Excellent advice Glenn! On Feb 5, 2005, at 11:34 AM, [EMAIL PROTECTED] wrote:
After funding and operating a successful electronics business for 30 years, I
have learned a few things.
First, if you are a person that likes to enjoy time off, and the thought of
working 50-60 hours per week makes you nauseous, then go out and find a job
where you can leave at 5 PM and leave the work where it belongs, in the office.
I have had many regrets over the years that I was not able to work for
someone, sometimes the headaches were humongous, but that being said, I enjoyed the
challenge.
There are many things that you can do, but the first thing that you need to
do is acquire discipline! With any new business the first three years of
revenue should go back into the business. You should take very little revenue out
of the business. You must spend money to earn money.
I would start with your state governments rehabilitation program, seek
anything in the way of schooling, equipment, and counseling that you can find. In
1970, I started my desire to become an electronics technician. The resources
did not exist that do today. I wanted to take a home correspondents course,
but the rehab counselor discouraged it. He was sure I was not able to start and
operate a business in the electronics field, because I had no use of my
hands. Well, I knew that this is what I wanted to do, so I started taking it the
course on my own. After I completed approximately half of the schooling, I guess
they saw that I was serious and paid the balance. After completion, they
purchased $2500 worth of electronic test equipment and the rest is history.
In Pennsylvania there is an organization called SCORE, which is an
organization of retired businesspeople that will assist new businesses and will give
advice. This is a volunteer organization and it is very good. As for the Chamber
of Commerce, yes you may get some free publicity there, but don't put any
effort with the Better Business Bureau. In my opinion they are bogus. You must
pay dues to them, and they don't really do anything to help you. I joined
because someone told me that they would refer people to me, but later I found
this not to be the case.
Remember one rule: The customer is always right, no matter how wrong he is.
One dissatisfied customer can influence three new prospective customers, but
one satisfied customer can bring you many.
I don't know what business you are thinking of, but put much thought into
your decision. If there's one thing that a quad does not need is a lot of stress
in their life.
Good luck,
G. A.
Glenn A Henry
G.A.Henry Radio 100 Mill Street Washington Boro, Pa 17582 1-888-217-8870
