What was your first year like???

Originally Posted by Brandeezy

Hey Scrapping Brethren!!!

If you have seen me posting around here you can see that I am looking for a way in, LOL. In the long run my focus will be recycling Solar Panels and components to Solar Systems, but in the meantime I want to build the recycling and scrap division as much as possible.

I am curious to know your experiences of starting your business's. The high's and low's... the wins and the losses...

What where your biggest challenges? Did you make any money your first year? What did you really invest into the company (besides all your time) in the beginning? How did you come about your first clients? How fast were you able to grow? Etc... Etc...

Let's open the floor for discussion and do a little Q&A... no name tags needed.



Brandeezy

You just need a game plan , and with a little bankroll your clients become customers . When I first started I took everything I could get my hands on . Now I focus on select items that yield the highest profit margin for my time . If one wanted they could stock pile until they had a load worth hauling . 1956 wrote a excellent article on the very subject .

Organization,breakdown,separation and research are going to make or break you . We all see items in the shred pile that could have been paid higher with just a little work . I was guilty of this starting out so that will be my low point . It was just that when I had a steel load to go in any broken tool or random dirty metal would accompany it . I suggest you learn from my mistake on that as you could be giving money away .

When I started I offered free recycling services now I buy electronics and computers from my customers . Networking is key , also get a good magnet many of them and some business cards . Start with family and friends then branch out to your closest people like gas station attendants, bank clerks , storage employees . Eventually you will be ready to buy . But don't spend a dime until you know what's what . I aquire most of my scrap at live auctions and storage auctions I also check gov deals for a good buy .

". It's all what you make it , your time and knowledge will determine your outcome " - metalbestos