What's a tip you'd give a new striper business owner?

Take a course in small business More business fail due to mismanagement then any other reason.

Dwan, Great idea, I have been working with the local community college that offers help to new small business owners by matching me up with a mentor to guide me so I won't screw up too bad.

Sounds like your doing most of what you can do. Just keep at it and be patient. If the businesses get striped and you didn't do it check pricing. Sometimes the decision maker is somewhere else and they have a maintenance company ding their work.

Rock wrote on Mar 11, 2015:Go to #12

Y'all are some funny guys.........Allstripeandpowerwash, more than likely you are in the pressure wash business. I am going to add that service soon. Do you have any advice?

I do... I started my business with a powerwasher and a Graco 3900. I now subcontract the powerwashing portion. Why? Too many regulations for me to haggle with. The penalties are too SEVERE so I just feel better letting someone else handle that one. Plus... most customers that called me for power washing are for residential uses than commercial and line striping is more commercial than anything else. I don't power wash houses so the insurance adjustment doesn't make financial sense for me.

AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP wrote on Mar 9, 2015:Go to #1

Looking for advice from the experts here!

I sent you a PM asking for your advice because I wanted to add pressure washing. Your reply: Why the inquiry? That was a while back and you still haven't responded. I guess helping someone else is out of the question.

Rock wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #25

AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP wrote on Mar 9, 2015:Go to #1

Looking for advice from the experts here!

I sent you a PM asking for your advice because I wanted to add pressure washing. Your reply: Why the inquiry? That was a while back and you still haven't responded. I guess helping someone else is out of the question.

Hey "Rock", Here is the message you sent me... " What kind of pressure washer do you have? Psi, gpm. Do you have any pics?" That was literally all you said.. That's pretty intrusive sir. I have NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE! How bout an introduction at least? BUT NO you want me to just straight up disclose everything I have built and send you a PICTURE??! LOL I don't know YOU or whom these SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL's" think they are.. But some of the INFO here with regard to ADVICE is actually the exact opposite of what an experienced striper would actually do. Rock you need to make your own decision with regard to CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LOL. Isn't that was business owners do these days? Or are you just a "Pebble"?

AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #26

Rock wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #25

Quote from: AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP on March 09, 2015, 07:24:02 PM Looking for advice from the experts here! I sent you a PM asking for your advice because I wanted to add pressure washing. Your reply: Why the inquiry? That was a while back and you still haven't responded. I guess helping someone else is out of the question.

Hey "Rock", Here is the message you sent me... " What kind of pressure washer do you have? Psi, gpm. Do you have any pics?" That was literally all you said.. That's pretty intrusive sir. I have NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE! How bout an introduction at least? BUT NO you want me to just straight up disclose everything I have built and send you a PICTURE??! LOL I don't know YOU or whom these SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL's" think they are.. But some of the INFO here with regard to ADVICE is actually the exact opposite of what an experienced striper would actually do. Rock you need to make your own decision with regard to CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LOL. Isn't that was business owners do these days? Or are you just a "Pebble"?

Well, this SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL" started when I was 17 and built what I have from scratch and had to figure it all out by myself, I'm 48 now and as close to retired as you can get without sitting on a beach drinking crap with funny names, so tells us know nothings just how to do it. Advise is like food, just because it's on the menu doesn't mean you have to order it. You look at how each person would do something then you pick what you think will work best for you and if you think you have a better way you throw your nickel in. If you spent any time on her you would know that we sometimes share picks of equipment to give an idea of what is needed or can be useful or sometimes just an ugly chic we found on the net. Asking about equipment is to get an idea of what someone else thinks is best for the job, I doubt that Rock is going to rush to your house and steal the thing. If you don't like it here may I suggest poopyworld.com, I'm sure Joe and Roy will be glad to have a visitor.

Well I just read this entire thread, and I would say not only did you receive some sound advice, but it also looks like you are doing a lot of the right things. My tip or tips are these. First make sure you have enough capital to fund the right equipment, enough equipment, and that will sustain you long enough to get paid. Second it sounds like you are targeting the right kind of places for the limited equipment you own, but you are not hitting the right person making the decisions. I dont know what service Arizona has, but here in Ohio we have what is called the builders exchange. It lists every job, plans, and who is bidding on it. Figure out what service is in your area and become a member. Then start pulling the plans and sending bids not just to the paving contractors but also to the general contractors. The generals around here will often take the striping out of the pavers scope of work and sub it directly to a striping company if it saves them money, and they also like controlling the schedule on this scope of work as well. Also here where I am from a striper also does the parking blocks and site signage as well. We stripe for a lot of sealcoat companies as well. Some sealcoat companies, and pavers stripe their own stuff, but stay on them because if they to busy they may throw some work your way. To comment on your question about how long a tip lasts..well in 21 years ipf doing this i could not tell you a magic number. Run it until it doesnt spray a crisp line any longer..I have sometimes that are 2-3 years old, and have had some go bad in less than a year. Its also never a good idea to go from latex to oil. I have done it, but i do not like doing it. If you absolutely have to then clean your latex out exceptionally well with clean warm water. Do this a few times until the water coming out of your gun is clear. Then run some mineral spirits through the system to clean all the water out. Do this a few times as well. You should be ok after that, but i would recommend and so would graco not doing this to many times. I would also change your filter every time you switch from latex to oil.

my Dad used to tell me: Son I have mine, you need to worry about yours. I think this would apply here. good luck.

straightline wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #27

AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #26

Quote from: Rock on March 25, 2015, 06:22:39 AM Quote from: AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP on March 09, 2015, 07:24:02 PM Looking for advice from the experts here! I sent you a PM asking for your advice because I wanted to add pressure washing. Your reply: Why the inquiry? That was a while back and you still haven't responded. I guess helping someone else is out of the question. Hey "Rock", Here is the message you sent me... " What kind of pressure washer do you have? Psi, gpm. Do you have any pics?" That was literally all you said.. That's pretty intrusive sir. I have NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE! How bout an introduction at least? BUT NO you want me to just straight up disclose everything I have built and send you a PICTURE??! LOL I don't know YOU or whom these SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL's" think they are.. But some of the INFO here with regard to ADVICE is actually the exact opposite of what an experienced striper would actually do. Rock you need to make your own decision with regard to CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LOL. Isn't that was business owners do these days? Or are you just a "Pebble"?

Well, this SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL" started when I was 17 and built what I have from scratch and had to figure it all out by myself, I'm 48 now and as close to retired as you can get without sitting on a beach drinking crap with funny names, so tells us know nothings just how to do it. Advise is like food, just because it's on the menu doesn't mean you have to order it. You look at how each person would do something then you pick what you think will work best for you and if you think you have a better way you throw your nickel in. If you spent any time on her you would know that we sometimes share picks of equipment to give an idea of what is needed or can be useful or sometimes just an ugly chic we found on the net. Asking about equipment is to get an idea of what someone else thinks is best for the job, I doubt that Rock is going to rush to your house and steal the thing. If you don't like it here may I suggest poopyworld.com, I'm sure Joe and Roy will be glad to have a visitor.

Straightline, For supposedly being "experienced" I have yet to see you provide any adequate advice. I could care less if SOMEONE ELSE built your company! You have yet to provide any rational or ever useful point other than taking out of your (expletive) with sarcasm and snippets that you make yourself with a little giggle. This is a forum.. I have asked simple things like transitioning from water to oil with regard to system maintenance? Isn't advice like that 101 with regard to feedback from ACTUAL, EXPIERENCED, and above all PROFESSIONAL stripers? Or is the Hokey Pokey the only thing you can cite? LOL

AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP wrote on Mar 26, 2015:Go to #30

straightline wrote on Mar 25, 2015:Go to #27

Quote from: AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP on March 25, 2015, 08:23:06 PM Quote from: Rock on March 25, 2015, 06:22:39 AM Quote from: AllStripeAndPowerwashASAP on March 09, 2015, 07:24:02 PM Looking for advice from the experts here! I sent you a PM asking for your advice because I wanted to add pressure washing. Your reply: Why the inquiry? That was a while back and you still haven't responded. I guess helping someone else is out of the question. Hey "Rock", Here is the message you sent me... " What kind of pressure washer do you have? Psi, gpm. Do you have any pics?" That was literally all you said.. That's pretty intrusive sir. I have NO IDEA WHO YOU ARE! How bout an introduction at least? BUT NO you want me to just straight up disclose everything I have built and send you a PICTURE??! LOL I don't know YOU or whom these SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL's" think they are.. But some of the INFO here with regard to ADVICE is actually the exact opposite of what an experienced striper would actually do. Rock you need to make your own decision with regard to CAPITAL EQUIPMENT LOL. Isn't that was business owners do these days? Or are you just a "Pebble"? Well, this SUPPOSED "KNOW-IT-ALL" started when I was 17 and built what I have from scratch and had to figure it all out by myself, I'm 48 now and as close to retired as you can get without sitting on a beach drinking crap with funny names, so tells us know nothings just how to do it. Advise is like food, just because it's on the menu doesn't mean you have to order it. You look at how each person would do something then you pick what you think will work best for you and if you think you have a better way you throw your nickel in. If you spent any time on her you would know that we sometimes share picks of equipment to give an idea of what is needed or can be useful or sometimes just an ugly chic we found on the net. Asking about equipment is to get an idea of what someone else thinks is best for the job, I doubt that Rock is going to rush to your house and steal the thing. If you don't like it here may I suggest poopyworld.com, I'm sure Joe and Roy will be glad to have a visitor.

Straightline, For supposedly being "experienced" I have yet to see you provide any adequate advice. I could care less if SOMEONE ELSE built your company! You have yet to provide any rational or ever useful point other than taking out of your (expletive) with sarcasm and snippets that you make yourself with a little giggle. This is a forum.. I have asked simple things like transitioning from water to oil with regard to system maintenance? Isn't advice like that 101 with regard to feedback from ACTUAL, EXPIERENCED, and above all PROFESSIONAL stripers? Or is the Hokey Pokey the only thing you can cite? LOL

I have provided plenty, try reading. Did I not say to clean it out? That is all that is needed but if you want some kind of ritual then the Hokey Pokey is the most fun, could have suggested circumcision. Just because you didn't get a ten page essay doesn't mean you didn't get a useful answer. I'm going to put a little umbrella on my drink and watch the employees work.

I'll agree with Straightline. After answering this same question at least once a month for the last 5 years "How to change from water based to oil based paint" it gets boring so a little joking around doesn't hurt. Straight and simple, clean the machine. If anyone has a question it could be answered first by using the (search) button. If you do not find an answer that suites your needs then by all means ask, but be particular as to exactly what you need. You will get something you could use along with something you need to weed out and disregard. Remember who is the one who asked the same question as has been answered 100 times. Straightline has been on this forum for 10 years this month, he wouldn't be here if he wasn't an asset. If you do have a question remember this is a volunteer forum and answers by anyone are not required. A lot of us are here for the fun of it along with sharing information. Be happy and prosper. Dwan

Cabin fever??

Hey Allstripeandpowerwashasap. I have a Graco 3900, 4 hp, 1.15 gpm and a 15 gallon tank. Here is a picture. Without the 15 gallon tank. I'm not scared to show anyone what I have. You are definitely a paranoid 27 yo. I was simply asking you for information on a subject that I was sure you knew a lot more about than me. Pretty much like the questions you ask on PLP. I am not interested in knowing your business intimately, just general information about equipment. When I saw that you did striping and power washing I thought, oh great, here is a guy that can answer some questions. You chose to take something simple to another level. Seriously, what harm could have come from responding to my questions. Did you think I would come to Texas and take some of your business. I'm in North Mississippi and south of the Tennessee state line. I don't think so. If you can't share your knowledge, than why do you think anyone on this forum would want to share with you?

I say it again. Cabin Fever or too much rain in Texas. Testosterone causing the spirit of this forum to run a muck. I say you two square off and see who can stripe 100 stripes, 500 foot of fire lane, and 4 HCs the fastest (using one machine). You could meet in Arkansas or Louisiana. Also, BTS, you get cabin fever in Michigan???

sprayhead wrote on Mar 27, 2015:Go to #35

I say it again. Cabin Fever or too much rain in Texas. Testosterone causing the spirit of this forum to run a muck. I say you two square off and see who can stripe 100 stripes, 500 foot of fire lane, and 4 HCs the fastest (using one machine). You could meet in Arkansas or Louisiana. Also, BTS, you get cabin fever in Michigan???

I'm too old to have any Testosterone left and I think the xwife took half of what I did have.

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