Thinking about going on my own again but can't decide what to do with naming my business, it will just be myself so most people would just use there name or I initials but I think that's a bit boring. Only problem I can see with having a business name that isn't your initials or name is if you get a few days subbing turning up to a shop with a van sign written they might get funny about it. Do I go with Nathan King Flooring coverings/Fitter/specialist/expert/installer etc or something like Elite/Flawless Flooring
Can I ask why you are going on your own if you work for your dad now and will you be going for jobs in the same area? You posted something about this a while back, yes?
Yeah I did a while ago but never went ahead with it. Because he pays me **** wages, I've been there over 8 years and never been out on my own, not even a hint of getting me a van and getting me out working on my own, they have a subbie there pay double what I earn and I'm capable of fitting more variety or flooring then him lots of rereasons and yes same area but I plan to aim more towards Nottingham with is just up the road
Play on your name i would have to go for , - far king good flooring ltd but then again im just childish
My wife chose my company name out of chance and I've considered changing it loads of times thinkng its wrong .to me if you go down the name root you look small so make your name tally in with the business as a big company as already suggested Such as a kings flooring personally you will do better off without shops get a website,free directory's, sign written van that's clean as you will earn more and do better for yourself as personally I worked for one shop once for 2 days and couldn't hack it and I feel if you go it alone and work for shops you may as well stay working for your dad. Just my opinion mate.
That could be a good or bad thing my family have been in the flooring trade for over 50years in this area so are well know and they have a shop here so good because people will know the name but bad for the same reason if you know what I mean
Yes Adam is this the new way to ask for a raise? If you not happy with your dad or firm, you shame him on social networks I used to feel the same way when I was young fitter, I started going in with my (older)brother and dad when I was very young, so when I left school I was the dogs, running large jobs on my own at 16 and a half, But used to get peanuts!! Nearly left once, but I have never been a shy person so I started to talk to clients and started bringing in good jobs,after that they realised I was better at that than them, my brother just loves doing the work,I enjoy the wheeling and dealing on the large jobs ,so we really compliment each other and have built a good size company together, he probably would have just done Subbie working for companies,it took him ages to realise I was a man and should get a good wage, rather than his kid brother! So Nathan if I can give you some advice from a young teenager who used to think he was worth more than what he was getting, Go out and prove it, don't fall out with your family, life's too short, your earn more collectively, your father has passed on his skills to you, you need to repay that over a period of time,you need to bring something else to the firm, easy to talk about it, go out and do it and bring clients to the company and if you do ask for commission
Ive tried mate I asked if I could work a Saturday to learn the shop side of things and got laughed at, bought my own van a while ago and said I'd use it to do work for them and they gave me nothing, told I'd have a pay raise numerous time but didn't get one then found out my cousin who works in the shop had been given one
I would just turn up on Saturdays and not ask for any extra money. After a few weeks of watching and learning the shop start helping out again free of charge and if you start making an impression then stop going in, people don't always realise what they got till it's gone. But I agree try not to fall out with family there is more important things in life than work and money
No get some work from clients to do on a Sunday, I would imagine you can buy the carpet at cost from the firm? If not find your best carpet that they buy cheap, contract the rep using your family name, ask him if you can get the same deal for the roll, Then sell it with your fitting to your clients either at a higher price than your shop( to prove a point) or at a cheaper rate to earn more. Can I ask do you still live at home ? Do you fit on you own or are you still your dad's boy (as in doing the gripper/ underlay ) gopher and work with him everyday, Do you decide what your doing that day?
I worked for a shop for about 5-6 years, rates were great, and had a good working relationship with the owner. They needed a new estimator, and I got my dad in there to take over. After about 6 months I had a huge row with him, and it basically came down to 'you go, or I go'. So I left ! Probably the best thing I ever did.
I totally Agree with uv dont fall out with family over it but would they hold a grudge with you for wanting to better yourself, life is to short if you want to do something find a way to make it happen dont get to old and regret not doing what you will be to old to do, family will get over it I worked for my stepdad for 16 years they trained me sent me on manufacturer days done everything they could to train me as best they could I was running any site I was on from age of 20 always had the second best van ( best van was other boss ) could pick and choose which jobs I wanted I wont lie I hadan easy life but something was missing so with noone knowing I got a van and all tools needed then went home on thursday afternoon to pick van up went in friday and handed notice as it was to late then I had all the stuff needed so had to go if I had spoken to them before they would of talked me into staying, yes it was out the blue yes it was very short notice and yes I dropped them in it on a job I was running but sh1t happens theres never a good time, after they all calmed down I spoke to stepdad out side of work as a family member not a boss and explained why and he actually agreeded and wished me luck, I come up against them on prob 50% of domestic job and 90% I win and order materials from them as cheaper than suppliers and they make money on me for nothing as they get more discount than I do but sell to me at what I pay at suppliers prices , basically what im trying to say is yes I agree with uv but if you have really thought about it and its what you want to do then go for it, dont stay if your unhappy but you are the onlyy one on this forum who knows best how your family will react to it, it may not be easy. good luck in what you decide
Sometimes you just have to do what you have to do, and make the best of your decision, Luckily we have a strong family bond, and have just had a similar experience with not recognising the talents of a younger family, my nephew developed an old relationship I had with a big company, I hadn't paid them much attention because my clients had got older and moved higher up the management level, they weren't doing that much work and I was busy elsewhere, but he got to know the younger up and coming managers who have since moved to other large companies, because of his relationship not only have we got more work at our original company but newer and bigger firms, It took us a while to realise his worth, (which was the same as me when I was younger)we now pay him the same as us and have helped him to set up his own company doing some building work, this enables him to use our accounts and skilled workforce, he is the md of that company and my brother and I are shareholders. Generally floorlayers on their own stay just fitting or set up business's with mates, with families those that take the plunge can develop large businesses together leaning from each other's knowledge and contacts, some families can work together, some can't Logically it's the best thing to do, but life's decisions are not always that easy and families do not sometimes see how good their kids could be (or are?)
