I recently found this forum, and very impressed with the wealth of knowledge located here! I've been doing lots of research lately, but have been having a hard time finding out the answers to my questions... maybe some of you can point me in the right direction....

I currently work for a man who is, well- lets just say not as motivated as I'd like for him to be about keeping me busy and getting more work. I would like to break away from him and start something up myself - but I am not sure how to go about doing this - what steps to get started on my own. How did some of you get started in this buisness.....

any feedback is much appreciated!

I just want to add here that I am NOT looking for a "golden ticket" or a step by step instruction on having a successful business. I understand you guys have paid your dues and a new commer like me is usually frowned upon. I have already talked with a few builders and may have some great work comming to me... I just want to make sure that in these early steps I cover my bases. I've had some tell me that I just need to get incorparated and then I am good to go... I find that hard to believe it would be that easy. Would a LLC be more appropriate for a one man operation?

I hope your research takes you to your State's Department of Professional and Business Regulation. Quit talking to builders and talk to your lawyer and your banker. Without them, you are swimming upstream.

lol, this is true. Perhaps just doing a wiring business right now as oppossed to the equipment install (as I do not have connections with that yet) would be the best direction to go... even subcontractor for others ....? just kicking ideas around. I guess I need to get all this straight before going to get the paperwork done.

How much of a need would a subcontractor to do all the wiring and such be to the acutal installers?

Very useful while perhaps not necessary. I do all aspects of installations, but there is a man who works for me and several other people, who eases the burden and makes me some money along the way.

Your danger here is moonlighting and having your present company kick you out for competing with them. If they find out you are moonlighting, they will think you are stealing their customers because they have heard of it before (maybe done it when starting out). Then maybe you would need a job at a bike shop (although I really thought an ElectraGlide was a vacuum cleaner) to pay the basic bills while you moonlight at something not directly in competition with your job.

Don't even think of contacting your current company's clients. There are enough out there, or you are in an area that can't support you. I quit working with a company seven years ago and had the entire client list. I was thinking I might contact someone after a decent period, say, a year. I can't get to that list. But I am in the Los Angeles area, and your profile gives us no clue. If you are in Outer West Bear Claw, Montana, I'd say you should just be pretty happy you have a job!

Check with the state and the locals to see what kind of business licenses are needed. Perhaps get a contractor's license while at your current job -- it could make you worth more and perhaps get you work more to your liking. That is, advancement. That could make you able to get more prepared to go out on your own.

I would try to build a relationship with distributors your boss currently does business with. That way when you go on your own, they will have some idea of who you are. Also, you will have to get some kind of license, get incorporated (LLC), get a bank count (check and savings), get a line of credit, talk to a floorplanning company, etc. Good Luck!

Mike

Where are you located? I need an installation sub in Philly.

Laws very from State to State on low voltage licensing requirements. Where are you located?

yeah - I'm in SC. There is plenty of work here, I'm not worried about that. My boss is afraid of growth, I'm interested in making money and feeding my family, he is interested in sitting on his ass - its not working out.

I've been doing wiring for over ten years now. I am a complete perfectionist and get so many compliments on my work when I am done.

thanks for the input guys - I'm going to look further into this prospect!

(electraglide = vacuum LOL)