Is my Girlfriend a Moron...?

[BlackenedTimber]

Ok, I know this isn't exactly related to trees, but here goes:

My GF's dad (after 7 years, he will from now on be referred to as FIL...) has 100+ tractor-trailers and triaxle dumps, tons of heavy equipment, etc.

He is looking to retire, and wants to GIVE my GF a few trucks to get her feet wet in the biz, and then ultimately turn his empire over to her.

She is not interested. I told her that I would be happy to help her out, but she wants little to do with it.

As a woman-owned business, she would be eligible for alot of work, thanks to all types of progressive govt stipulations.

I think this a good thing, I mean, the trucks are paid for, the customer list is solid, the company is already in the black, operating at a nice profit even in these shaky times (helps to be Italian in/around NYC with trucks/equipment/concrete-asphalt plants/etc...) and basically there is very little risk and a great opportunity present.

I am trying to talk sense into my GF, but she doesn't seem to be getting it...

OPINIONS PLEASE!

 

[treeclimber101]

Ok, I know this isn't exactly related to trees, but here goes:

My GF's dad (after 7 years, he will from now on be referred to as FIL...) has 100+ tractor-trailers and triaxle dumps, tons of heavy equipment, etc.

He is looking to retire, and wants to GIVE my GF a few trucks to get her feet wet in the biz, and then ultimately turn his empire over to her.

She is not interested. I told her that I would be happy to help her out, but she wants little to do with it.

As a woman-owned business, she would be eligible for alot of work, thanks to all types of progressive govt stipulations.

I think this a good thing, I mean, the trucks are paid for, the customer list is solid, the company is already in the black, operating at a nice profit even in these shaky times (helps to be Italian in/around NYC with trucks/equipment/concrete-asphalt plants/etc...) and basically there is very little risk and a great opportunity present.

I am trying to talk sense into my GF, but she doesn't seem to be getting it...

OPINIONS PLEASE!

With your equipment list it appears your doing just fine without the added headaches, do you want it for her or for you thats the question ? Sell it and enjoy the freedom of not being tyed down to the empire seems like theres enough there to be taken care of well

 

[mckeetree]

I am sorry but I don't even buy it. Especially when you threw that Italian thing in there. I could be wrong but I have been right a lot.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

McKee, nothing against you bro, but I am 100-percent serious.

Her dad is an ex-army special forces type that has terrible diabetes now, and just doesnt want to continue with all of the BS associated with running the biz. His one daughter is married, his son is a loser (his words not mine) and the only other option other than selling out is for him to let my GF take over the operations.

Being Italian, he is very serious about keeping things in the family. I am not saying he is mob, because he is not, but they have a very strong sense of family.

I have been discussing this at length with both my FIL and my GF, and there doesnt seem to be any resolution.

As for whether or not this is for her or me, it is for her. I have done well so far in my life, and I am not hurting. Hopefully life will continue to be kind. However, she is not exactly motivated, which is a major point of contention. If she was able to get serious about this, than this could provide some serious income for her, and keep her from spending all of my money, as I currently pay her rent, car, phone, utilty bills, etc.

Again, this post is dead serious, and I am just looking for advice from my fellow tree workers, as I am not sure who else to consult in this matter, and I am curious about how you guys would handle this situation.

My involvement would be strictly on a volunteer basis to help her with the operations and book-keeping, until she gets the hang of it. Also, her dad is going to be very involved in getting her up to speed.

 

[treeclimber101]

McKee, nothing against you bro, but I am 100-percent serious.

Her dad is an ex-army special forces type that has terrible diabetes now, and just doesnt want to continue with all of the BS associated with running the biz. His one daughter is married, his son is a loser (his words not mine) and the only other option other than selling out is for him to let my GF take over the operations.

Being Italian, he is very serious about keeping things in the family. I am not saying he is mob, because he is not, but they have a very strong sense of family.

I have been discussing this at length with both my FIL and my GF, and there doesnt seem to be any resolution.

As for whether or not this is for her or me, it is for her. I have done well so far in my life, and I am not hurting. Hopefully life will continue to be kind. However, she is not exactly motivated, which is a major point of contention. If she was able to get serious about this, than this could provide some serious income for her, and keep her from spending all of my money, as I currently pay her rent, car, phone, utilty bills, etc.

Again, this post is dead serious, and I am just looking for advice from my fellow tree workers, as I am not sure who else to consult in this matter, and I am curious about how you guys would handle this situation.

My involvement would be strictly on a volunteer basis to help her with the operations and book-keeping, until she gets the hang of it. Also, her dad is going to be very involved in getting her up to speed.

Downsize keep the best equipment and bid high make the aggravation worth it or you not be married long

 

[Rftreeman]

yep, she's a moron.......

why don't she put it all in her name and hire you to run it...

 

[treeclimber101]

yep, she's a moron.......

why don't she put it all in her name and hire you to run it...

No sugar coating there
,lol

 

[garmar]

Sounds like she's got her mind made up. How can anything we say change that? Are you gonna mention that a bunch of guys on the interwebz say they think she should go for it?

Best of luck however it works out.

 

[ForTheArborist]

yep, she's a moron.......

why don't she put it all in her name and hire you to run it...

Right, this is the ideal way to go, but what does she say, BT?

If I had found this "dilema" on my lap, I would have had a serious, face-to- face with FIL. When things are as obvious as they obviously are, I've never had any problem "making" people believe me.

 

[Curtis James]

What makes her tick? What are her asperations if she doesn't do this? What puts a smile on her face? I say pursue what you love and worry abou the rest later. If she doesn't dig owning a trucking company what does she dig? Pursue happiness it is best for your health. Mental & physical.

 

[capetrees]

What does she do for a living that allows her to look away from this deal? Down the road she will kick herself dead. And BTW, if she's this loaded, why isn't she your wife?

 

[BlackenedTimber]

OK Gents, some answers...

We are not yet married, though it is in the works. I am constantly on the road working, and although we have been together for 7 years October 29th, we have only recently started talking about getting really serious, getting married, and starting a family. Which I am all for.

As far as what makes her tick, she is very interested in the restuarant biz. Her pops was going to give her 65 grand to take over a local restuarant, but the deal fell through with the previous owner. I think in light of that situation, her father has decided that it may be better to give her the means to make her own money, as compared to giveing her money in of itself. I am trying to explain to her that by running the trucking biz, if she is smart and plays her cards right, she can hopefully make enough money to get into the restuarant biz, and still have the trucking company to float her other business endeavors so that she is not 100 percent exposed in new business ventures.

I am thinking that if she will get on board, I can help her run things. I have worked for her father previously for about 2 years, while he was laid up with a serious heart attack, basically running his biz for him, handling all of the sales, negotiations, operations, etc. I think that he is comforted by my enthusiasm to help his daughter, but he wants his daughter to be on board fully, with or without my help, and I can understand that.

Overall, I think it is a win-win situation, for her, and for me. Again, the focus of my work at this moment is not her trucking busines, but I am definately willing to lend a hand.

My FIL has always stayed busy, no matter what the economic climate, and I think it is a real blessing that my GF might be able to inherit the company. My only reservation is her dedication. If she doesn't take the time to learn the ins and outs, and to go out and fight for work, and make things happen, army of trucks or not, she will not succeed. Thats where I think I fit into the equation.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Oh, and as far as what she does with herself, she works part-time at Walgreens (total waste of her time and talent) and lives off of me and her father. She is a really good girl, and I love her, but she needs to do some growing up, and I hope that this opportunity doesnt fall by the wayside. She is 26 BTW, not a youngster, but not a seasoned vet either. Hell, I am young myself.

 

[Tree Pig]

I think its simple... Marry her and take over the business yourself. Offer Fil a percentage as retirement pay. Tell him you will take good care of his daughter.

 

[TimberMcPherson]

At a guess your GF was brought up around this business, and even if its an attractive position financially, often when your childhood was surrounded with that sort of background, you want to stay away from it in your own life.

I was brought up on a farm but turned down the offer for a farm from my dad when he was retiring. I knew it would be worth a couple million within years but I didnt want to marry a dairy herd and didnt want to take anything off my dad, who started off with nothing.

Yeah it doesnt make sence to you, but sometimes people just want to make there own way.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Stihl-O-Matic,

I think your reading my mind bro.

BTW, when are we getting together for our russian-leg-wrestling/skoal-dipping/beer-drinking/tree-climbing extravaganza? Us stout fellas gotta stick together...

 

[cowtipper]

.... as I currently pay her rent, car, phone, utilty bills, etc.....

ah..ah... let's see here.... you pay almost all her bills if not all and you wonder why she is not motivated to take over a company with 100+ pieces of equipment? ah... ah... am I missing something...

If you go back reread what you posted I think you have the answers you are looking for...

Sorry man not meaning to rain on you party.. but you asked for input...

 

[ForTheArborist]

ah..ah... let's see here.... you pay almost all her bills if not all and you wonder why she is not motivated to take over a company with 100+ pieces of equipment? ah... ah... am I missing something...

If you go back reread what you posted I think you have the answers you are looking for...

Sorry man not meaning to rain on you party.. but you asked for input...

Afraid of responsibility, right?

Ahh, fewer people than most can pull that longer chain of responibility like what comes with running an outfit. Winking at the customers from behind the checkout at the mart is enough for them.

 

[BlackenedTimber]

Thats why i'm thinking I oughta get involved... I hate to see the opportunity go to waste. I have the pertinent experience to make it work...

you guys are all right as far as the responsibility...

Im thinking I either buy a ring or cut her off, and I am not sure what the answer is, love is such a stupid thing. All in all, she is a good girl though, if not a spoiled daddy's girl.

 

[cowtipper]

How about taking to the FIL and work on buying him out and see if you will give you the "family" deal...