What @Racer said really struck a cord with me. I am going to do my best to be more helpful when I can, and just shut my mouth when I get the urge to be a smart ■■■.
As for my life before washing…at the age of 19 went to work at an oilfield machine shop rebuilding pumping units and triplex pumps. I learned the manual machinist trade there along with all types of welding. Did that for 5 years then decided I wanted to move to Wichita. Was a manual machinist there for another 5 years rebuilding electric motors and welding. Then for whatever reason I decided I wanted to move back to my hometown. Went to work at an oilfield engine rebuilding shop and was welding and grinding crankshafts. That lasted for a couple years and then the place went out of business. So went to work at an RV dealership in the service department with the sole intention of it being temporary, just getting myself enough money to eventually start learning and building up my business. I am starting my 3rd year now on my own.
So I guess if you need to learn how to read a micrometer let me know! Ha
I born and raised in rural central Kentucky, I joined the Army at 17 just before Sept 11th and spent 5 years as a Combat Medic for an infantry Company, Did a tour over in the land of bad things from 04-05 and got burned out from medicine, tried college when I got out but it didn’t take, then spent the next 13 years working for a large paint distributer. I’ve maxed out my upwards mobility unless a managment position opens. That led me to researching service jobs, ide done some pressure washing in the past (incorrectly as I now realize, much to my chagrin) and thought it might be a good way to start… then I fell down a google rabbit hole and ended up here. I’m in an odd position as I’m waiting for divorce paperwork to finalize before I get started for legal reasons. I’m always here if I can be of assistance with any coatings questions!
9-10 Years in the Carpet Cleaning Industry, I was certified for upholstery/fine fabric cleanings, Rug Cleaning, Stone Cleaning and Water Damage Restoration. I can pretty much run and fix any truck mount machine and different attachment tools.
Drove trucks, Own trucks ,Wash trucks. Farm own,farm raised, Feed cows,chickens, swine.
Eat cow,chicken, swine.
I’ll give and take advice in any way as long as it’s good. Wash on fellas and be kind to one another …
10 years Villa maintenance in the USVI (lots of PW’ing the wrong way), 4 years varnishing homes and boats. Another 6 years building huge homes in the USVI, and now for the past 4 years I’ve been working at a service plumbing company.
I’m very good with engines, vehicles, and systems diagnostics. If it’s not working I can generally figure out why.
Entering my first year with a 7gpm/3k and a 12v roof setup on a 12’ tandem. Will post pics in the next couple weeks as I finish it up.
Newbie to the forum. Majored in dropping out of a 4-year college and went into outdoor power equipment sales for 10 years (mainly landscape / lawn maintenance equipment) first in South Carolina and the in Colorado. Ran a small lawn care biz on the side for the first couple of years before sales took over my life. Decided to move back to South Carolina and landed a job with a local municipality doing grounds maintenance work. Less stress than sales, much better benefits, but big loss of income to start off with. Decided to get into pressure washing as I had dabbled with it (incorrectly of course) earlier in life. Right now, I use pretty basic equipment - one of the more expensive Home Depot power washers that doesn’t qualify as fit for belonging on this forum, but I’m making it work and people are eager to pay for the service I provide. Came here knowing I was doing it wrong and am wanting to implement all that I gather here into my business practices.
I come from a long line of tree trimmers. My grandfather started the company 55 years ago and now both my uncles and my cousin all own there own companies. I climbed trees for 7 years and decided it wasn’t for me. Cleaned carpets, windows, wax floors for 10 years. Lineman for a fiber optic company for 4 years. Drove for Anheuser Busch for 4 years, didnt like the companies attitude, got robbed at work and they pretty much said “oh well.” I decided I didnt want to work for anyone else anymore. I fell back on my 10 years of window cleaning and started looking for work. After lining up a few jobs I took my week vacation from work. Had alot of people asked about pressure washing so I thought I’d offer that to, didnt really know what it entailed thou. Decided to try HomeAdvisor that week as well. I book 1.5 months ($17000) of work that week. Called my boss sunday night and told him I was not coming back. I also let him know how I felt i was treated there. After some early advise from @Atlas1 I started reading and learning on her. Thanks to all for that btw!!. I closed the year using a 4/4 machine right at 100k, with $30k in jobs already on the books for this year. So to all the new guys as long as you have a strong drive, are humble and learn how to do it the right way, it doesn’t really matter the equipment you use you can get it done, just gonna take you longer!!
Graduated 2007
Oreilly auto parts 1 year
Mechanic 1.5 years
Started plow company
Paella window 3.5 years
Pilot cars 2.5 years
Wind farm safety 1 year
Started dabbling in pressure washing in 2016
Safety man at the college 2017-2019
Back to just plow boy as of present
20 years as USAF Pilot and owned/ran a Horse carriage company while I was on active duty
Sold that and opened a 4x4 shop when I retired in 2008…recession took care of that in early 2009
Got into the “Safety business” working on overseas contracts from 2009-2016
Came back to the US and started working 4x10s as ESH Manager
Own a home cleaning company with my wife working primarily new construction and PW is a part of it.
Would like to build this business but don’t have the time with my current job (and MBA classes) and don’t have the balls to walk away from job/paycheck.
Still eager to learn more
Thank You @Racer for planting that seed of kindness.(Look at what you started and how the direction of the conversation has changed) I started painting houses when I was 10 (before child labor laws)Worked at fast food places through school.Warehouse,sales and production planning then back to window washing( 40 years later).Started PWing last year on a 2200/2.2 then bought a used 3200/2.8 Honda and just bought a used Karcher HW skid.I have gained a lot of info on this site as well as some great advice.Thank you again @Racer for flipping the script from a negative to a positive conversation. Joy and success to all.
Graduated 05 went two years community college taking nursing pre req. (Mom’s Dream) worked at furniture warehouse, then moved to sales, then trugreen, to the local 505 electrical union 1.5 years, then industrial valve and fitting warehouse, to blue bunny icecream route driver, to shipping and receiving manager at a Fab/foundry shop 4.5 years, currently another shop in the same field as an operator now yard/inventory manager and working on building my pw business. Also was a hopper off and on with my buddy’s garbage company. @Racer is probably one of the most stand up guys on here I’ve also gotten a lot of help from @Hotshot and @Harold. Sorry to anyone I’ve ever made feel stupid we all started somewhere.
Began working with my dad in 2003. Took over the company in 2013 and have 17 years as an electrical sign contractor (c45). Various skill sets in electrical, light weight construction, basic plumbing, landscaping etc. Still run the sign business and now this business since 2016 (although 2019 was the first year I took it seriously and did more than one job every 2 months).
USMC 5 years worked car sales, factory work, now on 3rd year with local water utility company. General handy man no real specialty. Just getting geared up on the pw/sw scene. And dont know enough to make someone feel stupid on here. Might make most seem smarter hahahaha
Great thread. I’m Heath, from Bertram TX, and I’m currently an active duty Navy Chief Petty Officer, stationed in Pearl Harbor Hawaii, and I am planning to retire this year after 20 years in submarines (Fast attack only). I’ve served all over the country and loved it. I recently completed my last 6 month deployment in the Pacific. I grew up in the country and the family still has the ranch. I currently also run a media distribution company. I’m extremely tech savvy if anyone has any questions in regards to computers etc I’m more than happy to help.
A member of the forum recommended it for the amazing knowledge contained here and he was not wrong. I’m planning to get into the industry when I retire. Based of the input here I plan on running a 8GPM GX690 with a K7 unloader on a truck build (F250 or Chevy 2500HD 8ft bed). I am anxiously awaiting @Racer war wagon video. I’ve watched a TON of youtube videos from people here (@squidskc) and I’m really enjoying learning something new everyday. Already formed the LLC, quoted for insurance through JDW, and plan to start with flat work and residential only.
5 years infantry/paratrooper in the army ( 2 years Afgh)
Worked as a supervisor at a pharmaceutical company for 1.5 years …hated dealing with dumb people so I started my own business.
Now everyday I argue with myself if I want to get to 6 trucks and go big…or downsize and work for myself 3 days a week. I have a different answer everyday lol
we all started somewhere.
