Personal / professional advice wanted.

[2WheelTiger]

Andre,
I always enjoy reading your posts and I have read through a lot of your blogs. Great info along with some really really tough stories. I wish you the best with your new business venture and with your roller coaster battle against cancer. And keep on writing...

Picking a name is difficult...you should somehow tie it into all you have been and are going through.

Inspiring Designs

Triumph Home Services

'Dre's Designs

Thanks for the kudos, but I'm just a guy who does what he has to do to keep me and mine under a decent roof. Thanks for the ideas.

 

[Fencer]

looks very nice

 

[IndianaTom]

How about "Fantastic Home Services", cause man, those rooms look Fantastic!

 

[uctofeej]

I'd agree with Indiana, but I'd also add your name to give yourself a bump in listings: Andre's Fantastic Home Services. Has a certain ring to it.

 

[2WheelTiger]

I'm tending toward "Andre's Homescapes" or "Andre's Fantastic Home" (leaving off the "services" part). What do those names conjure up in your heads?

 

[2WheelTiger]

looks very nice

Thanks. That one was interesting. Cedar fencing mostly. All 4 sides are different. One closeable bar, one tub entry, and the slats on the other two sides have to be angled/spaced differently because of the visual angle in those directions for privacy. We left the top open so it still feels more "outside", but the tops of the walls were angled to visually augment the roofline of the house. The whole thing is lit with low voltage lighting.

 

[Scab]

A landscaper and a furniture store. Sorry.

 

[twowheelnut]

In fact, I finally left the MC business because nobody has any damned money and everybody wants something for free. I could tell stories forever. FWIW - it was mostly a sportbike/racing shop so my target market tended to be underfunded squids or racers. Certainly the custom bike, Wing, and S/T market is a bit different.

I'll see your 'stories' and raise you hair razing tales. Dude, news flash: If you think 'nobody had any damned money' in the MC business...

I've written and deleted three separate posts and I've decided to leave you with these two suggestions:

1) Keep your business name simple. Use your name or some form of it and if there is a better half involved (they always are somehow) go with 'Smith & Smith General Contracting, Inc.' or LLC or such (consult your consigliari and CPA).

2) Never, ever leave money on the table. If a payment is due, get it.

Good luck with your professional endeavors. Better yet, good luck with your health issues.

 

[BBQ]

BTDT. It was very good for me and could be for you too. Advice1) get a CPA, (2) get an attorney and (3) get to know your banker. They will all keep you on track and out of trouble.

Best Wishes

 

[AZrider]

Andre,

You have real talent for interior design and the spa deck and surround was pretty cool. I don't think you need to worry about your talent IMO.

For a name, there's been lots of good suggestions. When I first started my engineering design consulting about ten years ago I used what I thought was a "trendy" name but found in the long run that people who called me did mostly on "word of mouth" from jobs I had done for others. I finally settled on "Design Consulting" and eventually found that people would call me back and laugh and say, "that's it, Design Consulting?" And we would have a chuckle but I got the job.

Word gets out when you do a good job and charge a fair amount on your invoice, don't short change yourself. In the ten years I've been at this game I've seen a lot, from clients that didn't blink at my invoice to those who stiffed me. One thing, don't let the few bad accounts that you'll run into ruin the game for you. I had a guy I spent hours with on a design and we agreed upon a reasonable fee for my experience (yeah, I'm an old guy that's heavy on experience). In the end he never paid my invoice even though I billed him several times. I was pretty pissed because I had to drive 60 miles to his office several times and burned my own gas. Anyhow I let it go and just pressed ahead. A few years later I learned from another person that this guy had serious health issues with his infant son and had huge medical bills which almost cost him his livelihood. So, you never know what the other guy is going through and I felt better that I had acted like a gentleman and not called him up and chewed out is ***. Life comes at all of us head on and sideways. In 2001 I was diagnosed with diabetes and had to do a complete makeover in my lifestyle. Like you, I just keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Lots of good good advice on this site, what a great resource to have a group of people nationwide, actually worldwide who will take time to help. Neat world we live in, eh?

My sister is a doctor and her husband is a radiation oncologist. I have three members of my family who are in various stages of dealing with their cancer from total remission to counting the months. My brother-in-law has told me that attitude is everything so in that vein I think you have this by the balls. Do what the docs tell you, keep fighting and remember we're all in the same boat it's just that some of us don't know it. I respect your attitude towards life and enthusiasm for it, way to go! :yahoo:

"Andre's Designs LLC"

AZ

 

[JimLor]

When I look for a contractor, I try to talk with my friends who have had work done and see who they've used and what they think of them. IOW, word of mouth is important (to me) and "trustworthy" is absolutely something I value. I agree with those who've said to return calls, etc. And when you say you'll do xxxx, then do xxxx. Using your name will give you a headstart in the phone book (if anyone still uses one) and I agree that putting your name on your business is important and a good idea.

My dad and uncle owned a fence company - I worked there for 8 summers during high school and college. I can dig a hole with the best of them! I can tell you from that viewpoint that the public is difficult to work with, and I think even worse now then it was way back then. Just be an honest, up-front guy and that'll serve you well. I can't see the pictures from work, but will take a look tonight. I've done sheds, screened in porches, decks, and some furniture for our use and enjoy seeing what other folks have done.

Best of luck to you in this and your health!

Jim

 

[weekend rider]

That is it Andre's home design, Andre's design, Andre's home remodeling,

Good call AZrider

Remember 8 out of 10 new business's fail with in the first three years. So do youre home work and good luck