into poverty, Lincoln was faced with defeat throughout his life. He could have quit many times over. He didn't. His road:
1816 His family was forced out of their home
He had to work to support them
1818 His mother died
1831 Failed in business
1832 Ran for state legislature - LOST
1832 Also lost his job, wanted to go to law
school but could not get in
1833 Borrowed some money from a friend to
begin a business - end of year failed
spent the next 17 years paying off the
debt
1834 Ran for state legislature - won
1835 Engaged to be married, she died
1836 Total nervous breakdown in bed for
6 months
1838 Sought to be speaker of the state
legislature - DEFEATED
1840 Sought to become elector - DEFEATED
1843 Ran for Congress - LOST
1846 Ran for Conress again - WON
1848 Ran for re-election - LOST
1849 Sought the job of land officer in his
home state - REJECTED
1854 Ran for Senate - LOST
1856 Sought the Vice Presidential nomination
at his party's national convention -
GOT LESS THAN 100 VOTES
1858 Ran for U.S. Senate again - LOST
1860 ELECTED PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES
As he put it:
The path was worn and slippery. My foot slipped from under me, knocking the other out of the way, but I recovered and said to myself, "it's a slip and not a fall."
Dennis

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Dennis A. Cormier and Gloria A. Wagner
North Georgia Spray Masters, Inc.
spraymasters@hotmail.com

 

[Kevin]

Great post Dennis! I worked for a large oilfield service company and was injured in 1997. I worked in the shop until I had my salary cut in half, was demoted, and then eventually laid off in April 1999. Ive taken out several loans to pay bills and am on the brink of losing everything........but, I am a fighter and am determined to make this business work, along with my carpet and upholstery cleaning. I have some very, very, happy customers with the results Ive given them with cleaning and they are promoting me. It will take time, but with the good Lord backing me, I won't fail. I never want to be a number at a large company again. Take care.

 

[Glenn]

Dennis,
This is my first year. Still have a full-time job, at nights (graveyard). I've been doing both for about 3 months now. Starting to get all the Biz I can handle. I want this to work, so I am holding on to my job to help finance the start up expenses. Its been tempting to take a chance and leave the night job. But, have bills to pay if you know what I mean. I figure this year will give me a good chance to find out what I can expect Biz to do as far as pick ups and slow downs. It will also give me a chance to establish a good commercial base. You're right though, its scarry to see all the new people starting out like me, and those selling out after a year. I guess my chances aren't too good, Huh? As long as I keep my night job though, I have that income to fall back on, and I can put everything I make this year right back into the Biz. If I'm not mistaken you and Gloria are just starting out too, Probably been in it longer than me though. I see very few people that stay in it long. Some quit early, some get into equipment and chemical sales. I wish anybody with the drive, desire, and courage, to enter this profession the best of luck. Good luck to you!
Glenn

 

[Mike@Everclear]

I will never stop and take an 8 to 5.....I'm plenty happy with my 7 to 10....did I mention weekends too?

I'm now beginning my third year. It will prove to be my biggest challenge yet, for many reasons. It would be nearly impossible to succeed without the support of this bulletin board, the internet in general, and the PWNA. All three have been invaluable to the success of my business.

Those that drop out and become a statistic do so for many reasons, but I think mostly it is because people dont realize what a huge commitment it really is to own/run your own business.

I didnt even know what to expect, but I love it, and I hope you all do too!



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Mike Hughes
Everclear
Souderton, PA

 

[Richard]

I'll tell you what, This is my 6th year in business and I have learned one thing and that is, there aint nothing wrong with getting knocked down, it's only wrong if you dont get back up ...
"for a just man falleth seven times, and riseth up again: but the wicked shall fall into mischief" pov 24:16
Richard

 

[spraymasters]

I am not giving up...I'm NOT I'm NOT I'm NOT!~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Even though I did an estimate on a roof that took me forever and asphalt burn on my arms and black marks on my tennies and dreamt about how the heck I was going to tackle such a pitch of a roof and then walked away with a NO THANKS...oh well...onward to the next estimate... ;o)

Dennis


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Dennis A. Cormier and Gloria A. Wagner
North Georgia Spray Masters, Inc.
spraymasters@hotmail.com

 

[Dan S]

well Put Richard..
giving up NAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA
ALL I DO IS FLEET TRKS. ON THE WEEKEND
and i have 5 days to spend it in my garage or the wife.. and not to mention school is almost out and the kids will be home fer the summer. i spend all my time w/them. if i get a job during the week that is a bonus ,if not no big deal. i dont advertise ,dont have employies.. i make more $$$ just working on the weekend then i did working 5o hrs. in the coal mines..GIVE IT UP .. NEVER . I LOVE MY FREEDOM .. i love my job ......
and i will throw in a lil preaching also
if it wasnt for my faith in GOD non of this would be possiable.............

 

[Wash Wagon]

You have to take the good along with the bad. It usually takes a while to get established when you first make a go at it. If you are going to run your own show, you have to give it ALL you got before it can work. If you can stick with it, you will be proud of what you have done as your business grows.

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John May