Finally, Spring has sprung! Thank goodness! You know, for a community that lives in nirvana (weather-wise), we sure talk about the weather a lot!
It has been a busier than expected month since seasonally our slow times are usually March and April.
We quoted helping out as an Inspector of Election for two community's BOD elections but ended up only doing one and quoted not one but two parties for the coming month. We also just completed the last Ironwoof of the season.
Not familiar with Ironwoof? That's a dog meet-n-greet where we set up a temporary dog park, bring in some tables and chairs and invite the Ironwood community to come meet their neighbors. Dogs are encouraged but not required. It's a quick two-hour doggy social and we do it twice each season. It's a lot of fun and hugely popular with the residents!
We have lots of projects in the works and are just about finished remodeling a bathroom and a fireplace and are about to start several paint jobs, a roofing project, some new tile flooring, a kitchen remodel with custom cabinets, a huge landscape remodel, several handyman projects every week and a partridge in a pear tree!
Wait.... No partridge! Whew! I truly do not want to deal with any birds.
We've signed up five new clients in March and are gearing up for summer projects with quotes going out almost daily. How fantastic is that?!?
Honestly, I feel so lucky and blessed to still be doing what I love 13 years after first starting this business. Sometimes I need to pinch myself!
Recently I met with someone who was lamenting about how she was unsure her current position is the right position for her. She said she feels anxious and uncertain.
I can't imagine trying to function every day being on that type of emotional roller coaster. Life is way too short to do anything that does not bring you joy and I told her as much. As cliché as that sounds, I mean it sincerely.
Maybe it's because I'm older now, but if I had to worry or feel anything less than happy to get up for work in the morning, I'm afraid that would be the end of that job. Seriously.
However, that thought process is a double edged sword. Because we only offer part time work, it has been challenging over the years to find and keep good employees. We pay double the going rate for this type of work, we reimburse for mileage and we make sure to cover all employee work expenses.
And yet, that is not enough. Oh, we have been fortunate to have some employees stay for five years at a time, but the shelf life for most is 1-2 years. They all say how much they love doing this work and the flexible work schedule, but their primary reason for leaving is the need for health care.
Unfortunately, trying to provide health care with less than five (5) employees is cost prohibitive. Or at least I have been unsuccessful in finding an insurance company who offers affordable health care for small businesses.
If you know of someone, please, I'm all ears. Nothing would make me happier than to offer that benefit to my team.
Growing a small business is rewarding beyond words! We have been blessed to continue to grow and build year after year. It is often said that hiring good people is the toughest part of any business and I have found that to be true.
Thankfully, we have written policies and procedures which make getting new people up to speed not only expeditious; it ensures everyone is trained and operates the same. That is a huge plus for our clients and makes transitioning employees as pain-free as possible.
Luckily we have been fortunate to find many great people over the years even if they don't stay as long as we'd like. We are currently hiring too, so if you know someone who excels in customer service and one who might flourish in this type of position, please have them send us a resume.
Life is short and it speeds by way too fast. Going to work is not a choice for most of us so it is imperative we choose a path that is fun, rewarding and, most of all, one that feeds our soul.
Are you doing work that makes you happy? We hope you are!
