let it go

[nitrox2595 15]

well, after 10 years in business, i guess i got comfortable and let it go beyond the point of saving it. When times were good, i was fishing at 2pm, now my phone hasn't rung for days at a time. I feel lost,depressed and lack any motivation to fix things. Its becoming cold in the northeast, and i am getting really worried about what to do when it gets really cold out. i just moved out of my $3,000/month office to my basement that we weren't using, cut every expense possible, and i am looking for some ideas i may have missed on how you guys(and girls) are handling the economy and winter. Please, no wiseass comments. They are not necessary. I know (now) that you can NEVER stop selling,closing,networking. thanks in advance

[Oxfordlawn 14]

although I am new to power washing, I am not new to being a business owner. I owned an auto repair/gas staion for 12 years and now landscaping for the last 2 years. I did the same as you with the auto repair business, got comfortable when times were good, and then, uhhohhh-where did everyone go?

Luckily one of my customers was a small business consultant that was always willing to talk and we had a good relationship. Your recovery is going to be based on your frame of mind. Its going to be like starting a business all over, but now you have tons of experience and equipment thats already paid for. You will make it, I know it is hard and seems easier to throw in the towel, but time goes by fast and you will suffer for a short while, while you regroup and rebuild your business. It may be you have to swallow some pride and get a job on the side to keep some cashflow and things rolling no matter how slow.

But basically, what I am saying is, go at it as if you were starting a new business, new attitude, you have the experience and went thru the learning curve, the equipment you already have...so you are ahead of the game. Keep the chin up. I am going to try to post a youtube link to a Rocky movie clip when I find it--its about getting knocked down and getting back up and moving forward. I am speaking from experience here. I survived, made it thru, rebuilt and sold several years later...good luck.

[Oxfordlawn 14]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uASVzkrEKgs]YouTube - Rocky Balboa Speech[/ame]

[nitrox2595 15]

Hey tom, Thank You. Very much, i saw you are from the villages, My sister lives there. I know i will make it, it is just hard to stop feeling like a failure. thanks foe the positive words. godspeed to you as well.

[PressureWashE 14]

Do you remember how you felt 10 years ago? You had spunk in your step, you did everything you could to get your name out there, You would call 10-15 real estate agents per day, You would pass out fliers in neighborhoods, and pass a business card to everyone you ran into. You were motivated, You were driven. As time goes on business owners forget the drive they had in the beginning, You need to find that drive again, And push through it, You need to have goals, and you need to plan to Achive them.

Failing to plan is planning to fail.

Find your drive, And use every free portal you can to spread the word about your company.

this year was a through year for many companies, but i beg you not to be a statistic, Fight through it, Better times are ahead.

John

[Henry Bockman 14]

Hey Nitro, do you have a website or are you still running yellow book ads and similiar stuff? I know of a lot of guys who never ventured out on the web and they started to slow down. Give me a call sometime, maybe I can give you some fresh new ideas.

[Adrian 155]

well, after 10 years in business, i guess i got comfortable and let it go beyond the point of saving it. When times were good, i was fishing at 2pm, now my phone hasn't rung for days at a time. I feel lost,depressed and lack any motivation to fix things. Its becoming cold in the northeast, and i am getting really worried about what to do when it gets really cold out. i just moved out of my $3,000/month office to my basement that we weren't using, cut every expense possible, and i am looking for some ideas i may have missed on how you guys(and girls) are handling the economy and winter. Please, no wiseass comments. They are not necessary. I know (now) that you can NEVER stop selling,closing,networking. thanks in advance

Please go to "my controls" and complete your signature line. House rules.

[Paul Kassander 26]

Sorry to hear about that I am sure with some more hard work you can build it back up especially now with the things you have learned.

It can slip away quickly, this is a good lesson for all never quit selling. We all get complacent at times and there is always some hungry young entrepreneur ready to take your place.

[nitrox2595 15]

I think I put my signature in.. You guys are right, and I know that. I was doing $750k plus per year, but my trucking accounts went out, my dealerships dried up, I am offering more and more services, just getting out of the funk is what's tough.

[TNRoofCleaner 16]

You could do like my grandparents.... good shot of wiskey in your morning coffee.

Or you can find something you want to pay cash for like a new toy of somekind with a large engine and use that as a goal. You know.....boat, car, truck, airplane...send the wife on a trip to the outback. LOL

Find something that is going to motivate and #$%^& snap out of it.

Good luck to you.

[Chappy 138]

I think lots of us feel like this at times. It does get better. Its just hard to get past the negative self talk and start to think positively. It will get better. good luck

[PressureWashE 14]

It does get better, Just keep pushing

[Richard 17]

This is meant to be taken in a constructive and possative way.

Go look in the mirror. That's who's going to get you out of this funk. Possative words are good encouragement. But YOU are the one that made it happen in the beginning. And you are the only one that will make it happen again.

Help comes to those that help themselves. Go back to the basics. Thats what got you to the front the first time. No go do what you already know.

[Jerry 24]

I totally agree with Richard,

I'd like to add..

The key to survival, is to "Stop the self-perpetuating mistakes".

The "stone in your shoe", is a self-perpetuating mistake.

Not addressing a problem is a self-perpetuating mistake.

Not checking security, is.

Not checking your sails, is.

Not doing follow-ups, is.

Not knowing your competition, can be.

Not showing up for a job on time, is.

Not asking for referrals, after the customer says you did a good job, is.

Every time you feel "held-back".. Look inside yourself for the answers.

Faith in yourself is the most valuable tool.

WHen you focus inward, you find the mistakes you can fix the easiest.. your own...

It's ALL about your Reaction To your environment. Eh?

When you look inside yourself, and mend what's broken, or adjust for efficiency,

you will find a stronger you, and along the way, you can see its affect on others.

The truest path to strength, is the elimination of weakness.

If you perceive yourself as "at the bottom of a barrel".. realize it's just a rut,

and climb you own a$$ out. Eh?

Rich is right.. we all “walk into” our own ruts.

But the climbing our makes us stronger.

life IS a "test" of endurance AND composure. for all Good reasons.

You must have Faith.

STOP ALL self-perpetuating mistakes, at every opportunity.

It saved my life, it saved my business.

…but it might make you too ..talk in metaphors. :)

Jerry McMillen

President, Cleaning System Specialists, Inc. jerry@pressurewasher.net

dba PressureWasher.netcall 800-400-Clean (2532)

10821 Airport Drive El Cajon, Calif. 92020 office 619-448-8111

manufacturers of… BullDogProIndustrial Water Blasters

Sirocco Reclaim Systems, and theVacuBerm

[mrwindow 14]

[ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WO4tIrjBDkk]YouTube - Al Pacino's Inspirational Speech[/ame]

Edited October 23, 2009 by mrwindow

[Adrian 155]

Mr. Window,

Please go to "My Controls" and complete your signature line. house Rules!!!!!

[extreme 14]

Here's some food for thought.

Go to SIMIX solutions and see if there is something there you feel like getting into,

there are many possible,for one you will stay warm and dry this winter.

Just a thought?

Paul.

[gutterdog 14]

well, after 10 years in business, i guess i got comfortable and let it go beyond the point of saving it. When times were good, i was fishing at 2pm, now my phone hasn't rung for days at a time. I feel lost,depressed and lack any motivation to fix things. Its becoming cold in the northeast, and i am getting really worried about what to do when it gets really cold out. i just moved out of my $3,000/month office to my basement that we weren't using, cut every expense possible, and i am looking for some ideas i may have missed on how you guys(and girls) are handling the economy and winter. Please, no wiseass comments. They are not necessary. I know (now) that you can NEVER stop selling,closing,networking. thanks in advance

My friend there are ups and downs to this business and every business. Your overhead is way too high! Do what you got to do and don't give up.

I'm not!

You newyourker guys are tougher than us guys in the mid to lower south!

IMO. Bring the newyorker out and survive.

Also sold the job everyone in here except one, said I wouldnt! At the prices i gave him and the options!!!! (the one that went with thompsons clear) over 1600! Got the contract n money up front! take 2 days. net just 'bout all of it.

[gutterdog 14]

although I am new to power washing, I am not new to being a business owner. I owned an auto repair/gas staion for 12 years and now landscaping for the last 2 years. I did the same as you with the auto repair business, got comfortable when times were good, and then, uhhohhh-where did everyone go?

Luckily one of my customers was a small business consultant that was always willing to talk and we had a good relationship. Your recovery is going to be based on your frame of mind. Its going to be like starting a business all over, but now you have tons of experience and equipment thats already paid for. You will make it, I know it is hard and seems easier to throw in the towel, but time goes by fast and you will suffer for a short while, while you regroup and rebuild your business. It may be you have to swallow some pride and get a job on the side to keep some cashflow and things rolling no matter how slow.

But basically, what I am saying is, go at it as if you were starting a new business, new attitude, you have the experience and went thru the learning curve, the equipment you already have...so you are ahead of the game. Keep the chin up. I am going to try to post a youtube link to a Rocky movie clip when I find it--its about getting knocked down and getting back up and moving forward. I am speaking from experience here. I survived, made it thru, rebuilt and sold several years later...good luck.

+1 Tom!!!

[gutterdog 14]

+1 to everyone for the advice, videos etc. This is what it is supposed to be about! We are all brothers. Even if competitor.

A now friend, competator,gutter cleaning, my area. well we have a common interest. 'Bout something. We both thinking on that.

I've learned so much here at the grime scene. Wouldve learned it somewhere else, but I learned it here. Some of you guys in here Ragged the crap out of me. Pushed me away, I'm gonna shake your hand somewhere! I'm left handed!! LOL!!! Just kidding!!! Not about the meeting you one day. I will. To thank you for everything. And to get into the groove you guys are in.

I'm Glad the grime scene was here for me (even the guys that rag me, you tightened me up).

To you up there in new york,... be a yankee! its in you man! you worry a lil like i do. You are a new yorker?

I aint a new yorker, but im as tough as one.

Edited October 27, 2009 by gutterdog

[Little Buddy 14]

I'm from Wisconsin, we're all cheese heads here. Now, where's the beer at?

[John Doherty 126]

Here's some food for thought.

Go to SIMIX solutions and see if there is something there you feel like getting into,

there are many possible,for one you will stay warm and dry this winter.

Just a thought?

Paul.

So basically every post you make is spam for simix, is that correct?

[gutterdog 14]

So basically every post you make is spam for simix, is that correct?

Wow you are right john!!!

[gutterdog 14]

I'm from Wisconsin, we're all cheese heads here. Now, where's the beer at?

Did sombody say beer!!!!!! :cheers: