5 Things That Surprise Many CSLS Graduates, About Being Their Own Boss
“Being your own boss” is an expression that gets thrown around a lot, but what does it really mean? Although many of our new students like to imagine that it represents the freedom to do whatever you want at any given time, that’s really only half-true. As a self-employed California state licensed contractor, you certainly do have a lot of freedom… but at the same time, you have a lot of responsibility, too.
To give you a better sense of what that actually means, here are five things that surprise many new CSLS graduates about being their own boss:
1. The money can be better than you think. Most students assume they’ll earn more as licensed contractors, but many don’t realize how significant the pay raise can be. Think about it this way: No one would pay you for construction work unless they were charging more for the project. As a licensed contractor, you can put more of that money in your own pocket.
2. The freedom and flexibility are just as important as the income. Business owners are free to take longer vacations, skip working weekends, and sometimes even leave mornings and evenings to paid employees. You might not be able to escape work as often as you’d like, but there’s a lot to be said for having freedom and flexibility in your schedule.
3. It’s not always easy to be in charge. On the other hand, being “in charge” means assigning tasks that employees might not like, creating schedules, negotiating pay, and sometimes even letting employees go. The bottom line? Being the boss has its benefits, but it has its burdens, too.
4. You will spend a lot of time with things like marketing, taxes, and paperwork. As a business owner, you might be surprised to see how quickly the “details” add up. Many contractors spend as much time on things like marketing and payroll sheets as they do actually overseeing construction projects.
5. Being a good businessperson is as important as being a good contractor. The better you are at those “details” we just mentioned, the more profitable you’ll be as a business owner. While doing quality construction work is important, keeping a close eye on the books, schedules, and other little things contributes just as much to your success.
If you are ready to take the next step in your career and become a licensed California state contractor, then you should click on our list of upcoming courses now. It only takes one phone call to get started, so why not contact us today?
