It's been a long time..... - Power Wash Network "The Power Wash Contractors Forum"

Mike Hughes · #1 (**permalink**) 09-05-08

Hi there, everyone!

I was inspired to visit this board today when I received a "Happy Birthday" email from the PWI board. It occurred to me that I never updated my email address on this board, so that would be why I didn't receive the same email from here. So, here I am. I thought I was gettin' old, until I see that Mr. Flynn just turned 41 a few weeks ago…..lol.

I have been out of the business since late 2005. In early 2005, I started working as a salesman for a home improvement company (sound familiar, Dan??). For the rest of 2005, I still ran my business with the help of two full time employees. After that, I pretty much gave up. In the spring of 2006, I did about $10,000 worth of work, mostly wood restoration, on a part-time basis.

I still have all of my equipment, and from time to time, I am tempted to dive back into it part time, but I never seem to make it that far.

In Nov of 2005, I went to work for a heating and air conditioning company as a salesperson, otherwise known as a "Comfort Advisor." I received some pretty comprehensive training, and even know how to completely design a duct system. Last year, I stepped away from sales and took a job with a larger company as a Maintenance Technician. Now, I am getting my hands a little dirty each day again (dirty, not COLD, WET, AND DIRTY) …..but I am also still able to sell on a limited basis, since we offer numerous devices to improve Indoor Air Quality.

I am very happy with my new line of work, but every now and then I miss power washing……mostly decks.

As far as family goes, I have now been married for 11 years and as you know have two sons, Brian and Kyle. They are now almost 9 years old, and 4 years old……which, of course, happened very fast!

I hope all is well with all of you, your businesses, and your families! If anyone would like to contact me, I can be reached at sbnetwork at Comcast.net

Take care.

Mark · #2 (**permalink**) 09-05-08

Mike,

Glad to hear you & your family are well.
Hope you updated your e-mail so you can get
your Happy Birthday e-mail from the PWN next year!

It is good to hear from you.

P.S. Have A Happy Birthday!
I just checked looks like you already
updated your e-mail address.

Dan S · #3 (**permalink**) 09-06-08

I just felt a hot cup of coffee being thrown @ me !!!!!!! lol

nice to hear from `ya Mike !

It's nice not washing Huh ......... I sold everything lil over a year ago !!
It was nice doing it but even better not doing it !!

Mike Hughes · #4 (**permalink**) 09-06-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dan S

I just felt a hot cup of coffee being thrown @ me !!!!!!! lol

Now, that was funny! I bet only one out of a hundred people that read that will remember what you're talking about.......

What are you doing with yourself if you sold everything?

Henry Bockman · #5 (**permalink**) 09-06-08

Man, with Dan and Mike closing shop maybe I should start expanding up that way! LOL

Good to see you guys are still kicking!

Larry L. · #6 (**permalink**) 09-06-08

Some how I needed that laugh *LOL*,good old days huh.

Glad both of you are going fine and not getting wet anymore.

I keep saying this is my last week but for some season working two days a week is to my likeing.Fishing four to five days a week has been my dream and I living it now.Cold damp winter is coming and its back to 7 days a week and I'm not looking forward to washing in the cold this year.May not do any farm eqt. this winter b/c staying muddy,wet and bone shaking cold some days is getting boring.

Wish both of you the greatest of luck and watch how you hold ya coffee.

Clean County · #7 (**permalink**) 09-09-08

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mike Hughes

Now, that was funny! I bet only one out of a hundred people that read that will remember what you're talking about.......

What are you doing with yourself if you sold everything?

I bet I can guess what that was all about

Good to see your doing well Mike. Dan S. is right "It nice not washing". The less I do the better off I am for it.

Dan S · #8 (**permalink**) 09-10-08

Mike, One of the Trucking contracts I had a wash account ask me about working on their equipment. It started out as just Tire changing and hen moved to other maintenance work. Im still self employed but now it's Mobile Fleet Maintenance. It was a "rough" start but 3-4years later here I am a Greese Monkey !! Im on call 5 days a week --- And my week-ends are FREE !! 15years of every weekend washing is long gone !!! do I hear a 10-4 !!

Some weeks are good other weeks .. well I just hang out I bought some ground adjacent to Game Lands and Im in the process of building my camp ! Foundation is done and I have about 6 guys lined up for a week-end to get the walls and roof on !! Other than that ......... Life as Usual !!

ps: I am still a little bit disfigured on the left side of my face from that 110 degree hot cup of joe ! But no worries I wear make-up ....... My wife sells MaryKay !! LOL ....

Dan S · #9 (**permalink**) 09-10-08

I re-read your part about being married for 11 years !!

put 2 boys thru college . and my youngest graduated from High School last year ..... not sure what school he wants to do .... but holy COFFEE it's expensive !! My Middle son started his own pressure washing biz about 2 hours away from me he is doing good @ age 22 he is a biz owner and he just bought his first house !! now if I can get him to pay off my house !!

My wonderfull better half and I just hit the big 24 year mark .......... Last year er maybe it was the year B4 . i took her to Hawaii ............. This year Im taking her to camp !! yea she is so excited !!

Henry Bockman · #10 (**permalink**) 09-13-08

I'm working on my one year plan. In one year I'm "planning" on retiring. I'll either turn the running of both power washing/maintenance companies over to my employees and collect a monthly check, hire two managers to run each company and collect a monthly check, or sell them both.