Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601442
01/30/13 04:06 PM
01/30/13 04:06 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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My biggest mistake resulted in me pushing harder. No regrets...
I still make plenty of mistakes, but we learn from it.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601448
01/30/13 04:07 PM
01/30/13 04:07 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111 NM
HD_Wildlife
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
NM
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Dave, Good point I should have put in the thread topic that learning as you go is how most get to be the best. I don't relish making mistakes but I know they benefit me if I indeed learn from them and it makes me better. Lately pigeons are teaching me a few lessons that I'm paying close attention to!
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601653
01/30/13 05:35 PM
01/30/13 05:35 PM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,191 Mt. Olive, IL
Ron Scheller
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,191
Mt. Olive, IL
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Biggest mistake..... priced per animal like a fur trapper (which I was/still am) instead of a business.
Ron Scheller
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: Ron Scheller]
#3601665
01/30/13 05:41 PM
01/30/13 05:41 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700 Chocowinity, NC
Phil Nichols
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700
Chocowinity, NC
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Biggest mistake..... priced per animal like a fur trapper (which I was/still am) instead of a business. What Ron said. I charged $5 for my first animal (a red squirrel in 1982.) Another mistake early on was trusting people too much. Get a credit card #.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601687
01/30/13 05:51 PM
01/30/13 05:51 PM
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Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 0 Tennessee
mchitwood
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 0
Tennessee
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Buying supplies before I understood what I really needed, buy as you develop the need. I also bought cheap traps that I am slowly replacing with quality gear. I now buy Comstock, Advanced and AES as I can. Buying things twice costs way more than getting quality the first time. Lastly, if you don't know how to handle a job, it's ok to pass on it until you are more experienced. Having an upset customer is gut-wrenching enough if you know that your doing things right!
Last edited by mchitwood; 01/30/13 05:55 PM.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601692
01/30/13 05:54 PM
01/30/13 05:54 PM
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Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,883 Northeast Wisconsin
NE Wildlife
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 1,883
Northeast Wisconsin
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I regret not letting my wife quit her Job as a cna the First year I started! She now works for herself so I can Plan big jobs according to her availability! If I would have Saved up more money before I started this business Letting her quit would have been possible the first Year, so what it comes down to it saving money before I opened shop!
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601705
01/30/13 06:00 PM
01/30/13 06:00 PM
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Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6 Luray,VA
Mike Hurley
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2009
Posts: 6
Luray,VA
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my biggest mistake was not getting a divorce sooner.. Then she got half...
Last edited by Red Ryder; 01/30/13 06:00 PM.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: Ron Scheller]
#3601791
01/30/13 06:37 PM
01/30/13 06:37 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830 Waterford, WI
Nathan Krause
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830
Waterford, WI
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Biggest mistake..... priced per animal like a fur trapper (which I was/still am) instead of a business. I am wanting to get away from this myself but the backlash from customers is not encouraging. I think what is hurting me is when I tell them $350 for a squirrel and then I try to sell them all the add ons they balk. At least when I had the "set up fee" they had the small up front fee so they felt better about the add ons. Maybe a half up front/half at completion will help with this...just not sure it will work in this area. 2012 was the worst year I ever had with having to chase money and I DO NOT want to go through this again this year.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: Paul Winkelmann]
#3601890
01/30/13 07:11 PM
01/30/13 07:11 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111 NM
HD_Wildlife
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
NM
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Justin, you just mentioned our biggest mistake. And it seems to ongoing. Paul, I assume you referred to not saying "no." For me I've had only a couple as I'm only 2 years into it now but they were obvious to me but I was compelled by the need / desire to make money. I had a set of condos that are badly in need of serious siding, chimney and other upper level exterior repair/replacement. Most of the issues I resolved even with the shoddy conditions but a couple are causing me chronic warranty repairs. My only silver lining is that the same folks have other units and see that I'm reliable and therefore have offered me more work on buildings that are far better structures. Ironically I say no to lots of other typical nwco trapping requests, but exclusion jobs I have a hard time not wanting to move on them!
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601927
01/30/13 07:21 PM
01/30/13 07:21 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830 Waterford, WI
Nathan Krause
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830
Waterford, WI
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Saying no is always hard and inflating the price to force a no almost always seems to end in a yes.
Last edited by Trapping By Nate; 01/30/13 07:29 PM.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3601943
01/30/13 07:25 PM
01/30/13 07:25 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111 NM
HD_Wildlife
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
NM
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3602058
01/30/13 07:56 PM
01/30/13 07:56 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,174 Minnesota
330-Trapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 63,174
Minnesota
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Too much Advertising... Spent too much on DEX and...
Also Reaching out too far for jobs.
NRA and NTA Life Member www.BackroadsRevised@etsy.com
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: 330-Trapper]
#3602177
01/30/13 08:23 PM
01/30/13 08:23 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830 Waterford, WI
Nathan Krause
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 830
Waterford, WI
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When I started out I did all the advertising I could and spent a LOT of money on it. I never looked at that as a mistake because I learned so much from it. While radio ads were worthless for ADC and cost a lot of money I am already putting my radio spots together for the store. Have been thinking about a billboard in the area for the wildlife and pest control and the cost is kinda large but I drive by it every day and think it would look nice with my sign up there. I would "NOT" reccommend spending a lot of money on advertising outside of website, business cards, or flyers. But would never fault anyone who took a chance on something big. I'm all about go big or go home. lol
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3602273
01/30/13 08:44 PM
01/30/13 08:44 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30 St. Louis area
Dave Schmidt
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 30
St. Louis area
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We were careful to avoid over-capitalizing; bought a 13-year old truck, used traps (many from the company that fired me!). This allowed us to price our work to make $$ and not to pay off big loans. It also helped to have a sharp accountant for a wife!(Plus, I'm a tightwad German!) Biggest regret was not getting serious about net advertising. That's 75% of our new business now.
Last edited by Dave Schmidt; 01/30/13 08:45 PM.
ALL OUT Wildlife Control
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3604501
01/31/13 07:07 PM
01/31/13 07:07 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361 mequon, wisconsin
Paul Winkelmann
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361
mequon, wisconsin
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I will tell you what hurt the most. Lack of business experience and business education.
My best friend and I started in this business at the same time. ( And neither knew the other one was starting )
He was a retired executive and knew business inside and out. ( And he was a really good trapper )
I knew a lot about spray painting and drinking beer. ( And I was a fairly decent trapper myself )
He would just about double what I made in a year. ( It was his business experience right from the get-go )
P.S. My son graduated college, joined the company as supreme overseer, and now we do a lot better. ( And I quit drinking beer )
Last edited by Paul Winkelmann; 01/31/13 07:12 PM.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3606770
02/01/13 04:58 PM
02/01/13 04:58 PM
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Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2 Six Mile, SC
cannonx4
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 2
Six Mile, SC
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Ok I have a question, for the ones that bought unnecessary equipment. What would you do now, buy it as the jobs called for it? If so, what do you do about the people not wanting to wait till the equipment comes in? Or emergency's that come up?
Is there a list of things that any new business should get ahead of time?
Upstate Varmint & Predator Control Ronnie Cannon
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3606777
02/01/13 05:02 PM
02/01/13 05:02 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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I am not sure you can avoid that mistake. A couple dozen traps is not a BIG mistake. Figure that it is a cost of doing business.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: mchitwood]
#3607109
02/01/13 07:16 PM
02/01/13 07:16 PM
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Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111 NM
HD_Wildlife
OP
trapper
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OP
trapper
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 111
NM
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Exactly what he said, while you can't avoid some things being bought that you might not end up needing, if you start getting to where you can always use an extra or two or three, you can buy them and get them shipped, or if you are lucky just go and pick them up (not my situation). I geared up for all things and wish I hadn't, exactly as mchitwood says, don't buy things that you don't know you'll need up front unless you've got a real good sense for needing them. You will still have some misfires, but a few is okay, too many and you've got a warehouse like I do!
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3607121
02/01/13 07:23 PM
02/01/13 07:23 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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There are so many specialty traps that you might need one a year. You might kick yourself for buying them....but then again they will come in handy. This sets you apart from a regular homeowner...that does not have any tricks up their sleeve.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3607193
02/01/13 08:03 PM
02/01/13 08:03 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361 mequon, wisconsin
Paul Winkelmann
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361
mequon, wisconsin
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Justin, ( And this applies to all of you ) if you have equipment that you've never used, sell it, give it away, donate it, it doesn't matter. Two days after it is gone, you will need it. That is, as they say, life.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3613433
02/04/13 12:53 PM
02/04/13 12:53 PM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10 England. UK
roe
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
England. UK
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The only real thing I'd change was that I priced my first few jobs too cheaply. But, in the grand scheme of things I'm still happy as they've been with me ever since and I'm just tweaking the prices up each year. I learnt one thing fast...and that's good advertising is the best investment you will ever make. Just one sign at the side oif a busy junction brought me over £2000 of work, and I'm on a contract from that sign too....
What doesn't kill us makes us stranger...
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3614165
02/04/13 07:13 PM
02/04/13 07:13 PM
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Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361 mequon, wisconsin
Paul Winkelmann
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,361
mequon, wisconsin
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roe, I hope you read this. My sister-in-law has visited your country on a couple of occasions. She made a few friends there and they reciprocated by coming to America.
She called her sister and asked what there was to do here that would keep them as entertained as she had been in England. At that time we had a shooting range in our backyard. So we said, "bring them over to our house for an afternoon."
I tried to explain why we Americans love shooting but I told them they wouldn't understand until they did it themselves. We had a nice selection of .22's in almost every shape and style you could think of.
Though both of these Brits never missed the target, one of them was a natural. We hung balloons, among other things and watching their expression every time a balloon popped, was priceless.
I told them that the guns they were firing could take a life even though they were one of our smallest calibers. And also that we provided a safe target with a safe backdrop so accidents were out of the question.
I really do not know who was happier; your countrymen for being able to fire their first guns, or the Winkelmann family for proving the opportunity.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: Paul Winkelmann]
#3615459
02/05/13 05:27 AM
02/05/13 05:27 AM
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Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10 England. UK
roe
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 10
England. UK
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roe, I hope you read this. My sister-in-law has visited your country on a couple of occasions. She made a few friends there and they reciprocated by coming to America.
She called her sister and asked what there was to do here that would keep them as entertained as she had been in England. At that time we had a shooting range in our backyard. So we said, "bring them over to our house for an afternoon."
I tried to explain why we Americans love shooting but I told them they wouldn't understand until they did it themselves. We had a nice selection of .22's in almost every shape and style you could think of.
Though both of these Brits never missed the target, one of them was a natural. We hung balloons, among other things and watching their expression every time a balloon popped, was priceless.
I told them that the guns they were firing could take a life even though they were one of our smallest calibers. And also that we provided a safe target with a safe backdrop so accidents were out of the question.
I really do not know who was happier; your countrymen for being able to fire their first guns, or the Winkelmann family for proving the opportunity. Well, over here we can have guns, but they are only given out on a strict licence system. I have a pistol, a .243 and a .30.06....The gun laws are crazy and it has done zip against gun crime. there's more of that than ever! But, yes, it sure is a good way to while a way a few hours with a spot of plinking.....
What doesn't kill us makes us stranger...
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3621408
02/07/13 04:08 PM
02/07/13 04:08 PM
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DaveK
Unregistered
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DaveK
Unregistered
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I pass on jobs daily. Focus on your area of competience.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3621694
02/07/13 06:03 PM
02/07/13 06:03 PM
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Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700 Chocowinity, NC
Phil Nichols
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 700
Chocowinity, NC
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Okay so far we have (summarized):
- buying too much or the wrong gear for startup
- expanding territory further instead of focusing close to home (driving too far)
- pricing structure (per animal vs. per job)
- trusting people to be honest and pay (versus getting cc# up front)
- learning to say "no" when the job is beyond fixable or something isn't right
- not adding help soon enough, technicians, spouse etc... to allow more growth
- too much or the wrong type of advertising dollars spent
Thats what we have so far, good points and all good to learn from.
Many people make a post (I have been guilty) asking for information but never follow up. You have followed up and compiled the answers. Thank you, thank you, thank you. You make this place worthwhile.
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Re: One thing you wish you didn't do (when starting up
[Re: HD_Wildlife]
#3622526
02/07/13 11:09 PM
02/07/13 11:09 PM
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Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,476 Central IA
TRapper
trapper
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trapper
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 1,476
Central IA
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great great post, was in for 8 years and now out for 2, this year will be returning back into it but in a different location, no longer in sw missouri. Some of those mentioned i had to learn the hard way, going back into it helps me know what equipment i used alot of and what equipment i never used, so initial equipment expenses won't be near as bad. My spouse has to be all in with me in order for business to be successful, she can still work but she also has a say in what is happening.
probably biggest mistake i made was to buy BIG things right away and put the business in debt to start off with.
Starting too fast was another without being ready for the workload.
Another big mistake i made was thinking all the work i was doing was good enough for a workout and not taking the time to have an actual work out scheduled in. now i go hard in the a.m. playing bball for an hour with friends, lifting weights, etc. so my body is used to the physical labor in cold and heat
Last edited by TRapper; 02/07/13 11:10 PM.
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