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What do you do when?

September 1 2008 at 1:45 PM
Joe M 

Your better half is not in your cornor of you going full time into carpet cleaning?

My wife feels that keeping my full time job, is a lot safer and just doing cc'ing as a side line for extra cash.

And I do see the pros and cons to both sides, her point is (and she makes it clear) that I have 100% total paid health care with my current job. And I have to admit she makes a good point on that one, when I had my bought from MRSA back in July, the statement the ins sent from the hosp was $25,000 for a five day stay.

Thanks.


 
 
AuthorReply

Del Scrivner

Re: What do you do when?

September 1 2008, 2:18 PM 

Are you happy there Joe?

If not then if a spouse REALLY loves you would they ask you to live a life that does not allow you to be happy.

I suggest both of you read: Rich Dad's- "Before You Quit Your Job" and Rich Dad's- "Cashflow Quadrant".  These two books have helped me immensely.  They helped me see and explain to others that I am not like them and that "Job Security" does not appeal to me over my happiness like it does for them.

Find a way to take the risk out of it for her.  If health care is the issue, focus on how you can still provide health care and it may be that simple????- or not.

I have been at the same crossroads and my girlfriend of five years was not supportive of my business either- neither was anyone else in my family for that matter.

I am now single again (for other reasons) and before years end I am hoping to make the full time transition myself.



Make you own luck,

Del Scrivner
Owner/Operator
Cowboy's Carpet Care

 
 
Dion

Re: What do you do when?

September 1 2008, 2:32 PM 

Marriage is the most important venture you will ever be involved in. Do what it takes to keep it strong. It sounds like she is more concerned with stability than with your career choice so if carpet cleaning is what you want to get in to full time get so busy with it so that you can show how it makes more financial sense to go full time. Sell stability not hope.

Good Luck

 
 
David Hebert

Re: What do you do when?

September 1 2008, 2:56 PM 


If I did not have my wifes support in a venture I would not do it. Quite frankly it is not about what makes me happy it is what is the right thing for my family when i make decisions.
This is not to say my wife has the say so because I do have the final say on everything that goes on in the home, but I always talke things over with my wife.

I cannot imagine any project taken on would go smoothly with out my wifes support. If you want to go full time then prove to her you can pay the bills including INS put money away for retirement along with having a plan to have money coming in if and when you are unable to work for any length of time.

Now would be a great time to pump up the marketing and hire a tech to do much of the work, when you are able to go full time your role would not be a techs

 
 
Shorty

Insurance ????????

September 1 2008, 4:29 PM 

Dunno how your system works over there, but I'll take a stab at it.

Tell me if I'm wrong.

When you got Mrs A, you were employed by someone.

Your hospital bill was paid for by insurance, which in turn, was paid for by your employers regular instalments.


The same thing happens for self employed people, i.e. carpet cleaners, etc;


Difference is, those self employed people pay for their own insurance.

Just like they also have public liability insurance for any damage they may cause to other peoples property.

I have insurance not only for accident but also for sickness, so if I'm off work for two weeks with a bad back, I get paid by the insurance company.

When I broke my leg, got Mrs A, and was in hospital for SIX MONTHS until they decided they were going to amputate my leg, I was paid by the insurance company.

That's not quite right, they kept paying until I was back at work.

So if your wife's main concern is insurance, you simply pay it yourself.

It can be a yearly, pay in advance policy, or you can have monthly instalments deducted from your bank account, also in advance.

The second option does cost a little bit more than paying all up front.

You could always work part time carpet cleaning until you have enough stashed away to pay for your insurance, plus a reserve, until you have good cash flow coming in.

Hope this helps.

Ooroo,

Shorty.




PS ::: Many years ago, a wise man told me,

"If you want to be rich, don't get married, & if you do get married and still want to be rich, don't get divorced".


I've seen the light, and changed my wicked ways.
www.get.shorty.com.au

 
 
Joe M

well

September 1 2008, 4:45 PM 

I think thats the problem , when we first met, I was self employed doing janitorial work, had no ins and we really had it rough going to pay bills and no health ins to boot.

Now that we are doing ok, even though its a job working for someone else (local goverment). In her mind I dont think she wants to go back to those days.

And if my wife is not for it, I hate to say it but neither would I. She is my partner in life and best friend. And even though I have final say on everything. This is one of those things we both need to feel good about. After all, I have to live with her.

LOL

Del, I read Rich Dad's- "Cashflow Quadrant" and all I got out of it was a guy trying to get you to buy more of his books.
For some reason, I am not a big fan of Robert T. Kiyosaki.

Maybe its just me.

 
 

Rick Gelinas

Re: well

September 1 2008, 5:41 PM 

While I'm a major fan of being a self-employed entrepreneur; I'm also a fan of recognizing the wisdom of my wife's thoughts. A very wise man was once told to - listen to his wife, by God himself at Genesis 22:11,12. I try to keep that in mind when it comes to considering my wife's thoughts and feelings.

Your wife makes a valid point about the insurance. And her welfare is YOUR concern. If you rush ahead and start a business that leaves her feeling vulnerable, she is not going to feel content. And that ain't good! If she's not happy, you're not very likely to be happy either. If you move forward without considering her feelings you're going to be miserable. And trading a happy marriage for a chance at owning a business is a poor trade IMHO.

Perhaps you could ease into the carpet cleaning business gradually. Build up a nice commercial base on the side until it becomes a solid enterprise. You might even have part timers out cleaning for you in the evenings, while you stay at home with the family. Then when the business looks more solid, you could then decide whether or not to make the jump to full time. A more gradual approach may help your wife to feel more comfortable.

The bottom line though is that these kind of decisions are personal ones. And the viewpoints of a bunch of well-meaning people who aren't your family, can't rightly give you the best advice for your personal family. So my advice here and that of the others may not be what you need. This is between you and her. Ultimately, the only way to make this kind of decision is to look into your own heart and also consider your wife's feelings on the matter. By openly and honestly communicating with her, you will likely reach terms that you both can feel good about.











Rick Gelinas
rick@excellent-supply.com


    
This message has been edited by cimex on Sep 1, 2008 5:42 PM


 
 
Joe M

Thanks

September 1 2008, 6:21 PM 

Thanks everyone and to you Rick. Again you have a lot of good advise and wisdom.

And whats wrong with just making a few bucks doing it part time?

Joe

 
 
Kevin Jones

Joe, you have to do what's best for both of you.

September 2 2008, 3:23 PM 

My wife started my company as a residential cleaning company back in '98. I came on shortly thereafter and we expanded into other things--carpet/upholstery cleaning, restoration work, etc. However, as the company grew, we both had different visions. I'm extremely aggressive and she is extremely conservative and we both, being ex cops, wanted to be in charge. We fought and fought. Finally, I forced her out and she became a bystander. We continued to grow by leaps and bounds and she was fairly happy--happy that the business was doing well, not confident in my abilities. Normally, during our slow season, we always had enough restoration work to keep things going. In early '08, that changed. We hit the ground running and then hit a brick wall. Everything just stopped, and as soon as it did, things changed. I had spent the last two years aggressively marketing and advertising. It had paid off, but not enough to put a lot of $$ away. I still feel that if we had hung in, the slow seasons would dwindle to nothing eventually. Anyway, close to divorce and not even liking being in the same room together, we sold to 2 employees for a small fraction of what we could have gotten 3 to 5 years from now (at least I'll always believe that). I took a job with a national franchise in their training dept.
My point? I would love to see you grow and become a great company. However, if your wife likes the security of your paycheck and your benefits, well, only you can decide if going out on your own is a wise thing. That doesn't mean you should give up, but make absolutely certain that she is on board and that she has the stomach to weather the tough times as you grow your business. If she doesn't, it will be tough on your success and on your marriage.
For me, it ultimately came down to my marriage. I miss the field and the opportunity to make lots of $$$$$$. But the chance to save my marriage was more important to me.
I say this not to belittle you, but to again, stress the point that she be totally on board and that she is willing to take the risks that will ensue as you go for it.
Best of luck. I hope she will gladly climb on that boat with you and sail through the storms so in the end you can reap the benefits of arriving in a safe, and wealthy, port.

 
 
Joe Desmond

WELL SAID

September 1 2008, 11:29 PM 

That was very well said Rick.
I am fortunate that my wife has always supported me in anything I chose to do. Yes we talk it over but she knows if I have my heart set on something she stands behind me. I have made some mistakes in my life but we always seem to come out OK. Take Ricks advise here Joe he nailed it on the head.

 
 
john mathis

maybe i missed something

September 4 2008, 12:54 AM 

Joe,
rick is right, if your wife isnt happy you wont be. but one thing you didn't mention is how confident are you that you'll be succesful going full time. as an individual that owns a carpet cleaning and restoration company that does quiet well (150k) last year i still have a job, my wife although we've done well still has resevations about my descisions sometimes but what I have to do and you should too, is show her that its going to work by being succesful.Also remember your vision is not her vision your job is to make sure your house is secure, like rick says at the end of the day we dont have to pay the light bill at your house you do but call me I am the biggest supporter of signing the front of the check.


    
This message has been edited by interiorclean on Sep 4, 2008 12:56 AM


 
 
Joe M

Good post

September 4 2008, 9:04 AM 

Thanks John,

I am darn sure of myself that I can make a go of it.

So I am going to take all the advise I received on this post and put it to good use.

Start small build it up and go from there, I might even cosider Ricks's idea of getting someone to do the work for me.

Hell by the time I am ready to go my oldest son will be 17 and he likes money.

 
 
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