Yeah it's beyond politics.

PS I wish I could blow off my desk job and tune cars all day.

 

it aint as much fun as it seems like at first

 

Good god... I've been on here since 2006? I don't even own any Mazdas at this time

 

but its not '05 crew OG.

 

Wasn't here for the great Megasquirt vs Bandaids wars, doesn't count?

 

I thought the OG cutoff was 10 years?

 

I haven't gotten tired of it. I don't think Andrew has either. Gotta stay focused on a solid business model, keeping it fun, take close care of your customers and employees (if you grow to that point). I worked for the man for 25 years before deciding to hit out on my own. I could never go back.

 

I took out the part of my post that talked about keeping the full time desk job. Otherwise I'd agree wholeheartedly. Been doing this for 12 years now (juggling working for "the man" as well as wrenching/tuning basically full time outside the 9-5). I would probably still be excited if I did this exclusively, and often still am, but working just about around the clock right now and I think I'm just burnt out. The only thing keeping me from following in y'alls footsteps is the health benefits (also the peace of mind of being able to stop at any time without any risk). Business is booming, I could be booked solid for at least 6-8 months if I opened my own place right now. So that part is pretty solid.

How was your first 2 years on your own? Most importantly, how easy/difficult was handling all your own health benefits, retirement, etc? If you don't mind sharing.

I really admire the tiny/new companies like yours that have grown so much over the years

 

Oh hai Ben!

I want your 10ae, but I can't buy it right now :( Too much going on with racecar(s)

Edit: I just realized I was 19 when I did my turbo "build"..... ~10 years ago

 

Sometimes I do, too! I've tuned 2 cars in the past 6 weeks. I have one sitting on the dyno now, and a bunch of others that need to get on. Not enough hours in the day.

 

This stuff is easy, you just have to pay for it yourself.

Possibly consider a PEO if you want protection of big business bennie's in a small business environment.

 

Just paid out of pocket for a sole proprietor health plan, plus insurance. Realized I'd be screwed if I got hurt working or riding my bike. Also huge GL policy. Basically covering a worst case scenario.
Trickiest part starting up was just managing my time. You will be on the edge of burning out your first few years from workload, 80hr weeks, no days off. I got better at it with practice and some planning. Much easier now with employees. I'm not a workaholic so I can be content to work 25-30 hrs/wk now, still grow the business and play the rest of the time. Dan, Sonny, Alex and John are all rock stars. They keep the ship running full speed without me needing to manage them. I just suggest the occasional course correction :P