How I Got Work When I First Started My Concrete Business

[@danb3122]

pay cash, start a business, take pride in what you do. great message

[@phipps111]

I watch every video you make. I started my bussiness last year and have been struggling this year to get work and also with my bidding, last 3 jobs i bid i didnt get and i was around 9 or 10 a square foot on average. I have no employess and have to track down a few finishers anytime i have a pour. Lol. Its a straight struggle but one good job can change all that and i know that.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Don't give up, keep pushing through the struggles. There's new opportunities every day, you will find jobs/work/contractors. You just can't quit!

[@peteturner8493]

Yes debt is evil lol, did the same thing with my house paid off as quickly as I could never looked back...thanks for sharing your early work experiences. The rich have a alternative view of debt for them its an essential component of wealth creation and is leveraged in a completely different way so I'm informed!

[@robertmonreal1187]

you have a bad ass crew, must make your life easier. love seeing how you guys all work together, everyone has a job and sticks to it, no matter how good your crew is if they dont know how to work togther what they can do and know dont mean shit

[@aaadamt964]

I took a random roofing job off Craigslist several years ago when I was between jobs. Our crew was sub contracted. The other crew was a reputable builder. Their guys would show Un in a quad cab truck, everyone got out of the truck knowing their tasks. One guy firing up the compressors, one dragging tools out, another running air hoses. We piled 4 deep out of my regular cab ranger, 6-7 guys in a JUNK Saturn. Can you do this? You do that? We looked like absolute fools out there. I've never been so embarrassed in my life. When the guy I was working for got fired off the job, I had to collect part of my money from his wife (because coward) and part of the money from the guy he worked for. I went back to vehicles after that. That's not the kind of work I'm willing to have my name attached to.

[@patrickpryal9344]

Starting on your own at 19 I'm sure was scary. I started on my own at about 22. Independant businessman for 40 years, don't regret a minute of it. You've gotten where you are from something that is rare today..... hard work and staying out of debt ! Good for you Mike, and congrats on a highly successful career. Pat

[@petem6291]

I always felt , having that continuous drive, and a positive attitude is the recipe for success

[@TnOnScene]

I can relate 💯 I started my concrete company late 2007 in central Oklahoma doing custom pours, stamping, acid stains, and overlays with the exact same reasoning. I wanted that independence and had an appetite that changed by the day lol. Much respect brother. Love your educational approach in your videos as well as the talking points on the science.. or why things work. Superior results say everything and authentic transparency is a virtue indeed. Great job y’all.

[@stevewasilow5556]

Hey Mike enjoyed the story, most people don’t have the entrepreneurial gene. I’ve been self employed for some of my life and it was the best compared to working for someone else.

[@steveg5576]

Great video Mike. I would come home from school 15-16 years old, my uncle would say constantly "Could of had that dollar, you missed out !" even though I was doing all those things as a young man you described.

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Right on

[@mitchbeard8920]

Great insight into your early start mate very valuable thank you

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@boompa8267]

Awesome video thanks for sharing. I remember graduating an apprentice electrician in York County in 1990 and not finding work so I joined the military in 92 and never been back to old Maine. Love your videos because they have a bit of nostalgia for me. Cheers!

[@MikeDayConcrete]

Thank you!

[@mikeknoll1130]

All those points and attitudes you gave us is why you’re most likely a millionaire today..I built my business the same way in concrete but transitioned to a GC quite early to add some bandwidth to the mix, (even though I didn’t know it at the time).

[@OverLeveragedTrader]

Glad I subbed im 37 and just started to break away from being an employee

[@joseduenez3156]

That’s our American dream on concrete business

[@swashbucklesfortysix5511]

Totally agree Mike, my dad used to say, "if you havent got the cash, dont buy it"

[@rafaelrodrigues4088]

Beautiful work👍👍

[@elbuggo]

Have you ever considered getting your own Putzmeister trailer concrete pump? You could have used it for all kinds of jobs, it seems.

[@nikkorglassman738]

Story: after WW2 when we had to rebuild large parts of the UK, I was a teenage job hopper and spent many a long day working concrete. But here's the funny part, there was NO SUCH A THING as a 'screeder', or a power this or that. There were 4 x 2 inch sticks, yup really all of both dimensions, and things called 'stop ends' to stage large areas. Screeding was done off of the forms ONLY no back bending or welly hopping or any of that nonsense. Next I see in your video expensive wee truck things hauling mud. Well there was no such things back in the old days, then we had little diesel engine 'dumpers', which were build on wee tractor chassis, with MANUAL tipping on them. Levels were provided by a Site Engineer, or regulated by a Clerk Of Works. None of your setting out 'jack of all trades' thing. Finishing was done with much the same sort of tools but many were either wooden or steel. Yardage, yawn, you would be sucking our exhaust fumes if you tried to compete with us guys. PS It is not money that makes you better as a person, it is how good a life you lead.

[@JohnnyGuzman-g6x]

Yeah, I'm starting my own country business on 2025.Hopefully goes well

[@dukenukem5753]

I got to that point to after working for a guy for a few years, I like my work but I don't like working for you.

[@ornothopter188]

so what do you do for a pension/ retirement if that is a thought?

[@nathancarranza9860]

Hi Mike, question for you sir. Many concrete guys talk about how working in concrete takes a toll on their knees, fingers (nerve endings), and overall physical state. Yet you seem to be in great shape despite decades doing concrete. Can you speak to what you have done to stay in such great shape and health?

[@BobL84]

water reducer ... pouring wet concrete like you see in this video is way easier then pouring like a traditional 5 slump mud slab

[@gordybishop2375]

Rerun?

[@tbone9948]

you are me in an alternate universe

[@patrickpryal9344]

Nothing as depressing as an Amortization schedule !! LOL

[@JT-jg8le]

I think it's very important for a man to start business at an early age because young men are a whole hell of a lot more hungry. As you get older, that hunger dies off little by little. Your energy level dies off little by little. Yes, you are young and dumb, but that's what helps. Naturally, as you get older, money isn't that much of a driver. I think it has something to do with the inevitable decline of testosterone. So the tip of the day is, start when you are still young and dumb. 👍 Ih and also, start before you get married and have kids if you can. The wife will add a whole other level of complication and drain your soul if you pick the wrong one, or even the right one will still break your ass. Lol.

[@jimanderson2518]

Ya got that right

[@jeffwhiting511]

I agree, debt is modern day slavery!!

[@manuscus6289]

I pray you come to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ Romans 10:10. Self made man can be a lot of work , I’m self employed as well been painting 38 years ! I would do things a little different if I could to do over .