Working for the man or..... Working for myself

[Supertech_newb]

Hey guys,

So here's the scoop. I'm 28 married with a 9month old.
I'm a student at RSI Inc in phoenix, az and will be graduating in April.
I come from a family of hvac techs and business owners, res and commercial.


My question.... Would it be best for me to work for somebody else right out of school before I run my own company (me being the only employee beaides my wife doing the billing at home) or would I do okay right out the gates being my own boss.

I know there's a lot of factors like advertising, health insurance, overhead costs.

Are those factors to big to get started from scratch?

My desire is not to try and take down the big boys, I'm not an idiot, but could I do these things like being my own boss and make a decent enough living even with the start up costs and lack of cheaper health insurance for my family.

I do have experience in the field, mostly with installation, retro fits and nob existing on straight cooling and heat pumps, but all residential and apartments.

All and any insight and tips and advice us greatly appreciated.

Thank you

[jpsmith1cm]

The issue isn't so much the business end of it. While I can honestly say that I couldn't run a business, I can't say that YOU can't.

It is a simple matter of knowledge. Do YOU have the trade knowledge to handle ANY problem that comes at you? Are you that good?

I have to say that, in my experience, coming straight out of school, you will not be.

Work for the man for a few years, hone your skills both technical and customer and then if you still want to strike out on your own, then do it.

[DavyB]

The issue isn't so much the business end of it. While I can honestly say that I couldn't run a business, I can't say that YOU can't.

It is a simple matter of knowledge. Do YOU have the trade knowledge to handle ANY problem that comes at you? Are you that good?

I have to say that, in my experience, coming straight out of school, you will not be.

Work for the man for a few years, hone your skills both technical and customer and then if you still want to strike out on your own, then do it.

Do you have your hand on enough techs and installers that can do this? (without causing you more trouble than it's worth).

[Supertech_newb]

Do you have your hand on enough techs and installers that can do this? (without causing you more trouble than it's worth).

Can you please expand more on this please.

Thanks guys this is the info I'm looking for.
Greatly appreciated.

[KB Cool]

Are you that good?

Yes, they don't call him "Supertech" for nothing!

[Supertech_newb]

Funny. That's the name of the business my grandfather started 40 years ago and the one my dad runs now in so cal.

[supertek65]

hey!
I resemble that statement!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Yes, they don't call him "Supertech" for nothing!

[supertek65]

business is easy
advertise, sell. inventory, hire, fire, spend money wisely!!

have you taken any business classes??????

if not? you shold

do you know the basis profit and loss statement, balance sheet. can you define profit, net profit, gross profit margins, overhead???

anyhow????

if you can run a business?

then your next step is to have a very proficient mechanic with lots of tools!!!!!!!

I think you could pull it off with alot of hard work and some business training??

can you list the 3 different ways to increase profit???????????

[penetr8or]

Since you are fresh out of school you are gonna make mistakes........ most likely more mistakes then you will 5-10 years from now. A good employer will allow you to make mistakes from time to time, as long as you don't keep making the same ones. If you are running your own show, your mistakes take money directly out of your pocket- something that a guy with a young family doesn't need on his plate. If you make a mistake working for someone else, it comes out of someone else's pocket. Presuming you don't keep making the same mistakes, a good employer will recognize that these mistakes are teaching you valuable lessons in becoming a better tech down the road. My advice would be to work for someone for 5 years or so and be a sponge....... any chance you have to work on something new, take it. This will raise your chances of success when you finally do start up for yourself.

[o-ring]

Hey guys,

So here's the scoop. I'm 28 married with a 9month old.
I'm a student at RSI Inc in phoenix, az and will be graduating in April.
I come from a family of hvac techs and business owners, res and commercial.


My question.... Would it be best for me to work for somebody else right out of school before I run my own company (me being the only employee beaides my wife doing the billing at home) or would I do okay right out the gates being my own boss.

I know there's a lot of factors like advertising, health insurance, overhead costs.

Are those factors to big to get started from scratch?

My desire is not to try and take down the big boys, I'm not an idiot, but could I do these things like being my own boss and make a decent enough living even with the start up costs and lack of cheaper health insurance for my family.

I do have experience in the field, mostly with installation, retro fits and nob existing on straight cooling and heat pumps, but all residential and apartments.

All and any insight and tips and advice us greatly appreciated.

Thank you

What does your family of hvac tech's and business owners say?

[supertek65]

good question!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

What does your family of hvac tech's and business owners say?

[Snoring Beagle]

Dude, make all your mistakes on somebody else's dime.

[supertek65]

thats what I do!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I am a 25th year apprentice!


pretty soon i will get it down!

Dude, make all your mistakes on somebody else's dime.

[Snoring Beagle]

This
could
catch on!

[supertek65]

LOL!!

I hope it does!

but i did not make it

y7turbo made it for me!
or for AM!

This
could
catch on!

[o-ring]

LOL!!

I hope it does!

but i did not make it

y7turbo made it for me!
or for AM!

I keep forgetting to look at the sign! Dammit!

[supertek65]

there's a sign????????????????????????????

I keep forgetting to look at the sign! Dammit!

[croake]

definitely work for the "man" for awhile to get the service side down..........nothing more important in this industry than on the job training! get it than do your own thing

[Supertech_newb]

Thanks for the advice guys. As much as I want to be my own boss you guy are right about gaining the knowledge I'll need to succeed on my own by working for another outfit. If anybody can share their own experience that would be great.

[wsp123]

I understand Supertech
I am in the same boat as you are. I am working now for my nate certfication on the service part.
I went to a employer and i would of had to take a 5 dollar pay cut from my other job to get started.