Many thanks to all of you who have been posting and sharing information.
I would like to ask what your thoughts are on where I might have a repair business. I plan on moving to Idaho soon to raise my family. The area where we want to move to has - at present less than 20 thousand people. There are other smaller towns around the area. About 20 miles away is a bigger city. They have long, cold, and snowy winters. Am I being realistic in thinking that I could make a full time living doing this work in a small rural area with long winters?
Thank you very much.
Getting started in small town Idaho
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paintlessplus
Welcome Buhl- Thought I'd give it a little time in case someone out there could better answer with a similar situation. I live in a town of 1500 people but am close to two large metropolitan areas. 20 thousand might work if you don't have established competition. Not only will you be a newbie to WSR you will also be a newbie to the community. The nice thing is perhaps you'll be able to bring a "big city" service to a smaller city in need.... Kinda like when Walmart comes into town. If I were you I'd do some investigating first, and if all else fails walk through some big parking lots and count chips (late model vehicles only). Having a family to support can provide some serious motivation- see if the work is out there-if it is-- go out and get it like Coitster. Good paying jobs may be hard to come by in a city of 20,000. GOOD LUCK 
Bob
Bob-
glassdoctor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: November 13th, 2003, 9:24 am
I didn't want to touch this one either... don't know anything about your family, job history, etc...
Do you need to live like Robin Leatch or Ted Bundy? j/k
20k is a pretty small town to feed off of IMO, but there are some that make a living in smaller markets. You can get by on a lot less in a small town too.
If there is a "big city" only 20 miles away, I don't see a problem finding plenty to do. How big is big? 100k? 500k?
I could definitely see splitting time between milking the local town the best you can, and working the bigger city for fleets, etc.
Do you need to live like Robin Leatch or Ted Bundy? j/k
20k is a pretty small town to feed off of IMO, but there are some that make a living in smaller markets. You can get by on a lot less in a small town too.
If there is a "big city" only 20 miles away, I don't see a problem finding plenty to do. How big is big? 100k? 500k?
I could definitely see splitting time between milking the local town the best you can, and working the bigger city for fleets, etc.
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glassdoctor
- Senior Member
- Posts: 733
- Joined: November 13th, 2003, 9:24 am
Just thought of a guy in my area that only does insurance jobs, etc in a rural small town area. Within a 30 mile radius, there are towns of aobut 10k, 3k, 2k, 2k, 5k... typical rural midwest farming country.
I see him running down the highway once in awhile on my way to the "big city".
He has been working the small town comunity for a number of years. Sometimes I wonder how he gets by, but then I think that it only takes 10 insurance jobs per week to make $30,000+ income.
Doesn't sound too hard...
Oh, btw... the harsh winter really do suk. That's a real issue, IMO. You have to be doing much better than just getting by during the good seasons if you are to survive the winter.
In that regard, I like having fleet or dealer work in the winter, because it's a responsibility, a "job" that needs done, rain or shine. Helps to get me out the door when it's 10 degrees all day. I would think cold calling, pounding the pavement looking for work would be really hard in nasty weather. But a regular scheduled account can help give the work week some structure and discipline.
I see him running down the highway once in awhile on my way to the "big city".
He has been working the small town comunity for a number of years. Sometimes I wonder how he gets by, but then I think that it only takes 10 insurance jobs per week to make $30,000+ income.
Doesn't sound too hard...
Oh, btw... the harsh winter really do suk. That's a real issue, IMO. You have to be doing much better than just getting by during the good seasons if you are to survive the winter.
In that regard, I like having fleet or dealer work in the winter, because it's a responsibility, a "job" that needs done, rain or shine. Helps to get me out the door when it's 10 degrees all day. I would think cold calling, pounding the pavement looking for work would be really hard in nasty weather. But a regular scheduled account can help give the work week some structure and discipline.
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desertstars
Buhl.
For every minus there is a plus or neither would exist.
Example and a simplified example to boot.
A small town might well be considered a detriment.
On the other hand, the smaller the town the quicker your reputation for quality and reliability and your reputation will spread if you are good at what you do.
A glass is half-empty or half-full depending on one's point of view.
Use the Ben Franklin decision.
HONESTLY list both the INFORMED advantages and disadvantages of an important decision on either side of a page and then add them up.
Then either decide by balancing the two sides or ignore that logic and decide according to whether the left or right lobe of your brain happens to be in charge.
If you intend to relocate anyway and already have a job of some sort lined up, you are premature about making a decision as to involving yourself in this business. Wait until you are there.
From what you say with little detail, the population base within your environ will support a w/s repair business.
Start by checking the Yellow Pages and go from there.
If no one is listed, give me the name of the town because that sure doesn't mean there is no business there. It just means the business isn't being covered.
If a bunch of companies are listed, give me the name of the town because there is a bunch of business there and I like competition.
We're back to how much beer remains in the mug.
For every minus there is a plus or neither would exist.
Example and a simplified example to boot.
A small town might well be considered a detriment.
On the other hand, the smaller the town the quicker your reputation for quality and reliability and your reputation will spread if you are good at what you do.
A glass is half-empty or half-full depending on one's point of view.
Use the Ben Franklin decision.
HONESTLY list both the INFORMED advantages and disadvantages of an important decision on either side of a page and then add them up.
Then either decide by balancing the two sides or ignore that logic and decide according to whether the left or right lobe of your brain happens to be in charge.
If you intend to relocate anyway and already have a job of some sort lined up, you are premature about making a decision as to involving yourself in this business. Wait until you are there.
From what you say with little detail, the population base within your environ will support a w/s repair business.
Start by checking the Yellow Pages and go from there.
If no one is listed, give me the name of the town because that sure doesn't mean there is no business there. It just means the business isn't being covered.
If a bunch of companies are listed, give me the name of the town because there is a bunch of business there and I like competition.
We're back to how much beer remains in the mug.
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GlassStarz
- Senior Member
- Posts: 1951
- Joined: November 12th, 2003, 6:11 pm
- Enter the middle number please (3): 5
- Location: Southern California
drilling
Dude I live in a town with a population of 780 I drive 50 miles to work in the big city with a 40,000 pop hell the whole state has only around 500,000 total work is where you find it
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