ramblings of an entrepreneurial madman

So I went out for drinks with my buddy yesterday.  Ended up spending way more then I wanted to, but fuck it.  I drink like once a month and sometimes it’s good to let loose.

While at the bar we were bullshitting with a group of guys at a neighboring table, and somehow we came on the topic of California.  I mentioned how I always wanted to live there and how I was planning on moving there within a few years.  One of the guys was born and raised the bay area so he had a lot of good insight for me as far as places to check out and what areas he thought I’d like.

I basically narrowed it down to the central coast; Santa Barbara up to Santa Cruz.  Not sure what area I’m planning on making my permanent home but I’m sure it will be somewhere in there.  Carmel?  Monterey?

Anyways, Arizona always felt like a “pit-stop” to me.  Once I graduated college I wanted to move to California, but I was a young broke guy, and it just didn’t make sense for me to go there.  The cost of living in Arizona is much less then California, so this seemed like the next best thing.  Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining by any means.  Arizona has been really good to me and has opened lots of doors, but ultimately I do plan on moving.

One thing is for sure, the areas I’m looking into are expensive as fuck, so I better start earning my millions if I want to move out there and live comfortably.  I’m really planning on living the good life in Cali, and I’m not going to move and half-ass it.  When I move, I will be wealthy.

First things first, I need to get this business rocking and rolling.  This upcoming week is a huge week.  It’s going to give me a great gauge as far as how much business I can generate, which will allow me to adjust my growth charts.  I have everything mapped out on a spread sheet, and right now it’s looking like I won’t be able to hire someone until June or July, but if I have a kickass March and April, it could be sooner than that.

So how the fuck am I planning on building a company here when I know I want to move eventually?  I’ve put a lot of thought into this and I have several options.  The good news about the business I’m in, is its internet based, so I can pretty much setup an office anywhere.

1. I can get the company to the size I want, and get it established.  At that point promote someone to management to run that office
2. Once that’s done, I can move to California, and set up another location there if I’d like to.  Basically doubling my income and I could manage the new office, while my manager in AZ manages that location.  I could fly in as I need to and just do things that way.
3. I could just move once the company is established and basically just retire at that point.  Collect the income it generates and let someone else run the show; however this is my least favorite option because I’m sure I’ll get bored as fuck just sitting around doing nothing.
4. I could build the company as large as possible in AZ, with the intention of selling it.  Then take whatever money I make from the sale, and move to California and figure out what I want to do from there.

Either way, I have different directions I can head in, so I’m not too worried about it.  I do like the idea of having a south west branch/location and a west coast branch/location.  The only issue is that this is commission only sales and you really have to be on top of your sales guys.  If you slack off or are not around, they will slack off and production will go to shit so hiring the right manager is key.

I’m planning several long weekend trips to California towards the end of the year.  I’ll pick 1 town, fly in for a few days, and just rent a car and explore; one trip to Santa Barbara, one to Monterey, etc.  If any of you have suggestions as far as which areas to check out, I’m all ears!

Regardless, none of this shit can happen until I get this damn business to take off.  So it’s even more of a reason to bust my ass and get things going over here.  Shit I might realize that I really like it here and end up staying.  If that’s the case then I’m planning on buying a vacation home in California.  At the very least, I will own some property there if I don’t make it my home.

Plan for today is simple.  Going to head to the gym in a bit, afterwards have to go grocery shopping.  Then back home kickin it.  It’s fucking gorgeous outside.  70 degrees and the sun is shining.  How can you beat this shit?  I feel bad for my friends and family back in CT.