Who do you work for? A question older than dirt, but still relevant today. I figured out my answer to that question in one summer, and here’s how. With my father being a real estate investor, he was able to help me figure this out. This lesson sticks with me to this day, and it’s saved me from many a poor decision.
The Bad
My first experience asking myself “Who do you work for?” came on a particularly hot summer. Being a real estate investor, my father had properties that routinely needed work. As my first lesson, he “hired” me to do some of this work. Not only did he set my hours, but he would also say when I’d need to stay even later. This, simulating the boss demanding overtime. On top of that, he’d set my pay, when I’d take lunch, *everything*. I’m surprised he didn’t dictate how many times I could wipe after dumping, too. Lame.
During this period of time, my ability to do other things was very limited due to these hours. The work wasn’t very fun at all, either. The work was hard, the days were hot, and I wasn’t able to have fun with my friends. Regardless, I was an employee, and I needed to show up or else I didn’t get paid. Being an employee was not fun, and I really don’t ever want to do it again.
Who do you work for: Your boss
Who can fire you: Your boss
The Ugly
Stop number two, on the “Who do you work for?” journey, right here. Having known what it was like to work directly for somebody, I was already sick of it. I wanted my time freedom back! For my second experience, I still was working on one of my father’s houses. This time, a duplex that was in dire need of a paint job. While he did the house itself, I was given my next job: quote, scrape, and paint the exterior (wooden) staircase. Basically, give him all the specs on the job: how long ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) it’d take and how much I’d get paid. My pay had to factor in buying my own supplies, as well as my labor.
That. *Sucked*. And not in a good way, either. Being new to all this, my quote was horribly low, and didn’t even cover my cost of materials. My timeline was off by a ton too, I almost doubled the time I said. That part was entirely my fault though, as I figured out the biggest struggle of being a contractor.
I didn’t have anybody to keep me working. I could slack off all I wanted, and nobody was there to yell at me for it. That may *sound* good, but when I gave an end date, I definitely shouldn’t have been slacking… But I did. A lot.
I still got paid, despite blowing my timeline out of the water, thank god. Either way, my experience wasn’t a good one, as my inexperience and lack of motivation totally had me screw the pooch here. Between the blistering heat, the messy job (also my fault, because I’m bad at painting), my poor quote, and my procrastination, it was just overall very unpleasant to do.
Who do you work for: Your client
Who can fire you: Your client
The Good
(Hitch-hiking in the hotboxed, tie-dye VW bus on my “Who do you work for?” adventure) Like… dude… what if, like… you didn’t have to work for, like, anybody, man… whoa…
With that notion in mind, and my newfound dislike of employment (be it under someone, or for myself), I wanted another way. Lucky for me, there was another way, and it was actually fun! Now, between working, graduating JR high, and birthdays, I had some money. Roughly $450 in the safe, and nothing to do with it… until now, that is.
The latest and greatest in making money was investing it. Not in the stock market, that’s too unreliable for my taste, but in toys. Big boy toys, like boats. After a few days’ search on Craigslist (more on how to do Craigslist here), we found our candidate. It was cheap, needed some TLC, and had a ton of potential. After my dad and I dropped a combined $900 and towed this thing home, we set out to make it the best we could.
With the powers of friendship, Mr. Clean Magic Erasers, and WD-40, we got the boat sparkling clean. I wouldn’t go as far to say I’d eat off that boat, but we did a really good job either way. We ended up selling the boat for somewhere just over $2000, I don’t remember the exact number. We took our (very significant) profits, and called it a day.. Until we found another boat that looked like a screaming deal.
A 22′ Mirage, with a big honkin V8, wake tower, the works. We reinvested most of our earnings from the last deal (this boat cost about $1700), and set sail. That boat was *beautiful* after she got the weirdo cleaning treatment, and we had fun with her too. We ended up selling her for just under 8 grand. That deal was the one that really got my investments off the ground, and kick-started my life.
Who do you work for: Nobody!
Who can fire you: Nobody!
Bonus: The *GREAT*
That was well over ten times what I had made in both the other experiences, all in the span of just 3 weeks. The experience here was much more enjoyable than the other two were, since we could take time off and go out for food and such. Having that freedom, as well as a massive profit margin, was a very liberating experience, and something that I will never forget. I still use this method to this day, and I’ve done very well for myself.
From just these investments, I currently have a purpose-built drift spec 1995 240SX pushing roughly 400 horsepower to the ground (on a conservative tune!). You should read up on how I did it, it’s pretty incredible the experiences I’ve had!
The Moral
All of these lessons have played a huge part in my life since then. Ever since, my life decisions have been fueled less and less by necessity, and more by desire. I figured out that there’s a big difference between surviving and living, and it starts with freedom. That all ties back to our main question, “Who do you work for?”. When I could answer that question with a person’s name, I found I wasn’t happy. I was slaving away, be it for someone else, or for myself.
Only when I could answer that question with “nobody”, was I happy. Working on those boats, and all the toys since then, I’ve had a blast every time. Motorcycles, cars, boats, SUVs, I’ve done very well for myself, and had fun doing it. Again, all ties back to our main question. Who do you work for? Have you freed yourself of this question yet, or can you name your owner?
Luck, or Skill?
The deals in the end may’ve seemed too good to be true. In the moment, they felt that way too! Especially for a mid-teenager who didn’t know a boat from a turd floating in the toilet, this was incredible. I get that boats aren’t for everybody though, and that some people don’t have the room for them. Here, I pass you on to my father, and his experiences in entrepreneurialism. His methods are much larger scale, and have supported a family of four for decades. Are you ready to be on top? Be able to answer my question with “nobody”? If so, click here to learn how you can get started earning your freedom, instead of your wage.
Not quite sure you’re ready for that yet? Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. We’ve all been told “It’s dangerous to go alone!” at one point or another. So… Take this! *do do do doooooooo* (insert The Legend of Zelda item acquisition sound effect here)
