A career shift

Dan Gonzales

Member
Messages
511
Location
Whittier, CA, USA
Hello Family Woodworkers,

Well I have given up finding a job in my IT profession that lets me spend a reasonable amount of time with my family. I have officially started my own business, a glorified handyman service.

I have worked in the Data Processing → Information Services → Information Technology field since I was 21. As I became more knowledgeable in my career the more hours I spent at the office. When I was laid off from BEHR Paint's corporate office I was spending about 12 hours of the day away from home during normal work stuff and days away when the nasty stuff hit the fan.

My network of friends and acquaintances included some real estate people. Some were the normal buy and sell realtors and others were residential rental property managers. Shooting the breeze I would often overhear how they often couldn't find reliable service providers for their properties. Well one of my responsibilities over the years in IT outside of the technology has been managing data center physical construction, maintenance and expansion - electricians, painters, HVAC, roofers, cleaners...

I got to thinking. I found out that some of my friends had a good painter, another a good electrician, another a flooring guy and so on. So I have opened a property repair and maintenance company targeting realtors and property management companies. I have started out small doing the little stuff myself (within California's regulations) and have farmed the licensed stuff to the pros I have put together as needed. I have a cousin who is a general contractor and is appreciative of the work I have found for him. He and other contractor friends are helping me get my paperwork in order to get my own general contractor license.

It's going well for the fourth week. It's a bit jittery but I am learning and giving thanks to the big Guy upstairs. So far I have tapped 2 businesses and am having to schedule jobs 2, 3 and 4 weeks out and other unemployed friends are asking me when I am going to start hiring. The number of unemployed Californians is more than the population of 16 states.

The best part is I get to work from home and I set the schedule. I also had to replace/upgrade some of my tools in order to get my jobs done. I'll be posting those gloats/reviews soon.

Cheers all!
 
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That is wonderful. Luck favors the prepared. You saw an opportunity and stepped in. I wish you all the best. Do you do stuff for individual home owners as well?
 
American entrepreneurialism at work. :thumb:
This is the sort of thing that can grow. Word of mouth is the best advertising. Good work and good service will beget more business.
Congratulations.
 
I owned a property management company in Orange County for a while (sold it in 2004). At peak, we were managing 935 properties.

One of the most valuable assets to a property manager is a good list of contractors and handimen. I had plumbers, electricians, carpenters, roofers, didaster clean-up specialists, janitors, and multi-talentd handimen on my 'speed dial,' and seldome a day went by that I wasn't calling one or more of them.

Once you prove yourself as reliable and efficient - and fair priced - your phone will be ringing off the hook with clients.

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My only piece of advice is "Don't fall into the 'discount' or rebate/commission/kickback' trap. There are a lot of property managers out there that will try to get an 'incentive' for hiring you.

Also - Try to bill the homeowners directly if you can, because some managers will take your bill and add their 'management incentive fee' on top of it and end up overcharging the homeowner. That makes the homeowner thing that it's YOU who charges the outrageous fees. You don't want that!

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Don't mean to sound negative, but I've been around that block a bit.

Best wishes for a gigantically successful endeavor!
 
Simply awesome Dan.

However I am "NOT" looking for a job...

I wish you great success in your new venture and it sounds as if you talked it over with the most important advisor.

Garry
 
That is awesome Dan! Yep, leave it up to Him, and all falls into place! This is what I've done too! I got my General (and the insurance and bond, $$$ :eek::eek:) and opportunities are opening up. It is deff a must to have the relationships with others in the trades. I always ask where people recommend supplies etc and have found some great people and stores to purchase supplies and tools from I otherwise would have missed.
It was scary at first, especially with the economy the way it is and after being slapped in the face with a pink slip, but I just reminded myself who's in charge and also that even in the great depression, people started business that are still thriving today.

Great work!

Also, get RRP Certified (aprox $300 for training and additional $300 for certifying your firm) and it opens up a whole new area to work in - any home built prior to 1978.

Brian
 
Outstanding Dan!!! Sounds like you're off and running on the right foot.

As a former long time California resident, who rehabed a 75 year old farm house just before retiring to Arkansas, I know how hard and frustrating it is to try to hire a reputable contractor. I've seen that here in Arkansas, but it's not as extensive as is was in Southern California. As long as you've got reliable trade contractors, I'm sure you'll do well.
 
Congratulations Dan:thumb: I applaud you for taking the step and taking your future into your own hands.:thumb: From what i know of you here anyone lucky enough to have you do work for them will be very happy.:thumb:

Wish you all the best as the saying goes, "Tough times never last but tough people do."

Dan, just one idea you might want to throw in your basket is adding some IT services to the bundle.

My experience with the small business guys in our light industrial condo units here is that the property manager sees to the external side of things but often some of these guys need a little internal computer cable reticulation or wi fi installed. Given your background this may or may not be something you are able to do.
 
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