GaryL

I have been involved with the building trades since 1980 and running crews since I was 19. After working for a few different builders I partnered with another co-worker in 1988 and started out on our own. Getting work back then was easy. We had two crews along with subbing out work to other crews. This of course spiralled out of control to some extent and I bailed out and went to work for another builder to get some control back in my life. I worked with him for about ten years doing sales, estimating, etc. as well as being on the jobsite when possible. This also got old running someone elses company. I then went back on my own. I am keeping things simple with just one helper (when I can find a decent one, that's another story). Even in these lean times I can stay busy by keeping quality high, something that is hard to do with a bunch of employees.
I tell my clients that " I do everything but wallpaper. I taken enough down to know that I never want to put it up". I do everything from demo to finish and everything in between. Again it's the quality issue. OCD in top gear sometimes.
I enjoy what I do (most of the time). Meeting great clients (and a few pain in the rear ones) makes it worth the extra effort and wear and tear on the body. Hearing them say that they love it at the end is all I strive for.
Happy clients=Happy me.

-- The difference between a pro and an amateur, an amateur points out his mistakes