Labor/ Help Resources

[BCLS]

Hello Everyone,

It's been a while since I last posted here. I have been busy operating my business, as well as working my normal job.

If you all remember, I just started my business in January of this year and things are going very good, better than I expected it to. As of right now I have 7 new aquired accounts with one being a small commercial account.

However, it's been a little difficult managing my business and having to keep my regualr job, which involves me traveling. My concern has become this. If I am to keep my business growing, and with me travelling within a days notice, I foresee me losing my present customers. I am looking into possibly hiring to start someone part-time and eventually to a full time arrangement. This will all be dictated as my business continues to grow though. I am also considering changing my position to non travelling as soon as the opportunity arises. For the mean time I have to make some adjustments.

I just wanted to get some ideas and thoughts from everyone about how I could go about this little delima. Have anyone experienced this similar situation, and if you did what did you do?

Thanks in advance to everyone!!

Edaudro
Bayou City Lawn Services

[Phil Nilsson]

When you are out of town, have the employee "report in" to a close relative or trusted friend. You might also want them to do a quality inspection behind the work. Monitor the employees activities by cell. Your business is not big or out of control at this point. Promise a "bonus" payment if there are NO customer complaints during your absence.

Phil

[vdeegan]

Eduardo,
I wouldn't get discouraged with replies like that from Valleywide. There's always going to be someone with the personality of a piece of wood. It's obvious that you're not "whining", but, instead, have a legitimate concern. I wish I could help out, but I better let some of the seasoned pros give their advice, instead. Phil's reply sounds like real good advice.
Good luck.

[BCLS]

Thanks Vdeegan! I'm glad that you and Phil have the sense to read what I actually wrote and what I am concerned about, and not comment negatively as WideValley. It sounds like thats the space between WideValleys ears, wide open space!

However, I do have someone to cover for mean in my absence. I'm just not sure if that is enough though. I have a good momentum going here and I don't want to loose it. I was beginning the process of possibly interviewing starting for a part time position and eventually setting up my first foreman. The thing of major concern is finding someone reliable and that will be a quick learner. I do work my business and and my regular job all scheduled accordingly and all my customer are very happy with their service. And that is my intention to keep things growing in that direction.

Thank you both for your inputs.

As for whinnng? Never, from a Texan!! Only a solutions to a common problem is all I was asking for!

Thanks,
Eduardo
Bayou City Lawn Services

[mellowjohny]

Eduado,

I hope I can help. Look at the big picture of your business and ask yourself what would be the ( realistic ) worst caSe sceNario of potential problemS that might occur in Your absence. Honestly if you do a good Job of choosing a foreman to oversee things when you travel, then maybe .5% of the time you will return home to find a problem of some magnitude. Major problems will likely happen less often than that. My advice would be not to let your fear of these potentials hold you back from the growth you can achieveGuess it comes down to faith, that you'll hire the right person/s and have mostly good fortune. Anyway, I hope I read your question correctly. BTW, what is your reg. job?

[BCLS]

Thanks MelloJohny.
I appreciate your suggestions. I have been looking at several options and thinking which will best suit me and my condition best. I have been considering putting an add in the paper and see what I get.

I guess my major concern is allowing someone the use of my truck and equipment, which I know I have to do. However, not knowing if my equipment will come back at the end of the day! I had a very similar bad experience some year ago, and I'm kind of worried of the same thing happening again. I know that I can not let that overcome me and I have to find a good solution. I went to a labor agency to get information and they were charging anywhere from 10 to 15 dollars per hour for their labor. I think that my best bet will be interviewing several people until I find someone that I can feel comfortable and trust and that will be a quick learner and motivated as I'm willing to pay them pretty good.

As for my regular job? I'm a Field Service Engineer on Industrial Gas Turbines for General Electric's Energy Division.

Again, thank you MellowJohny for you time.

Best Regards,
Eduardo
Bayou City Lawn Services