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Started as a cabinet maker right after high school working for a shop. I had to learn to survive and pay for college. After a year, I was taking side jobs and anything thing else I can get my hands on home repairs to make extra money. My handy dandy business grew and I was working at the cabinet shop less and less due to getting pay only min. wage.
By my forth year of college, I outgrew my parent's garage and rented a small shop and started making cabinets, did general home related type work. I sunk every penny I earned into equip and my business. Upon finishing college 7 years after high school, I was making ends meet, no loans and even paid for some of my sister's college. Slow down in the economy kicked my butt and had to down size, sold off some equip. Things picked back up and eventually, we were busy again doing custom woodwork, and general contracting. Those were long and lean 15 years as I learned a tremendous amount on my own as well as talking to old folks and my father.
At about 40, I decided, running a small business was only going to make us so much and decided to sink our savings into real estate and see if we get further ahead. Started flipping houses and eventually bought and held some rentals. We rode the housing wave in LA jsut the right time.
My plan was to retire at 50-53 but I love what I do too much and suddenly 60 is nearby. Couple more years, my workman gets my company, no questions asked. I hope he does well with it and keep my clients happy like we always have.
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