from your job?
bear with me while i vent for a bit.
some of my friends hate when I talk about this stuff because they all think I have it made. I work for myself, rarely have to worry about money...on a personal level, seem to do whatever I want and don't really "want" for anything. But you know...it's hard. I own my own business and there are soooooooooo many days that I just wonder if it is all worth it. I find myself in tears many times. Stressed to the max. I think to myself that it just isn't what I want to be doing. I started this business to help my husband and his investors out. This is a little history....if you have a minute
I was working at an apartment complex, leasing and serving as somewhat of an assistant manager for over 400 apartment homes. My husband started a company building homes with his ex-best friend. yeah...I said ex. that's another show...
His biggest investor owns a very successful property management company in Texas and he was wanting to buy some rental property in Tn. My husband asked if I would help him manage a few homes if he invested here. I agreed because I knew he would be a great guy to do business with and I felt I could handle a few extra rental homes. Well, a month later I found myself quitting my job of 7 years to manage single family homes for this guy. We made it legit and started a full swing management company with me being the only one doing any of the work. I was a one man team, so to say. We went from starting with 3 properties in May '06 to over 100 in May '07. Not only managing property for this one investor, but for several of his friends as well that wanted to invest in rental property here. I am still doing it all by myself. I have off loaded most of the maintenance, painting, cleaning type of work to my ex who has a company doing all of that kind of stuff. he is great at it and gives me great rates
So, most of that aspect of the job is handled by someone other than me. But all of the bookeeping, leasing, marketing, and basic management of the properties is done by me alone.
Some people think my job consist of collecting rent checks. um...NO. i am on the phone ALL DAY. talking to prospects, tenants, vendors, owners....tons of people all day long. I have no office, I do it all from home. I do not have a land line phone, I do it all from a cell phone. I have purchased a very expensive software program that I HATE!!! but after dumping $1400 into the program, I feel as tho I am obligated to use it.
There are some days that go so smoothly that I can actually appreciate this line of work. Then there are days like today, that seem to happen more and more often, where I just want to run away. Vandalism at some of the units, tenants bouncing checks and causing the bank account to go hay wire, builders that won't do their part in fixing flooding issues...so I get to deal with pissed off tenants because the drainage behind their home is horrible and they are flooded...again. Brand new homes, mind you. and the builder just says "it's not my problem".
I really don't know why I let it get this far. I was under the impression I would be managing a few homes for one guy. I had no idea it would get like this. My dream job is working with animals. I want so badly to open up a doggie spa and boutique. VERY badly. but I feel like that dream is so out of reach because now I am locked into this company for WHO KNOWS how long and I find myself working 60+ hours a week doing something that I really don't want to do anymore.
Sorry this is so long, I just needed to vent.
I just want to follow my dreams. Maybe I can find someone to manage the properties and me just enjoy the ownership of the company?? I have thought about that more times than I can tell you. But reality kicks in..I just can't afford to hire someone right now. it really sucks.
does anyone else ever feel like they are at the end of their rope????
I'm here to tell you, sometimes working for yourself is not all it is cracked up to be. especially when you technically work for wealthy, arrogant, and extremely needy investors.