Being a 'Self employed' electrician talk | Thomas Nagy

Talking about my journey about becoming a self-employed electrician. As you will see there were many bumps in the road and I've learned from grave mistakes in the past which ended up costing my lots of money and revenue. Hey ho that's how life is, but never give up!
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Thomas Nagy
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#selfemployed #selfdevelopment

[@petertallowin6406]

I assume the dislikes are from the people who were waiting to use the pressure washer.........

[@realbartie]

If this were Facebook then I could leave a Haha reaction lol! :)

[@VAX1970]

or eco warriors about the amount of soap he used

[@ashmanelectricalservices4318]

😂😂😂

[@damianmurphy-morris1941]

Underrated comment 😂

[@Cjrelectrical]

Great honest video.

[@MrFreddywise1]

@CJR Electrical i agree what the world lacks these days,

[@azzajohnson2123]

I loved it! Shows the human side of him and the game of work.

[@garrymuir1442]

Yep, I agree. Very open and honest video.

[@abdulseaforth6930]

Here here

[@matthewdale956]

Fair play for picking yourself up and getting on with it

[@howtogetajob4006]

Retired now at 60 but would do it again tomorrow.

[@robodinosaurs]

swirl city here we come baby!

[@Mr.M1STER]

It's a work van....

[@samjohnston5007]

It's on loan😂

[@bigclivedotcom]

That was a rough ride. When I went self-employed I ended up freelancing for a number of companies. That took all the pressure of pricing jobs and buying materials away.

[@artisanelectrics]

Love the story it’s great to hear how you can get to where you are having gone through such a low patch, gives hope to others!

[@proxw981]

I moved out of my parents home due to shit circumstances. 3k in the bank scared as anything starting my electrical business out of share house with my girlfriend exactly one year ago when I started watching your channel. You have truly inspired me to push through and I can say that I am finally comfortable. People who have never seen rock bottom will never understand the mentality of those who have.

[@argh02]

Kudos to you for being so open and honest about your mistakes! *tips hat*

[@authenticteecee]

aaaarghh02 right!! Definitely takes a strong person to do that.

[@barryhall7]

I had a similar journey like you but I turned to booze and lost everything. I am good now and have a good job. All the best mate.

[@what7287]

you're a real inspiration m8 keep it up.

[@alexpryce555]

I appreciate your honesty here mate. Most people are too proud to admit they've been through the shit and will sugar coat their experience so you feel like you are the only one who has ever made a mistake. Huge respect for getting back on the horse. I wish you all the best.

[@philbryan932]

Credit to you Tom I been through though times and still trying now to come out of it and I am self employed so I can relate to you, been going for a year and things are looking up now, keep grafting I say !! Ps I'm a self employed valeter and shut my eyes watching you do that to your van :)

[@1987kahil]

You are a top guy Tom. Good people like you deserve the best in life. You're not stuck up and selfish like the majority of Electricians out there. Dog eat dog world for them.

[@RabM1990]

Wheels to dry gritty body work is making me cry

[@VAX1970]

car washing 101 :(

[@harro7992]

@@VAX1970 Hire Van 101 :p

[@MMG_MoonManGuitar]

This is the most inspiring video I've seen for years. Hats off to you sir. 👍🏾

[@howtogetajob4006]

I was a Self Employed Electrician at 40 I went back to college at 40 to learn Loved being an Electrician. Living in Thailand now but still doing a bit. Like your videos. Well done.

[@pistolpete5189]

Very honest of you telling your story like that, I admire your grit and determination.. tip of the cap to you Tom..

[@ctplastering4536]

Man fair play. You never gave up I admire your determination. I started my plastering company 3 years ago and built it from nothing. No 1 rule is never give up. Best of luck in the future. Colm Tully from Ireland 🇨🇮

[@mickbitchum4664]

Fair play Tom you've had it pretty rough... Glad to see you've come out of it still positive! . I've been ruined by debt in the past and also try not to buy anything on credit anymore, I think it's the best way to operate... As long as customers pay on time lol. Keep grafting and don't listen to the negative comments about working late/Xmas eve, justdo what you've got to do to give you peace of mind!

[@imranmajid1978]

I feel like I've just matured ten years by listening to you! Well done for sticking with it and picking yourself up and well done for working even harder - you're the better man!

[@asimb2455]

Absolute legit guy. I like your character as a person no matter how much s#%t you’ve taken you keep moving forward. Hopefully one day myself join as an apprentice electrician. P.s it’s literally killing me the way you are washing the van! First wet the vehicle then soap foam brush on windows then metal body parts then finally alloy wheels because the dust, residue can scratch the paint from the wheels.

[@sonampaldensherpa]

I recently became self employed and this months been really rough, but this video really helped out. I’ve still got work, I’m just gonna keep at it everyday and slowly get myself out of the slump I’ve got myself in.

[@Brijoolz]

I’m slowly working through your videos. Wow. You’ve been through the mill mate! I’ll keep watching.

[@z00h]

Bloody heck, that's brave. I'd not even look at that brush knowing how much grit there is in it.

[@philipkelly9753]

I'm not anyway into electricity, or that area of work, but I recently got drawn in by your "shafted" (on recommended) story ... and I have to say you have a knack for telling stories ! subbed.

[@weirdandthensome]

"It's not the mistakes you make, it's how you deal with the mistakes that matter" so true

[@1dunkdafunk]

Thanks Nagy, I keep switching between smaller domestic jobs and larger commercial work through agencies. Probably a matter of focusing on one. Your videos are an inspiration.

[@colinhaggett]

Very honest..... right attitude, always remember your an electrician not a loan company.

[@markpunt9638]

What an amazing person you are - you’re knocked down, not once but twice, and pick yourself up. There is a lesson there for so many of us.

[@coyote5735]

I admire your honesty, I remember 2009 it was like a switch was flipped all work dried up. I was contracting at the time I ended going back to the dark side PAYE. But I always had the maxim never work for nothing and when a firm stops paying you bailout and pursue your money while they still have some in the bank.

[@craigderbyshire7884]

oh no scratchy scratchy paint

[@Saaj2]

at least it's not his van lol

[@cjmillsnun]

It's a van, not a Ferrari. Plus the fact it isn't his.

[@angrypants7619]

@@cjmillsnun so because it's a van it's ok? Rather my van than a shit ferrari

[@jur4x]

Been using similar washes for 5 years now on my cars. Never had a scratch from it.

[@001Neal100]

I cringed when he did the wheel and then went to the side of the back panel with the same brush 😬

[@mbelkadi7936]

U have the courage talking about it on camera . Not everyone do !! Well done

[@jacekwojnarowski8597]

My TOP 3 videos!!!👍👍👍glad you managed to climb back the ladder Tom

[@hop9920]

Good on you for being honest and just getting on with shit and rebuilding yourself. The best way to learn is by making mistakes.

[@sanddrama]

Very honest and raw, to fail, admit then go again shows grit and persistence. I don't think people generally realise that SE have to work and GET PAID promptly, no sick pay or holiday pay but you are your own boss. Respect to you all. BTW I have always been employed.

[@loucanscale1570]

Man the solid steel balls on this guy, starting a business straight after his apprenticeship essentially, really honestly hats off to you man.

[@martincarey8620]

Love your honesty Tom, and you've dona an amazing job of sorting yourself out, and got a great name for being one of the best at what you do. Well done you!

[@Geeraffe]

I have worked those hours - the times nobody else wants and before I turned 50 the mortgage had been paid off. Keep up the good work Thomas

[@jewellers]

Well done Mr Nagy. I've been in the same boat with being owed thousands. You've just got to forget about it and move on, great video.

[@connorcop08]

Sitting with a cup of coffee laughing, imagine quoting 1500 and walking away chuffed... only to realise you could of earned another 3K ontop. HAHA

[@AndyK.1]

Did you make a profit on the kitchen?

[@mrcaboosevg6089]

I'm self employed and have that problem, not as skilled as this guy but i never know what to charge. You don't want to go too high because you won't get work but you need to make it high enough to cover the costs and make a bit from the job, i'm getting out of self employed, it's a fucking faff and only serves to cause headache

[@stephenbrowne5660]

Always overcharge.. Because you can always bring the price down but you can't put it up

[@daves4687]

New subscriber mate. Who would ever think us electricians could get popular KZbin channels 😄 just starting out myself so good to hear advice and get the inspiration from someone who's doing it....keep the vids coming

[@lossantoslols]

Nice one... Fair play to you mate👍

[@videokiller1997634]

Sounds like you've been through some real shit. Good to see you've dusted yourself off! 👍

[@Dontmindme__]

Fair play for being honest. People make assumptions on someone's history based on what they see today, would not have thought you'd gone through all that to get to where you are now! Transparency in this industry is such a good thing

[@jimmysalazar7039]

I'm more impressed with the amount soap coming out of that brush. In Texas we sure wish we can have a car wash like that

[@niloccoady]

Big T, I'm self employed for a long time and that's the most open, honest and accurate discription of being self employed I've heard to date

[@ngreenuuupuuu4826]

Christ mate so honest. I have a company in the north west.started it 12 years ago a month after your first company. Been ups downs. Not as much as you but can so much relate to you. Every night I compile work lists.every night of stuff to do. Basically dump all of my brain on to a pc so I sleep at night. Keep up the Volga pal

[@rogerbeck3018]

the biggest risk of working for yourself is the human trait of trusting that your (corporate) customers have equally (to you) honourable intentions to pay you. The money is important.

[@GiffordsElectrical]

Fair play to you sir. I’m just in the process of going self employed after spending the last 20 years working for other people primarily on ELV stuff cctv and data. Not afraid of grafting but it’s the quoting and trying to get paid that’s gives me cause for concerns. I love your videos and now knowing what you went through it gives confidence to know it does work out. Thanks Tom 👍

[@vespamorelli7090]

I know sweet FA about electrics, and can just about wire a plug without blowing myself up. But this channel and especially this video has to be one of the best vids I’ve ever seen on KZbin. Fair play to you Tom. Huge respect to you.

[@MrPaul1f]

Very honest video

[@andrewnielsen3178]

Great vid. There are some real lessons there. First get the work. Don't let suppliers credit get too much. Don't give credit to customers unless there is an agreement for payment. Demand payment on completion. I was a pty ltd drafting contractor for 30 years and loved it. It looks a if you are well on the way now Tom - just keep doing what pays best. commercial or real estate jobs seems good without having to deal with householders who are often cash strapped and shifty.

[@chrisskinner4434]

I can relate to so many points you make in this video Tom, 2008 I was subcontracting for a national house builder they put us on 3 days, so I went on my own which went well for a while then in 2011 I did a job and the client couldn't pay. I got paid eventually after a few years but that did me in financially. Anyway we are now at a point where I'm working 2 jobs and I have very little time off, I get asked all the time why you working Sundays, why you working until this time, but I know exactly what I'm doing and I wouldn't want it any other way to be honest. I'd probably get board not working now !!!

[@ifyougetstucklookitup237]

Thanks. Simple honest advice.

[@BEARELECTRICS.DCSPARKS]

Thank you for this video Tom this really hits home. And everything you have mentioned is soo true any declining of payments from customer withdraw no company cares for small companies. And I never put all my eggs in one basket. And there is always a month where work gets quiet. Thank you for this video. ☺

[@user-xl7fn9zf6b]

This was the type of talk i needed to hear im 16 and wanna be an electrician

[@michaelkirkham8335]

Incredible honesty Tom. So candid and extremely enlightening...good man. Had no idea you bounced back from bankruptcy, what a story!

[@andyanderson3898]

Wow, good on you for carrying on. On a side note I cleaned my van up north for £2!

[@vincentmcguire830]

Respect!! So many people put out The idea of running a small business is easy and never a bump in the road! Not true but dealing with the problems and kicking on is how to be around for a long time. Excellent vlogs!

[@_retrogamer999]

You're doing whats right by you. Live and learn and move on.

[@neosandi6]

THENX FOR TRUTH STORY. NOW I'M UNDERSTANDING BETHER YOUR ENERGY. I WISH YOU THE BEST, NAGY ...

[@richardwash6678]

Great honest straight talking Tom. People who have no intention of paying do not realise how that destroy's your life and makes you destrust other people when it comes to paying you. 👍

[@hjohnstone6921]

Top man👍🏻.... I’ve been through hell and back, pushing 40 and I’m nearly happy at last, so lucky your folks put you up😉 give them big hugs from me x

[@druzzzzz]

Fair play Tom. I completely understand, as 5 years ago I realised I need a big change. So I came over to the UK and I have to say I'm giving my best, love my job and enjoying life really. Love your channel and keep up the good work!

[@kingsknightuk]

Dude, no idea why your video was in my recommended but thank god it was! Much respect to you for sharing this story!

[@graemescott990]

Well said Tom. It takes a big man to say what you did and bare your sole. Respect!!!

[@leebutterworth7465]

Been through life’s trouble myself, now getting there you hit the nail on the head at the end of the video when you said about working late and weekends and Christmas Eve etc, it’s just something you do so you never go back to the bad times, they say money isn’t everything but it is when you haven’t got it. BIG THUMBS UP PAL

[@P12NCE]

Excellent video Tom. As someone who has been through the mill as well, I’ve got a lot of respect for you. Resilience is something you cannot teach, well done thanks for sharing.

[@RW720p]

Thomas you’re one of my inspirations, thank you so much.

[@MT_T991]

I was an apprentice carpenter in 2009 ended up loosing my job few years later managed to finish my apprenticeship though unpaid Ended up In a totally different type of trade 5 years earning decent money, whilst still doing carpentry and other related trades back full time building lots of work currently doing different trades can't see me going back to a single trade too much uncertainty. Can be plastering one day to cutting in a roof the next. We shall see, well done to you for keeping going it's what you have to do. You either make it through or do nothing. And I work nonstop currently so hopefully I won't forever, the types that so you don't want to do that tend not to get far

[@TheProgameslha]

All can could think about through this video is "Wow! What a really good buy time jet wash! All the ones around me are crap". But thanks for being so honest, makes me think about self employment. I couldn't pick myself up like that, amazing.

[@MyTrustedElectrician]

A very good and honest video. There's some golden advice in there which I hope all the self employed newbies take on board. It's true, it happens and because of it I'm renting too. #ChasingTheDream

[@garranstvall1442]

Great video upload.. Well done to you for over coming life challenges and driving forward!! All the best for the future! I’ve now subscribed! 👍🏾👍🏾

[@travislincoln1326]

Good on you mate!! There are two kinds of people, those that have fallen and picked themselves up, and those who have yet to fall. Please keep it up. And love the humour and witt.

[@richardwhitwam9979]

Great video , thanks for sharing your story . I’m currently looking to retrain as a sparky . Keep up the good work 👍👍👍

[@quigofamily6362]

Great video and fair play for taking the knocks and still cracking on and working your way through it Tom.! Similar story myself except I was in Ireland when the same recession hit no work at all so decided to move my ass to london to find work. My sister lived here and her hubby was a builder so did some work for him and before I knew it we where flying! Hard work always pays.

[@craigsimpson9533]

Hat off to you mate for making the best of what you can picking yourself back up from bad times to what you have become Well done you

[@johnp6636]

So open and honest the world needs more people like you 👍

[@petercunningham4000]

Thanks for putting up this video. People only see the shiny van, they don't know what's gone on to get you where you are today. I was in the transport industry, here in Australia. I had 2 goes at being self-employed, in the end, I gave up and went back to work for a boss and stayed there until I retired a couple of years ago. I have no regrets about going back to work for a boss as an employee.

[@SPMelectrical]

Tom you are a legend! Remember in life to always look forward and not dwell too much in the past! Sparky for life! 👍

[@tonyball2869]

You have made my day, last year was shit for work and i lost my flat, this video give me hope.

[@joe4665]

Yes remember that well, bankrupt myself back then too, 4 guys paid off due to no work absolutely heart breaking, went back to employment for 6-7 years with no bank accounts, no credit, no one would touch you, but now after 3 years of self employment I can say I'm glad I came back to it, and it's good knowing I was not alone, well done for getting to where you are Tom and every other guy that has had to go through the same as us.

[@chrisstoneley4338]

Evening Thomas, My name is Chris and I'm a heating engineer, I watch your videos religiously and I thoroughly enjoy all of them! I can sensibly relate to nearly everything you talk about! Your last video, (this one I'm commenting on) really hits home mate! I never really grasped the concept of money and was taken for the best part of 4 grand which is not a great deal of cash but it wipes a sole trader out! My confidence was knocked and I geniunely felt worthless! I completely relate to you working late/working weekends and it geniunely makes me feel related! Going into the wholesalers a d avoiding managers etc is not nice and I can honestly relate! I work for a company now as my confidence in my own self in my trade was wiped out good and proper and I feel I'm trying to rebuild that by working for somebody else, which may seem like an easy way out but it's most definitely not! I have a massive amount of respect for you for acting on your mistakes and acting on them.and making yourself a better person so hats off to you for that! Keep making the vids and keep making us feel more confident in the fact that there is a light at the end somewhere, we can all reach that light and I promise you your videos are meaningful to alot of us! Please dm me when you get a minute as I appreciate you lead a hectic life! Much love, Chris the gas engineer!

[@adamat7]

Hi Chris, in 2010 my accountant turned out to be shit and I owed loads in back tax, the same week my fiancee walked out and left me and the same week I had my gas resits ccn1 etc etc while my world was falling apart. I have never fully recovered mentally from this as my enthusiasm for the trade was wiped out. I'm now working for my friends company starting from August last year and I can honestly say I haven't felt happier in years. Don't let one arsehole knock your confidence. You can do privates on the side and sleep at night. There's a lot to be said for being on the cards mate. Good luck.

[@marknewman6037]

Well done, been there myself twice, you are an inspiration to others, never mind the great videos. (I am 60 and enjoy them).

[@abanning51]

This video has been brilliant, I’m going through a rough patch at the moment and it’s nice to see that hard work can pay off. Also just wondered if there would be a video in the future about how you got into filming and putting videos on KZbin.

[@lukemj9391]

Great video, thanks for sharing! Seen a few of your vids now and can relate to a few things. Being self employed has its difficulties, but 100% agree it’s how you deal with and learn from your mistakes. After all, word of mouth is without doubt the best way to grow, so keep up the good work mate. Self employed gas engineer from Cambridgeshire

[@dantheman8905]

Credit to you mate and thanks for the honest backstory. Those who like to brag always have something they're hiding and those who are humble are genuine people we can all relate to. Wish you all the success and prosperity you can have.

[@cragrat7394]

Just starting out myself with Plumbing business, valuable advice and honesty. Wish you all the best.

[@maxeaves]

Tom - Thanks for the honest back-story on your life. Keep it real and good luck in your future endeavours.

[@bradatkins4127]

Very honest video , I know a lot of 50p millionaires that are always doing well with loads of money. Being self employed is a struggle, I’ve been through the same almost bankrupt and Still paying for my mistakes. Coming through the other side now and hopefully the young electricians watch these informative videos and learn from our mistakes. 👍

[@BigRedViking89]

Very admirable Thomas, thank you for the insight into your work history. Love the drive you have, even after several financial difficulties. The word RELENTLESS springs to mind. Keep on grinding and keep the videos coming all your effort is very much appreciated.

[@jamescameron5472]

Got the same deal .... a company who the owner (retired) a billionaire ... owed me £14,000 for work I had done. I see him on local TV promoting his charity work .... It still sticks in my craw.

[@realbartie]

Thanks Tom for such an honest video :) Some people think that all you need is a van and a qualification and you're in the money but anyone who is self employed knows different and the risks are high. Yes, we all make mistakes but it's how we deal with them that counts in the end and you've proved that you can get over pretty much anything with a determined heart, perseverance and a bit of luck to boot. Inspirational, and thanks again

[@davidcooke8002]

Love your honesty! Fair play for laying it out like that. Every experienced guy in the business has been done over more then once.

[@Apexplumber]

I got completely walloped in the recession as well. Hung on 'till 2010 but lost everything material eventually cars/house etc. Made it back again now though. Best education I ever had.

[@ChrisSmith105]

Great story Tom. Your story helps others relate and learn what to do and what to look out for. Thank you for making this!

[@ryanryan439]

I’m no accountant but your story is the reason i made sure to be ltd straight away. It seems like no one did it before now its the majority of people who go that route for the security.

[@davidquirk8097]

People who tell you that you don't know what you're doing when you work late to finish a job up are mostly called employees. They'll be the first to moan about any success you have and tell you that you've had it easy. Thanks for the video.

[@dr650dude]

Fear is a great motivator...good story man. hope you always do well.

[@MartiA1973]

That was one brave, powerful piece to camera! I finished college and CPS in 2018 and 18th any day now and I'm struggling to make the dream of "honest day's work - self employed " thing work. It is a real test of who you are to keep going and all credit to you Thomas for not going giving up. We are all finding our own way and carrying our own advantages and disadvantages and those who sit on their a**e and pick faults are carrying the biggest disadvantage of all. You and a few others on KZbin are an inspiration. No, where do I get my "Nagy for PM" badge? Oh, next to my "Big Clive for Foreign Secretary badge" :)