Millionaire Challenge

lessonlearned

EllaBeagle wrote: »

I agree it is possible BUT it depends how you expand your business.

For instance a hairdressers will never make a million unless you expand to having shops dotted about the place. Some have become a household name and have celebrity clients.

A painter and decorator is unlikely to make a million unless they have a massive workforce or maybe turn their hand to Interior design covering rich areas.

Just writing this I've put on the episode of wife swap that I missed last night and uncannily its about a woman with three children who became a self made millionaire selling aromatherapy products. I'm now eating my words and strangely intrigued of joining the thread

Laura Ashley started out as a very small "cottage" industry, Body Shop's Anita Roddick started out making up potions in her kitchen. The bank refused to lend her any money because she was "just a housewife playing at business" Bet they were sorry!!!

S & A Foods (think thats the name - Indian cuisine ready meals and sauces etc - now supply ASDA) - again started from her kitchen table. Paul Smith, a tailors started in Nottingham now global, George Davis (Next, George, Per Una) - there's a long list of people who started with nothing and built up huge successful business empires.

Even the mighty M&S started from a barrow. Sainsburys, Boots, Tesco etc all started small. Alan Sugar, Richard Branson, all the Dragon's Den crew. Their life stories and biographies make fascinating reading.

Hairdressing - a personal friend of mine, started with one small back street salon - ended up with four big city centre salons, a hairdressing school, and a healthy antiques business as a sideline and still found time to lecture in hairdressing at the London College of Fashion. OK not a millionaire but has a beautiful home and a nice holiday home in France.

Another guy I know started out doing plant hire, branched out into haulage - he's in his early 40's and sitting pretty. His teachers more or less ignored him at school - just another "thicko".

Yet another friend - dyslexic - became a waste removal contractor - "where there's muck there's brass". He's not short of a bob or two either, beautiful home, keeps horses - a very expensive hobby.:rotfl

Where there's a will there's a way.

Often it's fear of failure that holds folk back. And to be honest - laziness.

Those go getters made huge sacrifices early on so that they could become successful - no lolling around watching rubbish TV, out in all weathers, taking risks and putting in the hours.

I agree one individual can only work so many hours a day - to expand you need to delegate, diversify and build a damn good team around you. You need to be able to sell, sell, and sell some more, best of all to recognise a good deal when you see one and to just go for it.

What's the worst that can happen - you fail. Soooooo - you pick yourself up and start again. (Like I'm doing now).

In my case it wasn't failure as such - we were doing just fine. It was my husbands devasting illness, which struck him down in his mid 40's and which changed our lives forever. There are some things you just don't see coming.:(

Most successful business people have a couple of failures under their belt. One of my multi-millionaires that I worked for had already failed three times before he finally struck gold.

It just takes a little bit of courage.

I'm glad that you are now intrigued - a good first step.:)

tinktay84

Wow again im loving all the positive feedback and positive energy on here. positive breeds positive etc...

Well today, being the superwoman that i am (LMAO) I have done a school run, a days hard graft, a kickboxing class, tweeted (and got a reply off) one of the dragons(of dragons den) booked another weeks work in, booked a quote, done all th washing, bathed the kids, got them in bed(1 potty training argh!) and made myself a hot choccy before coming on here...how was all this possible? My 2 fab kids are well trained, my amazing hubby almost always cooks tea and my 2 amazing employees/best friends.

That is an average day for me and this is why i will succeed.

As some other posters have put (thank you lessonlearned) im well aware of my local area, the economy, the nature of my business, the diversity and complexity of the business and most of all my strengths AND weaknesses.

Im aware that Dec-Feb are quiet months in my trade annd that the same months are the peak of my husbands trade (gasman). considering I am only in year 2 of my business I am doing very well.I have bookings to take me to mid january with quotes still being done so hopefully my hardwork will see us through.

The idea of the shop is getting stronger by the day as I am fine tuning ideas and throwing out bad ideas. im getting my name out there and making sure all my work is top notch.
I have another year of college in which I will be learning all the really big money skills such as marble work and graining and after that I may even look into more courses to further improve.

When I first decided to go back to college I could have opted to sign on and get the course for free but I didnt, I chose to hold down 3 jobs -
my week went like this:
Monday cleaning at a department store, drop kids at breakfast club/nursery, college ,pick kids up (easy day)
Tues: Kids to school/nursery, college, work at hotel #1
Weds: cleaning at department store,kids to school/nursery, college, work at 1st hotel and study while there
Thurs: kids to school /nursery, cleaning at hotel #2, over to the first hotel til midnight
Fri: kids to school /nursery, cleaning at 2nd hotel, over to 1st hotel til midnight
Saturday: both hotel jobs
Sunday: both hotel jobs
God knows where but I also fit in 3 kickboxing classes a week and doing decorating for family to practice. God I feel tired just reading that!

I am very lucky that while i was doing this i had breakfast clubs, after school clubs and very flexible an supportive husband so I understand that this isnt possible for everyone but it was a choice I made.
not once did I stop and think about all the things I was juggling- I would have cracked up! But after that first year of college I got myself in a position to be able to quit the jobs one at a time and build up my business
I know 2 brothers, close in age, both work in the same industry, 1 brother has always taken calculated risks and worked hard making sure he pushed his way to the front and got to the top, the other just plodded on waiting for his phone to ring and working when work came to him. Thee older of the 2 brothers looks 10 years younger and lives a very comfortable life, the younger brother, although still happy and surrounded by loving family is living hand to mouth and look 10 years older....

redbull5

tinktay - i find you inspiring, i very hope you become a millionare

tinktay84

im just your average Joe really. Its nice to know that im giving other people ideas.
im sick to death of the downtrodden attitude of a lot of people. If I had a pound for everytime I heard 'I cant,im skint,you dont know how it is'
I had my car keyed all down one side a few weeks ago and when i was relaying the story one girl said 'at least youve got a car' I honestly had to use every ounce of self control to not blow up at her. I just turned to her and said yes I have a car, for which I have worked my bum off, had 15 crappy unreliable cars in 5 years just to get by and finally managed to afford my second hand, 3 yr old citroen c1 of which I am very proud and grateful for and im so glad that I was born with a driving licence to boot.' haha

Ive systematically removing all the negative people from my life and working hard to encourage others to be more positive. If boring, average old me can do this then anyone can

lessonlearned

tinktay84 wrote: »

i

If boring, average old me can do this then anyone can

Never boring:D

Driven, ambitious, slightly bonkers maybe (just kidding!!!) - but never boring.

My DS2 worked hard, scrimped and saved and I also lent him some money to help him buy a lovely purple Mini Cooper - it was beautiful.

Trashed twice - someone threw a brick through the rear windscreen - second time someone tried to wrench off the door handle.

My beautiful blue shiny Lexus, was keyed, bashed, dented, wing mirrors yanked off - you name it. Pure jealous spite.

OH and I worked our socks off, scrimped and saved, put our kids through uni. Our "posh" car was just as much a business tool as it was a reward. OH spent a lot of time on the road, why shouldn't he be comfortable.

Those spiteful, jealous b******s can't be bothered to get off their backsides and do a bit of grafting. They would rather moan and whinge about how unfair life has treated them than try to improve their lot. If they can't have it why should anyone else. Bet they wouldn't graft the way you have, Tinktay.

Just keep going, don't stoop to their level. If they want to stay in the gutter wallowing in their own misery - that's their problem. You're better than that.

tinktay84

I see every negative person as one less competitor thus making me one step closer to my goal.

I never thought I would be the person that gets up in the morning, looks out the window and truly appreciates the view.

I was always the miserable one and negative and thought all these 'happy clappy' people were mental but the harder I work and the more I achieve, the more i understand why these people are happy and positive.

As I say im a long way off and no doubt when the goal gets closer I will move the posts - thats just how I roll. The day I give up striving for better is the day I climb in my coffin and wait for death.

Hows things your end?Hope your managing to progress with youre plans and that your OH is doing well

rictus123

Well i have many ideas simular to yours, Tinktay so im sure as some point early next year you will recieve a large pm from me. I am looking at doing flyers and business cards and taking out adverts in the paper for work.Like you, December to March is the slowest time of the year for trade workers with it being dark so late in the morning but early in the evening. Also the low temperatures do not help. I will also need to get a van sorted out with signwritting advertising my services on it. Will more than likely not bother with that until 2013 though, see how much work i can get to get me going first. All work will be done evenings and weekends from March onwards so looking at late Febuary to put out leaflets and start advertising.

Alot will not trust a flyer drop but i will make my reasons known why i am doing so. Really hoping income from this will be at least half what i get from my employer....as i can get by on that so could save my whole salary. What a great feeling it would be going to work knowing whatever i earn that day is all mine and is all for saving. Following this challenge on between now and the end of the year. I am signed up for the save £12k in 2012 challenge but i am aiming to save £15k....and still hoping to smash that and be nearer or even above £20k. Just depends if i can get as much work as i plan on taking on. I dont need negitivity or people telling me i cannot do it because i know i CAN and WILL.

Would be amazing to quote this post in a years time and say....JOB DONE.

tinktay84

rictus, cant wait for the PM. Will be something for me to look forward to in the dreary early months of next year.

I can honestly say I havent done any leaflet drops or what have you.Obviously everyone has different opinions and this is just mine...
My van brings in around 80-90% of my work and purely by being sat in traffic (as I would be anyway) I have generated a fair few quid of business. Yes its a big expense and i have it on a lease so a constant expense that isnt even mine BUT within a few daays of getting it signed up I had a few jobs off it.
I always get people saying oh ive seen your van. Thing is from day 1 I created a brand.I went against everythign I believed in (pink is evil) and ordered hot pink polo shirts and hoodies, got black and pink signwriting on my van and even dyed my hair pink!

It amazes me the amount of people that seem to think im the only female deci in the area when i know of several.

My task on Sunday is to hand write xmas cards to all of my previous customers and get them ready to send out in the next few weeks.

get on vista print website, free business cards etc.just go with all the free options and make sure you dont add anythign on, postage is a few quid and you can at least hand them out for now.

lessonlearned

tinktay84 wrote: »

I see every negative person as one less competitor thus making me one step closer to my goal.

More opportunities for those that are prepared to grasp them.

I never thought I would be the person that gets up in the morning, looks out the window and truly appreciates the view.

For all my sadness with OH illness - I still believe it's a great wonderful world out there.

As I say im a long way off and no doubt when the goal gets closer I will move the posts - thats just how I roll. The day I give up striving for better is the day I climb in my coffin and wait for death.

This attitude will make you successful - it will also keep you youthful, fit and healthy. As you know I'm 60 and I'm often appalled at how "old" some 20 somethings seem - so negative, so defeatist, they've given up on life before they've even begu.

Hows things your end?Hope your managing to progress with youre plans and that your OH is doing well

Sorry about the bold - not very computer literate yet so don't know how else to highlight your points.

Put my back out yesterday - trying to transfer OH without assistance.

OH has had to go into respite today because I simply cannot take care of him when I'm like this - walking like an Ape:rotfl: - unable to drive.

Had a long heart to heart with GP last week - its time now for permanent care. In fact this may well be the turning point - not sure if he'll be coming home again. Although of course we'll have him home for Christmas, whatever it takes, even if it's a hospital bed in the living room.

TBH OH continues to decline and now needs two person handling and, as the GP pointed out, no one person can give 24 hour care indefinitely.

We have an army of carers coming in an out, but Social Services have warned me that they cannot provide night time cover. So a nursing home it has to be.

So - with my back out I'm having to have an enforced rest at the moment - which is why I've had time to "chat" on here. Doesn't stop the brain working though.:rotfl::rotfl: Still dreaming dreams and planning plans.:D

Buzzing with ideas - but for the time being I really need to concentrate on making sure OH is settled and happy in his nursing home first. Currently swamped with loads of form filling, red tape and bureaucracy etc

Apparently my jewellery is selling well - so a nice little sideline income there. It might not be a fortune but I shall invest it wisely and not fritter it away.:rotfl:

Other than that not had a great deal of time to do much else business wise. Not to worry I'm prepared to play the long game.

Like you the day I stop will be the day I start pushing up daisies.:rotfl:

tinktay84

red tape and bureaucracy...how lovely!
Im sure each form is of great importance and that each one will ensure the best possible care but im sure you also fel the need to scream and turrn into a complete nutter with each form handed to you!

its good that you have obviously talked all this over and are able to make decisions that will make both your lives that bit easier.

Good to hear the jewellery is selling well, hope you manage to continue to grow this area as it seems to be something you enjoy.

Was laughing with my friend today who was head in hands over the thought that in just over a year she will turn 30. I said whats the big deal, although not wishing my life away I also look forward to each stage. She said she felt old so I started telling her that she cant be old as my dad isnt old and he turns 60 next month. He cycles to work most days, works a full time job, has a 9 yr old step son and his wife...how can he be old?