Why 'Micro' Contractor? Well, a small business is generally viewed as a business with 15-250 employees. Many painting businesses operate with less than 10 people, and several operate just fine with 1-4 people. The dynamics of operating a 'small' business with 100 employees are much different than running a business with 2 or 3. The aim of this blog is to speak to the issues of running a micro painting business.
Painting is a complex technical trade that requires patience, attention to detail, problem-solving and hard work. Running a business requires integrity and a handle on various aptitudes. The learning curve can be steep for a new independent painting contractor. There is business planning, registrations, insurance, budgeting, bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, branding, marketing, estimating, sales, scheduling, training, safety, conflict resolution, motivation...on and on. Very few people are great at all these different aspects of operating a micro contracting business right off the hop.
The learning never ends when you wake up and take on the world every day. When you work for yourself it becomes very clear which activities deliver real value versus busy-work that doesn't move the ball down-field.
This blog has been created as a place to share tips and accelerate success by leveraging the experience of others. It is an accumulation of knowledge picked up from workshops, books, advice from mentors and colleagues, and 15 years of hands-on experience (the good and the bad). The road you've chosen is not an easy one. But I truly believe that what you learn along the way will be a valuable education. You will learn about yourself, communicating with others, business management, technical skills and much more. Most importantly, you will never stop honing your creative problem solving skills and your ability to add value to others.
It is my sincere wish that the principles we discuss will add to the profitability of your business, and to your family's quality of life.
Simon Kuhl
01/2015
If you would like to hear more about my story, you can find two features here...
Painting is a complex technical trade that requires patience, attention to detail, problem-solving and hard work. Running a business requires integrity and a handle on various aptitudes. The learning curve can be steep for a new independent painting contractor. There is business planning, registrations, insurance, budgeting, bookkeeping, accounting, taxes, branding, marketing, estimating, sales, scheduling, training, safety, conflict resolution, motivation...on and on. Very few people are great at all these different aspects of operating a micro contracting business right off the hop.
The learning never ends when you wake up and take on the world every day. When you work for yourself it becomes very clear which activities deliver real value versus busy-work that doesn't move the ball down-field.
This blog has been created as a place to share tips and accelerate success by leveraging the experience of others. It is an accumulation of knowledge picked up from workshops, books, advice from mentors and colleagues, and 15 years of hands-on experience (the good and the bad). The road you've chosen is not an easy one. But I truly believe that what you learn along the way will be a valuable education. You will learn about yourself, communicating with others, business management, technical skills and much more. Most importantly, you will never stop honing your creative problem solving skills and your ability to add value to others.
It is my sincere wish that the principles we discuss will add to the profitability of your business, and to your family's quality of life.
Simon Kuhl
01/2015
If you would like to hear more about my story, you can find two features here...
