Clark Kent Creations -- Swarthmore, PA. Landscape Design and Construction, Hardscaping, Patios
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Living the Dream -- Running a Small Business

4/27/2012

5 Comments

 
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Whenever I speak with other people at parties or other parents at little league practice, the subject of what I do for a living always comes up.  And when I mention that I own and operate my own landscape construction business, people typically become slightly envious and reply with a comment along the lines of “How great it must be to own your own business and not have to work for somebody else.”

I can almost see the fantasy in their eyes as they envision cutting out early in the afternoon or taking leisurely hour-and-half lunches.  I rarely if ever have the heart to tell them that its not quite as glamorous as they envision.

In my home office I have a saying posted right above my computer screen.  “An entrepreneur is somebody who works 80 hours a week for himself so he doesn’t have to work 40 hours a week for somebody else.”

That about sums it up.

Not that I don’t enjoy what I do.  To the contrary, I absolutely do.  I can’t possibly imagine how somebody could put forth the time and energy to run a business if they didn’t love what they do.

But make no mistake about it, if you want to start your own business you need to understand the time commitment, and get out of the 9 to 5 mentality.  There is no 5:00.  And if you’re a parent too, -- in the words of Al Pacino from Donnie Brasco – "Fuhgedaboutit."

During the heat of the season, my days typically look something like this.  I'm up at 6 am to get the wife off to work and the kids off to school.  Once my parental obligations are done in the morning, there are emails and phone calls to return.  I then get to the jobsite, and ideally my guys are already at it.  Depending on the day and the project, the balance of the work day consists of working on the site and supply and material runs.  More often than not I schedule new prospect meetings in the evenings, meaning that after my workers head for home I’m off to meet with clients.  
 
And the nights I don’t have meetings?  Usually that’s because there’s a little league game or Cub Scout meeting
for my kids.

And then there’s just enough time for dinner before reading a story or two to the kids and getting them off to bed.

Now it’s time to unwind, right?  Not so fast my friends.  

Remember those meetings I had in earlier in the evening?  Well for every meeting there’s a new estimate that needs to be put together. And for every project there’s an invoice.  And for every month there’s income summaries. 
And bills to pay.  And marketing plans.  And this blog entry.  And a myriad of other tasks that need to get done sometime.  It’s not uncommon to be on the computer until 10 or 11 pm.  Or later.  And what doesn’t get done during the week, usually gets covered during the weekend.

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This post isn’t meant as a complaint or even a venting opportunity.  It’s more about explaining the time and work that goes into every project – from initial phone call to final clean-up.  Good things don’t happen overnight, they take a lot of time and hard work.  And even if your project hasn’t started yet in terms of shovels in the ground, there’s most likely already a lot going on behind the scenes.

So for anyone considering opening their own business, whether it’s in the landscaping industry, running a restaurant, opening a storefront, or any service-related endeavor, my advice is that you better love, I mean really LOVE, what you do.  You’ll be spending an incredible amount of time nurturing your livelihood.

And if you see me at a party or around town, and we start talking about what we do for a living?  Well first of all it most likely means my to-do list is growing because I’m not working right then and there.  And second of all, before you get too jealous just remember there’s a lot more to running a business than just what goes on at the jobsite.

5 Comments
Anna link
4/26/2012 11:13:13 pm

It does take a great amount of passion, combined with a certain amount of insanity, to run your own business, yes?

So often the grass is greener on the other side. I shake my head in amazement listening to my friends (who work for others) talk about they're morning at the gym, their long lunch break running errands, then the early cut out to coach or volunteer at something. I think "Man, I wish I had such a *stressful* schedule!)

Then I remember the payoffs- the ability to take a month to travel in the winter. Having complete control over my income. Being able to help coach 4 teams this spring (two boys, two sports each!) The flexibility to help a friend in need whenever they call. The amazing and inspiring clients I talk to every day. Creating beautiful landscapes and gardens that bring happiness, pride and satisfaction to people's lives every day.

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Clark link
4/27/2012 05:49:28 am

Excellently put Anna! Especially the insanity part ;)

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Matt link
4/30/2012 12:23:41 am

I think if you asked any number of self-employed people about the benefits, you will get different answers based on the individual personalities. For me, it allows me to give attention to my biggest priority....my family!

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buy email list link
8/12/2012 11:53:09 pm

I wanted to thank you for this excellent read!! I definitely loved every little bit of it. Cheers for the info!!!! & this is the perfect blog for anyone who wants to know about this topic.

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Arnie McCulloch
7/7/2014 11:25:01 pm

I own a landscape construction business in Murrieta ca, and my days are very similar. Self employment is hard work, but, you have immense satisfaction with the results you create.

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    Company

    Clark Kent Creations, LLC is a full-service landscape construction company servicing the Pennsylvania communities of Delaware County, Chester County, The Main Line, and the University City, Art Museum, and Manayunk/Roxborough neighborhoods of Philadelphia.  In addition to this blog page, additional information regarding the company and our services can be found on the subsequent pages of the site.
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    Author

    Clark Linderman is the president of Clark Kent Creations, LLC, a landscape construction company based in Swarthmore, PA.  He is a proud graduate of the University of Michigan.  In addition to his passion for all things outdoors, he counts Michigan football, Phillies baseball, Superman memorabilia, Memphis R&B music, and good craft brews among his many interests.  He currently resides in Swarthmore with his wife, Sheila, two sons, his dog Krypto, and a really, really messy garage full of work supplies and toys.

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    Contact Us:
    Clark Kent Creations, LLC
    Swarthmore, PA
    Design and Construction to Maximize Your Outdoor Experience

    707-290-9410
    clark@clarkkentcreations.com
    Serving Delaware County, PA

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    If you like the content of my blog posts, here are a few other blogs that I check in on regularly:

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