ForConstructionPros.com

Mirror mirror on the wall ... the reality is, you can’t be it all! I see many new companies as well as established contractors make the mistake of wearing too many hats only to realize at the end of the year there are no profits and a great deal of time was wasted on trying to become something you had no business pursuing.

If you’re thinking of branching out your decorative concrete business, look in the mirror and ask yourself some honest questions: Do I want to be the best contractor in town? Do I want to distribute because my back and knees are worn out from a career of contracting? Do I want to manufacture? Do I want to teach? Do I want to consult? If you try to be everything to everyone, you will find yourself on a runaway locomotive headed toward a 4-foot-thick concrete wall!

When we set up our business we factored in many considerations, starting with a detailed 5-year business plan outlining our short-, mid- and long-term goals. In year one, for example, we decided to dedicate roughly 50 percent of our time toward installations, 30 percent toward distribution and 20 percent on education and training. After all, as young entrepreneurs we had bills to pay, which meant we needed an instant source of “bringing home the bacon” as they say. In years two and three we raised the percentages on education, consulting and distribution while taking on fewer installations. The goal at year five was to spend 70 percent of our time on education and training, 20 percent on consulting and 10 percent on distribution, mainly as a convenience to our customers. Unlike many young companies who never established a business plan early on, we stuck to ours with only a few diversions along the way. Sticking to your detailed business plan will absolutely help you accomplish your goals, which is a very rewarding feeling.

Recently, one of my close friends and a very successful contractor called me for advice on becoming a distributor and teacher. He asked if I thought it was a good idea for him to take on these aspects of the business while continuing his contracting division. My question to him was, “When you wake up in the morning, what do you want to be? Are you ready to make your shop accessible to customers 8 hours a day, 5 days a week? Are you ready to answer technical phone calls such as, “The gallon of stain we bought from you turned out too dark” or “The gallon of sealer we purchased for our countertop turned white, and how do we strip it?”

When you become a distributor for a certain product, that company will oftentimes expect you to give product demonstrations at your facility, which was the case for my friend. I asked him if he really wanted his potential competition sniffing around his shop looking at all of the products and equipment he uses on a regular basis.