Over the weekend I had one of those potentially life altering experinces. My neighbor had a heart attack and his wife and I were the only ones around to give cpr. It was a pretty awful scene. We revived him a couple of times and the paramedics finally arrived and got him to the hospital but he died as they were working on him. It got me you thinking about the “life” thing and whether I’m spending my days the way I want to or if I’m stuck in the “trap” of just trying to make more money in order to spend more money? Whether I should be spending so much of my time remodeling my house instead of hanging with the family? You know, anyway, the reason I bring this up is because I am really getting bored doing my present job (I’m 43 and am a creative director at an advertising agency, average age for this job is probably 30) and have been thinking about what I would do for a living when I’m washed up here. Remodeling and furniture making is of course great fun for me (although I have only done it for myself which is way different then doing it for a job) and was wondering , well, you guys know what I was wondering, what is it REALLY like to do it for a living? How hard is it to get started? Am I too old to get started now? What can a moderitally capable carpenter expect to make? Should I just buck it up, ride this out as long as I can and then get a job at HD?
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where are you?
that may make a difference on the answers.
have you read all the treads about this subject? seem like a lot lately.
bobl Volo Non Voleo Joe's cheat sheet
I'm in St. Louis.
No I didn't search the previous threads on this issue.
Guess I should. Never mind responding guys. I'll go a search'n. Still learning how you all do this.
Edited 11/19/2002 12:28:59 PM ET by tim "the chump" varner
a moderately capable carpenter can pay the bills....
a moderately capable carpenter, with some business savy & a background as an advertsing director can build a great company and do some very satisfying work..
just keep in mind about the willy sutton factor... he robbed banks because that's where the money was... don't try to makea living as a carp in an economically depressed area... go wher the money is to sell your wares
Mike Smith Rhode Island : Design / Build / Repair / Restore
Sorry to hear about your neighbor. Glad to hear that you were willing to step in and make an effort at CPR, though. We all need neighbors like you.
Bobl makes a good point, that there are a lot of threads about people talking about going out on their own. Could take a while to find them, but they're good reading.
Best of luck figuring out what ya wanna do.
If you jog in a jogging suit, lounge in lounging pajamas and smoke in a smoking jacket—why would anyone want to wear a windbreaker?
"Am I too old to get started now?"
No.
"what is it REALLY like to do it for a living?"
Personally, I think it's great!
"How hard is it to get started?"
Not too hard, but spend a lot of time planning and thinking it all through a couple of times. Spend a day or five reading around in the business folder. The business side of it is going to be more important than the work (since you sound like you already have skills). Be sure you charge enough.
Another day, another tool.
I was anxious but frightened to start out on my own. First I went to work for other deck building and remodeling companies in my area to find out how not to run a company. They're all out of business now. I did learn a great deal in a short period of time.
I was fortunate enough to have a wife that brought in plenty of bread to help me get started. It would have taken twice as long without her encouragement and financial support.
I love what I do and make a comfortable living doing it.
Find an area of the building industry you really want to pursue and specialize in it.Bob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
Im curious as to what the average age is for a perosn when they first go out on their own?
Some businesses succeed, a lot don't.
A question, second to yours.
At what age, (when first going out on one's own), does the average of failures fall most in the favor of the one starting the business ?
Don't bogart the Ghost
Quittin' Time
CAG-
Haven't got a clue - I was in my 30'sBob
"Rather be a hammer than a nail"
I'd love to run my own small remodel company, not so large to where I cant actually go out in the field becuase I am to bogged down in paper work, and I know I need more experience before it can happen, I'm still in college at the moment. Part of me thinks it would be better to start as early as I think I can, at least that way if it doesnt work out Im not putting a future family at risk or starving
Condolences to your neighbors wife and family. Times like this give one pause for reflection. Time better spent reflecting on the positive. Life, love, family, friends
The rule of holes: When you find yourself in one, stop digging.