No I did not disappear yet Just busy and a bit stressed out. Life intervenes…
The day job mostly, but also a side business. More on this later.
A while ago around the end of last year, the day job outfit was taken over by another USA base business. A rather large transaction and a lot of scaling down. about 15 000 employees was let go, our local office was closed and a few locals also left or was asked to leave. Beginning this year our contracts was move to another business, well the few that was left, and now another contractual change is about to happen.
More people resigned, almost half already, since the beginning of this year. There is chaos internally, with a number of systems in the back office still non functional, lack of communications internally and a lot of irate and very cross clients. It is almost time for me to retire, so what to do then? After a long career in IT, I do have options. One is to say goodbye to IT. Indeed this i the case. When the time to retire arrives, no more iT.
Decided to start an Import business and distribute Car shampoos and the like, Ceramic coatings for protection and polish and other like products. One of the agencies I now retail locally is from a German company Kranzle, they have offices and distribution in SA already. My direct import and distribution is for Diy Detail products. The relevance to Solar is that Kranzle have Solar panel cleaning systems and we also retail that via the online store.
We have water spot (really minerals from TDS) removal chemicals as well and can supply water De-Ionising systems and/or RO for washing panels (and cars). From domestic panel installations to large industrial installation are covered.
Oh and the solar install is still working perfectly
VoorspoedigeGroetnis
Just a word of advice if I may…
Going through the transition from working for a living to working because you want to work is a risky time. It is probably a good idea to sit on your hands for a while (if you can)
Whatever you do try to stick to the business that you have knowledge of. I’ve seen people spend their life savings in starting a business in a field they have no knowledge of.
There’s quite a lot of contracting work in IT. One tip I was given was to start looking for work in C (in my case this would require brushing up on C) as it gets used a lot for firmware in (one example) the auto industry. Often the work allows you to operate remotely. But sometimes a change is as good as a holiday.
I am past retirement age but contracting. This keeps my savings in the bank (amazingly they are growing). I’m in my third year of it now.
I think I am one of the people that Richard speaks of. I might have gone into some other business that I know little about and would have lost a good deal. I have seen this happen in my neighbourhood. People start up a fast food business because how hard can it be? It usually ends with an abrupt closure and the Sheriff raising what he can for any assets - which is not a lot because he will give his tjommies first dibs.
I hope this goes well for you, and you may be onto something. I think there is a market for servicing PV systems now. I have had a couple of conversations recently along the lines of “those panels on my roof. Do they need cleaning?”
Jip, starting your own business, getting the CC/Pty going, all the rules and regulations to adhere to, the software, is a whole new level of stress on its own especially when SARS starts sending SMS’es for this, that and the other.
To then also get into a new product/industry, yeah, I agree, take it slow. Sit back a wee bit and take the time to absorb it all. Speak to others who has dunnit.
It sounds easy, it is easy, but dang, you need to keep your side clean with SARS / accounting / audits / VAT No if applicable (helps with importing) / appointing an accountant to keep up to date with all the T&C’s … importing.
May be an idea to use an existing as a stepping stone. Then it is simple invoicing for you, Co invoices you, you pay, they get the stuff done … just an idea to consider.
Thank you all for the sage advice. Been running my own businesses by myself and some with my brother singe the early 90s. So most of the things are in place. This being just a change of direction really and it’s being done while the day job continues, a side hustle for now. Slowly building up the clientele.
Doing a few quotations for Panel cleaning equipment or Pressure washer setups a week at the moment. The Car care products takes care of themselves via the web page, orders coming in with a bit o marketing.
Just busy and a bit stressed out. Life intervenes…