JoeinTX
Platinum Member
"Like alot of other folks I became a statistic this week as entire B2B sales level was eliminated when my employer decided to "downsize/rightsize". Anyway I no longer have a job but I do have a Kubota BX24 with loader and backhoe. I'd rather sit in a tractor seat than behind a desk anyway so does anyone have any suggestions on how I might turn this little orange machine into a profit center. Have a little time to build up business due to severance and unemployment but I don't want to sit still, need to get something going as soon as possible. Any suggestions on what implements might be best investment to generate additional business? Trailer size and style? Your suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks....."
Sorry to hear. I became one of those "statistics" earlier this year and, like you, I thank goodness for a nice severance and unemployment after that.
I had a similar notion to yours........I'll take my 8n, shredder, box blade, disc, etc. and make a little extra scratch while the next job offer comes around and keep myself busy. Heck, if things got to really going maybe I could I make it my biz as I would really like to do for a while anyway. Even went so far as to reactivate my business liability insurance that I had allowed to lapse a few years ago after my regular job got in the way of my first thoughts at a side tractor gig. I placed a reasonably recurring ad on Craig's List, posted an addy on the billboard down at the local fillin' station/watering hole, printed my own business cards at home and dropped them in the little fish bowls at the restaurants and such where they allow card swapping for people looking to network. I let a good friend of mine in the real estate business know that I was again looking for tractor work and gave him a bunch of my cards to hand out to customers and agents as a referral.
Grand total of all of that...........................nada. I received no calls or inquiries from anyone regarding the ad, my cards, or any referrals relating from real estate contacts. Rough out there. Another problem I have is that while I live in one of the largest metro areas in the country, I don't know a lot of people here. I moved to the area from elsewhere so very few people know me from Adam. I don't have a "connections" with any real number of people here so getting "word-of-mouth" is tough to do. You, being in sales, understand exactly what I am saying as we both know the biggest driver of sales is reputation and referral from satisfied buyers rather than advertising.
My reply is not meant to be negative even though it may sound pessimistic. No. It's meant to be sobering. You don't just decide you're gonna go into the tractor biz and wait for the customers to fight amongst themselves to get your time. It's not likely to happen especially in this economic environment. As someone else said above, people are cutting back and aren't so fast with paying out money for services.
So, this far in I'm still looking for that next best job offer and the tractor biz hasn't gone very far. Ironically (laugh), the best money making offer I've had over the last few months was a gent who stopped by one day to ask me what I'd take for the tractor and implements if I wanted to sell them. Hah! The irony is biting.
Nonetheless, you, as I have, should look toward John Wayne and Admiral Farragut for inspiration. The Duke would charge ahead and take his chances and Farragut is famous for proclaiming "**** the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" as the Union Navy attacked Mobile in a not-so-sure attack.
Sorry, dissertation over.......
Sorry to hear. I became one of those "statistics" earlier this year and, like you, I thank goodness for a nice severance and unemployment after that.
I had a similar notion to yours........I'll take my 8n, shredder, box blade, disc, etc. and make a little extra scratch while the next job offer comes around and keep myself busy. Heck, if things got to really going maybe I could I make it my biz as I would really like to do for a while anyway. Even went so far as to reactivate my business liability insurance that I had allowed to lapse a few years ago after my regular job got in the way of my first thoughts at a side tractor gig. I placed a reasonably recurring ad on Craig's List, posted an addy on the billboard down at the local fillin' station/watering hole, printed my own business cards at home and dropped them in the little fish bowls at the restaurants and such where they allow card swapping for people looking to network. I let a good friend of mine in the real estate business know that I was again looking for tractor work and gave him a bunch of my cards to hand out to customers and agents as a referral.
Grand total of all of that...........................nada. I received no calls or inquiries from anyone regarding the ad, my cards, or any referrals relating from real estate contacts. Rough out there. Another problem I have is that while I live in one of the largest metro areas in the country, I don't know a lot of people here. I moved to the area from elsewhere so very few people know me from Adam. I don't have a "connections" with any real number of people here so getting "word-of-mouth" is tough to do. You, being in sales, understand exactly what I am saying as we both know the biggest driver of sales is reputation and referral from satisfied buyers rather than advertising.
My reply is not meant to be negative even though it may sound pessimistic. No. It's meant to be sobering. You don't just decide you're gonna go into the tractor biz and wait for the customers to fight amongst themselves to get your time. It's not likely to happen especially in this economic environment. As someone else said above, people are cutting back and aren't so fast with paying out money for services.
So, this far in I'm still looking for that next best job offer and the tractor biz hasn't gone very far. Ironically (laugh), the best money making offer I've had over the last few months was a gent who stopped by one day to ask me what I'd take for the tractor and implements if I wanted to sell them. Hah! The irony is biting.
Nonetheless, you, as I have, should look toward John Wayne and Admiral Farragut for inspiration. The Duke would charge ahead and take his chances and Farragut is famous for proclaiming "**** the torpedoes, full speed ahead!" as the Union Navy attacked Mobile in a not-so-sure attack.
Sorry, dissertation over.......