What did you do before becoming a Pw'er?

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Take some time and let us know your career background, education and any affiliations you have had membership(s) in.

This is a great way for people to understand the complexity and diversity of those who are members of our community here and what other have to offer with their experience.

Be proud of your background and share it here with everyone.

Rod!~

[Barry M 73]

I took as many trade classes in high school as I could....building trades, auto mech, etc. First job was in the trailer factories, we build a lot of trailers and double wides here in the north. I was a swingman and did a little bit of everything. Did that for several years then worked for a siding and gutter company and always did work on the side like a weekend roof job or something like that. Then I started with a utility construction company and mostly buried phone cable. After about a year I became the foreman and did that for 9 years before quitting last spring to PW full time. Right now I'm relying on my carpentry/remodeling skills to keep me busy this winter, can't wait to start washing again.

[R L S 14]

During and after college (got a degree in Biology and Forestry) I worked for the U.S Forest Service on a HotShot Crew stationed in Northern California. We traveled by plane or buggy all over the country putting out the big fires. It was a great life for a single guy, we'd be gone on fires for two weeks,get home have two days off and go back out for another roll. Great money,hard work,saw beautful places and had experiences and saw things I'll never forget (some I want to but cant)

After a few years of that I got accepted into the Smoke Jumper Rookie school out of Alaska but I turned it down to move out here to be with my now wife and steadily growing pw business.

And the rest they say is history.

[Adrian 155]

Transportation logistics and brokerage for the freight industry. 25 years started behind the wheel of tractor trailer and eventually ended up behind the desk brokering commercial aircraft. Lots of Customer Service, lots of money, lots of headaches. ........ oh yeah, can't leave out the fact that I have been a signed musician in Texas for over 20 of those years and still jammin. PWing has been a really good business for me. I have applied my previous experiences to this field.

[charlie 14]

Worked in the pest control industry for 10 prior to starting my Deck Restoration business. While working and doing decks on week-ends decided to go full time in restoration. After my non-compete clause ended I also started a pest control business part-time. Both businesses are similiar in many ways as both pertain to customer satisfaction in keeping customers.

Charlie

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

I was in the software/hardware industry for 14 years in sales and management both. It satisfied my inner geek. Guess this BBS is an extension of that...never really disconnected completely from that part of my background!

I also love to write, and am thankful for any opportunity to do just that!

Beth

[bforbis 14]

First out of college I worked in the nuclear plants as an inspector of electrical systems, then spent about 15 years in coastal NC with NC dept of Transportation as civil engineer building roads, bridges etc. Then back to school at age 35 completed Chemical engineering and chemistry degree. Worked about 5 years with Kimberely Clark as process engineer in developing new product lines, diapers, car covers, medical industry wraps, coveralls...you name it.

Loved the job....HATED CORP Politics, back stabbing, two faced etc etc etc. Lost that job and started business painting, PW, maintenance, etc.

[Jeff Robison 14]

Graduated from Arizona State in 1997. Still work full time as an operations manager for a medium sized flag manufacturing company. Started in 2003 to make a few extra bucks and have grown tremendously.

Jeff Robison

Titan Exterior/Clean up Atlanta

678-360-2518

[reed 500]

20 years in the Air Force, 16 years as an instructor for testing of the heart and lungs. Licensed and Certified in Ultrasound Imaging of the Heart. (Still maintain this today), Certified Instructor for Applied Sciences.

Built a few monster decks with step son and went into deck and fence restoration.

reed

[Richard 17]

Worked for a short period for the Ministry of Natural Resources. Started in sales,while becoming a cabinet maker owning a Furniture co. with one of my brothers.Sold out to my brother,(to many arguments about the direction of the business).Became a leasing rep for a Cadillac dealership 19 years ago where I still am today.Started "Revive Powerwashing Inc." originaly as something for my son.The second year took it full time to where we now have 3 trucks.This business (pressure washing) is so indepth and diverse, I expect to exceed $300,000 in sales next year.With a lot of the success being attributed to TGS and PWN.

[Big Bill 14]

Right out of high school, I landed a job working on an offshore rig in in the Gulf of Mexico. 5 months later, the company transfered me to work in the North Sea, working offshore England, The Netherlands, Norway, Scotland, Denmark. I have also worked in Indonesia, Brazil, and West Africa for short stints. I am presently working in the Persian Gulf offshore Saudi Arabia. I work over there for 30 days, come home for 30 days, so I have lots of time off. I have been employed by the same company for 26 years. I started pw'ing 3 years ago as a side gig to have something to do on my days off, and make extra $. I didn't get married until I was 40, so I really took advantage of working overseas and have travelled all over the world, 29 countries. I have done things and been places other people only dream about.

9 more years until retirement, then hopefully I will be pw'ing full time.

[FCPWLLC 233]

Worked with Grandfather when I was young and coming up. He built Houses. Not much that I can't do in that area.

2 year Specialized Associates Degree in Business. College was free... Went on Running Scholarship. Used to be good at it. LOL Ran Marathons and every 10k I could fit into a schedule.

Worked for a Tree Service... Became Foreman and helped my Friend grow that Business hugely.

Started A Lawn Service... Built Customer Base and Sold that Business Last Year.

Had set-back with a Divorce and Bankruptcy. (More a refusal to pay her bills rather than ability to pay)

Sold cars in the winter months when first started Pressure Cleaning Business.

Now, don't need to work in winter months due to starting a Cleaning Service that has grown very well without much marketing or input. Amazing word of mouth industry.

Currently taking private classes for Public Speaking from a Professor at UK.

Next step, Real Estate Investing. (Was set back on this with that Divorce and Bankruptcy) This is where the true wealth building begins. Pressure Cleaning is just going to be the tool to help launch it.

[Tegrey 121]

Many amazing folks out there! Thank You for sharing.

I worked in Printing. 30 yrs. I'm old by some standards! LOL Had a great trade. Got tired and wanted to learn a way to make me money. After being a Milkman, Fireman, Salesman, etc. ended up in painting. My wife and I built our business from a trunk slammer to being profitable and educated in our sellected field. Were very active in the PDCA. Presently Chapter President, Incoming Council President National Board member. My wife Peggy has just been named the Spouse contractor of the year, for Cleaning Times Magazine. She is an amazing women and deserves all the recognition possible. We eliminated Tub & Tile refinishing and decided to learn the right way to power wash! Joining PWNA and speaking with intelligent PW'ers is a great start. We want to be profitable and do the right thing in our PW business. Here is truly a good place to do just that. We Thank You.

[mas3372 14]

Graduated high school and went on to the Univeristy of RI for engineering after turning down a scholarship for engineering at Hawaii Pacific University due to a fear of leaving home - I have since gotten over that. Spent 4 years in high school taking eery calculus course, physics class and auto cad class they offered. Attended URI for one simester before realizing I did NOT want to be an engineer despite my capabilitie to breeze thru the program. Realized I wanted to be a firefighter and held a few jobs while testing to get on the job. Went to school for my EMT Cardiac license with ACLS, BTLS, PALS. Obtain FF 1001 level 1 and 2. Took several certifation classes in other things such as rope rescue, hazmat, ice rescue, scuba etc. Got hired a full time firefighter at 21. Built some furniture for a few years to supplement income before getting into Pwer washing. My next goal is real estate which I am currently working on. Just need to find 500k somewhere to get started. I am also working towards a nursing degree for the heck of it.

[JFife 14]

30yrs old now, graduated w/ biz degree from a private school in the Southeast in 2000. Actually started pwashing from the back of a Mazda at 19, in 1996, doing decks. Kept up through college and in 2001 switched over to doing log homes. Stayed one more yr. in TN, considered grad school, undergrad grades weren't good enough (too much pwashing:)) then moved out West to learn the trade better and get a grasp on the field. Next year, moved back to MO where I grew up and have been in biz since. Our 2nd Western location opened at the end of this year....mainly a beginning introductory marketing campaign.....already scheduling work for the Spring. Projecting 07' to be our first seven-figure gross year (of course, that isn't the number that matters though:)) Like FCFPLLC said, for me this is a means to an end to get into real estate. I have loads of dreams and ambitions, mostly in that direction (and oddly, some involve log homes).

[GymRat 14]

I'm power engineer for honeywell international, which entails being the trainer in utilities group on equipment such as steam generators, refrigeration generators, air compressors etc. During my 28yrs with honeywell I have always been a member of the emergency response team, where I'm a qualified firefighter and EMT.

Started part time pressure washing business 2 years ago, and have enjoyed learning new techniques from this board.

[tunatussle 14]

Graduated with and MBA from Temple University, had a towniing company while going to Temple. )nce I graduated I worked for 20+ years as a bank VP, passed licensing as a charter captain, got downsized by the bank and decided to go into pw full time.

[Mike Williamson 198]

Take some time and let us know your career background, education and any affiliations you have had membership(s) in.

This is a great way for people to understand the complexity and diversity of those who are members of our community here and what other have to offer with their experience.

Be proud of your background and share it here with everyone.

Rod!~

Let's see...education - HS and 2 years of Community College.

Work history...heheheh....I've worked in various construction trades (gutters hanging, commercial sheet metal/duct work, I've been a meat cutter, I worked in apartment maintenance, property management, accounting, and of course, the mainstay for many teenagers...fast food! And now, this.

[Mike Williamson 198]

Worked about 5 years with Kimberely Clark as process engineer in developing new product lines, diapers, car covers, medical industry wraps, coveralls...you name it.

Loved the job....

Wow, my Bro. in law worked for them (and may still, we don't talk anymore)...his first position was as an engineer in Wisconsin for them. Now they're in Seattle, but I'm not sure if he's with them, or with another company now.

[Scott Stone 604]

NOthing real inmpressive.

Worked in a salvage warehouse sorting scrap stuff from a public utility. Worked as a milkman, got promoted so much I was working 90 hours a week. Called it quits when my son cried when I picked him up at home because he did not recognize me. Went to work driving a truck regionally. ALl of this time I was building a business.

Currently, I am ATSSA certified in traffic control, Briggs and Stratton certified, and have a moderately successful business.

[Jarrod 22]

Worked on a sales floor for 12 hrs a day for 7 yrs. Needless to say, it got real old! Started the business in June 2001 and never looked back! I started out full time - talk about SCARY!!!!!!!

[mdspowerwashing 14]

I'm currently 22, graduated from High school in 2002. Worked for an outdoor recreation place(atv's,snowmobiles,motorcylces,trailers) for 4 past years. Quit that job this september to go full time into pressure washing. I had been part-time pressure washing since last summer. My boss at my previous job was very easy going, and I was able to call the shots when I came in, when I would work, so it was fairly easy at first to keep everything going. What pushed me over the edge, to go full time into powerwashing was obtaining a $40,000 contract to was 140 townhomes and 165 condominiums, along with all the other pressure washing jobs. I havn't looked back since. I've been doing very well my first year full time. I have to thank this board, and the members who have helped me with my questions, and the countless messages I read to help me get here.

Currently, with the season pretty much over, I am taking a real estate license school. I should have my real estate salesperson license by the week of Christmas if everything goes as planned. I will still be powerwashing, but I am going to become a realtor.

Some other jobs I have had are: worked with grandfather doing masonry work for 2 years, worked at ski resort for 1 season, and worked at school bus trasportation company for a summer season. Not a job really, but I do buy and sell atv's,snowmobiles,dirt bikes, travel trailer to make extra income. I will find things that people are selling cheap, or I can obtain cheap, then fix if needed, and resell for more money. Seems to work good when things are slow.

[A and J POWERWASHING 64]

was a 911 dispatcher

[Beth n Rod 1,279]

Wow! I feel like mine would pale in comparison should anyone choose to do so. But, these are what I feel have contributed to our business' success, here goes...

I have worked in wood related industries from lumber-jacking, sawmill processing and cabinet manufacturing.

In other areas; I have been in management, casino auditing, sales and even done some cooking in a couple of nice restaurants.

All have lent one aspect to our business and taught me team work, management (personal, business and employee), sales and marketing, and most importantly...wood. I have always enjoyed working with wood and am intrigued by its nature. The knowledge I have developed throughout my 'employment' stage has helped me become better at restoring it than I would have with out that knowledge.

Now that I am self-employed, I have not turned back and to try and think of doing so is very unpleasant in itself to contemplate.

There is something to be said about being in control of one's own life.

btw...I am in good company here on TGS!

Rod!~

[copgib 15]

After graduating from High School I completed 1-year of college and when I ran out of money I joined the Navy. I stayed 20-years to retire with a pension. While in the Navy I went to college on my off time and got my Associate Degree in Law Enforcement and then continued to attend college classes on my off time and was 20-credits short of a Bachlors Degree before I lost interest. After retiring from the Navy I joined the Monroe County Sheriff Office as a Deputy. I did this for 13-years and decided to retire as a Deputy Sergeant and move from the Florida Keys to Williston Florida just outside Gainesville Florida. I am now in business for myself as a Pressure Washer. Hugh Gibson