I am currently in the process of closing down my solo practice. I accepted a position with a local firm in Memphis. Okay, kinda local. I live about 35 miles from the office, in a small town north of Memphis.
I had grown to a point where I either had to add a crew, or slow down. I could never quite get over that hump to feel comfortable hiring a crew. The past few winters around here have been pretty tough, but the summers have been crazy busy.
The firm I have started working for is a small/mid size firm that specializes in transportation, airport, and government work, and has a fairly steady workflow for the past 20 years. They are a DBE firm, and do quality work. I will have the opportunity to work into an associate/partnership position sooner than later, and will be in a much better position than I could have ever been in with my solo firm.
It has been bittersweet, but I am adjusting slowly. It is nice having help with daily stuff, and I am working there part time managing one large project, while I am wrapping up a few small projects. I am hoping to have my stuff wrapped up in the next several weeks.
It has been a wild ride, but I am very, very thankful to have had the experience. I would not be where I am today without the love and support of my wife, family, and friends. I've been blessed far more than I deserve.
Good luck to you Jimmy! We make decisions for the better of our lives, and the lives of who we are intrusted with. Family! Then there is the group who you are to guide in the right direction. All will be looking at you for leadership, and, what are we going to do next? It's a place to grow. We all look at whats best for our family. Knowing what is to be earned in a year is sometimes better the hoping what will pan out. What if? Is a hard question. You've made it this far. Set your eyes as straight at you set your your instrument looking ahead. Tomorrow will be a better day!
One can never foresee precisely how any decision will turn out. The key is to be careful and judicious before making the plunge. I am confident that you turned this over in your head a thousand times before making the final decision. Congratulations on making a tough decision. Now, do all it takes to convince yourself every day that you have, in fact, made the best decision.
Best wishes for a bright future.
I know you spent lots of time considering the pros and cons of each option. In time, I think you will be sure you made the right decision.
Good luck Jimmy. Enjoy ALL your endeavors, that is the fun part of life. My career has been crazy and diverse and I've loved every minute of it.
I remember the last time I went back to work for a firm after operating my own circus. I stared at my first paycheck and thought, "Wow. This is 100% net profit! No IRS form to fill out, I don't owe any of it to anybody else...IT'S ALL MINE."
A pretty darn good feeling. It's also a pretty good feeling to turn the lights off in the evening, lock the door and leave...and not have to even think about that place 'til you get back in the morning. I bet you adjust pretty quick.
Good luck, Jimmy!
Wish you the best ! Say hi to Shannon for me.
Good luck Jimmy. I always look forward to reading your comments whenever someone posts about going solo (since I'm leaning toward doing that myself at some point). I'm sure you'll have some different thoughts to share now that you've been there and then gone back to working for a firm. Congratulations!
Gregg
Many other one man survey firms that closed their doors would appropriately refer to the closing as "the end of an error".
Not you.
Congratulations on running a successful business and congratulations on bringing your skills to an already successful business.