I Had an Existential Crisis | Realities of Starting a Business

Introduction

It's day 133 of my journey to make as much money as possible, starting from zero, and let me tell you, it has been a tough day. Recently, I've been contemplating the numbers I could throw out there; closing those sales would finally help us start climbing out of the hole we've dug for ourselves.

This week, we bought a brand new pressure washer, dispatched by Amazon, with a one-year commercial use guarantee. It has the same specifications as the old, unreliable machine we had that cost £45,000 used. The old washer was on its last leg, spitting flames and leaking oil, so the new investment was necessary. We opted for £88 a month for 12 months interest-free, thanks to Amazon.

Excitingly, this week is the first week where we have paid jobs lined up every day from Monday to Friday, which could bring us up to £1,500. Last week, I tackled a driveway through a thunderstorm, lightning, and hail while the pressure washer was malfunctioning. Fortunately, with the new machine, we have a chance to do things right.

However, within 30-40 minutes of use, our buffer tank, which holds over 100 liters of water, was empty, demonstrating that the new washer uses significantly more water and petrol. I had to start waiting for refills, wasting precious time. On top of that, our turbo nozzle—a crucial tool for cleaning—broke due to the power of the new machine, so now I need to invest in a higher-capacity nozzle costing £469.

While the work has continued, I've been taking mental hits as well. I still find myself doing late-night shifts at the gym and sleepovers at the office. As day 134 approached, feelings of panic set in, questioning whether I had chosen the right business. The forecast called for rain, and I found out the new pressure washer shouldn't even be used in wet conditions due to electric shock concerns. The challenges seemed overwhelming.

To make matters worse, I wondered if there's a better way to make money as I searched for leads but ultimately felt frustrated. Despite this, I understood that continuing with what we've initiated is essential for our financial survival. The struggle weighs on me; today, I bought a top to protect myself from the rain for £8.99 and spent £315 on petrol, emphasizing the cash flow difficulties we face.

After a tough week filled with worries and frustrations, our hard work paid off. Kendra and I have executed a strategy to send out letters while fulfilling jobs, managing to close a £399 sale and even snagging additional local clients. Our efforts initially seemed exhausting, and the prospect of scaling didn't look promising due to the administrative headaches involved.

Despite these concerns, we completed a job that yielded £199 for cleaning a driveway, leading to payouts that accumulate as we push on. However, the hand fatigue from constant work affects my ability to step away and strategize for growth. So, I initiated a new plan for higher leverage opportunities while targeting online channels—ways to save time and ensure more income flows in.

As the week concluded, I felt the fatigue of missed sleep but also the adrenaline of freshly closing sales. This led to the biggest sale yet at £549, a heartening achievement amidst my existential crisis. Even with everything weighing heavy, I sold services for a combined £1,571 for the upcoming week, setting us toward a financial recovery.

In this journey, we've dealt with a plethora of challenges, confronted my internal dilemmas, and achieved noteworthy sales, which has kept us afloat financially. My reflections on this experience highlight both the realities and difficulties of entrepreneurship, but I'm determined to end this chapter stronger.

Keywords

• Pressure Washer
• Sales
• Cash Flow
• Challenges
• Business
• Sales Strategy
• Rain
• Turbo Nozzle
• Growth

FAQ

Q: What difficulties did you face with the new pressure washer?
A: The new pressure washer used significantly more water and petrol than expected, leading to downtime while we refilled the buffer tank.

Q: Why was the turbo nozzle a concern?
A: The turbo nozzle broke because it was not rated for the output power of the new pressure washer, requiring a replacement for £469.

Q: How are you dealing with cash flow issues?
A: We are closely monitoring expenses and have committed to closing sales more frequently, with a target of securing a job every day.

Q: What was the biggest sale you've made?
A: The biggest sale so far has been £549 for a substantial cleaning job.

Q: What is your plan moving forward?
A: We plan to focus on higher leverage opportunities and potentially pivot to online ventures to manage time better and grow the business.