Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Finding reputable home repair companies and contractors. I used to use Angie’s list and it was great
Yes! I’m so tired of researching companies, reading reviews, scheduling estimates, etc. I have a laundry list of things I need done around the house, but it requires managing multiple types of contractors.
I need an electrician to fix some outlets and hardwire some light fixtures. My HVAC is incredibly old (have kicked the can 2x with repairs) and likely needs to be replaced soon. I want to have our sewer line scoped. There is some carpentry work (e.g. shelving and such) I’d like to do. I need someone to do a bit of drainage work and put in a walkway in my side yard. My driveway needs repaving. And on and on.
Obviously paying for this stuff isn’t fun, but I have the money. What I don’t have is time to arrange all these things. And if your project is too small there may not be interest or you won’t be prioritized on the schedule.
I wish there was some centralized contracting service that could come to your house and write up an estimate for everything and send out the people you need for each project. It feels like as soon as I knock 1-2 projects off our to do list another few pop up. I’m always looking around at the things that need fixed but I don’t have time to schedule to fix.
Anonymous wrote:Oh boy. OP, I work in marketing and advertising, and have worked with 7, 8, and 9 figure businesses.
Crowdsourcing little rinky-dink business ideas is a great way to lose tens of thousands, or even hundreds of thousands of dollars. Every week I have people reach out to me who have invested their life savings into this “great” business idea, it flopped because they never bothered to do any market research, and now they think spending more money on advertising will help people see the genius of the idea.
The advice I give people who want to own businesses:
1. Don’t be creative or cute. Pick something that is boring but has a long history of being successful, like a plumbing company or laundromat.
2. If you want to get cute, plan on spending 2+ years of research, knowing whatever money you put in may be gone. The really big brands really will spend 2-3 years and hundreds of thousands of dollars on research and testing before ever going to market.
3. If you’re still not dissuaded, go work for an actual business similar to what you want to start. Learn what it’s like to manage people. Learn what it’s like to spend hours a day on profit/loss statements. Learn what it’s like when you lose half your staff, half your customers, or suddenly owe a bunch of money to the IRS. Sanitizing trash cans sounds great, but what happens when the 19 year old you hired for minimum wage calls out sick because he was up partying all night? Guess who’s going to be cleaning those gross trash cans? You. When business tanks in the winter and you have to let people go, guess who’s going to tell them? You. For the medical concierge service, if a client thinks they were mishandled or assaulted while in a vulnerable state, guess who’s is now dealing with a lawsuit? You.
4. Be prepared to eat s*** for 2 years. It takes 2-5 years for a business to be profitable. Until then, you’re living on ramen noodles and your savings. Entrepreneurship isn’t some cutesy little thing where you start a business that sounds fun and everything works out. It’s a grind, working 60-80 hours a week. I’ve known people who spent years sleeping on cardboard in their brick and mortar because they couldn’t afford their own place.
Anonymous wrote:Finding reputable home repair companies and contractors. I used to use Angie’s list and it was great
It sounds like you are a perfect candidate for an H.O.A. If there isn’t one, maybe you can bamboozle enough people to start one with you as President.Anonymous wrote:I need my new neighbors to start mowing their grass, especially on their side of our boundary. You’d think attorneys could figure this out.
Anonymous wrote:Not my problem, but I know 3 people who put off medical procedures (like colonoscopies) because they didn’t have someone to drive them home.
(Two don’t live in my area and the other was before I knew them - otherwise I would have helped!). I just had my pupils dilated and couldn’t drive after that exam and I have a procedure involving anesthesia coming up and I’m grateful my DH can drive me.
Anonymous wrote:If you live in DC, VA or MD what is a problem that you need solved either personally or in your community?
I'm looking to start up a new business and am crowd sourcing to see what problems people are having that I can potentially solve.
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I need a miracle to happen...for Trump + Vance + the whole clan to be thrown in jail where they belong.
+1000000
Or to be treated by RFK JR. medically.
😂