In 2019 I was a Store manager for a big box retailer. This was a good paying job and allowed me to take care of my family but I was never satisfied. I had been in retail management for 13 years of my life and I started to realize how much of my kids lives I wasn't around for and I knew I had to do something. To make a long story shirt; I left my management job and became a carpenter.
Since then, I have been learning how to build as I learn how to run a business, while learning how to adapt in order to keep my business alive, since it is the sole means of income for my family of, now 5. It has been an interesting and, at times, stressful journey; however, I have developed a skillful trade that I can teach my sons one day. I have shown them that there are other ways to support your family and earn a living without spending 60 hours a week in some building as an asset.
I started small with shelving and barn doors but have slowly transition into larger cabinets and even entire kitchens. I have worked alone for the vast majority of the time since I've only had three others attempt to join on to only last a couple of months, one employee only lasting 2 days. Being alone hasn't stopped me from increasing revenue and I enjoy doing the work. I often get asked when Im going to get a shop and hire people so I can expand the business. I have thought about finding an industrial garage and setting up shop, I even designed the layout of a potentially 500sqft workspace. All would be good for someone with the goal of expanding and becoming a cabinet company among cabinet companies.
I dont have that goal. like i mentioned above, i enjoy doing the work. i like knowing that at the end of the day the person responsible for the kitchen, entertainment center, or door is me. The client can go to one person and get answers and it will be consistent. I don't want to manage another crew of people and end up running reports or day off requests and scheduling. What's next after that? hiring HR to do all of that? then what? fight the endless hiring and firing of employees and unemployment hearings? That's exactly what I left. I don't want that, my goal is to make enough money to save for my kids and not worry about what I order at a restaurant, That is what it boils down to. Besides; how can I call it Dockery Customs if a Dockery isn't building it? if i hire people than its someone else building it. This kind of business you can learn the trade and start your own business which is what a couple of the people ended up leaving me to do.
Ill weigh the pros and cons out of expanding my business here as I see them and you can decide for yourself.
Pros:
Spend more time acquiring clients
Spend more time running the business side of the operations
less back breaking labor
Spend less time using dangerous power tools
Able to service more customers at a time and earn more money.
Cons:
If I don't acquire enough clients then I have to pay for the labor without revenue
I end up spending more time on a computer doing taxes than building
Endless phone calls about scheduling conflicts, potential orders and warranty work
I don't get to use dangerous power tools
the more clients i have the more employees I have to have which eats away at my profits and ultimately make the same about proportionate to my work.
Best part of not hiring people for my business
The best part of having my own business is getting to take my son with me to see what I do and to get a little dirt on his hands. He is learning how to use tools, a useful skill he can bring with him into his home, and maybe build something for his wife.
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