When did you start out on your own?

First job surveying - summer 1970

Licensed VA & WV - 1975

Started own business April Fools Day 1976.

Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it again that young. But I've had a great run and a lot of fun.

Great question. You will get a wide variety of responses.

As for me, I was in a life situation such that I really couldn't be tied to someone else's idea of a 40-hour position with fixed hours and occasional travel. I needed to be able to set my own schedule so that I could deviate from that in order to handle the personal issues. So, that is when I pulled the trigger.

At that point I had a wide variety of engineering and surveying experience but no equipment. I had no potential clients lined up. I knew I could do almost anything, but, wasn't sure how to let potential clients know that fact. So, I stumbled forth, mainly because I had to make a living while handling the personal issues. Relocating was not an option.

Fortunately, I had both my engineering and surveying licenses. I knew a wide variety of technical people to whom I could direct questions from time to time. I decided initially to focus only on boundary work and small jobs that I could handle with inexpensive, untrained helpers. That worked. It was slow at first, of course. But, a handful of new clients lead to more clients who in turn passed my name on to other future clients. Word of mouth and a good reputation were the key factors. No scumbag lowballing involved.....I needed all the money I could get.

Key factors you might use for comparison are that I had been licensed for six years and was 33 years of age. Some people are cut out to be self-starters who can discipline themselves and some people must be directed by someone else. Some people can live on practically no money and others must surround themselves with things so that they appear to be superior to others. Some people can direct others well as subordinates and some people cannot. Some people can suck it up and say "Yes, I can." when others hesitantly respond with, "Well, I guess I could give it a try." Some people have 15 years of work experience by the time they are 21 while others never get 15 years of work experience in their lifetime.

Out of necessity after 14 years with consulting firms and teaching at a community college. Now, all of he blood, sweat and tears and long hours are self-generated for my benefit. I bought all of my equipment over a few years and did not go too far into debt at first. I worked out of my home and business was good. Later, I had a chance to teach in another curriculum similar to the one I had (civil engineering technology and drafting & design technology) and still teach surveying classes, which I did for 14 more years. When administration unwisely closed that program two years ago, I went full time with my part time business. I was ready and had the clients. I have enjoyed being my own boss very much. However, it does take a lot of self-discipline and coffee!

My advice: you have the equipment and know-how. Actual experience is the best teacher. Keep a copy of your state rules and regs close at hand and go for it. Stay close with area surveyors you trust and drop some business cards off at local realtors and attorneys. Talk with your client's attorney and develop a working relationship with him/her. It will take a little time to get started and get known, but you can do it.

> First job surveying - summer 1970
>
> Licensed VA & WV - 1975
>
> Started own business April Fools Day 1976.
>
> Knowing what I know now, I wouldn't do it again that young. But I've had a great run and a lot of fun.

Very similar...Sort of...

First job surveying -- December 26, 2001

Licensed SC -- 2007

Started own business -- April Fools Day 2008

Started out as an apprentice in 1977, got licensed in 1984, and went on my own in 1993 at age 40. I started cold (no clients), turned my dining room into an office, bought a used truck, a new total station and a business suit, and began cold-calling on potential clients.

The first year was very slow, but I was single and had a low-budget lifestyle. I put around $40k into the business that first year, and had gross income of about $13k. I used unskilled on-call assistants for most work, but also did an ALTA on a closed-down hotel/restaurant complex by myself with only a bipod for an assistant (no robot back then).

The next few years were okay, not lucrative but I made enough to live on. Around 2000 is when it reached what I considered a good level. It backslid on me in 2010 due to fallout from the recession, but it's back up again now.

No regrets.

Good luck!

My father started the business April Fool's 1981.

I have bought in, but I will not consider myself on my own until the old man retires.

Started Surveying in 1985

Surveying degree in 1991

Registered 1994

Out on own 1998 - 32 years old - No business lined up , took no clients from employer .

2014 very very busy . Hope it last.

Its amazing what a person can do when you have to feed yourself and family .

Only downside is theres no one to back you up , for sick or vacation .

Started surveying in May of 98.

Licensed in Dec 2008

Started my own business in September of 2013

I am solo. I picked up a used robot on eBay and just got a new GPS network rover two weeks ago. I have a month and a half of backlog right now. Mainly working on farm surveys. I have one steady construction client. Will be a great first full year if things continue to go the way they have the first part of this year.

Matt

Greg-

Been 'unemployed' since 1979 when Alex and I started our practice, relying on people to come to us and, thankfully, they do !

Cheers,

Derek

PS-

"Unemployed" means that I don't just work for one party as an employee.

First surveying job: 1997
First license: 2010 (GA), now also licensed in AR, KY, VA and WV

I worked and took evening classes, 2 or 3 per semester, for several years. I worked at several large and small companies between 1997 and 2013. I started my business part-time in 2011 after obtaining licensure in WV. I continued working at a local company while working part-time for myself. I wanted to focus on a different type of work than what we were doing at the company I was working for.

My last day at that company was September 28, 2013 and I began working solo at that time. By then, I was starting to bring in enough work to be able to make it. It has picked up quite a bit since then and I now have a backlog of about 6 weeks. I focus mainly on "farm boundaries".

I saved up and bought each piece of equipment and trucks with cash. My business has no debt at this time. I am 35 years old.

I strive to make God the senior partner and he continues to shower me and my family with blessings.

:good:

Graduated 1970 and immediately gained first and only survey job ever applied for the day after exams finished.

Licensed and then started own business in 1978.

Hmm... 36 years in a month or so. Forgotten exact date started.

Started out on own as a result of meeting an Architect and a Civil engineer at my eldest son's kindergarten parent function while I was still employed. Both had just started up on their own, so after involvement on Kindergarten committee as the president the Architect suggested that I go out on my own. So I had two clients. They both had clients who needed an obliging surveyor, sadly many original clients have now retired or dropped off their perch.

Currently doing further survey work for a client that I first surveyed part of his rural property 20 years ago... who was a client/ friend of the original Civil engineer!

RADU

Started as a civil/survey tech in April 1995.

TN license in January 2001
AR license in October 2001
MS license in May/June 2002
MO license in June 2013

I worked for one small enginnering/survyeing firm from 4/1995 to 9/2000. Larger engineering firm from 9/2000 to 4/2002. Worked for another engineering/surveying firm from 4/2002 to 6/2004. I went back to the first firm from 6/2004 to 7/2007.

Started my business August 1, 2007. It has been a wild ride thru this economic downturn, but God has blessed me and my family, and this is starting out to be a great year so far.

I do a little but of everything survey wise. Right now, my main work is survey support for larger engineering firms that need help with projects that their in-house crews cannot get to.

Wow, thanks alot everyone! I really appreciate the encouragement. It sound like I'm walking the same foot steps as many of you once did.

I plan starting up part time (actually I am working on my first job right now) so I will be working my butt off while also holding a full time job. Depending on how things go I might switch to part time on the full time job if I can. If that makes sense.

At this point I'm mainly concerned with getting the clients, a backlog and more experience with the business side of surveying.

I've always had alot of drive and I'm not afraid of hard work if there is some kind of reward involved even if that "reward" only means sleeping good at night.

One project from my first surveying job was for a wind farm and was spread out over several years. I was in charge of keeping 5 crews busy and dealing with mutiply contractors. I really enjoyed the supervisory aspect of that and all of the juggling of crews to meet project needs. After that job I went to a smaller firm and although I gained alot of good boundary experience, I took a step back on the project management. I want to get that back as That's where I'm in my element. Of course I'll only be managing 1 crew which will be me and hopefully a robot soon.

Gregg

Congratulations Matt. It sounds like things are going well for you. Are you saving up a "nest egg" for the lean times?

A friend of mine started up last year and I think he mismanaged his money and failed to account for the lean winter times. I guess it was pretty tough last winter.

Gregg

I've always had alot of drive and I'm not afraid of hard work if there is some kind of reward involved even if that "reward" only means sleeping good at night.

Sleeping good at night is not the reward if you want to start a successful business, it's more like sleepless nights.
Starting and growing your own business can be one of the most stressful times in your career trajectory, particularly if you are running a home-based business or a small startup that you are funding yourself.

Ask yourself these questions

1. Do I have the foundation I need to start right now?

2. How do I handle the unknown?

3. Do I have enough cash reserves to withstand a year without revenue?
If you don't you're not ready, poor sales months and dead beat clients can and will be your Waterloo.

4. Do you have a niche market you intend to pursue?

5. How good of a negotiator are you?

6. If you're bootstrapping are you willing to risk your savings, ira or relatives money to chase your dream?

7. Do you have an exit strategy?
If you do, you're not ready. Because that implies your original plan is full of doubts

I hate to be the bearer of bad news, but it is work and it will tax you physically and emotionally.
Just my 2 cents

I've enjoyed this thread. I've often thought of striking out on my own but my present circumstances are just too favorable for me to want to leave. Still, I've slowly acquired the equipment and built a shop to mobe out of, just in preparation for the day. But the thought of having to hunt down work, chase folks down to get paid, has all caused me to appreciate my present arrangement all the more.

The one thing I might caution that I've discovered more or less the hard way is that the things that may make you a good surveyor, often work against you as a business man. The folks that seem to be the most successful seem to manage both worlds effectively, those that don't ....

Best of luck to you Gregg!

> I've enjoyed this thread. I've often thought of striking out on my own but my present circumstances are just too favorable for me to want to leave. Still, I've slowly acquired the equipment and built a shop to mobe out of, just in preparation for the day. But the thought of having to hunt down work, chase folks down to get paid, has all caused me to appreciate my present arrangement all the more.
>
> The one thing I might caution that I've discovered more or less the hard way is that the things that may make you a good surveyor, often work against you as a business man. The folks that seem to be the most successful seem to manage both worlds effectively, those that don't ....
>
> Best of luck to you Gregg!

:good: :good: :good:

Worked growing up as a rod man for my father. Worked for various companies through my 20's and early 30's. Got licensed in 2008 at age 34. Quit my job to start my own business. Soon after, my wife was 8 months pregnant and quit her job. Still on my own and each year is better than before. Invested a lot of money and have also bought out a competitor since. Still enjoy working for myself. I can take what I want for work and do it my way. Have many repeat clients and always have new ones turned my way.