Started my new career today......

[bell]

I always watch my back, when it comes down to it the boss is the guy who signs my check, so his word is the law, I've been busting my ass proving myself and believe it's getting noticed.......
I'm not out to steal his customers LOL
I realistically can see myself working here for many years, the more I do the more I make, the pay is very good and I've never been happier......the only direction to go now is up.......

I had originally been getting things in line to open my own audio shop, but quite frankly I'm enjoying this too much.........we'll see what the future brings, but I think I'm on the right track.......

[dtw]

Brian, it is awesome to hear things are looking up. Watch out on the SnapOn man's payment plans. They are famous for hosing wrenches with obscene interest rates, usually b/c they don't know any better or don't save up for the tools. It is a captive market. Times are tough right now though, and he may be willing to give good terms to get sales.

[bell]

yea i normally never keep more than 100 owed with them, right now i think i owe about 300....i wont get anything else until i'm at 0.....then i'll cycle again. i know some guys who are obligated to giving their tool guy $100/wk, i mean really? whats the point? LOL
keeping a low balance means in 2-3 weeks you're paid and clear.....plus for the chance you cant pay him that particular week it's easier to double up the next

i officially move to orlando this weekend, found a nice 2 car garage 2 story condo in celebration for cheap.....awesome area and will cut my "commute" by an hour LOL

[stomachmonkey]

Originally Posted by bell

I had originally been getting things in line to open my own audio shop...

When an appropriate amount of time has passed you can approach the new boss with a potential additional revenue stream for the shop. Of course the equity portion would be different from your normal duties.

He's got the customers and shop, you've got the expertise. Costs you both little more than sweat, mostly yours, to test it out.

[pwd72s]

From tweeters to tweaking P-cars...good for you!

[Gogar]

Originally Posted by stomachmonkey

When an appropriate amount of time has passed you can approach the new boss with a potential additional revenue stream for the shop. Of course the equity portion would be different from your normal duties.

He's got the customers and shop, you've got the expertise. Costs you both little more than sweat, mostly yours, to test it out.

That is a good idea on the side, but I doubt P-Car owners have the desire to do .....um ..... the kind of things to their cars, stereo-wise, that Brian is really good at. He needs hoopties and H2s and stuff to generate some real revenue and highlight his fab skillz.

Maybe some Strosex '76 912s will roll through though.

[porsche4life]

Brian is welcome to come work his magic on my 944.....

[bell]

Yea jeremy is right, the big money in audio is in the combination of extravagence and the regular joe who just needs a cd player......

The 3.6 varioram crate engine showed up yesterday.....have to transplant it into a 2000 996......it's very pretty.......way better than any h2 LOL

[Jim Richards]

Wouldn't you rather transplant that into a 73E?

[bell]

Sure, you got 25k?

I've also got an rs america track car on the lift which I believe broke a valve spring......started diagnosing it yesterday......he got black flagged at the track unfortunately for how bad it sounded.......it sounds pretty bad......

[Schumi]

Bell, what is your background in wrenching? Were you a Porsche mechanic sometime in the past? Or just a guy who knows porsches with his own tools that landed the job?

I ask because that's something I'd like to do some day. I mean, if I work out a nice early retirement / burn out from engineering by the time I'm 40 or so, I'd really like to get into working on Porsches for a living. I just wasn't sure if there are shops nowdays who hire mechanics who aren't ASE certified or something.

[Jim Richards]

Originally Posted by bell

Sure, you got 25k?

I've also got an rs america track car on the lift which I believe broke a valve spring......started diagnosing it yesterday......he got black flagged at the track unfortunately for how bad it sounded.......it sounds pretty bad......

$25K? I thought we were buddies.

[bell]

I was also told "I drop it, I bought it" LOL

We are buddies jim, but that's "holding hands" money, and I don't go there LOL

[sand_man]

OMG! Good for you! So envious!!! I wish you all the luck you are due!

[fxeditor]

Hey, congrats Brian! It's great to hear stories of people like you who decide to go in an entirely new career and having it work out so well. It's very inspiring!

Good luck,

Michael

[bell]

Just a little update.......
I believe becoming a porsche tech was one of the smartest (and luckiest) things I've done in my life, of course this coincides with working for a busy reputable shop......
I've been working 10-12 hour days, 5 days a week, and it hasn't even phased me, sure I get home some nights and am wore out, but truely enjoy it......
In the past 3 months I've worked on everything from newer twin turbo 700hp monsters, to mercedes, to some ferraris (the f430 with standard gate shifted 6 speed was bliss).
More responsibilities at the shop are taking shape and the future looks bright, I feel like the past 2 years of hell were worth it as without that I wouldn't have ended up where I am now.....I'm still recovering financially from it, but in time it should all be good.......
I've done everything from the 997 x51 swap into a 2000 996 (just about done, the canbus system is a *****), to water pumps, valve adjusts, 968 tranny rebuild, solving true electrical gremlins, tearing down flat 6's, brakes, suspensions, learning all the computer diagnotic systems, accu sumps, wheel bearings, etc......it is truely an adventure
I know it sounds like I'm bragging, but it's a very refreshing change to be able to jump into an entires new career and to be good at it.....
The 20 years of mobile electronics was fun, but simply got old......

A lot of our friends couldn't believe us when the wifey and I said back in 2007 that we were planning on moving to florida then actually did in mid-2008, it was a challenge, but it is finally paying off and we'll soon be back on track.

My advice to anyone is to take the chance with what you're passionate about, we did.....yes it is worth the associated headaches and tough times.......

[Oh Haha]

Sounds like you guys made the right choice. Kudos for having the guts to make such a drastic change and sticking in there when things were not so smooth.