dbelmont
09-20-2009, 04:47 PM
Hello All. I'm Don Belmont from Barre VT. I describe myself as a broad based small business person. In my very rural market most folks have to have more then one iron in the fire to keep the fire burning.
My local businesses start with home inspection. As I say I am the owner and operator of WiseEyes Home & Property Inspections Inc. (http://www.wiseeyeshomeinspections.com/) . Under that banner I also do Energy Inspection, Mold Inspections and related thermal imaging inspections. Since this is Vermont I'm also working on getting an Equine Thermal Imaging (http://vermontinfraredinspection.com/) company under way. That's currently in a sample marketing phase but I think it shows promise.
In past times I have also been a building contractor and a custom remodeler which is what lead me into inspections when I reached a point where i didn't feel like getting up at 6AM anymore.
I also run what I describe as a small business consulting service. Focused on proper pricing/packaging/marketing for small service businesses . (When I say small business I generally mean the one person variety or at most a couiple employees.
Toward that end I have a spreadsheet tool called the Service Business Profit Pricing Modeler (http://servicebusinessprofitpricing.com/) that I offer for exactly that sort of business. It's purpose is to help an owner be certain that their service prices are priced for profit. Since I think failure to have a profitable price (or to even know what it is) is the downfall of many a small business.
On the consulting side of things let me say that I am always glad to help anyone who is trying to run a small business. It sure ain't easy and I respect anyone who gives it a go. Drop me a note on a general question and I'm happy to help as I can.
I want to try and differentiate the difference between paid consulting and free answers. Ask me about your prices and I'll tell you they need to be set at a profitable level. I will likely offer the opinion that to justify your necessary price you must be able to show the consumer the value. That's a free opinion (and just common sense IMO).
Paid consulting takes that general idea that is available in any good business book and crafts a specific answer for your specific market and business circumstances. It takes time and effort to first understand the problem and to develop possible detailed solutions that will work in your business. Anyone who is paying me has a priority claim on my time and attention.
But I am also running a business as well as helping others run theirs. The questions that get posed on this board and the answers (including mine) help me run my business so I am always trolling the boards for an opportunity to give meaningful help if I can. Since I gain from this board I am always glad to try and give back to make it a useful place for everyone.
Don Belmont
don@wisehi.com
My local businesses start with home inspection. As I say I am the owner and operator of WiseEyes Home & Property Inspections Inc. (http://www.wiseeyeshomeinspections.com/) . Under that banner I also do Energy Inspection, Mold Inspections and related thermal imaging inspections. Since this is Vermont I'm also working on getting an Equine Thermal Imaging (http://vermontinfraredinspection.com/) company under way. That's currently in a sample marketing phase but I think it shows promise.
In past times I have also been a building contractor and a custom remodeler which is what lead me into inspections when I reached a point where i didn't feel like getting up at 6AM anymore.
I also run what I describe as a small business consulting service. Focused on proper pricing/packaging/marketing for small service businesses . (When I say small business I generally mean the one person variety or at most a couiple employees.
Toward that end I have a spreadsheet tool called the Service Business Profit Pricing Modeler (http://servicebusinessprofitpricing.com/) that I offer for exactly that sort of business. It's purpose is to help an owner be certain that their service prices are priced for profit. Since I think failure to have a profitable price (or to even know what it is) is the downfall of many a small business.
On the consulting side of things let me say that I am always glad to help anyone who is trying to run a small business. It sure ain't easy and I respect anyone who gives it a go. Drop me a note on a general question and I'm happy to help as I can.
I want to try and differentiate the difference between paid consulting and free answers. Ask me about your prices and I'll tell you they need to be set at a profitable level. I will likely offer the opinion that to justify your necessary price you must be able to show the consumer the value. That's a free opinion (and just common sense IMO).
Paid consulting takes that general idea that is available in any good business book and crafts a specific answer for your specific market and business circumstances. It takes time and effort to first understand the problem and to develop possible detailed solutions that will work in your business. Anyone who is paying me has a priority claim on my time and attention.
But I am also running a business as well as helping others run theirs. The questions that get posed on this board and the answers (including mine) help me run my business so I am always trolling the boards for an opportunity to give meaningful help if I can. Since I gain from this board I am always glad to try and give back to make it a useful place for everyone.
Don Belmont
don@wisehi.com