How old is to old

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Well I was going to ask a question to those of you who have been welding for awhile. I'm 30 and I've tried to get my own portable welding business started for the last ten years. I've finally started getting things together as far as equipment and things. I guess I sometimes  feel like i'm getting to old to get a start on something I feel like I shoulda had going five or six years ago. But I guess when Gods ready for it to happen it will. Thanks for any advice.Miller Bobcat 250Westinghouse ac arc welderIts better to be hated for who you are than liked for who your not.
Reply:I started my own business much later in life than that, pretty much out of necessity, so it's certainly doable.Be ready for long hours, lots of frustration and low or no pay. There are guys who can weld, and guys who can run a business... it's harder to find those who can do both. Most new businesses fail because the guy simply has no idea how to run a business, not because they can't do the work. If you hate paperwork, doing estimates and invoicing and such, but love the welding end, you are in for a rough time.You'll find there's all sorts of things out there that want to suck up your money before the boss gets paid. Taxes, insurance, permits and licenses, vehicle expenses, new equipment or maintenance, materials... the list goes on and on, especially if you hire anyone else to work for you. Make sure you have enough cash reserve for all of this plus living expenses, especially at the beginning when work is slow or nonexistent until you get your name out there and start to pick up.There's a lot of good sides to working for yourself, but you'll find it's not the easiest job in the world if you want to succeed..No government ever voluntarily reduces itself in size. Government programs, once launched, never disappear. Actually, a government bureau is the nearest thing to eternal life we'll ever see on this earth! Ronald Reagan
Reply:I think for the most part, at least for the current time and possibly the future, you will see a lot more older business start-ups (30 isn't really that old).  Before it was a lot easier to start up as the loans were available.  Now that there is a lot more scrutiny in actually getting a loan I think you will see more and more "older" age start-ups because it is more normal for an older person to have a better credit rating, and just a better drive for actually wanting to work.I think the generations to come (mind you I'm 25...) are going to get progressively weaker and less willing to work for what they want.  I'd say I'm right in the cut off for when work ethic is going down the tubes.  I hear 15 year olds complain about work already.  Sad really.You just have to keep it up, it starts slow and grows when you want it to.  That's with anything honestly, if you want anything badly enough it WILL happen because you will make it happen.  But it certainly won't be easy.Good luck!!JoeMiller 140 Autoset (2010)Miller Syncrowave 250 (1996)
Reply:Nah, 30 is young.  My first job out of highschool was as a Millright assistant with a startup heavy mechanical company.  I was the 3rd employee, the owner was early to mid 40's at the time had one girl in highschool and one in junior high.  He mortgaged his house for startup capital.  Within a few years he had 7-8 crews on the road and two decent sized cranes.  It was neat being around to see him succeed like that.
Reply:I'm thirty and I definitely don't consider myself old, after being in the auto collision/restoration bis since I was 10 years old, all I wanted was my own shop, I now have a small shop with the majority of the equipment to do restoration/metal fab( nothing hi-tech). I am taking a full college welding course at GNTC, and I'm kicking ***,  when I'm not at class I am working in the garage doing whatever I can find to make money(mechanical,body work,resto,sheet metal/steel fab, painting) until I am finished with welding class. I wish I had taken a welding/fab course a long time ago.Lincoln pro mig 180Lincoln Square Wave Tig 300/wp 20/home built water cooler Victor, Purox, Harris, O/A welding/cutting setupsVintage Craftsman drill pressVintage Craftsman/Atlas 12"x 36'' lathe7''x 12'' w/c band saw Everlast 140 st
Reply:The question would be more how young is to young. At 20 years old it is to young to start a business, as you cant have the enough experience in welding to be taken seriously, your getting a good chance of getting taking for a ride by customer who will take advantage of your inexperience.30 years old if you've been welding since 20 and are versatile in welding, it is the perfect age to start.It's not a matter of age, it is more a matter of experience.Good luck
Reply:Hey T-C-W,Just to show you what can be accomplished if you set your mind to it.I've worked(48yrs) & welded all my life(67 now) for different companies. My last company I started in '99 & retired lat Apr.. When I closed my gunshop(former garage) in '93, I decided to start a small welding/fab/machining shop to make some xtra $$$. I was still working fulltime & "hobby" side work was off 'n on & every dime I made, I put in a small cigar box. When I had enough saved, I'd buy another piece of gear. Took about 5 yrs to totally get the shop equipped to do every process, MIG, TIG, Stick, O/A, & already had a small machine shop downstairs. Word of mouth & passing out some homemade cards brought more work. Not overwhelming, just steady. 5 yrs ago, I bought my enclosed trailer to set up a mobile rig. I'd take it once a week to the local restaurant, grab some breakfast/lunch, & take my time having coffee. I got many inquiries & passed out many cards to prospective customers just by having the rig in a well-used restaurant for an hour or so. Then on another day, I'd take a short ride thru some of the newer housing plans & just kinda look like I was lost & couldn't find a customer. You'd be surprised at how many references & calls I got that way. BTW, I do general repairs, some construction site work(equip. repairs), fabbing/welding, & classic car resto's. No pipeline, rig, or structural.Now, I started my mobile service when I was I was 62. Too old????? Nah.... age is just a state of mind. My only emphasis to anyone starting a shop, & especially going mobile, YOU better be good!!! Don't take any job that you don't know how to do, have the experience with a process, or give a half-a$$ed job. Bad word spreads like a wildfire. Just the opposite is true if your customer is satisfied. It works both ways. Anyway, just some fodder to ponder.....DennyComplete Welding/Machine/Fab. ShopMobile UnitFinally retired*Moderator*"A man's word is his honor...without honor there is nothing.""Words are like bullets.... Once they leave your muzzle, you cannot get them back."
Reply:Let's not forget, people trust grey hair also.  Man, you have no idea how old you're making some of us feel.  I started my business at 29.  It's the perfect age.  You tend to need less and are able to work more hours at 30, your brain has also started working normally.By the time you're 40, you'll be able to cut back to 12 hour days (AKA a "half day" in business ownership).TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Too old at 30? Not really. I went out on my own at 32 and lasted 10 years when I received an offer I just couldn't resist. I took early retirement at 58 and at 64 I started up another business out of sheer boredom. At 69 I folded my tent and went home.
Reply:Yorkie hit it on the head.  Word of mouth both positive and negative will make or break your future business.  I have a real job that supports me and use the welding/repair/fab income to buy more toys/tools for the shop.  Right now I consiser this a hobby that pays back.  I do keep insurance but don't track the income as well as I should.  I probably could retire in a few more years as I am 52 now but I really like my real job.Dan
Reply:As others are pointing out, you're no longer too young to start.  But what do you mean my ten years spent getting it together?  How have you been paying your bills during all of that?  Are you looking to move over from a for-hire job?Jack OlsenMy garage website
Reply:Originally Posted by OldtimerToo old at 30? Not really. I went out on my own at 32 and lasted 10 years when I received an offer I just couldn't resist. I took early retirement at 58 and at 64 I started up another business out of sheer boredom. At 69 I folded my tent and went home.
Reply:I  have spent the last 7 years getting a welding fab  shop going.  I did car and truck repair to keep the doors open.  I turn away a lot of automobile work,    Every big job bought me a piece of equipment.  I now have enough equipment for two.  Hopefully my son will join me when he graduates 2 year welding school.It will happen when you make it happen.You can do it.  David R   I'm 51.Real world weldin.  When I grow up I want to be a tig weldor.
Reply:Old at 30 wow?
Reply:Originally Posted by Fat BastardOld at 30 wow?
Reply:Hey Jack as to your question i'm only planning to do this part time unless it really takes off. I've been a shop or production for the last 11 years. Thanks for everyone's comments.Miller Bobcat 250Westinghouse ac arc welderIts better to be hated for who you are than liked for who your not.