Diversification is the key
We have been working outside for years now and without a doubt we are getting extended periods of rain that seem to be worse year after year.
Is the answer to look at the sky every time we get a downpour and go back in the house and lose money, by not working.
Or are there other ways of dealing with it;
Rain guarantees have proven that they work and the reality is that the only people who don't lke us working in the rain is ourselves. The customers may moan but they will get used to it. We work in the rain and I earn no less money for it raining.
Diversification - Look at a low cost start up that can be run alongside what you are currently doing - carpet cleaning, something online, an angle that will not be affected by black clouds and start marketing and developing that line till it has a income comparable to what you are currently earning.
We have just invested in something that I believe will be the future of our business, whilst still retaining a strong presence with our residential workload and our commercial national work.
The cost to me so far is around the £800.00 mark - I have got to have a website created and then market in magazines and other areas.
I am not going to say whay we are doing because I want to establish a market first but I am saying because It doesn't have to cost thousands to look at another avenue.
I need to make sure my investment is solid but I genuinely believe it can only make money in the right hands and when I have this avenue of money coming in I definately will have no concern over the weather.
If you wait for the weather to stop you earning and then do nothing about it when it hits and you keep doing nothing but losing money and don't learn from it and adapt youselves, then you only have yourself to blame.
If you went out to work for a period of two weeks worth of rain and lets say you earnt 100.00 per day over this period and you worked 14 days then you would have 1400.00 put on one side that you would not have earnt.
Use this money to look at alternatives and you are on your way to creating a solution
Good luck
Rob