Work On your Business. Not in It.

     I heard this phrase from a colleague recently, and how true it really is. If you're an owner, or soon-to-be owner, this is exactly what you should be doing. I cannot stress that enough. Here's why.
     I have seen many men and women, owners/operators mind you, that do nothing but work. Nothing but. It's insane. 65-80 hour weeks. I also realize that time have changed, and more work needs to be done by fewer people. However, there must be time for being a person. You can love your career, but if it is all you have, then you have nothing.
     Some have told me this is a bold claim. But hear me out. Passions, interests, whatever you want to call them, drive human beings. You can't deny it. Work can only satisfy these needs partially. There must be a phase,m or a piece of your life outside of the daily grind to make you whole. And there are only 24 hours in the day, don't forget. If someone tells me, "I don't have time to X" they are basically telling me that they work 24 hours a day. No sleeping. No eating. No drinking. Impossible.
     It's up to you to decide what you are doing outside of work. You must look at it like your project. You cannot be an employee when you own a business. You cannot only work. You will come to resent your career, and where there was passion and love for your job, mediocrity and malice will seep in.
     The phrase I mentioned earlier is two fold. Be something outside of your job, and see your business as something you can improve. Not just work in mindlessly until you die. Your business is only as good as the people that work on it. How will you improve your business today? What have you been putting off? Let's talk about it.

Not My Job

     I hate that phrase. Not my job. You know that? How can anyone be "above" someone else's job? Sure there are exceptions, like being unable to do a certain piece of work, or being untrained, or sick. But, if there is no-one to say...clean an office. It has to get done.
     Why can't everyone just band together and do it? Some people may think I have a pretty sweet gig because my parents are my bosses. I love what I do, don't get me wrong. However, I do get my hands dirty when the time comes. I still do carpet cleanings. I do laundry. I fold rags. I shovel snow. I repair vacuum cleaners. Hell, if need be? I'd clean accounts.
     And I'm a salaried manager, which some people think entitles them to being immune to all sorts of labor that is not directly in their job description. How ignorant. Of course there are exceptions, and I trust each of you to be smart enough to recognize them.
     But, the next time you want to say, "not my job", think about the context. Is it really not your job? Or are you just be lazy? What are some experiences you have had? What do you think? Lemmie know.

Expansion

     Okay, so Budget is looking to expand its carpet cleaning and commercial cleaning accounts into Bergen County, New Jersey. No, now wait- this isn't an advertisement. I'm not gonna do that on this blog. This is a...collection? Shall we say? Of my thoughts and worries.
     It's exciting, I will say that. Starting up in a new place, meeting new people, gaining new clients, new money. The rewards are great, but there is always the thought- will this work? Can we do it right now? Will we find clients? Will we find too many clients? And let's not forget about (wo)manpower. There's a lot to do here, but I'm ready for it. Expansion is typically a logical step towards the total financial health of a company. But, like most endeavors, high reward means high risk.
     I personally have never done, or even been involved in anything like this, and its is equal parts scary and exhilarating. There was a time in my life where something so...unpredictable would have been unthinkable to even plan, rather than commit to. But. Thousands upon thousands of people do this every day in their own business, so why can't I? There is no reason. I can.
     So I pose this question to you- ever expanded your business? Been part of an expansion? I'd like to chat about this. Leave a comment, and we'll get to gabbin'.