On Thu, 15 Mar 2007 07:38:42 -0400, "D.Duck" wrote:


"Short Wave Sportfishing" wrote in message
.. .
On 14 Mar 2007 19:09:16 -0700, "Tim" wrote:


Dan wrote:
Eisboch wrote:

"Dan" wrote in message
...


I have a very different business. Only $6MM in sales last year with
13
employees. I've resisted the urge to grow too quickly - that's when
things get out of hand.

Dan



Not that different. Mine was (is) a small business, a bit larger than
yours, but still under 50 employees.

My problem wasn't with the size of the company. It was, and still is,
a
close knit group of talented and dedicated people. It was dealing
with
the big boys that started driving me nuts. The bulk of our contracts
come
from large companies .... usually (but not always) military or DOD
primes.

Eisboch



We deal with building contractors and subs. We drink, fish, eat, and
socialize with them often. They are regular people - not the suit and
tie types. Several are multi-millionaires but they are still regular
people. No politics or appointments with the guy on the 10th floor. I
got an invitation to an Easter party from our #5 customer today. They
are good people that appreciate honest service.

Compared to you gentlemen, my buisness is microscopic.

I have three employees.

me, myself, and I.

And I like it that way, and I do "all right"

And nothing wrong with that either. There several tradsmen around
here who are one man operations and they do quite well for themselves.
Couple of them are expert welders/metal workers and the rest are all
custom cabinet makers, furniture makers - stuff like that.

The only time I worked for my self was when I retired and did some
consulting in areas where I have some expertise. That got old quick
and go tto the point where I demanded 75% of the fee up front.

I won't get into why. :)

Consulting is quite easy. All you have to do is tell the client what they
want to hear and they are very happy. 8)

True enough, but getting them to pay for making them happy is another
story.

I'm serious about the 75% thing - well, except for companies who paid
on time, everytime and in full.

But as Dick said, that became increasingly rare as youngsters wanting
to make their bones on the body of an outsider became obnoxious.

It just wasn't worth my health, mental and physical, to try and keep
up.

That's why retirement was invented.