Overcoming the wife factor...

[jroske]

Tuna,
Are we married to the same person. My wife is the same way. I did purchase almost everything I need. I have a couple items coming in and business cards coming in from Vistaprint (Free+Shipping). She is not too happy by is getting warmed up to the idea. I am now working on getting a contract with the company I work with and am lining up some big truck work with independents I work with.

[cure4glass]

Tuna,
I work 7 days on, 7 days off at my "real" job,which pays well, along with the other benefits.
On my work week , most days I can pick up a hundred or more bucks on my way home, from jobs that are set up by the answering service that I use at a cost of $65 per month.The answering service knows my business well and I keep them informed enough to know how to secure the job usually even before I return the customers call.The service will dispatch alphanumeric pages to me with all the info I need before calling the customer back.I am fortunate to have the luxury of using my phone as needed while at my "Real" job.The jobs I do after work is besides the work that is done by the lady that works with me,which I don't make as much on, but it helps.
On my off week from my "real" job, I usually stay as busy as I want.If for some reason my "real" job ended tomorrow, I feel like I could maintain my annual salary if not exceed it.
I believe that if you jump into this and keep marketing yourself, read the froums,and provide great customer service, you and your wife will be pleased with the potential.

[gold star windshield repair]

Tuna,
I was a teller at our local credit union when windshield repair entered my life. My husband was not happy that I wanted to give up a good job for this hair-brained idea. I told him I could make more doing one windshield repair a day than I was making working 6 hours at the CU. So he said 'the day you go to the city and come home with $200, I will get behind you 100%' .... (a. that was roughly 4 times what I made in a day at the CU. and b. the city is 60 miles from our rural community). A couple of days I left home at about 11 am to take my mother to lunch at the local senior center and did 2 repairs while we were there. Then on the way home, Mom wanted to stop at a gift shop. The owner asked if I could look at his vehicles... all 5 of them needed work. We got home at about 2:30 pm. and I showed hubby dearest receipts for over $200 worth of work that I had accomplished in less than 3 hours ( I ate lunch too while we were gone). From then on he was convinced. In fact, now he even talks like it was HIS idea for me to do this LOL !

[gold star windshield repair]

CORRECTION: oops. "a couple of days I left home....." should read "a couple of days LATER I left home...." (that's what happens when your brain works faster than your fingers)

[chips1144]

Computers used to be a good job, it still is for many, But it is on the decrease, If a job can be done for less pay abroad you better wave goodbye to it, it was cars, clothes and electronics, now its computer design, service calls and accounting for major companies... I dont think you will see people living in another country fixing our windshields or cleaning our carpets, the service industry is here to stay, at least thats the way it looks to me...
I understand the wife issue, many times our partners cant see our vision, Its time to just do it, one of these days she will thankyou for it, just ask her for a second chance, surely thats not to much to ask, I think FEAR gets in the way of many good ideas, dont let her fear stop you from being a success...
I love this thread, its so Positive....

[TheTuna]

I'd like to thank everyone for their encouragement. It's obvious to me that this is 100% viable, especially since I've done it before. I'll be starting up soon, with or without her 'approval'.

Thanks for joining in everyone!

Tuna

[magicogar]

It used to be an employee's market, now it's an employer's market. Sad...very sad. There are still computer jobs out there but it requires you to be a god. I've seen ads for $15/hour for a software developer position. This candidate must know C++: 7+yrs min exp w/C++; MFC, COM, ADO, SQL Server & Client/Server dbase dev. XML: Report Developer to design, develop, & maintain dbase-driven reports using XML & SQL Server. Min 2 yrs exp with XML & MS SQL Server req. HTML & VB a +. SQL Server Dev: 3-5 yrs exp w/SQL Server reqd. Must be an expert with MS SQL Server 2000, SQL syntax, all basic SQL Server tools, sprocs, triggers and replication. Working exp with VB, XML, COM, ADO & .Net reqd. Crystal Reports: Min 2 yrs exp with Crystal Reports & MS SQL Server incl SQL syntax , SQL troubleshooting, & stored procedures.

As for the wife thing, my uncle was in the same position but not in windshield repair. He wanted to use all his life savings and opened a pizza joint. The wife got really mad and they argued. She then threatened to divorce him if he bought the place. He did it anyway and the wife is still with him. She actually later enjoyed working at the pizza place where she is her own boss. The pizza place was sold and they ended up buying another restaurant.

[cure4glass]

Tuna,
It's easier to get forgiveness than permission...Just kidding really but I understand your situation.Someone mentioned the book"Rich dad, poor Dad".I'd like to suggest the book "48 days to the work you love".
I don't know if you're familiar with Dave Ramsey or not but these are both recommended by him when talking to people in similar situations such as you are in. Good Luck- Greg

[maxryde]

Hello all,

This is Mrs. Maxryde. I have been reading this discussion on the spouse’s opinion of self-employment in windshield repair and I just felt the need to respond. So I hope that this is alright.

It is scary to suddenly trust that a business is going to bring about the security that a 9-5 job (or whatever hours it may be) has. There is a lot of information available on self-employment on the SBA website (url: www.sba.gov). A way of addressing that fear factor is to have a sound, well written business plan. Do your market research. Contact dealerships and other potential customers to do a labor market survey. That was what I did when Scott started to look at the windshield repair business. We were also able to secure a small business startup loan from the SBA which covered that initial training period. These loans are relatively easy to secure and for many programs, credit is not an issue. Check with your local SBA office for local government council, or economic development monies that are available. Usually the economic development funds have a requirement of hiring someone (eventually) that is under the poverty level, but that can include the business owner- it is $35000 yr in Washington State.

The way I figure it, if I would have rather lived with a little fear than to watch someone I love be completely miserable in his job. Not encouraging this opportunity would have also been contrary to everything I believe in my profession as a vocational counselor. You have to follow your passion. Just make sure you are following it on a well developed foundation.

This business has been extremely beneficial to our family. I am in grad school and having Scott only have to work ¼ of the time to earn what he did at his 9-5 job has made him available to provide care for our 4 year old. This has greatly enhanced our son’s development over being at a daycare. We have more time together, the bills get paid, and I have the benefit of living with someone who is HAPPY, not miserably stuck working for the bunch of idiots that he was.

So I say..Go for it and follow your passion.

Thanks,
Pebbles


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[cure4glass]

Great Post