How to grow as a 1 man band

[smajchrzak]

Hello! I'm in the same boat, I'm about a year and half into running my own business. And I've been doing all the big jobs solo. Which I can do but it is a bit exhausting especially with a 6 month old at home. I've been trying to look into hired help as well. The other day I was approached by my local IBEW representatives and they said I can contract with them and they will send me guys. Guys with more experience than craigslist lol. I haven't met with them yet to talk specifics but perhaps that's a route you could take also.

 

[NoahsArc]

Its rough. I hate my life when I have to fish or pull solo, especially between floors.

But can't really hire someone to work those 4 random hours a week, some weeks...

 

[HuntNJ]

if all you need is a guy for 4 hours a week then you don't need a guy...sorry but 6x12 =72k. you are barely staying afloat with those numbers.

 

[Seven-Delta-FortyOne]

Is that 4-6k net, or gross sales?

I’m in the same boat, I could use a helper for about 30 hours a week, or, if a guy knew what he was doing, he could work on his own. Then we’d need another helper between us though. I’ll get there, but it takes time.

I have some part timers that I run through the temp agency. I just send them down there to sign up, and the agency handles all the WC, taxes, payroll, so at the end of the day, it’s not really too bad.

I’m also teamed up with another contractor, like what @Joe.B is talking about. He has his projects, I have mine, and we jump onto each others as we need. We are doing a joint venture on one project.

At this point, learn some tricks for working alone, and grind it out until you can hire a helper, then work him as much as possible, even if you don’t need him. Then, slowly start standing back and having him do the work, and within a few years you’ll have a trained employee.