Big change in my professional detailing career

Jean-Claude

Jean-Claude

Keeper of the beautiful
I've been full-time with my business for about 2 years. That's changing now.



I was offered a job as a firefighter(rather to start training) with a very large metro Atlanta county. I accepted and I am now in my 7th week as a recruit. The money is not that good but believe it or not, it's 1/5th as stressful. I was very tempted to keep doing my gig full time but the business was taking me away from my new-born son as wife too much. Some things are not worth the money.



Now I am working 40 hours a week in training and have about 8.5 months left until I go to that lovely firefighter schedule. Due to my schedule I have missed out on a ton of jobs because I could not offer the level of service that I refuse to give up. So it's been a few jobs on Saturdays and sometimes I will schedule something on Sunday(but it's really friggin hard to work 7 days a week with the physical demand and mental aspect of 40 hours of Fire Rescue Academy).



I have a lot of friends who are ff'ers and know the life style and I am good with it.



Overall, the money is not as good, but I am way more sane.



Maybe down the road something will change and I will feel the need to do my business full out. But for now, I need a personal life and time with my son.



Just wanted to throw this out there as I have posted in threads asking about the full time life. Call me a casualty or call it a choice, either way I am really happy about the move.
 
That is great! I have a buddy who works for Gwinnett County PD. I visit him every year....love it down there. Wish you luck and be safe!
 
JC, I remember a couple convos we had in the past regarding detailing...always helpful



Good luck with the career change! Even though the money might not be the same, the good times with family will always outweigh the income change! family over money!
 
The money might not be great to start but all the firefighters I know make great money after a few years and here they only work 2 24 hour shifts out of every 8 days. Can be a dangerous job but decent money and lot's of time off
 
Once you finish training, the 24 hours on, 48 hours off (assuming your schedule is the same as they get here), that should leave you a reasonable amount of time to continue detailing. I had a customer who was a fire fighter and also ran a custom deck and fence company on the side.
 
Detailing is easy. Running a shop, managing people, marketing, ect is stressful.



Superior__Shine said:
detailing stressful?? HMMMMMM?? Glad you found your calling. Family first!! Good luck to you.
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Well, congratulations on the move. I really do not find running a business too stressful. It can be a pain sometimes dealing with the weather, but overall I enjoy the challenges of running and growing my business. I have learned so much over the last 5 years in regards to business in general. I have the flexibility to spend time with my family, most importantly. Running a business is not for everyone. You have to have a certain personality and the vision and patience to see it through to success. Not saying your business was not a success, but obviously you chose to do something else because there were things you did not like about being an entrepreneur.
 
Good Luck JC. Nothing like having the security of a decent paying career couple with an incredible benefits package. I don't blame you one bit your this huge decision. I actually know 2 FF that detail cars on the side and stay quite busy. I hope you'll keep posting on Autopia.
 
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