Certain people make it a point to arrive “fashionably late” for social events. It stems from a psychological quirk to make them feel important, as if the party doesn’t begin until they arrive and everyone is awaiting their grand entrance.
Whenever I think of things gone wrong on a
retrofit roofing project I remember that day in Miami when David and I visited
Art and his boys (and girl … she ran the kettle). I was there doing my job as
the roofing equipment pro, and David ran the branch of my distributor.
Standing seam metal roof systems have been on
the U.S.
market in some form for centuries. Early colonists installed copper roofs and
these materials still adorn many government buildings - particularly state
capitol buildings. Today standing seam metal roofs are installed on a variety
of structures in both residential and commercial construction.
Last year was one of the bleakest in history for
most of us economically. Yet Cincinnati’s
Thompson Plumbing, Heating & Cooling grew more than 50 percent in 2009. The
company now has more than 50 service vehicles on the road and employs upwards
of 80 people, with a penchant for hiring military veterans.
There is no question we are in uncertain
economic times. One of our motivations for starting a small business was to
control our own destiny and to be our own boss. Currently, we are uncertain
which direction to take and it makes us uncomfortable. This is a natural
feeling; wandering in the dark makes everyone nervous. However, things are not
as hopeless as you might think.
Probably a business owner’s largest asset is
trapped in his or her illiquid business. Monetizing that wealth likely will be
the largest financial event of the business owner’s life. This transaction will
include three parties: the seller, the buyer and Uncle Sam. So, come to
understand this: “It is not how much you make, but how much you keep.”
We have enough problems with our image in the
roofing industry. Now Georgia-based roofing contractor American Shingle’s
Chapter 7 Bankruptcy filing is leaving a trail of homeowners, subcontractors,
and various other suppliers in the lurch over tens of millions of dollars worth
of insurance work that was never completed.
The downturn in the economy has created
opportunities for roofing contractors with building owners that are intent on
saving costs by maintaining - rather than replacing - their roof systems.
If you feel angry or depressed about the latest
economic news, do not despair. You are not alone. But, be careful what you
believe because your mindset might sabotage the results you seek.
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