The woman who was constantly criticized...
 

Some people make it hard for themselves to succeed - because they don't keep a helpful group of people around them. Your friends and acquaintances can do one of two things - they can help encourage you to succceed, or they can help to drag you down....

If they like to drag you down and discourage you from even trying, sometimes this can be due to jealousy. If they're not doing too great themselves, they may not want anyone else doing too great either!

I know one young woman (in her late 20s) who is still living at home with her parents - however, her parents are (unfortunately) a terrible influence. They're always dragging her down, criticizing her and discouraging her from making something of her life. She's always being told how ugly, stupid, etc. she is (when she definitely is not). Her self esteem is about as low as it can get. Unfortunately, this is the reality for some people...

It can be hardest if those dragging you down are in your family, however that doesn't stop you from hanging around those with a more positive influence. In this friend's case, many have recommended to her that she move out of "home" - if she did so, she'd probably find she would start doing better and better, as she replaces that negative energy she is currently surrounding herself with, with something much more positive!

I think surrounding yourself with the right people can be one of the most important things you can do to help ensure your success. It's not only for moral support - but also to learn good business techniques and strategies as well, if you know people who are successful entrepreneurs themselves.

So who are your friends? Are those around you helping you to succeed even better, or are they just trying to drag you down?

- Dien Rice

Re: The woman who was constantly criticized...
 

> So who are your friends? Are those around
> you helping you to succeed even better, or
> are they just trying to drag you down?

Dien,

I think we all know what the answer is regarding all us in the sowpub group. Everyone seems to want to help each other think, question, and succeed. Besides Jeremy.... rrrr, I hate him so much...

And I would imagine that most people are surrounded by a mixture supportive comrades and dream smashers. I am lucky to have mostly the former. But then there's a few people who switch back and forth at different times.

I know how powerful a positive influence can be on me personally. Sometimes just being in the presence of someone else can fill you with an energy and you start to actually "get things done!"

Success,

Erik

P.S. Was joking about Jeremy. If there really is a Jeremy who frequents the board, I am sorry...

But I hate you.

Erik, I'm curious if you are...
 

doing any Deck cleaning or Power Washing yet this summer and if so what's working best for you when it comes to marketing your service? I bought a power washer to do my own deck and just put together a flyer I'm about to test. I also found a great, new, long lasting wood coating that I feel will give me a competitive advantage. I can't believe how many power washers / deck sealers in my area think that the only way to be competitive is to charge less. I intend to charge $1.25 - $1.50 per square foot while some in my area charge only .35/cents. All I have to do is point out that you usually get what you pay for and show some wood samples that have been treated with various wood sealers and aged outdoors for the last year to close a job!!! The guy's charging .35/cents a foot aren't even smart enough to show before and after photos to prospects. Life is hard. It's even harder if you're stupid.

Steve (Ski) Shulenski

P.S. Jeremy was a friend of mine but I wouldn't hire him either.


Wealth, Science, and the "Law of Attraction"

Re: Erik, I'm curious if you are...
 

> doing any Deck cleaning or Power Washing yet
> this summer and if so what's working best
> for you when it comes to marketing your
> service? I bought a power washer to do my
> own deck and just put together a flyer I'm
> about to test. I also found a great, new,
> long lasting wood coating that I feel will
> give me a competitive advantage. I can't
> believe how many power washers / deck
> sealers in my area think that the only way
> to be competitive is to charge less. I
> intend to charge $1.25 - $1.50 per square
> foot while some in my area charge only
> .35/cents. All I have to do is point out
> that you usually get what you pay for and
> show some wood samples that have been
> treated with various wood sealers and aged
> outdoors for the last year to close a job!!!
> The guy's charging .35/cents a foot aren't
> even smart enough to show before and after
> photos to prospects.

.35 per square foot! Jesus, that's insane!

You'll even get tired of $1.50 per square foot at times, Steve :) (And don't forget the railing!)

Your price range is a good place to start. I go with numbers around there on bigger jobs, but always make sure to compare with my time + materials "what I want out of it" price to.

So you set an hourly wage for yourself and have a per square foot price too. Try to go with the per square foot price, but when that's not enough, do yourself a favor and throw it out the window in exchange for a time + materials price.

By time and materials, I am talking about a figure of your hourly+overhead+materials price in your own head, one you will use to make a bid.

Ok, marketing.

I have been using postcards to homes in the area within a 25/30 mile radius from where I live. The homes are selected by home value, but I have found those numbers to be garbage in general.

Basically, I just need to find these small pockets of homes with huge decks, get a few hundred out to the area.I'm lucky in that the areas I need are easily selected from something less than ideal like infousa.

Flyers work well. If you'll recall, that's how I went this the first time last year. I did fine. But postcards I feel are a better ROI for me anyway.

I'm also starting to send thank you letters out right after every job with a few business cards for anyone they might know that needs work done (Jay Abraham common sense business builder). Just started, but imagine that will work out very well.

> Life is hard. It's even
> harder if you're stupid.

Or afraid to ask for a decent price....

Please tell me about the new sealer you're looking at using. [email protected]

Success,

Erik

> P.S. Jeremy was a friend of mine but I
> wouldn't hire him either.

:)

P.S. Steve, for the love of God, always remember to close doors that you open. It is disturbing to get a call from a client who had to chase a raccoon out of their home that night.

And probably even more disturbing for them.

That was my most unprofessional moment so far, and it happened yesterday.

Re: Erik, I'm curious if you are...
 

Also, on estimates I use a few before and after photo albums I've filled throughout the last year or so, Steve.

It works great. Then price becomes the only issue. And either we agree or not.

Success,

Erik Lukas