Curious how some of you managed to open your own job shop especially if it was a solo venture? I can't imagine it's like opening a restaurant. I can wrap my head if you're making products but being a job shop making small runs leaves me wondering.
Did you work for someone else and pocket a few accounts on the way out? Work for someone else and convince them you can supply cheaper? Knock on doors? Dump tons of money into ads? Social media? Just knowing people?
Then managing to purchase machines. Finance? Investors? Cash out of pocket?
When I decided to go out on my own for the second time, I went at it with the knowledge gained from the first time around.
So, I got the machines wired. Air compressor wired and plumbed. Tools, boxes, cutters, etc all ready to go.
I got a Grasshopper phone number (cheap!) and a website (also cheap). I built a social media presence on the platforms (free!). My Twitter profile has nearly 2000 followers from all over the world, in the span of a few months. While they're not paying customers, they have spread my name to those who ARE!
I got some great looking business cards from Vista Print.
I had all the infrastructure in place BEFORE I went looking for customers.
I then started looking for customers by email, by dropping in on their places, by sales reps, by referrals.
Little by little, it comes together. .
When visiting a customer or going out on the road -
1) Dress neatly and professionally, but don't over do it. Khaki's, dockers, trousers, or clean uncut jeans, polo shirt or button down with short sleeves (the long sleeves get filthy in a shop environment.) work shoes that are clean. Hair combed neatly. BREATH MINTS. WATER in the car. ALWAYS have pens in your pocket and business cards.
2)Get a small notebook and some pens in your vehicle. These are for notes when you are done.
3)You're there to help the customer. Meet his needs. Solve a problem. You're not selling machined parts, you're selling YOU. Your experience. Your knowledge. Your abilities. Your connections.
I would get in my truck and drive for 2-3 hours in any one direction, stopping at every industrial park and warehouse I could find. I always came back with work. Always.
You WILL be successful.