At what point did you stop thinking like a tradesperson and start thinking like a business owner?

It's the way I'm wired, I truly don't understand the owner/operator mentality. (and I really dislike them in my area haha) Every journeyman electrician thinks they can buy a van and charge $100 an hour and own a business.... 

You always hear the saying "you own a job, a really **bleep** job that you made for yourself" 
 

I'd love to hear from someone that stayed a owner/operator and the good and the bad that went along with it. 

I haven't figured it all out in my 20+ years in business, but gimme another 20 years and I'm sure I'll have it! 

For me it was when I was pulling my hair out at 2:00 a.m. and lay down on the office floor because I wouldn't have had enough time to go home, sleep, then get back to the shop in time to meet the guys. As I lay on the cold concrete floor, I realized it was time to hire. 

Next, I realized I needed systems. I had processes and procedures that existed only in my mind. I had to find a way to expound those and share the core values that I held internally. 

A few years after that, I realized I need to hire people who were better than me at what I struggled with.

To echo what roselvaggio​ said, being great at what you do is what launches the business. People and systems is what propels it.

I really like your point about the business becoming its own living entity. That perspective really stood out to me.

As a solopreneur, it's easy to stay focused on the work you're good at because that's what feels productive. I'm starting to realize that growing the business also means making time for the things only the owner can do, like building relationships, developing the brand, and planning for the future.

Thanks for sharing your perspective. It's another good reminder that the business needs leadership just as much as it needs great work.

I really like this perspective, especially the shift from asking, "How do I get more work done?" to "How do I build a business that consistently delivers great work?"

As a solopreneur, it's easy to think growth means working longer hours or taking on one more project. Lately, I've found myself thinking more about building systems, refining the client experience, and creating a business that can consistently deliver the same level of quality as it grows.

Your post was a great reminder that being good at your craft is what gets a business started, but building processes and thinking strategically is what allows it to grow. Thanks for sharing your journey.

I really like your last point about thinking beyond the next job. That's been one of my biggest takeaways too. Building a business isn't just about delivering great work today, it's also about making decisions that create opportunities for tomorrow. Thanks for sharing your perspective.

WELL SAID! 

Thank you for sharing your journey. I really appreciate that you included the challenges along with the successes.

Your experience with promoting from within was especially interesting. It reminds me that growing a business isn't always a straight line, and sometimes the best lessons come from trying something that doesn't work the way we expected.

I also liked what you said about finally having a good admin and feeling like you were running the business instead of the business running you. That's a goal I can definitely relate to. Thanks for sharing your experience!

I think we're all there with you. Thinking is what got us into business, and thinking is what keeps us moving forward. You could say we're a group of constant thinkers... and probably overthinkers from time to time too! 😄

That’s a sign you’re thinking like a true business owner. The fact that it’s on your mind every day means you’re focused on growth and building something bigger than just a job.

That's the difference between owning a job and owning a business. Hard work gets you started, but systems are what give you the freedom to grow. 💪

I really like this perspective. I think a lot of us start out believing that working harder is the answer because, in the beginning, we are the business. At some point, though, we realize the business can't grow if every decision depends on us.

Your comment about systems doing the heavy lifting really resonated with me. It takes more work upfront, but it feels like an investment in building something that can grow and last. Thanks for sharing.

I really like this perspective. I think a lot of us start out believing that working harder is the answer because, in the beginning, we are the business. At some point, though, we realize the business can't grow if every decision depends on us.

Your comment about systems doing the heavy lifting really resonated with me. It takes more work upfront, but it feels like an investment in building something that can grow and last. Thanks for sharing.