Thai video hits close to where we are at. Currently moving into our new yard, new employees, bought a new skid steer, another work truck, picky customers (and terrible neighbors), concerned about work and leads coming in. It was one of those weeks for sure. But at the end of the day I would rather have these problems than a different set of problems like working in a factory at a dead end job or working a job I absolutely hate. It’s a trade I’m willing to accept
@NoahDevine91 Жыл бұрын
Totally feel you and agree, it’s a lot of work but in the end worth it 😃
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Working for someone else isn’t an option. I need the possibility of unlimited upside even if the alternative is unlimited downside.
@MakilaWind4 ай бұрын
I love this video. Sorry you were having a hard time though. That’s real!
@kevinmckenna79593 ай бұрын
I am very happy to hear you vent...we are experiencing the same thing....My bucket has been overflowing for 3 years.....but we keep moving, because THATS THE KIND OF PERSON WE ARE!!!!!!!!! Remember...No one can do it like we can!!!! I retired for 3 years...and couldn't take sitting still and getting old sucks more than dealing with asshole clients all day.....you can do it....stay with it!!!!!
@Mamabearforeverlovelife7 ай бұрын
I’m trying to start a small Reno business on my own as a mum so I get the overwhelm aspect you speak of. But once a day for 1 hour, compete quiet and a real break for the soul is needed. Hope you find a way to destress
@SuccessfulContractor6 ай бұрын
I used to like to get out for a road trip to clear my head…
@jamesrecknor6752Ай бұрын
@@SuccessfulContractor I get out for a road trip, to the other side of the world. Philippines, Korea, anywhere. lol
@gerardorosas3428 Жыл бұрын
This industry has its ups and down one thing for sure, it's nice to see a happy customer joyfully letting you know how great we are for our work we put in the field We know you'll be out of this moment in life and get to your happy zone. love your team culture!! keep up the awesome work brother!! 💪👍 God bless 🙏🏽
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
This is just a season in this business…just waiting on spring.
@ThePreparedHomestead3 ай бұрын
Great video! Thanks for being raw and real. I feel your pain, my bucket has been overflowing at times as well.
@trackmader Жыл бұрын
Feel this on my level. Stress of growing into a employee has been a huge stressor this summer. But having help has been a game changer in other ways
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
The only way to ever be truly free is to have good people.
@leighjames43967 ай бұрын
Thank you for doing this honest video. Hell I feel your pain. I run a Tree Surgery business in the UK, and this last 2 years has been hell. My business has gone backwards and it has almost destroyed me. Since the covid pandemic and higher cost of living, I’ve noticed my customers get more picky, less willing to accept quotes, less willing to pay on time, and generally just difficult and awkward. I’m also really sick of explaining to customers how much our running costs have gone up just to survive. I hope 2024 brings you masses of success, and hopefully you’ll make us some great content to show it. Good luck. 👌🏻
@congenius Жыл бұрын
You are absolutely pushing it hard! Hope something gives in your favor here soon so you can get a break.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
I’ll make it through fo sho!
@MrCleverFox Жыл бұрын
This is SO relatable for more industries than fence industry. Hang in there Mark!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Thanks!
@newenglandman2413 Жыл бұрын
You speak in very possessive terms, Mark, like this is your life, your world, your control. If that's what you believe and how you are motivated, and not merely how you speak, a cup of water in your bucket will be too much.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Not sure what you are getting at….
@jamesrecknor6752Ай бұрын
@@SuccessfulContractor The earth and all in it are the Lord's, we really own nothing. Put the burdens, challenges, problems in His hands. It's His business.
@mharila2 Жыл бұрын
Mark, I have to say I get so much from these raw and real videos that show the path to being a successful contractor is not all happiness and light. Its hard work, its a grind, its pouring everything you have into your business and then when you dont think you have anything left; you find a way to pour a little more into it. Its therapeutic for me see these moments so I remember that Im not the only one experiencing days like these. Although I have had my company for many years, most of that time it was just me and 1-2 others. I own several other small businesses that are just my wife and myself so my focus was often elsewhere. I started 2021 with no employees, but I decided it was time to focus on and grow the company; which has basically been the equivalent of a start up. It is crazy just how much our companies have paralled each other during that time. Your trailer getting stuck in a ditch was about the time one of my new guys hooked up a trailer to one of our trucks with an undersized hitch... it came off in a busy intersection. That same month my truck was rear ended. There are so many other examples I cant even begin to list them all. There have been many days when I questioned everything about my decision, but we are getting there! Our crews and culture have been steadily improving. We have grown exponentially each of the last couple years and this year looks to be even better. Fortunately, when my bucket overflows I get to see what youre going through and see that you're keeping it together and it helps me to do the same. I wish there was a way I could do the same for you! Keep going, you got this!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
It’s therapeutic for me to share this honestly. We have made great strides but there are days I feel so far away still.
@blackfoxcontractingltd3120 Жыл бұрын
You got this Mark. I appreciate you taking the time to post these videos even when time means the most and none can be wasted. I'm in a spot as well because I feel like the standard 24 hours in the day just doesn't cut it. I've used this lesson to teach my kids the importance of relationships. When we lean into those around us and how we can be greater than the sum of our parts united. As well as in moments when we don't have that support the importance of learning on how to take a break than quitting. Thanks again!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Everything will be alright in the end, If it is not alright, it is not yet the end.
@kubotajordan9502 Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing Mark .So true everything you said some days it never quits. Hang in there It will get better y'all take a mini vacation and chill. I'm pulling for you.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Thanks so much
@jeffnorman22905 ай бұрын
Hang in there bro Things will come around for anyone who is ambitious like yourself
@philipodonoghue87246 ай бұрын
Hey Mark I just came across your channel the other day. I'm really appreciating the info that you're giving out. I was watching this video on how how much water you had in your. I was working for a construction company during the work day and then working for myself in the evenings and weekends and I was doing pretty good. Then my boss got cancer the owner of the company. On his deathbed he left me the company and the guy to run. Since then I've had both of my trucks engines blow up I borrowed a van 3 days ago and it broke down today I've been having to rely on one of my guys to pick me up from my house and bring me to the job. My wife is getting stressed out and overwhelmed. Was having a moment with me about the fact that I have no idea where any of the tax status is. So I really have no idea what I'm completely walking into. I'm trying to keep the good guys that I've got employed. As you said more water in my bucket. Back to working on Saturdays and Sundays trying to get all the current customers done and some past customers completed and cleaned up. More water. And of course I'm the guy that knows how to do all. Plumbing concrete electrical I mean I can repair your phone if I needed to. I might be replacing a motor in a truck or two real soon. Anyway thanks for putting that out there honest as you could. Im in Western North Carolina. And I really like to be a that good guy that works with everybody. I'd say if we didn't have so much water in our bucket it'd be pretty cool to have some lunch together and back each up. Anyway thank you bro.
@SuccessfulContractor6 ай бұрын
Wow--thanks for sharing. You got this! 👍🏻💪🏻
@jamesrecknor6752Ай бұрын
We must control our businesses, not allow them to control us.
@betterboss4 ай бұрын
I can feel this one!!!
@geneshepherd29629 ай бұрын
If you've got to many pokers in the fire none of them get hot.
@SuccessfulContractor8 ай бұрын
Truth
@Veterans_Fence Жыл бұрын
Relatable content is always the most therapeutic. Thanks for the video!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Glad you enjoyed it!
@radius_podcast Жыл бұрын
Real talk. Thanks for sharing… the future is still bright even when the bucket is billowing over.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
I appreciate the confidence.
@lukestevens8402 Жыл бұрын
I almost stopped the vid to comment and ask how your experience has been with customers here in FL and you hit that topic before I hit pause. I’m a turnkey door & millwork sub-contractor for 25 yrs and homeowners here in the last 5-10 yrs have made me want to close up shop. I try to be positive every day but my bucket runs over very quickly as well. I keep trying to be content and positive but it’s tough. I want to scale beyond where we are now but H/O’s are one of the biggest roadblocks. Very tough to hire for customer interaction service techs. I messaged Shawn King in a live video about it and he doesn’t seem to have the same problems we have here in FL. I feel your pain! Please hang in there and do what you believe is best for your family and you, even if that means “thinnin’ the beans” and doing less. I know I’m in a different industry but your videos have made a WORLD of difference to me. We run around 800-900 homes and year, with 3-5 phases each, inventory and light mfg in our shop, delivery to job logistics, managing installs and punch service and then homeowner satisfaction on all those phases and the blue tape chicken pox on the jobs is an every day over-the-top problem. QC focus on the front end installs doesn’t seem to curb the homeowner’s entitlement and pickiness either. Sorry for the rant but thank you so much for sharing. I pray we all figure out a way to better navigate this state full of opportunities and idiosyncrasies…
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
1 in 10 is a nightmare. I have never seen anything like it.
@brendamurray5653 Жыл бұрын
Appreciate the reality! Keep pushing forward, it all comes in waves.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Agreed
@Voltage068886 ай бұрын
Thanks for sharing and keeping it real 👌🏽
@ContractorArchitect Жыл бұрын
Haven’t seen a video in while. Last one was titled “I’m not okay”. Well I’m just checking in to see how you are doing. I HOPE YOU ARE OKAY MAN!!! I’m in the biz and know how it can get. Just sending out encouragement your way. Get back on the horse and send out another quick video just letting us know all is well with you, mind, health, family and company! Take a break, breathe and know it will all be okay!😊
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
Alive and improving
@alicanbe18 ай бұрын
And I thought I had some tough crap going on...I feel better already. Hang in there bud.
@SuccessfulContractor7 ай бұрын
It’s a season in life. This too will pass.
@NoahDevine91 Жыл бұрын
I feel you mark like you said in time you will be able to rely more on your team members to take a lot of that of your plate. But wow you have done a lot already with your new location impressive and you will get there if anyone can do it 💪 you will be swimming one of these days 🏊♂️
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Swimming would be nice!
@NoahDevine91 Жыл бұрын
@@SuccessfulContractor that sucks are still going through it with the pool company
@deqwanjefferson29697 ай бұрын
Sleepless nights, i understand man.
@user-ju1bb2ff4t18 күн бұрын
Growing pains
@Kleiminc Жыл бұрын
Thanks for sharing bro!!!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Happy to do it.
@thenewsound1847 Жыл бұрын
My brother just started his own fencing company this year in ky name is MVP Fencing and it has been an amazing life change for him he has had multiple big jobs and is only manly running board,woven and high tensile and been taking off like a rocket
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
There’s always room for good contractors that do good work.
@tiktatttoe11 ай бұрын
I feel the same way everyday here in texas
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
Chin up. We’ll both make it.
@rawhidefence Жыл бұрын
Bigger bucket.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
I’ll pass on that.
@justinsh2129 Жыл бұрын
This is where I’m at. Most days recently it’s been more stressful to keep going than it’s be rewarding. It’s weird cause most my issues revolve around our work load. Last year I thought I would have killed to be in the position I’m in now however if it’s not material issues or order issues then it’s not not having enough time to get crap done. I decided to scale back on our work load cause my mental health and enjoying my life is more important to me. It’s definitely a struggle trying to balance work & life lmao. But I’ll be dammed if I gotta go back and work another 9-5 😂
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Working for someone else is never an option for me but changing course in business is always an option. This will work, I am confident in that.
@justinsh2129 Жыл бұрын
@@SuccessfulContractor amen to that!!!
@freedomfencingllc72210 ай бұрын
Mark, glad to hear im not the only one. Why did you guys decide to move to Florida? I appreciate the videos!
@SuccessfulContractor9 ай бұрын
I was tired of the cold. No more cold and wind for me.
@boypreachr Жыл бұрын
One day installs... I'm with you on thqt one
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
So rare here.
@ryanburrell2975 Жыл бұрын
Update? Great content !
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
Soon maybe… I’m short on time it seems
@user-ju1bb2ff4t18 күн бұрын
Focus on the few not the many
@brucesooner Жыл бұрын
We are and automated gate company in GA. Been doing it since 1988 in the Atlanta area. Love to come down and help train your guys for free in exchanged for some channel time
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
If we did more gates I would love that.
@pedrolamas570611 ай бұрын
I just heard about a product called DAY1 and it’s supposed to help “wake up” the concrete so that you can smooth it out. Maybe your concrete guy used something similar
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
I’m betting your right. He did have a magic bucket.
@elliottbrown1725 Жыл бұрын
For we do not want you to be unaware, brothers, of the affliction we experienced in Asia. For we were so utterly burdened beyond our strength that we despaired of life itself. Indeed, we felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead. He delivered us from such a deadly peril, and he will deliver us. On him we have set our hope that he will deliver us again. You also must help us by prayer, so that many will give thanks on our behalf for the blessing granted us through the prayers of many. 2 Corinthians 1:8-11
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Cheers!
@stevenmoore3960 Жыл бұрын
Keep your head up. I started my fence company about 18 months ago after watching your videos. I don’t expect to get rich from fencing, but it has provided me with a lot more income to make investments to get me to where I want to be. So thank you for that.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Thats great to hear!
@michaelestrada235 Жыл бұрын
Wow sounds like California!!!!! Lol!!! Glad you can find good help your way!!!! All the workers here want to be on their phones instead of working!!!!!
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
It’s hit or miss here too.
@user-qp9gi9bf1o10 ай бұрын
My husband manages to put everything in his bucket but me....thats a great feeling.....any suggestions?
@SuccessfulContractor10 ай бұрын
My wife found ways to help me which took weight off of my shoulders and allowed us to be together. I suggest such an approach. However, depending on the situation you may need professional guidance.
@TAGGdinc6 күн бұрын
SBA LOAN, Federal Startup Grants, angel investor, equity sales, micro loans, business lines of credit, business loans.
@MakilaWind4 ай бұрын
The meme person is great. Who did this?
@SuccessfulContractor4 ай бұрын
Thanks! I've got a video guy who knows his stuff.
@Chuy00011 ай бұрын
Mark People Are Horrible They'll Complain About Everything And Anything. I Know You Have Lot On Your Plate But You'll be OK TooBad This Is All On Your Shoulders Been there and Not having supportive People Almost Broke Me Praying For You And Fam God Bless You ...
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
Thanks 🙏
@TAGGdinc6 күн бұрын
SBA LOAN, Federal Startup Grants, angel investor, equity sales, micro loans, business lines of credit, business loans. Oh the contractor who refuses to give itemized bid breakdowns isn’t successful as he might otherwise be since he accuses his customers of being malicious for wanting
@volpefence4419 Жыл бұрын
I think you need a real big bucket
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Or less to do…
@ryanburrell2975 Жыл бұрын
Update?
@SuccessfulContractor11 ай бұрын
I’m slow to respond
@greglaumbach4783 Жыл бұрын
My bucket is overflowing also.
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
We can empty it together!
@gustavofring2968 Жыл бұрын
Hey new to this series what are the name of your business. Whats the website for it??
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
SWIFlorida.com and swiwyoming.com
@natmidnite4 ай бұрын
Not trying to hate ..... but. You don't have to include so many cute clips. I stopped to learn something and they are getting annoying. Just saying!
@SuccessfulContractor4 ай бұрын
That's good feedback.
@Overfl00d Жыл бұрын
1st world problems ay?
@SuccessfulContractor Жыл бұрын
Problems just the same…
@Overfl00d Жыл бұрын
@@SuccessfulContractor not downplaying your unique problems and tribulations. What I mean is, other countries have way worse problems. We’ve got it good in USA 🇺🇸 amigo.