plese help im stressing and dont know what to do

Q

quamen

New member
Well i have a really really hard decision to make here. I dont know which way to make it at all though. To break it down a bit. I work full time, at a job where im miserable. I just watch the clock and hope it goes by quick. I do security for a store that doesnt have carmeras so i basically walk around 8 hours a day in circles, it is really really really slow this time of year.



I go to college, part time at night taking 2 classes for now. I have everything planned for the detailing business such as supplies, brochures equipment etc. All i have to do, is put it all in the truck and start advertising.



Now it is the hard part. my truck is almost paid off, have like 2k left on it, and i have about 3500 hundred saved in the bank. Working full time, and doing detailing seems impossible. I would have to schedule on my days off, and then the weather will play a factor, and then is that convient to the customer.



Should I find a part time job, and do detailing on the side? It seems like detailing can be very sportatic in work to get a income.



Should i notify my current company I can only work part time, or just apply for part time somewhere else then leave? I dont know I should do to make sure im financially stable.



At first my concept was to actualy quit the job all together, get my butt out there and advertise day and night and get the jobs,but it may not happen like this. I really am so confused on what to do to survive. My total bills for myself are about 700 hundred dollars a month. This will decrease in half by septemeber once the truck is paid off for.



Im so determined to do the detailing business, but so confused as well. It seems like if i keep working full time, there is no possible way i can detail, i will be way to worn out and beat up. I dont have a established customer base, so this is my first year starting out most likely the hardest year. It is like a chance if i get customers or do not get enough. My mind is going all ways with this. And say i get calls from like 5 people, i willl have to blow some off cause it would confilict with a work schedule i have.



What should i do????? Any help well appreciated!!
 
hey quamen, i have a pretty good idea of what you are going through, very hard to type out a response, you can either call me at 585-414-3625



or pm me your number and i will give you a call real quick. (unlimited long distance is great)



~Michael
 
Scenario #1



What are you going to college for? What are you studying? I'm sure you're studying something you're interested in. So find a job or paid internship related to that. This way when you graduate, maybe you'll get hired on officially.



Detailing is something you can do on the side on the weekends to make extra money. You can study at night or on the weekend if you have exams or homework.



This way, you'll have a job you like and can detail too. But detailing should come second to your education.





Scenario #2



Why not combine your love of detailing and cars and work for a car dealer, body shop or professional detailer while going to school?



This way you'll make money detailing and learn the business and sharpen your skills. This sounds logical to me.



Then when you graduate, hopefully you'll have learned enough to try to detail as a professional or work in the automotive industry in a detailing capacity.



In my opinion, just based on where you live and remembering your other posts, you'll have a hard time being a full time detailer on your own.



Bottom line



Get a job you like and detail on the side. Take charge and quit whining! Do something about it!
 
Thanks i think you just straightened me up alot. Im going to do what you suggested,but not detail for another detailer. Actually im going to stop thinking to far ahead and see what happens. Maybe ill get so busy, i can just make enough detailing. Or i can just detail on the side, and work a part time job that I would enjoy.
 
I quit my full time job as a Denny's manager and took a part time night job as a waiter at another Denny's while getting my detailing business going....all as a full time single parent (primary custody and my ex moved out of state) with a 5 and 7 year old.



Yes, it was tough. I made about $11,000 in 1993 and about $17,000 in 1994 but it was worth toughing it out for a while.
 
Scottwax said:
I quit my full time job as a Denny's manager and took a part time night job as a waiter at another Denny's while getting my detailing business going
Click to expand...



Damn, Scott as a waiter at Denny's? What a waste of talent!! :D



Quamen, whatever you decide on, good luck to you! Keep us posted on how things go!
 
As in any business, "You're going to have to eat peanuts before you get to eat steak". You're never going to know if you're going to make it in business if you never give it a try. If you give it a try, chances are you are going to "go through" a period where it seems this may never work out, but if you don't give up, success could be right around the corner. That's where that above statement settles it in. Keep your mind focus on never giving up, but at the same time make open minded decisions and in due time you'll reach that level you've wanted to achieve. Remember, in business, it is all about taking risks......you'll never have your questions answered and your dreams realized until YOU give yourself and your business a chance.:up
 
Whatever you do, keep your mind on the education you are seeking. There is a difference between "taking" a class and learning a class (subject). Whatever happens with your desired vocation (detailing) education will always be useful. You may have to take a break from classes in order to get the detailing business rolling and working part-time. But that's okay; there are only so many hours in a day. Just do not forget to re-start after the transition (PT detailing / PT job >> Full time detailing and no PT job) is completed. Wish you the best. Work hard, stay focused and determined. There is nothing better than working a job that you enjoy. The money will take care of itself.
 
The advice has been pretty good so far. I would offer the harsh reality:



Any percentage of college less than 100% is as effective as 0%. It will be hard to find employment saying you have "some" college. The degree is everything, whether it be associates, bachelors, masters...



Basically, there is nothing wrong with NO degree, but it is wasteful to start college and not finish. I would dedicate myself to detailing on weekends only. Note this on your website and on any advertising materials you use. If you hate your current full-time job, look for another full time job. Check out temporary placement agencies. They can offer 40 hours per week and many times those jobs can turn into full-time placement. This can give you a feel for different work environments. It will also make the time pass quicker--anything new can be good.



You seem to enjoy detailing as a potential occupation, but I think it may be a bit chaotic to take classes, complete the requisite work for said classes, work to pay the bills, and start up a business. It can be done, but I think using the weekend route as a petri dish will be the most valuable experience.



There are plenty of jobs out there. Stop staring at the clock and do something different!! Especially if you are not currently in your career field and you are simply working to pay bills. If anything, reworking your resume and buying a new interview suit and practicing interview skills will be invaluable.



Good luck!
 
Thanks, well again I do have a Associates degree to being with, and im going for a BA degree. College to me is number 1, and second is detailing. Im not looking for a ton of money,nor do i need a ton to support myself. Litreally after my truck is paid off, if i can make 10 k this whole season, that is plenty. I finally came to a conclusion of what im going to do. Im goiing to leave my full tiem job, pick up a part time job 20 hours a week and do detailing, while going to school taking 2 classses. School is almost over for the part, and I can juggle 20 hours plus detailing, that will be a like a full time job. I have to see what happens, like i said i never know. I may take off so great, that detailing will provide me with that 10 k i want to make from april-november. I live home, so all i need is money for cell bill, car payment, insurance, gas. Car is almost paid off!
 
Intermezzo said:
Damn, Scott as a waiter at Denny's? What a waste of talent!! :D
Click to expand...



I had been a manager for them so I already knew the system so it was easy to step in and take home money right away. On Friday and Saturday nights, I'd take two stations when possible and I'd go home with $125-150 each night (and this was in the early 90s).
 
Well I have some input that seems to be contrary to what everyone else is saying. I have a degree from Virginia Tech in Electrical Engineering and to me that degree is actually worth about diddly to me because I am currently self employed and I plan to stay that way for the rest of my life. I will admit that I grew up quite a lot in college but no more then I would have if I had a job during that time.



If you don't have anyone besides yourself and you don't mind living cheap for a while then I would jump right into it. If it doesn't work out you can always get another job and go back to college. With the amount of money you have right now you could go for about 3 months with no income at all. If you like you can get a part time job at Domino’s Pizza and that would probably take care of your living expenses. I worked there for a summer and actually liked it a lot. If you live on about $1000 a month then that means you only have to detail 10 cars a month to get by, assuming $100 profit per car. That's only 2-3 per week which is very reasonable.



Now just making enough to live on isn't exactly a good goal but it's something that should be acceptable for a month or two. After that if you’re not making more money then get a real job. Be sure to set goals and if you do not meet those goals then don't feel bad about backing out, after all you probably learned a lot that will help you next time.



I've been a used car dealer for about a year now and had hopes that it would make me a lot of money. There is still a lot of potential to make money but right now I'm just making enough to live on so I'm going to try and get into the detailing business and give that a try for a while. Since I've been in business for over a year now, I have learned a lot that will help me in the new business.



Basically I would say go for it, what have you got to lose. Just prepare a worst case scenario and be willing to accept that outcome. It probably won’t happen but even if it does you’re still not that bad off and you’ve learned something for next time.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top