Creating a NEW Company | Realities of Starting a Business

Introduction

It's now Day 140 of the journey to make money from scratch. Recently, I've been juggling pressure washing jobs, a new dog named Stro, and the challenges of running a business. Today marked the biggest sale of the series so far at a pressure washing job for £299. The week looks promising, with an even larger job booked at £549 tomorrow.

Before arriving at the site, I filled up the petrol tank, a regular task to keep the pressure washer running. The dog owners I met expressed their love for their stubborn but beautiful golden retriever, and I couldn't help but feel a connection to pets as I work through my days.

While the business continues to grow, I've noticed a cloud of melancholy settling in. The reality of strenuous manual labor as a means to earn money is taking its toll. I realized my physical endurance has limits, and it's important to set time aside for mental health and relaxation to keep motivation high. Balancing work with personal life can sometimes be the key to sustaining a business.

As I reflected on the effort needed for each job, I discovered the profit margin wasn't yielding as high as expected, especially when calculating costs associated with hiring help. This led to a pivotal decision: while pressure washing remains our primary income source, we will pivot to a new venture—dried flower confetti for weddings.

Jumping to Day 141, I secured the most expensive job yet at £549. After fueling up and working hard for about 11 hours at the job site, I was exhausted but motivated by the cash flow. The day began early and ended near 8:00 p.m., symbolizing the dedication needed when starting a business. Despite the fatigue, I couldn't help but feel a sense of achievement from my efforts.

Days later, bubble-wrapped in optimism for the future, I trekked from Sheffield to Leeds to start resanding three driveways. The forecast appeared favorable, yet unexpectedly, rain fell—a typical British scenario that forced us to adapt our plans. We quickly pivoted back to the flower business, noting that rain halts pressure washing jobs and could be a recurring issue for future work.

Even with this setback, we pushed ahead with resanding when the weather cleared up, ultimately completing the first of three driveways. It may have been tough, but the hard work resulted in a payment of £549, boosting my spirits and funds.

Our weekend plans now involve focusing completely on the dried flower business. We’re finishing the website and preparing for advertising, a significant step toward making our business venture a reality. The past week has revealed much about the dangers of underestimating overheads in the early days of business while also highlighting the potential joys that come with pursuing a passion.

The week's efforts resulted in an increase of £173.71, bringing our bank balance up to £6,448.65. Below is a breakdown of our earnings so far in this entrepreneurial journey.

Keyword

business, pressure washing, mental health, dried flower confetti, entrepreneurship, sales, profit margin, adaptability, income, wedding decor

FAQ

Q: What is the primary business focus currently?
A: The primary focus is pressure washing, alongside the pivot to a dried flower confetti business for weddings.

Q: How do you manage mental health while running a business?
A: Setting aside time for relaxation and personal time is essential to maintaining motivation and a positive outlook.

Q: What challenges have you faced with pressure washing?
A: Challenges include physical exhaustion, lower-than-expected profit margins, and reliance on weather conditions.

Q: What was the biggest sale made?
A: The biggest sale made during this journey was a pressure washing job for £549.

Q: What next steps are planned for the dried flower business?
A: The next steps include finishing the website and starting advertising to push for sales.