Thread: How and when did you turn pro builder?

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(QUOTE) "I've been doing this Hot Rod stuff for 40+ years and I still do it cuz it's fun.....Guess I'll never be pro if it's got to be all about the money!!!!! Oh well, I still enjoy my ametuer status!!! When it quits being fun guess I'll just have to go get a real job!!!!!! Dave Severson" (QUOTE)

Dave, It was more fun when it was a hobby, but It still beats working at something you hate! I gave up all of my chances at a retirement...insurance...paid holidays...and security, to do this instead. For me, It's about the enjoyment first, but there has to be enough money to eat and keep the electricity on...so some jobs are "respectfully" turned down for the simple reasons that (A) I can't stay in business at those rates...or (B) there isn't enough to do the job well,.....and of course, (C)"I don't do collision....sponsorships....or quick favors". :-)

I made a living out of it for a couple years(early 90s) but I was in a small market and most of my work was from dealers who bought hot rods that were unfinished or otherwise screwed up..Lots of electrical, bad steering geometry and a few crooked clips... It payed the bills but it got to be a bit of a grind after while..Sometimes I think I'd like to go back to it but nowdays so much of the stuff is storebought. I'm sure it's a lot safer but I miss the old junkyard,do it yourself(and make it work) stuff..

Originally Posted by HOTRODPAINT

(QUOTE) "I've been doing this Hot Rod stuff for 40+ years and I still do it cuz it's fun.....Guess I'll never be pro if it's got to be all about the money!!!!! Oh well, I still enjoy my ametuer status!!! When it quits being fun guess I'll just have to go get a real job!!!!!! Dave Severson" (QUOTE)

Dave, It was more fun when it was a hobby, but It still beats working at something you hate! I gave up all of my chances at a retirement...insurance...paid holidays...and security, to do this instead. For me, It's about the enjoyment first, but there has to be enough money to eat and keep the electricity on...so some jobs are "respectfully" turned down for the simple reasons that (A) I can't stay in business at those rates...or (B) there isn't enough to do the job well,.....and of course, (C)"I don't do collision....sponsorships....or quick favors". :-)

Yup, it's all fun!! Some days just a lot more fun then others!!!! Got to admit it's a whole lot more fun since I sold the shop and just work in my garage on my own cars, then sell them when they're done.... New opportunity now, helping a friend get his shop straightened around and on the road to profitability.... Doing complete builds on a couple Camaro's and a '36 Plymouth sedan. Really fun when someone else has to pay the bills and book the work in and out.... I'm seeing lots of bad in the way things were run, but the most distressing thing I saw was the two young dudes who were working there just didn't give a hoot about the profitability part. Didn't have any initiative and averaged about 15 billable hours for every 40 hours they worked!!!! How the heck can your consicience even let you take a pay check????

Have any of you that are on your own, or were on your own, every thought it was better to work for someone else and let them carry the load? Everyone thinks the owner/boss has it made, but we who have been around for a while know you have to be the hardest working person in the place.

Don

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Have any of you that are on your own, or were on your own, every thought it was better to work for someone else and let them carry the load? Everyone thinks the owner/boss has it made, but we who have been around for a while know you have to be the hardest working person in the place.

Don

well yes i left a full time job that a made good money and at the end of the day i did not worry about the jobs at the shop that i work at. i did some what but not like i do now.like having work or finding work to pay bills i had my shop that i have now when i work full time. i used my shop to build cars headers and engines and paint cars .i did not want to loose my shop so i work out of my shop if i could go back to work full time for someone doing body paint collision work .i would do it

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Have any of you that are on your own, or were on your own, every thought it was better to work for someone else and let them carry the load? Everyone thinks the owner/boss has it made, but we who have been around for a while know you have to be the hardest working person in the place.

Don

There's a lot to be said for doing the work and getting paid.. Not dealing with the office crap.. There's also a lot to ba said for knowing you could quit if you want to.. When I owned my junkyard it seemed like all I did was push paper and deal with employee issues.. I got to where I missed pulling parts in the field and going home at 5 oclock.. All that being said it can be rewarding to know you own the place..It is possible to take a beloved hobby, turn it into a "job" and make it not so fun.

Originally Posted by Itoldyouso

Have any of you that are on your own, or were on your own, every thought it was better to work for someone else and let them carry the load? Everyone thinks the owner/boss has it made, but we who have been around for a while know you have to be the hardest working person in the place.

Don

I worked for several large companies, but once I went full time, I liked the autonomy of making my own decisions, and doing what I chose to do, instead of simply doing what I was told.

The motivation for me is not money. It is achievement, pride of workmanship, and the creativity that I enjoy.

If punching out after 8 hours, or not working hard, is what a person finds important, they probably won't make it in business anyway.

Yes, if things go badly, you cannot point your finger at the company, and go find another job. The responsibility is only on your shoulders. It is not for everyone, but you have to decide that for yourself.

Even large companies are not bulletproof, as we are finding out....but while the large U.S. automakers are in trouble, I am working steady, so size does not always mean stability.

One other thought I will throw in is that, your family responsibilities, and your spouse's goals, also will have an effect on this decision.

I waited until my wife could help support the family, then asked for her blessing, before I went full-time. I soon found that she actually felt it was souly my responsibility, to provide whatever she demanded. She did not like my decision at all, once she found out that the money was less reliable, and she actually had to spend some of her own "clothes budget"!

My "NEW WIFE", values my happiness, and takes a real pride in what I do. :-)