Wednesday, January 6, 2010
2010 ??
Here we are starting off the new year, it looks as if the government is in turmoil and we are still trying to get through this downturn in the economy. Whats next? I know that I have survived this using positive thinking and instead of putting my energy into being depressed or complaining I focus on what can I do? I have a family that depends on me and so I look for the good in everything. I feel that if you want to make it through these tough times that you have to be willing to change and adjust to current situations, too many people look at life as black or white, success or failure but life is about compromise, if you cannot compromise then you might as well crawl in a corner and start praying for someone to knock on the door and pick you up in their arms and carry you away to la la land where the unicorns play..............be realistic, work harder than you ever have, think outside the box, look for new opportunities and use all your talents to find a way through these times.
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3 comments:
I recently was forced to close my homebuilding business of 10 years in Cincinnati Ohio because my financial partner filed bankruptcy and my loan covenants came into question (he was a guarantor). Thankfully I was able to negotiate a release of my personal guaranty just before the holidays and have been "soul searching" for my next business venture. Currently the homebuilding business is all but dead in Cincinnati as foreclosure sales and builder liquidations have reduced selling prices to a level not supportive of new builds. I had an idea over Christmas about starting a home maintenance and renovation business for homeowner's primary residences and came across your website in my research. I have excellent relations with my subcontractors and suppliers and would like ot leverage these relationships to start this new venture. I am quite familiar with the concept of hiring a house manager for secondary residences as my family had a home in Beaver Creek for a number of years (Dean Johnson Mgmt) as well as other vacation homes over the years in Canada and the Bahamas. Do you focus your home maintenance business on primary or secondary homes? I noticed that your maintenance packages start at around $3200 per year - that seems like a big nut for people to swallow in these times. How successful have you been at signing up clients? Any tips or ideas for justifying that amount? Thanks in advance
Anonymous, I truely am sorry to hear that news about your business. I get angry when I know that the individuals and businesses that are at fault for this economic disaster are probably doing just fine right now because they had money to loose or were protected by the laws and government set in place to protect the common man such as yourself.
Regarding the home maintenance programs, I saw a need within my existing industry that I could fulfill, it took me almost a year before I had the knowledge I needed to market it as a real business. My sales method is easy, I focus on private homes in value of 1 million and above and stress the preventative maintenance side of the program, my savy clients realize the value and what they love the most is having a single trustworthy person they call for all items associated with thier home. The best thing is that once you get your client base they keep you busy with many other odd projects above and beyond the maintenance program. Keep in mind that with signed, annuall contracts you will have a steady residual income and that creates a business with value which leads to something you can leverage or sale when you are ready to retire. The best part for me is the business is unique for this area and so as of now I am the only private estate management company here in my area, things are great when there is no competition to bid against.
Thanks for your reply - I am moving forward with the Home Maintenance & Renovation company. I have pitched it to several people and have received very positive feedback. Still unsure of the annual fee amount but the plan is to secure the maintenance contract, build the relationship then go after the renovation projects. Would you be willing to share the maintenance contract document that you are using? Our website is currently under development and I will forward a link once we push it live.
Thanks again
Andrew
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