12/06/2022
Well, we gave it a shot... we're down, but not out.
I learned a lot this last year and a half, I always had dreams of "running with the big boys!"
My wife, well she's always been and I pray she will always remain my greatest supporter.
I took that leap into the professional owners category of painter and opened up Rekindled Spirits Renovation & Paint for the reals.
After attempting for years to bring in a partner, with many who couldn't stand the hours and the responsibilities of running a company, I found Stephen.
We clicked and both of us had our goals set on success. For the first time I took the gamble, paid big money for advertising a new truck... more equipment. Not just for paint.. but for our other offers of flooring and fencing.
But we had hard times ahead. It's difficult to find good help these days, seems a lot of the younger generation wants to make what they can while they can and who blames them? When I was that age, if I could choose between driving for a business like Grubhub, Uber, for 23.00 an hour if i hustled, or heck; even a drive thru like Taco Bell for 18 bucks an hour; can't honestly say I wouldn't have.
I think my biggest mistake, was not writing out the "game plan" or "our vision". Sure, we spent thousands on equipment, ladders and scaffolding, sprayers advertising etc.
But we never built the "plan". Stephen is a great fence builder, and a good listener when clients share their vision for design. Look at our reviews, most are his fencing projects. And I applaud him for his successes. But the costs, combined with discounts, combined with poor work from short term guys who bragged a big game, and gave a poor attempt at best. Took its toll on us both.
At the end of the day, we couldn't get a decent crew of guys. We couldn't find those who saw their job as a craft, or... dare I say, an art?. Okay I Dare. The concept of "Take pride in your work!" Seemed so foreign of a concept, I wondered if I was the odd ball!
I spent many years learning a trade, one I'm proud to say I'm 3rd generation of. My grandfather was a master painter, who excelled not only in paint, but in finish trim work. He taught me at a very young age, to always work like I didn't need the money, and God would take care of the rest.. I grew to understand this to mean that if I stayed humble, if I showed my determination and grit. Smiling all the way, I'd succeed.
I've learned over many years, whether painting, building, cooking... or; (yep being a hairstylist!) That building your craft, no matter the industry would only succeed if the following came with your talent
1) Do what you say you're going to do, and follow through.
2) Be clear and concise... it's better to point out the blatantly obvious .Than to have to explain yourself or make excuses.
3) your craft is only as good as your area is clean. Time wasted looking for tools, brushes, etc. Water bottles left on the jobsite, when waste bags are 10 ft from you, all of those things we just toss off are time wasted.
4) dress for success, even if it's just whites and a T, come clean and fresh.
And lastly,
5) create a routine, develop your method that works for you, and until you find your stride, be open minded enough to listen to the guy who has more experience than you.
But try as we may, we just couldn't get that crew of guys to listen, we couldn't train anybody, and those who had experience, "didn't need to listen, cuz they knew better!" (Until they weren't needed anymore and were let go!)
In the end, it was our book keeping that took us out. Trusting in others to fulfill a task assigned. I guess we didn't want to be that jerk of a guy we all hated, that a-hole boss.
In retrospect, some people are better off just enjoying their craft, being the great tradesman (person)... others were meant to be business owners.
I will still keep the doors open, and I will still work with a certain guy or two who I fondly refer to as my sharp shooters who pulled our butts out of a mess in a pinch.
I hope and pray that Steven's future ventures prove to be a success. AND I CAN HONESTLY SAY, I have no regrets in taking the risk, the gamble and most definitely the RIDE with Steven.
That said, I am down sizing... for now, to lick my wounds, learn from my mistakes, and the toughest of all...listen to my biggest supporter, my wife just a bit more. Cuz when it all unfolds at the end of the day she's right more times than she's wrong!! I love you Sharon Nelson-Hornchuch. And to all our friends and supporters THANK YOU for being there and for your support.
Praying you all have a wonderful holiday and praying that '23 is prosperous and joyous for everyone
P.S.
Be watching for more posts & updates!!
I may not be running with the big dogs, but the fompany is already in talks with another Great Locally owned business in doing projects together. As independents of course!! Michael Horner, thanks for picking me up when I was down!!
Michael Hornschuch owner
Rekindled Spirits Renovation & Paint
[email protected]
719-744-6987
