It’s hard to believe: Trinity Renovation launched one year ago this weekend. It’s certainly been a roller coaster ride for all of us, and we wouldn’t trade it for anything.
We decided to celebrate by highlighting our biggest lessons from our first year in business!
Lesson 1: Our Friends and Family are Amazing
We suspected this was the case, but this last year just solidifies it!
Starting a business can be one of the more stressful times for a family. Starting a business in one of the worst economies in decades can be even more stressful. We’re thankful for the incredible support our friends and family have shown over the past year. A timely encouraging word, an amazing referral to a new client, or just a great setting to come home to at the end of a long day; we’ve benefited from each of these in the past year. Thank you!
Lesson 2: Despite the Economy, Opportunity Exists
Perhaps the most surprising thing about our first year of operation were the opportunities presented to us in the form of projects and partnerships.
In our first year Trinity Renovation commenced work on more than 90 projects, including small residential repairs, substantial office improvements, fire, water and vehicle damage repair and kitchen and bathroom remodels. Once again, much appreciation goes out to our fellow community members for letting us know when a need arises amongst friends and family.
Lesson 3: Small is not Bad
We had no choice but to start small, but in the end, we like small. Small means we can personally respond to our clients, small means we can produce good projects for a competitive price, small means we have less people, vehicles, office space and bills to manage.
Small also allows us to be nimble. We continue to hone our focus and concentrate on the more profitable sectors of our business. This is a great advantage.
Will we grow? Of course, or we’ll at least give it a shot. But even if we’re fortunate enough to grow, we’ll strive to maintain the small-company perspective we have right now.
Lesson 4: Email is Evil
There is no bigger detriment to productive work than email. I used to get lost in my inbox for hours, clicking, replying, forwarding and even (gasp!), reply-alling. No more. Email is about 30 minutes a day at most, and even then it gets the minimal response possible. This allows me to actually talk to clients, oversee jobsites, plan for the months ahead, or even enjoy some time out of the office.
Lesson 5: Enjoy
Our biggest lesson for the year: we must have fun. Because in the end, Trinity Renovation will die on the vine if we take it so seriously that it runs us, instead of us running it.
Looking forward to an even better second year!
