Maggot Businesses?

**skifishbum** · 03-14-2006, 06:42 AM

Congrats.
Will try and send some work your way.

**Core Shot** · 03-14-2006, 07:02 AM

Big Congratulations and Best Wishes!!

I myself am jumping off that bridge also. If things go as planned, next month I will be responsible for a half million dollars in payroll. (yikes).
I think we both realized the benefits of an ongoing operation, though.
Having existing personell, customer base, reputation, etc. is helpful when you need to take care of your own family. If I were younger, I could see starting my own business, but at this stage of my life I need the income that can only come from a pre-existing operation.

Whoever said get a solid manager in place so you can ski is parroting my own plans. Other than money, the great thing I am looking for is freedom. The corporate world with its bullshit 2 or 3 weeks vacation is too much for me these days. Even if I spend a week away from the business and much of it is spent on the phone or computer working with the team, if I can do that a half dozen or more weeks a year I will be one happy camper.
The other great thing about getting solid management is that you can be freed up to expand to the next location.

**Rusty Nails** · 03-14-2006, 07:28 AM

Awesome news Bob! I wish you and your wife all the success in the world.

Heh. I can see a small discount for SLC area ski resort season pass holders! Word of mouth in the ski crowd always seems to work well.

Mtnlion -- awesome that you turned an interest based on helping others out into a business that profits you. Your honesty, integrity, and customer service are second to none. I will definitely continue to come your way in the future.

Rusty

**Big E** · 03-14-2006, 07:31 AM

Damn, that place is huge! Good luck Bob!

**Hook** · 03-14-2006, 07:43 AM

Congratulations

When you look in the mirror, you'll see the toughest, most demanding boss in the world.

When you asked about sleep, it brought back memories of when I started my first business. I spent virtually every waking minute there since I was convinced I had to be there, I didn't.
Having started, bought and sold 5 business's, I hope I've gotten a little smarter.
If there's one thing thats critical, I think it's to schedule time for yourself.
It's easy to spend all your time there, and in the beginning you won't want to be anywhere else because of the excitement of it all.

If you start off scheduling time for yourself, you won't have to figure out where to squeeze it out later when you really need it. Being away will help you come back with a fresh outlook and ideas.

I think that a lot of the unhappiness and frustration that employees/cube/office workers have, is because that they feel that they are wasting their time/lives and/or don't control their own destiny.

You have control over both, but don't let the weight of that responsibility overwhelm you and keep you awake. (easier said than done)

Also what has worked for me is knowing what I'm not good at and finding good people to fill those roles.

This country was built on small businesses, once again congrats, I know It's a big step.

**Stone-Free** · 03-14-2006, 07:45 AM

Good luck dood. I started my own biz after 3 years of working for someone else. You never realize just how much crap you have to go through to get a business off the ground no matter how much planning you do. But, 3 months in and its has been really cool so far. Looks like you will kick some ass...

**iceman** · 03-14-2006, 08:33 AM

Bob, you're not supposed to play Socom in the office!

**zion zig zag** · 03-14-2006, 08:33 AM

Congrats Bob, way to make it happen!

**truth** · 03-14-2006, 09:35 AM

Awesome Bob. So cool to see you make it happen after all the crap it took to get where you are right now. Kick some ass sea bass. You're gonna be fine. Congrats to you and your family on a major step toward making your dreams come true.

**Mr. Altagirl** · 03-14-2006, 09:40 AM

Way to go Bob, we'll be by as needed and sending business your way from now on.

**72Twenty** · 03-14-2006, 09:50 AM

Bob, my in-laws live near your shop (they live in WVC for the time being) - I'll let them know to take their stuff to you if they need anything.

If we are in town visiting, maybe we'll pop in and say hi.

Best of luck!

**Woodsy** · 03-14-2006, 09:56 AM

Bob, Bob, bob, bob ,bob, Bob
BOB
BOBbob,BOB!

**mrw** · 03-14-2006, 09:58 AM

I have an automobile physical damage appraising business serving the insurance industry.

**72Twenty** · 03-14-2006, 10:02 AM

And here is Bob with his prototype life-sized remote control GMC Jimmy.

**Buzzworthy** · 03-14-2006, 10:13 AM

Originally Posted by iceman

Bob, you're not supposed to play Socom in the office!

No, he is checking out TGR you silly bastard!

Huge congrats Bob and Mrs. Bob! You two will do wonderful. I am impressed with the thought and time you took to get into this as well, it was not easy.

**LeeLau** · 03-14-2006, 10:28 AM

Bob - you probably already know this but "customer service" is job 1. I always return phone calls quick, tell people when their work will come etc. Even if im taking off to go ski or for a quick session clients know it and appreciate the fact that I communicate. It took a while to get to that stage of mutual trust and respect; I respect them enough to know the work I do for them is important and valued and should be delivered to them with quality of service. They respect that I am not a conventional type of guy and can often be found on a chairlift or a bike trail or a beach but that if they need something in an emergency; I will drop my stuff and get it out to them. The corollary to that is that not everything is an emergency.

I think its truly the same for any service business.

That's how I ski and bike so much yet work for myself.

Hopefully Im just telling you what you already know.

**lemon boy** · 03-14-2006, 10:28 AM

Wow! Bob, huge congrats man!

That place is enormous! Keep xover out of that place though if you don't want anyone to wayne/garth a car with your power tools!

Gonna have a diesel tech? If so I'll go there for OTR breakdowns in SLC

**Cono Este** · 03-14-2006, 10:37 AM

Congradulations.- Just remember everyone will try to Fck you. Paranoia will be a good asset.

**Obstruction** · 03-14-2006, 10:57 AM

Way to go.

Except now you've got no one to blame when the boss makes you work on a powder day.

**Tippster** · 03-14-2006, 11:14 AM

Fuck yeah, Bob. That's awesome.

Ditto on the scheduling time for yourself and your family and sticking to it. My wife owns her own very successful Remodeling/Interior Design business, with 4 full-time employees, yet has never missed a family event due to work.

**Evmo** · 03-14-2006, 11:19 AM

Congrats Bob, looks like you have your scheisse together... If I were in SLC I would definitely be there...

I hurled myself into a new biz which started last spring and I am now employee #1 (only one doing it). I co-founded an ecommerce site with a goal to help ski resorts better facilitate offering discounted lift tickets online. Essentially think dynamic pricing for various days based on expected demand, very similar to an online travel site... I will be sure to post here when we launch.

Anyways, it is a freaking tough leap, so congrats again, I wish you the best of luck.

**sevensixfive** · 03-14-2006, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by divegirl

I thought I wanted to become an architect.

I just started my career. Ive heard that phrase a lot lately! So far Im stickin to my guns though....hopefully Ill own my own biz about say.........10-15 yrs? lol