Successs for the Self-Unemployed

I imagine that most of us are self-employed or, as I call it, self-unemployed. We are looking for work every day: no time clocks, no steady job. It’s either turkey or feathers. We always strive for turkey, but I’ve had to live on feathers, and it is not pleasant.

So, how do we even out the hills and valleys? Some say to save for the slow days and that’s a fine goal. Unfortunately, I’ve seen times when there were so many slow days that the savings we had didn’t stretch. Some may have a pension from a previous work life or a spouse who can help with income. Many of us, though, don’t have a cushion, and we have to support our family on our skills alone.

Most of us did not start out as self-employed or even as home inspectors. We worked for a corporation or were in the military or had some other past life. In those past lives, no one taught us how to be self-employed. Running our own company requires a different outlook and greater self-discipline than working for someone else. We do punch a time clock, but it is one we set. We do have a steady job doing what is necessary to sell our profession and ourselves. We may run our business part-time as we attempt to build it, but to be successful, we have to commit to it full-time. You can’t run a home inspection business as a hobby and be successful.

I have been self-unemployed since 1984. I have had some real low times and many good times. Here’s how I’ve learned to get by without a steady paycheck.

First, the basics:

• Have the discipline to start the day at a regular time.
  
  
• Have a designated office area.
  
  
• Keep regular hours and have days off. 
  
  
• Dress and act like you are in business. 
  
  
• Have a clean, dependable vehicle.
  
  
• Diversify your services.
  
  
• Learn and obtain additional skills and credentials. 
  

Second, more difficult, but equally important:

• Learn to price our services.
  I suggest attending seminars or consulting with a CPA on developing a pricing structure. We have spent time and money learning our profession and should get compensated for what we know and do.
  

• Market our services.
  When we are working, it’s hard to market, and when we are marketing, we are not working. Don’t reinvent the wheel; find a qualified marketing company, and let it design your marketing.
  

• Manage income, expenses and taxes.
  As with marketing, hire a knowledgeable person. In this case, an accountant can save you enough to more than pay for his/her services. 
  

• Develop relationships.
  When you have developed relationships with your fellow chapter members, you’ll have others to call on for help when needed. This can take a lot of stress out of your life, and it allows for those days off. I have never felt that there was competition with any of my chapter’s members.
  

• Keep current and get better.
  Keep learning new skills; keep up with building technology. Keep your communication and computer skills up-to-date. Hone your people skills, take self-development classes, and join or start a networking group. Attend chapter meetings; attend IW. Commit to obtaining additional credentials. Become involved in volunteering for something you believe in.

And last, but certainly not least:

• Commit to running an ethical business.
  
  
• Read books on successful businesses and owners.
  
  
• Believe in yourself.

I’m sure most of us run our businesses like true professionals. I’m also sure of some other things, including that many new inspectors could use some pointers on how to be successful businesspersons and that many of you will disagree with some of what I have suggested. I would like to hear from all sides. ASHI could focus more attention on business classes and seminars if you let us know you think it is needed.