possible start up

[GFD77]

Hello everyone,

I'm writing to get feed back from what looks like a very seasoned group of WSR techs. I live in CT, and I'm thinking of opening up my own WSR business out of my home, first of all let me start by saying that I have a good full time career as a firefighter, so I would be doing this as a part time career, and something that I can possibly do after a retire (20 yrs..till). so I guess my concerns are,

1) is it worth doing as a part-time career?
2) how will the weather in Ct possibly affect my ability to make money?
3) would I need to expand my services?
4) how would I measure up against the established glass repair companies in my area?


sorry to throw so many things at you at once, just counting the cost before taking on the responsibility

Thanx
:eusa_wall

[CPR]

1: Do it.

2: We all deal with the weather, many people work in worse conditions than you find in CT.

3: Depends on your market, the amount of chips and compitition in your area.

4: If you get factory training and do a bit of practice, you will be as good or better than alot of people doing repairs.

5: Give it a shot, you will make back the cost of a basic kit in a couple of months at worst, there is really nothing to lose.

[Layne]

I am retired. I have been doing repairs since 1997 and have found it to be a rewarding experience. In fact, I was doing repairs before the networks got totally involved in the system.

I urge you to start in this part time and stay with your regular career. Your business will grow as long as your work pleases your clients.

We need good firefighters and good repair techs too!

Layne

[GFD77]

Thanks for the positive and honest feedback!!

[Sneck]

GFD77
I have been working my windshield repair business part-time for 10 years now. The only thing holding me back from going full-time is I happen to be lucky enough to enjoy my full-time job, and love my co-workers. It would be hard to give that up. But I keep my business going, and maybe someday i'll make the plunge for full time windshield repair.

My daughter has expressed an interest in learning the wsr trade and she wants to do some ride-alongs with me and who knows... Maybe we will become a team. It's things like that that I like about this business.

Like everyone else here advises, wsr is easy to do, and it does not cost much to get going. It's all about how much energy and time you have to put into marketing your business, talking to people, selling, cold-calling, etc etc etc.

You won't find another business like this. People need our services, and there are MILLIONS AND MILLIONS of people and windshields in this country.

Welcome Aboard! and Good Luck!

[neil_uruguay]

Do it!
It is definately a low start up cost and very rewarding.
I have a full time job with a glass company and I do chip repair on the side with my own equipment...(don't tell anyone though :eusa_shhh )

[reconpro]

Go for it!!! I'm a full time firefighter in Oklahoma City, and I do interior repair, windshield chips, and odor removal as my "second career". I don't know what kind of schedule you work at the FD, but we do 24 hour shifts here which leaves a lot of days off each month to go make money. I'm sure you're in a similar situation. Just don't tell all your buddies what a great deal this is . Good luck and go for it !

[GFD77]

Recon, we also have 24's, that's the main reason why I was looking to do something on the side, I have been looking for another career but I just could not get into some of the second jobs that are available, I did not want to tie up all my time off working, I was looking for something flexible and I think I found it, just waiting to get my video, and take it from there.....again thanks for the great feedback.

[GlassStarz]

Im a couple hrs north of you if you made the trip up would be happy to show you the ropes