My favorite description of my life as a 20 year old:
"What am I to do ...? I am not strong enough to dig, I am ashamed to beg." Luke 16:3
So from that basic starting point into a one man janitorial service (started it with an investment of 75.00- I still have the receipt- used floor machine, used mop buckets, used mops, you get the idea- just don't tell Jim P or my boss, Nick Paolella).
Then started cleaning carpets, built our own TM (big mistake) hired employees (bigger mistake because we didn't do it right), went up and down and then into Restoration, etc. Too stubborn or too stupid to quit.
Finally in 1991 we were doing 750K yearly in a market base of 30,000 people. (That will separate the men from the boys.) Woke up and said to Sioux, "This has been a great ride. But I don't want to do it anymore." So six months later to the day I sold the business (for 97% cash up front) and retired. (I was 38.)
What a great industry says I. (To quote Rawknee.)
Steve Toburen CR
Director of Training
Jon-Don's
Strategies for Success
PS Upon reflection, Jim, my answer was a little more complicated than your question called for. Memories will do that to you. Speaking of memories, Jim, I heard your Dad speak several times in the 70's and he was a big influence in my business.
Anyway, I went into this business because of three things:
1. Low entry cost.
2. Many of my friends were in the cleaning industry.
3. Just plain chance. I had NO idea when I was in high school I would spend a career in cleaning up after others.
Speaking of "cleaning up" many have asked how I was able to retire at such an early age. I've done up a Special Report called "Cleaning Up: Building Personal Wealth In the Cleaning Industry." It is based on my experience and the "down in the trenches" stories of many of our
SFS members. If anyone wants an e-mailed copy (it is around 70 pages long) just write me at
stoburen@homefrontsuccess.com I hope it will help some.