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ForumsIn the past, I wrote an article on how I would do it all again if I lost my business, my money and my contacts but not my knowledge of how I got here. I did plenty of things wrong the first time around so if I had to do it again, here is how I would do it.
Now, Everyone else’s path to get where they are now was probably fairly different to mine and I am sure they made plenty of their own mistakes on the way. What I would like to know is how YOU would do it all again if you lost your business, money and contacts.
How much startup money do you think you would need, knowing what you know now?
What are some mistake you made the first time and how would you avoid them now?
What is one piece of important advice you would give someone just starting out?
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Personally I would need a lot less start up money and a lot less time to become profitable. Knowledge and experience is the most valuable asset.
If I had to do it all again….I’d become a welder…..
Sounds like someone doesnt enjoy their job.
I’d definately do it all again, infact once I get so far with a project I like to start again to correct any mistakes on the way.
after the week i’ve just had i do not know whether i would do it again.
but who am i kidding yes i would.
I have a list of things I’d do differently. =)
1) I’d have planned things out better. Last time I got laid off (from another company doing the same thing) and went out 2 hours later and had my new business cards printed.
2) I’d also want to be better funded.
3) I wouldn’t waste so much $ on advertising that didn’t work.
4) I would start by focusing on businesses instead of home clients.
5) I would change my business name.
6) I would still go into business for myself.
TimeCode
I not a fan of home clients. They pay you for one job and they feel that they are intitled to free phone call tech support for life.
I leave them to the Geeksquads so they can deal with them.
Rick,
You just need to keep control of them. When I get phone calls I try and determine what the problem is (mainly so I know what tools/parts to bring) but if the client is a long time client and I they can fix it by pressing a few buttons, I tell them the solution over the phone (max 10 mins). If its anything beyond this I say “I cant determine what the issue is without seeing the computer myself. How does Monday morning sound?”
If they had no intention to pay, it gets rid of them quickly. If they are legit, I just booked them in for a callout.
My one piece of advice: Make sure you have at least a few month’s worth of savings to to pay your bills while you’re acquiring your first few clients. Have a little safety net of cash so you don’t have to sell your soul to pay the rent.
If I did it all over again this is what i would do:
1. Not go in business with partners ( huge mistake with one, the other was ok)
2. Develop a Concrete Business and Marketing Plan from Day 1
3. Focus on realistic marketing opportunity’s
4. Focus more on Business Clients then Residential by offering service plans for recurring income, then after developing a few months of recurring income focus on a residential campaign.