Eating Crow...

[Schneeblie]

Hey fellas,

A while back, I put up a thread entitled (your favorite), Starting a Tree Business.

I did my research on insurance, equipment, hiring employee's, training, small business licensing, business plan, yikes! I started calling endless tree co's, talking to owners about the business and looking to hire on cheap (groundsman) - just for the experience, one company let me show my worth.

I watched the climbers do their thing on a speedline in an American Elm tree, about 100+ to my estimation, tried to talk with them - they were tight lipped - you know "the noob". I ran endless branches through a chipper for what seemed like 20 hrs, really only 5 hrs, raked branches and chips for a couple of hours until my hands were blistered. I got to see some nifty and smooth work. I even got to run the owners' 395xp - nice.

I worked with them for 3 weeks, then I got in trouble with my main job - "either eat sawdust or keep your job here" (I had to cut work early somedays) At this point, that's not a tough decision. It's not that I couldn't cut it - get it? cut it? ha ha. The owner said he liked me and my work ethic and wanted to keep me, the main paycheck and my wife and kids welfare were the deciding factor.

This isn't a "poor me" post, It's a weekend warrior who had big ideas until I learned first-hand that owning a business such as this is A) Expensive to start and keep going B) Dangerous work C) At this point, not for me and better left to you.

I congratulate all of you on what you do, day in and out. I have the utmost respect for you.

Eating some BBQ Crow, (Gates Hot-n-Spicy BBQ sauce of course)
Steve

 

[Tree Pig]

Hey fellas,

A while back, I put up a thread entitled (your favorite), Starting a Tree Business.

I did my research on insurance, equipment, hiring employee's, training, small business licensing, business plan, yikes! I started calling endless tree co's, talking to owners about the business and looking to hire on cheap (groundsman) - just for the experience, one company let me show my worth.

I watched the climbers do their thing on a speedline in an American Elm tree, about 100+ to my estimation, tried to talk with them - they were tight lipped - you know "the noob". I ran endless branches through a chipper for what seemed like 20 hrs, really only 5 hrs, raked branches and chips for a couple of hours until my hands were blistered. I got to see some nifty and smooth work. I even got to run the owners' 395xp - nice.

I worked with them for 3 weeks, then I got in trouble with my main job - "either eat sawdust or keep your job here" (I had to cut work early somedays) At this point, that's not a tough decision. It's not that I couldn't cut it - get it? cut it? ha ha. The owner said he liked me and my work ethic and wanted to keep me, the main paycheck and my wife and kids welfare were the deciding factor.

This isn't a "poor me" post, It's a weekend warrior who had big ideas until I learned first-hand that owning a business such as this is A) Expensive to start and keep going B) Dangerous work C) At this point, not for me and better left to you.

I congratulate all of you on what you do, day in and out. I have the utmost respect for you.

Eating some BBQ Crow, (Gates Hot-n-Spicy BBQ sauce of course)
Steve

The key is at least making an attempt. At least you will not be running around for 20 years saying "what if" to yourself. Keep searching you obviously have the drive for changing your future, the right thing will come along.

 

[tree md]

The ones who I have seen be successful in this business is usually the climber who has first and foremost learned all aspects of the trade as well as spent some time learning the sales and business aspect from a successful mentor. They have spent hard earned money building up equipment and usually dump all of their profits into equipment when starting out. Not easy to do when you are trying to support a family and work another full time job. They are also usually the ones who pass up the bar on the way home and remain sober enough to answer their phone when it rings at night. I have seen some who have inherited the family business as well. Some have had a good work ethic and remained very successful others have squandered what they were given. I have seen many landscapers and handymen who thought that it looks easy, anyone can do it, jump in with both feet and usually end up loosing their ass. I have seen others who have bought a bunch of equipment, not knowing a thing about the trade and hired everything out but most I have seen do that have not been very successful in the long run. Your more profitable if you can climb and know every aspect of the job, IE someone who has paid their dues and learned the business.

I commend you for your effort and candor.

 

[talloak]

Its not for everyone but man its a fun trade. Staying professional and safe is key but know how is everything. Im a blessed man wiht a wonderful wife 2 great kids and best of all i wake up every morning knowing im happy to lace up my redwings life is good.Just be happy with what you do and everything else will fall in to play.:greenchainsaw:

 

[oldirty]

Hey fellas,


I congratulate all of you on what you do, day in and out. I have the utmost respect for you.

thanks man. aint easy is it? lol.

stay safe.

 

[ozzy42]

Hey fellas,

A while back, I put up a thread entitled (your favorite), Starting a Tree Business.

I did my research on insurance, equipment, hiring employee's, training, small business licensing, business plan, yikes! I started calling endless tree co's, talking to owners about the business and looking to hire on cheap (groundsman) - just for the experience, one company let me show my worth.

I watched the climbers do their thing on a speedline in an American Elm tree, about 100+ to my estimation, tried to talk with them - they were tight lipped - you know "the noob". I ran endless branches through a chipper for what seemed like 20 hrs, really only 5 hrs, raked branches and chips for a couple of hours until my hands were blistered. I got to see some nifty and smooth work. I even got to run the owners' 395xp - nice.

I worked with them for 3 weeks, then I got in trouble with my main job - "either eat sawdust or keep your job here" (I had to cut work early somedays) At this point, that's not a tough decision. It's not that I couldn't cut it - get it? cut it? ha ha. The owner said he liked me and my work ethic and wanted to keep me, the main paycheck and my wife and kids welfare were the deciding factor.

This isn't a "poor me" post, It's a weekend warrior who had big ideas until I learned first-hand that owning a business such as this is A) Expensive to start and keep going B) Dangerous work C) At this point, not for me and better left to you.

I congratulate all of you on what you do, day in and out. I have the utmost respect for you.

Eating some BBQ Crow, (Gates Hot-n-Spicy BBQ sauce of course)
Steve

Hey ,man ,you did the right thing, family first.
I spent a LOT of time ,and $$ getting my CDLs in 98,only to get an OTR job,and quitting 6 weeks later. Being gone all the time wasn't for me.
I still drove a truck for another 6years,But stayed close to home,bc thats where I was going to every night,come hell or high water.
At least you gave it an honest effort.

 

[YoungTreeGuy]

Better to be alive and well then broken and useless. Don't be that guy that you see on the saw shop wall with a giant smile that says "Don't park in dropping range" and has a GIANT willow crushing his nice new ball of steel. In two years one person has died and another fell and shattered his legs to his knees. Neither worked for us but still knew them:jawdrop:




Safety first, leave the nuts to the squirels

 

[fishercat]

custermers always comment to me how hard it looks.

and also how much more to it then what they thought.one old guy walked up to me after watching us grind a stump and asked what the machine cost.he says "what do those run? about 5 grand?" mind you,it's a Rayco Super RG 50.i quickly enlightened him.you should have seen the look on his face.

i would also like to commend you for giving it three weeks.i also commend the guys that chose it for a profession.it's not cheap or easy but if you love it like i do it's all that matters in my book.

i was a mechanic for 15 years and don't ever want a job i dread going to in the morning again..

 

[capetrees]

The mere fact that you stayed with it for 3 weeks shows you want to do it so why not find some companies that will hire for the weekends? I know some companies don't work weekends but small companies do and even the big ones have jobs with small tasks to finish like chipping the remaining brush or other odds and ends. You'll get some experience, get paid while not interfereing with your main job and maybe even get some side work which can only grow to more. Not too many people can say they just bought a bunch of equipment and started a company. It usually starts out very small and grows and the equipment comes with the growth. Keep the dream alive and piece by piece it will come together.

 

[Schneeblie]

i was a mechanic for 15 years and don't ever want a job i dread going to in the morning again..[/QUOTE]

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate my day job. It's just that I like the sound and the smell of the equipment and being outdoors much better.

I was just really uneducated about the business. I still would like to give it a go again, when the timing is better for me, not when the pink slips are ready and waiting and my munchkins need to eat.

 

[MonkeyMan_812]

Starting my business was one of the hardest things that I have had to do so far. Working all day, fixing all my own stuff, paperwork out the :censored:, answering the phone, bidding jobs, cordinating the schedule, everything. But I can honestly say that it has all been worth it. I love what I do and everyday is a new challenge.

 

[pdqdl]

....

I congratulate all of you on what you do, day in and out. I have the utmost respect for you.

Eating some BBQ Crow, (Gates Hot-n-Spicy BBQ sauce of course)
Steve

Nice commentary. Thanks.

Speaking of Gates, he started in Kansas City. I didn't think his sauce would be found up in your area. I like their barbecue better than most in KC, although his restaurants are definitely not the best BBQ in town. KC fancies itself a BBQ cultural center, so there are a lot of BBQ joints. Some are lousy.

I've met Ollie Gates a few times. He was on the Kansas City Board of Parks & Recreation a few years ago. He was inclined to sleep through bid openings. (that was the only reason I would go to their boring meetings!)

 

[Bermie]

i was a mechanic for 15 years and don't ever want a job i dread going to in the morning again..

Don't get me wrong, I don't hate my day job. It's just that I like the sound and the smell of the equipment and being outdoors much better.

I was just really uneducated about the business. I still would like to give it a go again, when the timing is better for me, not when the pink slips are ready and waiting and my munchkins need to eat.[/QUOTE]

Well done for your practical approach and honest evaluation!
In the meantime, get some books, read up about arboriculture, you've had a go at some of the practical stuff, watched some climbers, try and get a bit of knowledge as well, eventually the two will come together!
Keep plugging away at it as and when you can, someday....

 

[Schneeblie]

Nice commentary. Thanks.

Speaking of Gates, he started in Kansas City. I didn't think his sauce would be found up in your area. I like their barbecue better than most in KC, although his restaurants are definitely not the best BBQ in town. KC fancies itself a BBQ cultural center, so there are a lot of BBQ joints. Some are lousy.

I've met Ollie Gates a few times. He was on the Kansas City Board of Parks & Recreation a few years ago. He was inclined to sleep through bid openings. (that was the only reason I would go to their boring meetings!)

You are correct about Gates BBQ. There's nothing that good around here.

My brother in law and I went on a Baseball/BBQ binge following the MN Twins, in KC about 4 years ago and wound up bringing some sauce and rub home with him. We ate there, not overly impressed, but Arthur Bryant's, WOW!

I order my sauce and rub off the internet, he's got a site and it's all I use. I have my neighbors hooked on it too!

If I could just BBQ a 1/10th that good.......

 

[pdqdl]

...

If I could just BBQ a 1/10th that good.......

Good BBQ is easy. Attend some BBQ contests, join a team, and have fun learning to BBQ for free.

My wife makes the very best ribs you can find, with nothing in the way of fancy equipment, and not much in the way of sophisticated technique. She got second place in the Farmland BBQ contest in ribs, and was going to be a judge in the American Royal BBQ contest, but she got bumped out. Me, Kids, work...she doesn't do that anymore.

When it comes to winning BBQ contests and being a judge, it's largely political. Once you reach a certain level, they pick from the insider crowd, and it's just a matter of luck.

 

[LTREES]

Sweet Baby Ray's, best in the Northeast.

LT...