I love a great story. Someone willing to take a risk and put everything on the line. Many people will never know what goes into starting a small business. The business plan, dealing with banks for money, putting up your life savings as capital, the hours, the stress.
It's something I would never trade for another nine-to-fiver. And when I see others trying to do the same I love to tell their story, so here goes. For the longest time we were using Advantage Pest Control. The reason for that was because a member of the gym was an employee of Advantage. We like to do business with people who do business with us. The reason we stated with Advantage, even after that member left the gym, was because of one person, Robert Berkley.
Berkley was one of those people you would want working for you. They are few and far between as many of you know. His service was great. His interaction was excellent. He always did what he said he was going to do. When we had a nest of bees he made extra trips to the house to make sure they were gone (at no charge).
One day he was telling me the story about why he was no longer with the company. The new guys was fine but he wasn't Bob. Now I know he's just the bug guy. They spray something that will probably give us cancer in 20 years and they come back a few weeks later. But...when Bob told me he was starting his own company I told him to sign me up as soon as he was ready to roll. Bob's company is up and running now, it's called Berkley Pest Control. When you call the number he answers the phone. His website is http://www.berkleypest.com/ and his telephone number is 239-738-3144.
So, if you are in the market for a new pest control company, someone you can trust. Bob's not Billy the Exterminator, but he'll do a great job around your house. It's a great success story and we really pull for local businesses when someone puts everything on the line. Good Luck Bob.
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Truly can atest to the hardships of starting a business. If it was easy everyone would do it. The types of people that it takes to do it and see it to fruition are special initself....the best advise is customer service and the people that work for you have to understand that. Also it was told to me that after 5 years it gets much easier, and I have found that to be true, except our fifth year was heading into the downturn in economy. We started in our living room w/ 300K, within 8 months we returned all investors their money except 20K, moved into a 10,000 sqft office building and had 45 - 60 employees. We bought out the relunctant investors in the following year and had our next 1.5 years were great! We have entered into the economy downturn and able to survive on the following, maintain relationships, keep the doors open come out on the other side of this with your reputation and you will do just fine.....Rulz to run youre business by. The most valuable thing is your employees and your reputation! Always know every employee by their 1st name; Your only as good as your last job; Always do business above the table; Great value in a good accountant at tax time; No matter how well you know someone... business is business and always do it in writing, there are a few more...but this is the meat and potatoes of it. good write up ED, and best wishes for Bob!
ReplyDeleteDuane II