how did you guys start off your welding business and hows it gone??

[ukracer]

Funnily enough, back in where I used to work, an English guy was surprised at pricing and suggested he built all my gates in UK and shipped them down, as he could do well at that. While I was thinking that I was not charging overly.

Its as if you cant win...lol This was from the last one I sold.

Hi Andy, stove has arrived safe and sound, nothing short of fantastic, built to last and then some! Haven't installed yet but looks super simple. Thanks again for a great service, you should charge more for these! Cheers, Steve

 

[Maker]

I've been self employed virtually all my life, well from 21 anyway, I like it but its not for everyone, you can either do it or you can't, unfortunately there is no middle ground

The last person I worked for gave me some very good advice, He said "don't be greedy, its easier to make a little bit on lots of things rather than a lot on one thing" Its seved me well over the years

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do for a living? Importing? Building custom cars? Working on cars?

 

[SmartWerks]

If you don't mind me asking, what exactly do you do for a living? Importing? Building custom cars? Working on cars?

http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/...er-build-this-time-a-willys-shop-truck.50295/

 

[Maker]

I know he builds them but as far as I know, he builds them for himself.

 

[SmartWerks]

Checkout his website, worth a look

 

[Maker]

Quote from his website:

Steve 'Langy' Lang has been building and modifying top quality cars for over 30 years now, and started his first hot rod back in 1974.

So, back in 1974, what did you actually do to get started then? Any tips for the likes of me?

 

[chevy2]

I know he builds them but as far as I know, he builds them for himself.

I've known Steve (Langy) sorry i meant mr Lang for a number of years and we both build similar but different cars,
you'd understand that bit more if you were in the hotrod scene,

Steve has built a number of show winning and well built cars not only for himself and for numerous customers,
not only that but has made probably thousands of one off parts for others,

Back on topic, Langy will probably agree here,
Produce good quality work and at the right price in the market you're familiar with and customers will come back and often recommend others, your business should grow from that.

In the 5 or so years that i was doing hotrod/racecar fabrication and welding fulltime i never advertised once word got around.

 

[Gritineye]

I've been self employed virtually all my life, well from 21 anyway, I like it but its not for everyone, you can either do it or you can't, unfortunately there is no middle ground

The last person I worked for gave me some very good advice, He said "don't be greedy, its easier to make a little bit on lots of things rather than a lot on one thing" Its seved me well over the years

Similar story to mine, but I also had the early good luck to sub contract to someone who didn't believe in overtime, he said 'If you can't make a living in 40 hrs a week you're doing something wrong lad'

And after 43 yrs I can honestly say I never worked more than 40 hrs a week on my own jobs, only did more a few times when working away from home for another firm.

Using this self imposed discipline will keep your mind focused on charging a decent rate and markup instead of working yourself to a standstill, I did very little commercial work.

I was never a 'business man' just a sole trader, I needed time off to be fit for Mondays, it worked for me!

I also kept well away from the banks clutches by never borrowing money

Best of luck if you go for it Mark and I wish you well in with all your endeavors

 

[ukracer]

I think that is the key. "Using this self imposed discipline will keep your mind focused on charging a decent rate and markup instead of working yourself to a standstill, I did very little commercial work."

(not sure what you mean by commercial work. though) ?

Its knowing what a decent rate is, knowing how to mark up, remembering the small things like electric and welding wire and gas that are not as easy to price as a bunch of raw steel pieces.

But how you never needed to borrow money and still able to take a wage each week is beyond me.

 

[langy]

I've known Steve (Langy) sorry i meant mr Lang for a number of years and we both build similar but different cars,
you'd understand that bit more if you were in the hotrod scene,

Steve has built a number of show winning and well built cars not only for himself and for numerous customers,
not only that but has made probably thousands of one off parts for others,

Back on topic, Langy will probably agree here,
Produce good quality work and at the right price in the market you're familiar with and customers will come back and often recommend others, your business should grow from that.

In the 5 or so years that i was doing hotrod/racecar fabrication and welding fulltime i never advertised once word got around.

Garrys right, personally I have never advertised anywhere, all my business comes from word of mouth, best way to get it in my opinion.

 

[julianf]

Not welding, but...

I started as one of those people who lurk about outside night clubs, giving out flyers to other clubs, as people are leaving (working for someone else)
Within a few years, i was nothing more than a mobile phone middle man. Got the call from the client, sent someone to the printers, someone else organised the rota, and i invoiced. Money for nothing, but not satisfying at all.

Got hit with about 3 bad luck things in a row (the kind that you can deal with fine if they come one by one) and wasnt too sorry to quit. It was good money for a while, but i always knew it couldnt last.


So, turned a hobby into something that would make money - repairs / modifications to old electronic musical instruments. Led to building them, dealing them, etc. Led to CNC work for their panels.
Work goes out all over. I think that Africa is the only continent that i have not shipped to, but i know there's a boat sailing around the med with a control panel cut by me.


Im not as motivated as i could be. The fun, for me, is in getting there, and then, once its all running, it becomes a little dull. My current field is not scalable. With the electronics side, the investment is in me, and you can only do one job at a time, so it will never make me rich.


Im strongly considering a career change at the moment, into government employment.


Self employment requires constant attention. You cant slack off and not think about it, as i suspect you can when working for someone else. If you take your eyes off the ball, it will all come down.

 

[Kent]

Garrys right, personally I have never advertised anywhere, all my business comes from word of mouth, best way to get it in my opinion.

Had an interesting meeting a good few years back with a total marketing genius. He asked a group how they got most of their business and the answer came "word of mouth". What do you do to increase this he asked "do a good job" came the answer. Believe it or not its wrong to do no more than sit back and wait you can capitalise on word of mouth and increase it via involving it in your marketing plan and I don't mean via customer recommendations printed on leaflets and adverts . It needs some in depth thinking specific to your line of business and location so its beyond explaining here, suffice to say few ask others for their recommendations and most client to potential client referral actually happens after order but before completion of work.

 

[KemppiFrog]

Two of my best contacts were referals, but not for what I expected. I was asked by an arquitect to fix the generators on a a big house owned by a German tanker co. That lead to me being their local rep/fix it guy, looking after their extensive property portfolio and gladhanding several high powered guests.
On a lower scale, I fixed the drives on a Do-Nut machine (really) after their normal contractor called quits. Owner grabbed me for a coffee and contracted me to fix all their kit on a Rolling Schedule. Only prob, the Do-Nuts were made from evening to around 5 am, But I soon called time on any thing after midnight.

 

[daleyd]

Not welding, but...

I started as one of those people who lurk about outside night clubs, giving out flyers to other clubs, as people are leaving (working for someone else)
Within a few years, i was nothing more than a mobile phone middle man. Got the call from the client, sent someone to the printers, someone else organised the rota, and i invoiced. Money for nothing, but not satisfying at all.

Got hit with about 3 bad luck things in a row (the kind that you can deal with fine if they come one by one) and wasnt too sorry to quit. It was good money for a while, but i always knew it couldnt last.


So, turned a hobby into something that would make money - repairs / modifications to old electronic musical instruments. Led to building them, dealing them, etc. Led to CNC work for their panels.
Work goes out all over. I think that Africa is the only continent that i have not shipped to, but i know there's a boat sailing around the med with a control panel cut by me.


Im not as motivated as i could be. The fun, for me, is in getting there, and then, once its all running, it becomes a little dull. My current field is not scalable. With the electronics side, the investment is in me, and you can only do one job at a time, so it will never make me rich.


Im strongly considering a career change at the moment, into government employment.


Self employment requires constant attention. You cant slack off and not think about it, as i suspect you can when working for someone else. If you take your eyes off the ball, it will all come down.

When I left the navy my career resettlement advisor asked me whether I would think about working for myself, my answer was a straight no because I didnt want to end up working all hours.

His response was that not many people looked at it that way when they came to see him - most people went there with the attitude that working for yourself meant part time flexible hours! (I'm sure it can and does for some people once you have the business up and running, but I always imagined getting to that point would take some effort).

He wasn't against pointing people down that route, but he said you need to be realistic about what's involved in setting up on your own.

I think if you are already in an industry and have equipment that certainly helps. Good luck, being a local lad I hope you make a go of it.

 

[KemppiFrog]

[QUOTE="julianf, post: 587044,

Im strongly considering a career change at the moment, into government employment.

Well...yes. But isnt that just copping out and taking the Gov shilling?

 

[langy]

Had an interesting meeting a good few years back with a total marketing genius. He asked a group how they got most of their business and the answer came "word of mouth". What do you do to increase this he asked "do a good job" came the answer. Believe it or not its wrong to do no more than sit back and wait you can capitalise on word of mouth and increase it via involving it in your marketing plan and I don't mean via customer recommendations printed on leaflets and adverts . It needs some in depth thinking specific to your line of business and location so its beyond explaining here, suffice to say few ask others for their recommendations and most client to potential client referral actually happens after order but before completion of work.

I could expand my business easily to probably 3 or 4 times the size but I simply don't want to, Its ok expanding but you must always have the influx of work, I much prefer to pick and chose my jobs, I only do what I want or am interested in. All the stuff i'm not interested in I give to my friends to keep them going as most of them will do anything.

 

[fixerupper]

[QUOTE="ukracer,But how you never needed to borrow money and still able to take a wage each week is beyond me.[/QUOTE]


It's just how you live when your self employed ..I've been self employed most of my working life (I'm61 now)I never borrowed money a weekly wage, sick pay, holiday pay, whats that ? You move from job to job contract to contract some times you have money in the bank sometimes you dont . jeff...

 

[julianf]

[QUOTE="julianf, post: 587044,

Im strongly considering a career change at the moment, into government employment.

Well...yes. But isnt that just copping out and taking the Gov shilling?

Not really - the govt is, more or less, the only player in the target sector. So its a job choice, and they are the employer, rather than an employer choice.

Ive no idea if theyll take me, but its an idea thats been bouncing about in my head for a few years now, and i may as well give it a go, so i can stop thinking, either way!

 

[Kent]

I could expand my business easily to probably 3 or 4 times the size but I simply don't want to, Its ok expanding but you must always have the influx of work, I much prefer to pick and chose my jobs, I only do what I want or am interested in. All the stuff i'm not interested in I give to my friends to keep them going as most of them will do anything.

Size and profitability certainly satisfaction are not always linked. "Turnover is vanity and profit is sanity sums this up" (profit need not be surplus cash it might be the satisfaction you talk of)

 

[Gritineye]

I could expand my business easily to probably 3 or 4 times the size but I simply don't want to, Its ok expanding but you must always have the influx of work, I much prefer to pick and chose my jobs, I only do what I want or am interested in. All the stuff i'm not interested in I give to my friends to keep them going as most of them will do anything.

[/QUOTE]It's just how you live when your self employed ..I've been self employed most of my working life (I'm61 now)I never borrowed money a weekly wage, sick pay, holiday pay, whats that ? You move from job to job contract to contract some times you have money in the bank sometimes you dont . jeff...[/QUOTE]

These two replies are from men who know how to live a successful self employed life without taking any notice of what the 'experts' say you need to do to start a business, (go to your bank with a business plan, borrow money to buy equipment/rent premises, get an overdraft, be a slave etc,) ignoring that advice has worked for centuries.

I had a customer whose son had done a business studies college course, I said to him perhaps you could tell me how to run my business properly, because I've no idea, and I really believed that I didn't.

He said something along the lines of 'None of the lecturers had any idea how people like you do it, you have the secret and every successful small business is different, each one grows to fill a niche that the one next door one can't easily compete in. So they can only keep pumping out the same old guff because if they new the secret they wouldn't be teaching.