Wish Me Luck !

He's got a good business idea for a distressed economy: building security in a high-crime city.

-- Ed Huntress

Well ain't you a ray of hope in an otherwise gray and gloomy day . Ya think I haven't thought this out and done at least some basic research ? I know what the odds are , I know what the market for this product is , I know the price point I need to beat , and have a pretty damn good estimate of my expected profit margin . As far as capitalization , I already own most of the tooling I'll need , I have space for the operations I'll be doing . I have connections to a customer base , and already have a couple of estimates to run for tomorrow . I was asked to estimate based on a sample I fabricated this afternoon ... And to ice this cake , I also have a degree in accounting and business management - along with several years experience in running my own business . I my opinion - and my experience bears this out - anyone that's willing to get off their ass and WORK can make a living . Unlike those who sit on their ass and whine about how bad things are . Which are you , Hawke ?

I'll pass on some advice that was given to me a number of years ago: if all your bids are accepted, you're pricing your work too cheaply.

Great attitude. FWIW, the whole world told me I was f$%^ing nuts when I quit my job in 1991 to grow apples. Its been 17 years and I've never looked back. Personally, I wouldn't worry too much about insurance until you start to make a profit. You're taking a risk, but the scammers only go after deep pockets. My feeling is you can easily overinsure yourself and doom any chance of profit.

Karl

And if nobody complains that your prices are too high, your prices are too low.

Karl

I'm going to wish you luck in two areas. Living where you need bars, you need a lot of luck. Same for running a business.

I'd have left already.

Wes

Wow, I spent a big part of a year at NAS Memphis (Millington). Things have gone down hill since the mid 70's.

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

One thing to consider, are you a rock that a contingency fee lawyer is going to be able to squeeze water or blood out of?

Insurance is for people with something to lose. Of all things, I'd think what you are making is one of the safer things in manufacturing. Big assed bars over the window, my sawsall going through the wall, my bet is on the sawsall.

Bars over windows are feel good stuff. In the typical frame home, a battery powered sawsall can penetrate the wall, cut a hole, and you can reach in and unlock the door.

I don't think I'd be worried about the insurance too much.

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

Heh , Im looking for about a 15%-25% rejection rate . I learned that lesson while I was doing home repairs and remodels . Too many mean you're too high ... if I start getting over 30 % , I'll have to revisit my pricing structure .

About the time (ass/u/ming) this starts making good money , I'll be incorporating the business . Insulation of personal assets is just a good idea ...

Hawkey lives in his moms basement. Unemployed, useless, fat and pizza faced, living in the squalor of empty chip wrappers, Mt Dew empties and cockroaches. He only comes up to restock on HoHos, the lastest video game and Hustler magazine.

Pay no attention to him, he would piss on the parade of anyone with more gumption than he has, which is 99.99999999 % of the human race.

Gunner

"They couldn't hit an elephant at this dist..." Maj. Gen. John Sedgewick, killed by a sniper in 1864 at the battle of Spotsylvania

Back in 1976, I stopped into a gun shop on the main drag in Millington during the winter.

The guy had just been robbed. One customer distracted him while another lifted a .25 ACP pistol. He wasn't terribly worried about the loss other than it was a robbery. His parting comment was if whoever stole it shoots someone with it in winter, their coat is going to stop the round and the victim is going to kill them. True story.

Wes

-- "Additionally as a security officer, I carry a gun to protect government officials but my life isn't worth protecting at home in their eyes." Dick Anthony Heller

The best of luck on this venture. You're right about crime going up. A gun dealer recently told me that his safe sales was keeping him going at that time - a few months back.

You want to keep your overhead and risks low, but you might also consider combining this with related businesses like security systems and safe sales. The three should go well together. Not everyone sees the same danger from the same angle and some would buy a safe or get a security system that may not see the need for the other(s).

It's gotten pretty bad . Our street (Macon / Highland area , about a mile due south of National Cemetery) was a nice middle-income-racially-mixed street 20 years ago when we bought . Mowed lawns , kids playing out in the yards . Now we have as many empty houses as occupied , most have been broken into . Some are used as flops by ho's . And crackheads , but we don't have as many of those now that the crack dealer moved . Police arrive now two cars at a time - when they come at all . And it's pretty much the same all over . Shootings , muggings , carjacks , half of it doesn't even make the news . Unless there's blood " If it bleeds it leads" . And now I strap on a pistol to mow the yard ... we've only had two drive-by's this month , both at the end of the block .

Someone on the ultralight forum the other day suggested that someone in a situation such as yours incorporate so as to keep your personal assets clear of the business. Your liability exposure should be minimal. They suggest that after forming your corporation that you carry NO liability insurance whatever. As was said above, the lawyers only go after deep pockets and if you don't even HAVE any poskets, they're not going to be bothered.

Jim

to be able to

As I noted, one of the risks is his super duper security bars preventing an occupant from escaping a fire.

Kinda counter-intuitive , but it makes sense !

Hmmm , worse than I thought . I figgered him for a 35 year old loser with terminal acne , no girlfriend , and the requisite pile of empty soda cans and chip wrappers around his computer desk . I mean after all , " Hawke" ?? With an "e" ??

If I didn't own the property , I'd have been gone years ago . I gave my word to the mortgage company ... and there hasn't been a realistic real estate transaction here since the killin's down the street in '02 . The people on this street know me . They know my dogs too . Not sure which they're more afraid of . Something about the wild hair , beard , Harleys , and open carry of a sidearm makes them leave me alone .