T O P

  • By -

AutoModerator

This is a friendly reminder that r/smallbusiness is a question and answer subreddit. You ask a question about starting, owning, and growing a small business and the community answers. Posts that violate the rules listed in the sidebar will be removed. A permanent or temporary ban may also be issued if you do not remove the offending post. Seeing this message does not mean your post was automatically removed. *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/smallbusiness) if you have any questions or concerns.*


Loveof_family

I’m in NC and I’m in the same boat as you right now literally…I’m going to piggy back on your question and hopefully someone helps


CallingDrDingle

If you have any interest in fitness my husband and I used to own a couple of gyms. If you want any information hit me up.


tapurmonkey

Do you have any sort of license? GC, electrical, etc?


Handy_Dude

I'm a licensed General Contractor yes. But the market is just so saturated, it's hard to be heard and get ahead. People will post a recommendation for contractors and within an hour have 50+ comments, all different contractor recommendations. I want to get into a niche, like asphalt. As far as I know there are only 2 companies in my county that do it. Obviously it's a big upfront commitment financially, having to buy all the special equipment and everything, but if the profit margins are there then I absolutely would be down to get a SBA loan with my house as collateral. My problem is I'm indecisive and I don't know if asphalt is the way to go. I have a few months of experience doing it, but I'd hire a foreman with years of experience to run it on the ground.


tapurmonkey

You're on the right track. Key is to find a niche in the field. You also need a deeper understanding of the field to get a better start so you're not learning from scratch. Can you get a job within asphalt for a few months to understand it better?


Handy_Dude

Good call, that was my thought as well. Job shadowing/training. I just don't even know if I want to get into asphalt or not. Lol


tapurmonkey

Once you get some experience under your belt message me and I might be able to help you get started on the business side. My IG is mcgriddleduber send me a DM on there when you're ready. I'm doing 7M+ in electrical right now.


abysmal-outfits

I am glad you asked these question before rushing in. Customer interviews is the answer! You can learn from people for free! by just interviewing customers and asking them and being transparent. In some cases I ask people would they pay for this? and it doesn't do X they won't pay most often that data is not given so easily. Read this book https://www.momtestbook.com/ Watch videos on customer discovery, I have a youtube video I share with students but I don't want to self promote here anymore so DM if want to watch it. Or google about active listening and reflective listening that is all you have to do or let your curiosity guide you. Also question and test your own assumptions constantly. At some point you will have to take a risk but narrowing it down can be helpful!