The conversation between myself and Piffin in the “Roofing speed” thread and the thread asking about the extra $2500 to put the roof on right away got me thinking.
As a young man I had it in my head that in order to be a Carpenter you had to be able to perform all aspects of the trade. For example if you were a Framer who could frame anything, but couldn’t hang a door, you were a framer and not a carpenter.
Because of that I spent some time learning and doing a lot of different things. I’ve spent the bulk of my time framing, followed closely by Stair work.But I can roof and side and hang cabinets and trim and on and on…………………….
This idea that I had stuck in my head caused me to miss two opportunities that could have easily made me a millionaire several times over.
The first is Roofing Contractor. I can put on a roof. I’ve done some Copper, slate and wood as well. I even went to learn about torch down rubber roofs from the manufacturer.
I had the connection to as much work as I wanted. I could have easily kept three, four or five crews busy six days a week in the 80’s when things were going like mad.
My dad thought it was a great idea but I didn’t want to be ” Stuck in a Rut” . I also didn’t see then that I could have made far more money not wearing a tool belt than by wearing one.
Opportunity passed. A few guys I know who did take that path are very wealthy today. Oh well.
The second time, I was approached by someonein the family about buying one of those huge tub grinders and a few dumpsters. The plan was to have all the debris piled in the yard, come in with a loader and the grinder and grind 10 dumpsters worth of construction debris down to about 3.
Talked to someone the other day who does just that. And he’s making a fortune.
So what opportunities have you missed/wasted in your life?
Replies
Well, I once owned a Domino's Pizza franchise (two stores). I did have one twelve month period when gross sales topped one million. But I really never made any money out of them.
A lot of free time though!
(and one of my best customers today looked me up because he so appreciated the way I did business with the pizza stores)
Rich Beckman
Another day, another tool.
I had a full ride scholarship to college for playing golf, just had to finish the senior season of golf in high school. At 17 I was a scratch golfer, probably one of the best around at that age or any where close.
But.........
I thought it was more important to chase women, and drink beer. Not neccessarily in that order. I quit my senior season half way through and didn't get the scholarship.
Now I have back problems and there are days where swinging a club hurts. I really showed everyone didn't I ???? I am fairly successful at what I do now and I love it but on the other side of the coin I could be sitting on a golf course managing it and getting paid for it.
Thats just one of many, I have screwed up alot of things in my life because of my raging alcoholism. Haven't had a drink in forever and it shows.
What's wrong with me? I could ask you the exact same thing.
I've had similar experiences where one decision completely changed the course of my life. I always beat myself up imaging how easy my life would be. It seems I have a new chronic pain to deal with every year since I turned forty. Where I live has some economic problems.On the other hand, I think about some the things I have built, some of the neat people I have dealt with and the good times I've had here.There is no doubt I really screwed up, but if I could go back and do it all again, I don't know if I would want to miss some of that stuff.
I hear you there, I don't think about the other road much until I have a crappy day at work. I wanted to be a carpenter as a kid and I am one now.
You are right about some of the projects, I have done some great things with some great people and wouldn't trade it for anything.
We have economic problems here too, GM and Ford are closing the doors more and more and it's killing the business one job at a time. I consider myself fortunate in the fact I have lots of work to do.What's wrong with me? I could ask you the exact same thing.
My big missed opportunity was farming. Ever since I was a kid I wanted to own a farm. I took all the Ag courses I could while I was in high school. I worked for farmers to learn the ropes. Then I started dating DW. She talked like she would like to farm. But she had/has zero talent for it. We finally had a serious heart-to-heart talk about it. I told her farming was my dream. But I knew it would take years of hard work and sacrifice to get started with basically nothing. She finally admitted it wasn't for her.So it was either her or farming - Her heart wasn't in it. So I gave up my dream of farming in order to keep the relationship with her.Somewhere about now I would have finally been to the point where I didn't have to struggle so hard. I would have bought land back when it was less than half the price it is now. Might even have something for my kids to inherit. Now that my marriage seems to be falling apart, I believe I made the wrong decision.
Mary had a little lamb, the doctor was surprised;
but when Old MacDonald had a farm, the doctor nearly died.
From various posts, I knew you and your wife have been having problems.
But I hadn't seen anything about them for awhile, so I was hoping you two had worked out some of the problems.
So sorry to hear things aren't working out.
coulda, shoulda, woulda, a person can drive theirselfs crazy
thinking about such things. a person cannot judge themselves
to harshly. that seems to be outher peoples thing to do.
I have worn many hats, but none has given me more pleasure
and satisfaction than where I am right now,in my life.
Have you ever wondered what are the instances are ,that have shaped
the man or woman that you have become,as I have worked for the most
part alone for the past few weeks and I tend to think , a lot about of my
grandfathers, my dad and mom, my dearest wife and kids,My relationship with
God all that alone makes me a rich man. One of my oldest and best memories is
plowing a corn feild with my granddaddy, me riding on top of a Belgian mare with a
colt traced beside her, my little legs spread so far apart that my hips hurt,
granddaddy telling her what a stuborn beast she was, and prasing her at the same
time,if that is the sort of memories that people remember me by, when my time
comes to go then ,all the trials and tribulations that have been set before me were
worth it.
You dont know if you would have screwed up the other deals, maybe they made money but maybe you would not have, I just wanted to be a carpenter like my dad and did, thats enough, I played with the cards that were dealt to me and did the best i could, every nickel i got was honest, a home paid for a good wife and great kids. I could have bought oceanfront homes for 75 grand now they are 2 million but ya know what i did not have the money then even though i knew it would happen, do i go and buy a home for 2 million now knowing in 5 years it will be 6 million. Nope still cant do it but i know i should
I should have married the very smart and witty Anna, but her underbite was too much. As a medical school graduation gift to herself a $40k plastic surgeon made her into a centerfold and now the new husband simply stays at home and watches their contractor build yet another bigger house.
Hi Bosshog, farming is one tough MO-FO! My missed opportunity was not finishing college. The girls were spectacular the beer cold and the parties were always decadent. Now I spend my days sanding cabinet doors all day long. Hows that for a pity party. Stinky
95% of my money I spent on beer & women. The other 5% I just wasted.
some famous athlete said this. Anyone care to give proper credit with his name?
He was a British soccer star of the 70's. Died not too long ago -couldn't quit drinking even after after a liver transplant. His name escapes me as well.
I have enjoyed this thread. On the whole it seems
that most of us can live with the fact that we
missed the boat and laugh. As you get older,
you gotta go with Piffin and look ahead not
moon over the 'what ifs'.
I wasted time money and health working
for small dough off the books in the hood
doing what passed for renno work in the
70's and early 80's. Then I finished college
with a useless liberal arts degree. I tried
a number of things, some of them interesting
and even fun but realized 1. I had zero
security, 2. zero pension and 3. zero future.
Back to school, another degree and work for
the local school system getting more money
than I ever thought, doing very little. Not
fun but warm in winter cool in summer. Pension
at 65, full medical, month a year off.
The point is for you younger guys, college is
useful as it opens the door to a lot of gigs.
College is mostly just an endurance game
if it is liberal arts. Real college, engineering etc,
well Im not at that level. Im not a genius.
You can find a gig that is good enough. Don't
forget that you go to work to make money. Fun
you can have later!
Yea, I did a stint sanding furniture all day every day. The owner would have made Dickens proud.
Got it together, got a degree with no job opportunities (without a Phd), ended up doing remodel/design/build for 6 years. Got tired of starving (E. TN early 80's) so went back and at 35 with DW & 2 kids got a degree in something I enjoyed and could make a living with - Computer Science. There are days it sucks - haven't found a job yet that didn't - and days it's really rewarding. (Still miss construction though - that's why I hang out here so much <grin>).
Not to say that should be your path, but get of the dang pitty pot! Only one holding you back is yourself.
Wrudiger, Older brother has computer science degree..man his income tax he pays out every year is probably 3times my net. He worked hard to get where he is..very little partying.
Iam sure its paid off for you also, with that degree you can't lose. stinky
I have a friend Jim in Toledo who was in the restauraunt business. He had some friends forty years or so ago that were going to start a restauraunt that sold fifteen cent hamburgers. With twenty years of experience, Jim told them they were out of their minds and that it would never work.
Of course that was the first McDonalds in town.
In the early eighties, I told my wife we should buy a bunch of video tapes and rent them out. She thought it was a great idea, but we had no money at the time.
I still think a topless barbershop with large screen T.V.'s and a liquor license would make a fortune. Tell me you wouldn't pay double for a haircut.
Kowboy
I still think a topless barbershop with large screen T.V.'s and a liquor license would make a fortune. Tell me you wouldn't pay double for a haircut.
I'd certainly give your shop a try...
I didn't necessarily miss an opportunity per se, but I did piss away about 3 years in college... I could be much farther along in my career if I hadn't
"I still think a topless barbershop with large screen T.V.'s and a liquor license would make a fortune. Tell me you wouldn't pay double for a haircut."
Around here we have a barbershop called "Bikini Cuts". The girls wear bikinis and there's an island theme to the decor. The guys like it, and actually, the girls do to because they don't cut by the little hairs that normally get stuck in their clothes. Caused a big uproar when the owner opened the first one (we're in Mormon country), even made the national news. It's been so successful that she is expanding the business and opening other branches.
Once only missed 5 of the 6 powerball numbers...
Once only missed 5 of the 6 powerball numbers...
LOL, Been there done that!
I've probably screwed up as many opportunities as anyone else on here and don't regret a damn one of em.
Life's good, quit worrying about what could of, should of, it'll just eat at ya.
I take that all back, there was this girl back in high school that I should have .......... damn, now I'm going to be thinking of her all day!
My younger brother won big on the lottery 3-4 times. Guess how much of that money he has left.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
None - he had to pay off the people who fixed it for him to win.
Not even that good.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I'm sure not very much is left...I read something where they did a followup of a the first bunch of people to win over a million in the lottery- after the last payment. One guy was cleaning toilets in a rest stop off of I-95, most were worse off than before they won.
He's well over $100K in debt, including some to some less than savory characters.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
I never thought about managing a golf course until I read your post. Now I am really pi##ed I didn't do that :)
You and me both, That is what my major would have been in college-Professional Golf Management. Has a nice ring to it.
Oh well, I probably would have gotten struck by lightning on the 18th green and couldn't do that anymore. At least thats what I tell myself to feel better. What's wrong with me? I could ask you the exact same thing.
I wanted to Major in Beach Awareness.
I rememeber probably about 6-9 years ago when AOL stock was seeling at about $24 a share (not sure if I remember the numbers right).
They had just finished the first round of major advertising and subsequently had gotten tangled up with customer dissatisfaction and problems with the network, etc.
and their stock price had taken a bit hit downward and it was a good buy. I knew that they had the name recognition and that the internet was only getting bigger and should've thrown a few thousand into it, but never got around to it.
Today, that few thousand would've been worth QUITE a bit more I imagine...
Having said that, I do firmly believe in investing only in companies whose practices or products you believe in. With that said, these days I'd invest in Apple, Trader Joe's and Costco if I was investing. Currently, I'm investing in myself, having just been licensed, insured and set a corp after starting and working (illegally) for the last 2 years remodeling and home improvements. Career change after being a photog for the last 15-20 years.
JT
Right after 9/11 I thought about marketing stickers to put in urinals with Bin Laden's face and a target over it.
I ran the idea by a buddy who is a successful businessman and he thought I was cracked. I had bad visions of a basement full of unsold stickers. Didn't pursue it.
Later on, I came across a news story about a cleaning supply company that made a "mint" (pun intended) selling urinal cake holders with the same idea.
Now my buddy introduces me as the guy he should have listened to. We could have been pi## sticker tycoons!
Don't know if it would have worked, but it would have made a good story.
Lots. Lots.
Dad made us an offer in the mid-70's when DW & I were newly married.
He would stake us to the down payment on a house in one of the (back then) far out 'burbs, and we could rent it out. I can still remember it was practically new, and an unfinished basment.
I said "no", we were going to South Africa.
Sold my taxi, in '76, too. I would have had 12 by now.
Oh, well.
Quality repairs for your home.
AaronR Construction
Vancouver, Canada
Life tosses all of us alot of ropes... where most of those ropes will lead will never be known except for the few we do grab...
just a few things I KNOW i could have done
Bond Trader, right out of hs... i have friends who got into it much later and a bad week is when they make less than a million...
International industrial sales... @20 i was offered 200k a yr tax free... plus living expenses to move overseas for 5yrs selling bearings,
Could have stayed in NASCAR sponsorships and marketing when i was there a BIG sponsor was 3million and good was 1 million...
I could name 100s of other deals i passed on... but there are 100s i didn't
one i didn't some 8-9 years ago is something you are just now really hearing about
"blue tooth" we sold out to Amazon after 2yrs and and it took until now for it to get into widespread public use...but i was there in a very small way at the start...
I wouldn't change a thing.... my wife who must be my biggest fan wonders why i work 10-12hr days (the last 3weeks on a roof) she often thinks i could have worked for someone else and had it easy... I never have been interested in easy and money has never been something that "moved me"
I can trace most of what i have back to why i have it... people i met... paths that crossed... passsions instilled... and that has value to me
I happen to like being as close to a one man show as i can... I like working and i'm very lucky in that I only work for me... my designs my projects my risks my rewards, if it was all gone in the morning... I wouldn't change a thing... you learn just about zero from success... screw up and you learn a ton... i should be really smart by now
p
I always wanted a concrete plant with no trucks, let the independent own the truck, just three people to run the plant. have only one mix a 3000 resdiental mix.
I've had 2 friends that owed plants... one had pump trucks also in TN the other one new 1st rate plant top of the line equipment in N.FL both told me the only time they made money is when they sold out.... both told me if they sold me mix at cost i wouldn't save $4 a yard...
a scaled computer controlled batch plant should be able to spit out any mix as called for... I've never seen independent run trucks around here? are they common other places?
p
good words..........God Bless ya'
At 21 was offered a job on POTUS Advance Communications team. Didn't like Nixon.
In '78 was offered starting at $3000/mon + $100/day Per Diem as Electronics trouble shooter, probably my true field of genius. Would rather party.
Ca 1978 tossed a CPU design in the garbage. My old boss called about a month later, asking if I still had it. There's a good chance it could have ended up being part of a PC design.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Screwed up taking a picture of Loni Anderson on Saturday -- about 2 seconds too late. Just got the back of her head.
If Tyranny and Oppression come to this land, it will be in the guise of fighting a foreign enemy. --James Madison
Whatever it was, I missed it.
But the good new is my Ex wife didn't get it when she sub-divided me.
Joe H
Your missed opportunity
there was this girl named Leslie once . . .
When I was a wet-behind-the-ears engineer, I toured the Interdata (old minicomputer brand) factory in northern NJ and watched as a bunch of ladies peered through microscopes to thread wires through cores. I reported to my coworkers that core memory was on its way out -- semiconductor memory would be the next big thing.
At the time, the only company making much in the way of semiconductor memory was this little startup outfit in California. I heard good things about them, but it never occurred to me to take, say, $2K out of my CHECKING account (ie, collecting zero interest) and buy stock in the company.
I wonder how much $2K of Intel stock, purchased in 1974, would be worth now?
I'm sure there are some in my life...
but this is a game I don't play. I spend too much time looking forward.
Welcome to the
Taunton University of Knowledge FHB Campus at Breaktime.
where ...
Excellence is its own reward!
I go the opposite way.
I look at how it's all worked out.
HS ... was good at working the system and getting straight A's and not getting busted. College ... tried the same and they caught on ... but ... fraternity and learned how to talk to older rich dudes.
poured concrete ... learned hard work paid good but sucked.
back to school ... flight tech degree ... supposed tp be launching pad for commercial pilot job ... couldn't make up funding ... never finished. best friend did ... he went thru an early midlife crisis and had bouts of depression ... and look at the airline job prospects now!
bartending .... learned how to deal with the best and worst in life. Worked roughest bars and private clubs ... learned from both. Made better tips in the worst places. Plus ... learned how to deal with a gun to the face.
left bartending and got into sales ... met the best sales instructor ever. I'd never be anywhere with out answering that telemarketing ad in desperation. Made my whole sales career.
Moved back home and sold cars ... learned much more ... then security systems ... prefected the "in home sales" technique.
Ended up back in remodeling by choice ... and suddenly it all comes full circle.
Use the skills I enjoy ... and the sell myself.
a lifetime of bouncing from job to job ... all those learned skills rolled up into one neat little ball.
Missed op's ... maybe. Great op's ahead ... definitely.
live and learn. and all this before I'm 40. What's next?
Jeff
Buck Construction
Artistry In Carpentry
Pittsburgh Pa
<<Made better tips in the worst places.>> Now why is that? I had the same experience. Topless dancers from down the street left the very best tips; the guys who need to be better than anyone else (usually trying unsuccessully to pick up the dancers) leave the worst.<<Plus ... learned how to deal with a gun to the face.>>Depends on who is holding the gun, que no? At least that's my experience. <G>
anyone who has ever had to work for tips... tips well ....even for bad service
I never worked for tips but employed many that did... i pulled more than a few shifts for cooks & waiters that didn't show up or got swamped... always turned my tips over to others working that day... for the most part the public sucks and are usually wrong... I might not have done my business much good but it was rare that a customer was right... more than a few times people would b&^ch and expect a free meal... they were always easy to spot...eat 90% before they complained and camp out at your tables... I'd always listen and let em know i'd make sure whatever it was wouldn't happen again... never offer'n anything free unless they were super nice or actually right to complain... most that were right wouldn't accept "free" in which case i made sure they got a gift card for free next time visit... If they demanded free and told me how much i sucked... I knew they were never come'n back anyway so they paid... just to piss em off I'd comp the table next to them for have'n to dine next to the a-holes
p
<<anyone who has ever had to work for tips... tips well ....even for bad service>>One of the many wonderful memories I have of my recently deceased Father-In Law (a giant of a man by any standard, amongst any men, in any age) was we stopped in a bar/restaurant for breakfast on the way out of town early one morning. Apparently the cook hadn't showed up. The waitress was somewhere in the borderline retarded range, but trying like h#ll to keep the place open and do a good job. She came to take our order, and we soon discovered that she was going to be cooking. She sheepishly admitted that the only thing she knew how to cook was eggs. As the conversation progressed, the options narrowed to scrambled only.So we went with scrambled.Unbelievably disgusting.But by the time we left, she knew without a doubt on the basis of my FIL's good-natured and slightly flirtatious testimony that she was one beautiful, talented, hardworking waitress who could really cook and deserved the good tip that was discretely left on the table. <<just to piss em off I'd comp the table next to them for have'n to dine next to the a-holes>>Just too d#mn cool. Beautiful.
Great story. Here's to your FIL and all the giants among us. The salt of the earth keep the flames of hope burning.
Anytime I get down in the dumps about how tired I am, or burned out I am from my work, (which I seem to be teetering on a lot these days), I think about the years I worked in the restaurant biz from potwash-cook-waiter-barkeep-mgr, and I pick up my hammer and go back to work with a spring in my step. My hat's off.
Tip that waitress...
I love that compin the table next to them...
I was downtown with the kids yesterday and we took the Riverfront loop and I was wondering if any of your projects were on that loop. Saw lots of old buildings and a few being gutted and redone.
ANDYSZ2WHY DO I HAVE TO EXPLAIN TO FRIENDS AND FAMILY THAT BEING A SOLE PROPRIETOR IS A REAL JOB?
REMODELER/PUNCHOUT SPECIALIST
Yes there have been a few. Real estate, opportunities to throw in with people who now are household names. I feel it's silly at this point in my life to wish any of it back though.
I like the way Jeff Buck approaches it.
Yesterday's gone. Tomorrow is but a thought.
Carpe Diem.
Build on it all. Be a builder.