Brand New Plan / Full Time Scrap Business - Page 4

Originally Posted by jghilino

Those are arc fault circuit interrupter breakers. They are worth $30 each. The pcmica cards from laptops are hit or miss, they can be worth anything from $1 each to $15 each.

If you come across any fpe / stab lok circuit breakers let me know. I can move them.

I would send them to ya if you want. How much for the 4????? PM me.

Early am trip to the yard $54.00 in shredder. Looks like that will pay for the gas yesterday!

Originally Posted by Geiser093

Early am trip to the yard $54.00 in shredder. Looks like that will pay for the gas yesterday!

I really like hearing about your day to day operations. Its an inspiration to us all. I hope you keep it up. One request if I may, how are you finding the material, are these CL adds or cold calls?

Thank you for the encouragement. I enjoy posting the daily operations. Was MIA yesterday. I'll put this out there for whoever cares. I have been in recovery from addiction since 3/3/2007. God willing it will be 6 years in March. Yesterday I attended a funeral for a good friend that was like a brother who lost his battle over the weekend. Today was a good day though. I will be posting the week in review later.

Thanks Guys.

I got alot done this week. Yet I find myself wanting to push harder this upcoming week. No complaints I am happy. This is a slow steady process that involves bulding upon successes and learning from failures. It seems as though I learn more each day about what not to do. So is the process.

I posted an ad on Craigslist and got few gift cards for $0.50 on the dollar. So I went to Home Depot got some stuff I needed for the new house and lost my mind buying tools!











I also got a little 140 lb. rated fold up dolly for $25. I made my buddy stand on it in the store to test it. It should be great for 5-7 towers. I got an appliance dolly $120. I can't keep showing up and man handling aplliances. I think I am going to get some moving straps. Harbor frieght in the morning!!!

This picture is of two old lead door knobs. They weigh 3.7 lbs. They are cool I think I will keep them.



These next two pictures are some of the stuff I saved because I know they have "more than scrap value." New boxes of nails, screws, a bunch of romex clamps, ground connectors, old screw in hingesthat hang the door. Lag screws, bolts, gutter drops, down spout clips, a wood frame, and various other items.





I have a small load to take tomorrow. I think I knocked down a couple hundred in regular scrap. I made a good bit on e-scrap, +/- $600. The mney from selling the building materials and used appliances was about $150.

All said and done I probally made an extra $500 this week while taking care of my regular construction.

Someone asked how I am generating leads. I use flyers, business cards, Linked In, Facebook, and Craigslist. All have generated leads this week. 1 each and 2 from CL. If you want to see the ads:

Computer & Electronics Recycling

Affordable Clean Outs Hauling and Junk Removal

FREE Metal Removal and Affordable Hauling

I post a few more in different layouts with a change in wording. I am still playing with it. I think I am going to a picture based advertisement next.

The key in advertising and marketing for me is always be on the grind. I let every one I talk know what I do. I get lots of work this way and always ask for refferals.

Good Luck, Good Night, and God Bless.

Originally Posted by Geiser093

I am slowing down for the year in the construction and have lost my passion for dealing with the insanity of the business. It is time for some new insanity. My plan is to shift gears and go into Hauling, e-waste, and metals full time.

It is Black Friday and I started last night making plans and posting a few ads. Already had a few calls.

The Purpose of this thread

1. Post my goals, this creates accountability for me to achieve results.
2. Help scrappers become more successful by sharing information.
3. Track my results and get input from the seasoned veterans.


Goals

* Make $1,000,000 in the next 5 years
* Open Retail Buying Location by March 1st, 2013
* Create Donation Bins Program for in-store drop offs
* Become R2 Certified
* Create Fundraising Donation Program.

I am working out the Marketing Plan now. I wil post my methods of advertising and marketing as well as the results. I am going to keep things real simple as it it impossible to get complicated with my budget. Essentially I will be starting with very limited funds. What I am going to do is take what I have to the yard on Monday and that will be my entire budget. LOL. I know the power of a motivated individual and what I can achieve. Working from my basement coal cellar workshop and kitchen table I start upon the path of creating something. Time wil only tell what happens once the excitement wears off and the exhaustion comes on strong.

Look back for updates.

I like the way you think. By all means, maintain your GC license. Here, in North Carolina, having it is now part of the requirement to sell any kind of commercial/residential AC components. Could also come in handy in doing any demo projects, which I am leaning towards trying to implement in the coming year.

Originally Posted by Ir0nman1

I like the way you think. By all means, maintain your GC license. Here, in North Carolina, having it is now part of the requirement to sell any kind of commercial/residential AC components. Could also come in handy in doing any demo projects, which I am leaning towards trying to implement in the coming year.

Yes I now agree. The way I am going to work things out is to keep doing what I have been and start the new venture. I believe I will be taking on an investor. I haven't nailed down the exact amount of capital he will be providing.

I am thinking that for $10,000-$25,000 I will offer a 10-12% return on investment.

$100,000 I may offer 25% or so of the total business. With this type of capital I could make a VERY serious run at achieving great success. It was my intention from the very beginning to get into a business that it would be possible to grow into something larger. Part of my bigger plan is to get the first location running like a finely tuned machine. This will create the model. Once we have all of our processes and daily functions running and working, I would like to open up a second, third, etc.

There will be explosive growth in what we all do in the electronics recycling. The big boys will obviously eat up market share when the time is right. IF we position ourselves right right now when the time comes we can either weather the storm because we are the known yards or sell at a handsome profit to the highest offer. From what I have read, seen, and experienced the path to wealth lies in finding a market like this at a time like now and doing whatever you have to do to maximize the potential of the opportunity.

I see one of three scenarios playing out.

#1 I lose my mind, my money, and fail. NOT A LIKELY OUTCOME, I work to smart and hard.

#2 I become the largest privately owned e-waste recycler on the east coast.

#3 A big company realizes #2 and offers to purchase my company, in which case I take the 5M, 10M or whatever and move to Florida and pull scrape out of the garbage and put it in the front trunk of my new Ferrari as I giggle on my way to the Hollywood to play a little poker.

Big dreams can be realized. It takes hard work, solid planning, and a good team.

Had a heck of a day. Helping my buddy Chris with a roof. Making really good money. So it is Roofing all week, at least to Wednesday.

LEAD:Got a call from a gentleman named Brian, he is from a Catholic Charity. They have a load of e-scrap, 17 monitors, some 17" that still work. I may put a few on Freecycle. I am not sure what he really has but when a group like that calls I go on the run.

1. If they generate more scrap they will call again. Never know when they will replace a bunch of computers.
2. I will pitch them on a recycling fundraiser.
3. I will ask them for referrals.
4. I will ask them to be used as a reference.

LEAD:Two flat screen T.V.'s on 32" and one 40-something. I told the guy I simply buy them as scrap and pay about $20 bucks each. I don't know what the heck to do with them but figured for $40 I will see. It will be a lesson one way or the other.

Dropped of a small load of shredder just to get it out the truck. $24.00. I had a buddy ask me to grab some stuff off a rental he was working at. The shred is gas money. The nice part about Pittsburgh is there is a scrap yard on the way to everywhere. The stuff I got in addition was a S.S. screen door. Two brass faucets that weighed 5-6lbs, and some copper pipe, 3 lbs. I also got a little alum, and some other junk for the yard/flea shelf.

I did buy a miter saw today. Figured what the hell, I am making good money on the roof and it was on sale. $179.00 10" Kobalt Sliding Compound Miter. I know I got a tool problem. I justify it by making money with them.

I have also been pounding out the business and marketing plan and it will go up for all to see over the weekend.

I got a call from SCORE. They do mentoring and counseling as part of the SBA. I am going to meet with my rep. explain what I want to do and get some advice from a retired executive.

The guys on this forum may be of help. A few are pretty good at building million dollar companies in short order.


Activity Stream - Millionaire Entrepreneur Forum

Thanks Idaho, I followed the link and will see what they are about.

Hey Geiser, been following this thread. Thanks for the updates it's been helping me plan out how I want to run things. I have a question if you don't mind. I noticed on your ads that you advertise that you're insured. Is that just general liability that you carry or is there some other form of insurance you need?

It is just a general liability policy that I have for about $400 a year thru Erie. It is worth it because I use it for the guys I sub thru. I all honesty you should have at least general liability if you go on other people property. Commercial vehicle coverage will cover your vehicle and loading and unloading as well as in transport. This very important because if you get to hiring employees they are not covered by workmans comp if it is during loading or unloading. If you own a home or have assets you will want comp ins.



Insurance is simply a cost of doing business. Pass it on to your customers through accurate pricing. Part of my pitch is we are insured to $1,000,000. Sure the other guy may be a few bucks cheaper but if he gets hurt your house may become his.

Call W.J. Framer Insurance and ask them for information on what you plan to do and what coverage you need as well as a quote. This is a great cheap company that underwrites coverage through Erie.

Was going to get the general policy, but thanks for the heads up on the loading issues (wasn't aware of that). I'll definately be checking out W.J. Framer.

Copper Motor Wire Remover

Oh ya, I called a place I buy steel from. I asked about the triangle 4" x 3" x 1/2" thick, and a 12" bar 1/2" thick. Those two parts are $2.00 and $4.00 respectively. I will be picking them up and welding them together. I got 6 of each so if anyone wants one let me know.


Ok I am now a SCRAP ROOM MEMBER!!!!!

Made use of the $10 off promo. Can resist a good deal and this forum is one of my favorite AND most often used tools. Thanks to everyone that has made this forum what it is.

Other than that the roof is kicking my butt. A little slow on the scrap but I will be coming on strong.

LEAD Source: Call In, either Craigslist or other online directory.

Got a call and scheduled a pick up with the Sisters of St. Francis. Got up at 6am still dark out. There is something about being up and out before dawn that makes me feel really blue collar. I love the feeling, like I have beat the Sun to work.

Here are the pictures of what I saw when I showed up.












These are a mix of pics from the load some are the pics when I showed up, and a few on my porch.

I keep going hard and doing both jobs, construction and chasing down the scrap. I am getting a nice hoard together.

Funny thing about that saying that it takes money to make money. I have started numerous businesses over my career, including one that made the INC 500 as one of the fastest growing companies in America. The ones that I started without money all ended up making far more money than the ones that I started with money. The INC 500 company the employees were happy when they got to move from a card table to a desk. The company started with money the employees spent a full day deciding if the new furniture had to all be the same type for everyone's office, just the same type or if they could each furnish their office however they wanted. Not having money forces you to figure out how to make money.

There is an old story that NASA spent $30,000,000 developing a pen that would write in outer space without gravity. The Russian used a pencil. If you learn to use a pencil, you rarely really need money.

As for spending a year on a business plan, once you launch you will find that your business will change (or should change) constantly as new opportunities arise etc. For example, I did not plan to buy boards. However, that is one of the things that my suppliers want to sell me. Buying boards is now a significant part of my company. Being flexible and responding to the changing conditions is the hallmark of a good entrepreneur.

Best of luck.