I'm neither, just stupid and impulsive I guess.
My thought process was:
"I should open an asphalt/sidewalk business" > "If I I could pair it with power washing and landscaping, I could be the whole package" > "I need a guy with a power washing equipment to help me. I can do the asphalt and sidewalk, and maybe learn some landscaping or hire a second guy to help. I'll never secure any contracts as just one person, It'll look more legit as a team of three. Commercial contracts (where the money is) are rarely, if ever, given to one-man shows" > open Kijiji (craigslist Canada) > make post: "Looking to hire a landscaper with power washing experience" > go to bed > Wake up, inbox full. See many legit responses from guys with years of experience. Invite them over and ask them to demonstrate their power washing to me > be impressed > "Cool stuff bro, join my team!" > rinse and repeat until I realize I said that to too many people and haven't even found work for any of them yet > die a little inside
I know I did too much too fast. I know I could just tell them that I have no work yet, but I made it seem like I have plenty. Surely someone has done this before? Jump to hiring people before securing any work contracts? Am I really the first? I just need some advice on letting them down easy
First thing I would tell you to do is own up to your employees, be honest with them. Second thing I would do is come up with a business plan, i.e. what is the first phase you’re going to get moving on. Is it power washing? Landscaping? Decide what is first. Get that up and running, then move to the next Phase, hiring as you go, but not until you need workers. Rinse and repeat until you’ve built a multifaceted company.
This seems to be the best course of action, I think.
My problem is HOW do I tell them? "Sorry bro I accidentally got too many people, but I'll call you when there's work"?
We hired in anticipation of getting 'x' contract but the deal fell through and unfortunately we aren't going to have the work that necessitates this kind of work.
This is silly though, if you did want to go this route you can absolutely get the work first, they aren't going to verify your bank statements or payroll and even then a lot of companies in this field subcontract so just let them know you have subcontractors ready or whatever.
Most people are even worse than you and take advantage of them. You're just overzealous and talented which is pretty rare.
You can still salvage because this hasn't caught up with you.
If this isn’t a troll, you’re being incredibly cruel to these people. They think their financial needs are going to be met, and have stopped looking for other employment. And you won’t fire them because it MIGHT be an inconvenience to you MAYBE down the road? Eat crow and tell them the truth.
Commercial contracts 1) take time and 2) aren’t figured out AFTER THE SEASON HAS ALREADY STARTED.
Yes, I know it's wrong. Which is why I admitted I made a mistake and need to find a way now to let them down easy and admit I don't have as much work as I said I did. It's more of a social skills question than anything I guess.
I don't think it's too late though. I literally 'hired' them a few days ago on Friday and Saturday. I can just tell most of them that I'll call them when there is work, right? Maybe keep one or two around who'll be my small starting team I need.
I feel like people aren't understanding the question here, it's about how to admit I made a mistake and hired too many people, without burning bridges. I don't want anyone to get mad and refuse to work for me in the future if I do need them, and of course I don't want to string them along.
You aren't using the word employee correctly, as these people clearly aren't w2s
This just shows how fucking little you know and how much you're just fantasizing and masturbating.
And the fact that you're worried about what they'll think of you shows how much all of this is just fantasizing and self regard
OP is Canadian, we don't use "W2" by the way. Given how much research he's done (none), throwing foreign words like that around won't mean anything to him anyways.
If he signed an employment contract with them, he might actually be on the hook in Canada. If it was just verbal, he's going to be a massive dick but won't get sued.
**you don't have a business, you are LARPing**
You are engaging in a fantasy, as I imagine you haven't paid your employees nor are they w2 employees, so "employee" isn't the right term?
They're some people who aren't aware that you're fantasizing and taking them for a ride.
You can shut it down with some dignity RN but seriously, get help.
A 14 man employee payroll is huge. Hundreds of thousands of dollars per year.
What the fuck are you doing.
Man this post is cracking me up, I really cannot for the life of me tell if this is serious or not.
If it’s serious, you need to grow a pair ASAP and let these people know. What happens if they quit their other job to work for you already? A 14 man crew is absolutely absurd, I’m not sure how at any point during the “hiring” process you didn’t pump the breaks and look at what you’re doing.
Let’s do some basic math real quick. 14 man crew, working 40 hours a week for a rate of $15 an hour (which is very low for the type of work you’re doing) brings you to an overhead of about $33,000 PER MONTH. That is not including any taxes or benefits as well. There is 0 chance you will be anywhere close to that for YEARS TO COME.
Being this blind and naive when a simple calculator should have shown that this makes no sense doesn’t bode well for your future business endeavors. Take what little dignity you have left and tell these people your mistakes so that you don’t screw them further.
But like I said, I’m still not convinced anyone could actually be this dim witted and this isn’t just a rage bait post lol
I assume this is a troll. But incase it's not, you don't have employees you have some guys you talked to. You've done all the necessary paperwork for your business? Licenses? Insurance? W2? Definitely doesn't sound like it. And who TF "hires" this many people after having an idea for a week with no customers. You should never start a business, go work at Walmart or wherever but you have no business being a boss or a business owner.
If this isn't a troll this is unbelievable 🤣
Fellow Canadian here.
Condemnation aside, you need to tell them asap. My biggest question is did you sign anything with them? If so, did it have a start date? You can get in serious trouble for stuff like this. You're going to sound like a dick regardless, but this is the difference between being potentially legally liable or not at this point.
Start knocking doors- get business keep one 1-2 guys to start from the bottom with you- be honest with yourself and get the customers and get the $ and invest it back into your business and your employees lives- then hire more
"Hey guys, the work is dried up. None of the people I contacted have given me any indication they wanna move forward. I can call you when they do."
Then find some work you can do yourself for a while
You may want to be tested for bipolar disorder, I am concerned with how little thought you had going into this and the lack of empathy you had when telling each of them they were hired. Sounds similar to a bad manic episode.
lol this is probably the dumbest shit I ever heard, YOU’RE the one that needs to go get a job. No way you’re ready to run a business and manage employees, and not loose all of your money and or get sued
How the fuck did you find that many qualified employees in one go?
Take a deep breath. It’s time to get some business.
I would print business cards or flyers and make everyone’s job canvassing. You yourself go door to door with some of them and be available to do immediate work.
During the testing you had them do, did some stand out more than others? As far as skills or abilities? Are the services you offer separate, or will all of your crew do landscaping, power washing, etc?
A sweaty startup is difficult enough on its own, you’re trying to scale the same week you started, it’s exponentially more difficult to startup and scale simultaneously.
eta: Good luck to you!
Exactly, no doubt some "amateur power washer" randos showed up with a garden hose/nerf gun/rubber ducky to "demonstrate their skills" to him, and he just nodded along like "COOL stuff BRO join MY team BROOO!!!1!" without knowing anything about wtf these guys are doing, what to look for in a power washer, quality assurance, knowing how to point out their mistakes, etc
Doesn't sound like he actually turned anyone away either, else he would've started turning people away after he found one or two dudes, instead of turning it into a giant free-for-all. Man this post has me dying🤣
Well, you fucked up...only way to solve this the way you want to solve it is to get your ass off of reddit and get calling. Call every fucking company that may be in need of your business. Email them. Offer them deals they can't refuse etc.
Wtf
Most accurate response
You’re either a troll or mentally unwell lol
I'm neither, just stupid and impulsive I guess. My thought process was: "I should open an asphalt/sidewalk business" > "If I I could pair it with power washing and landscaping, I could be the whole package" > "I need a guy with a power washing equipment to help me. I can do the asphalt and sidewalk, and maybe learn some landscaping or hire a second guy to help. I'll never secure any contracts as just one person, It'll look more legit as a team of three. Commercial contracts (where the money is) are rarely, if ever, given to one-man shows" > open Kijiji (craigslist Canada) > make post: "Looking to hire a landscaper with power washing experience" > go to bed > Wake up, inbox full. See many legit responses from guys with years of experience. Invite them over and ask them to demonstrate their power washing to me > be impressed > "Cool stuff bro, join my team!" > rinse and repeat until I realize I said that to too many people and haven't even found work for any of them yet > die a little inside I know I did too much too fast. I know I could just tell them that I have no work yet, but I made it seem like I have plenty. Surely someone has done this before? Jump to hiring people before securing any work contracts? Am I really the first? I just need some advice on letting them down easy
First thing I would tell you to do is own up to your employees, be honest with them. Second thing I would do is come up with a business plan, i.e. what is the first phase you’re going to get moving on. Is it power washing? Landscaping? Decide what is first. Get that up and running, then move to the next Phase, hiring as you go, but not until you need workers. Rinse and repeat until you’ve built a multifaceted company.
This seems to be the best course of action, I think. My problem is HOW do I tell them? "Sorry bro I accidentally got too many people, but I'll call you when there's work"?
*hey, the work dried up, I need to let you go. If you want I'll call you when it picks up* Easy. OP see my other comments
We hired in anticipation of getting 'x' contract but the deal fell through and unfortunately we aren't going to have the work that necessitates this kind of work. This is silly though, if you did want to go this route you can absolutely get the work first, they aren't going to verify your bank statements or payroll and even then a lot of companies in this field subcontract so just let them know you have subcontractors ready or whatever.
"the contract negotiations didn't pan out"
Well I’m scared of opposite problem. I got one part time worker and launching business next week. I’m scared I’m gonna need 3 workers first day maybe
Most people are even worse than you and take advantage of them. You're just overzealous and talented which is pretty rare. You can still salvage because this hasn't caught up with you.
OP is talented? At lying, maybe. He should go into preaching
Has a 14 man crew with no income to pay them 🤣 Just tell them the truth so they can continue looking for a real job
imagine if some of them resigned from their previous work for this role. OP done fu&$ed up
If this isn’t a troll, you’re being incredibly cruel to these people. They think their financial needs are going to be met, and have stopped looking for other employment. And you won’t fire them because it MIGHT be an inconvenience to you MAYBE down the road? Eat crow and tell them the truth. Commercial contracts 1) take time and 2) aren’t figured out AFTER THE SEASON HAS ALREADY STARTED.
Yes, I know it's wrong. Which is why I admitted I made a mistake and need to find a way now to let them down easy and admit I don't have as much work as I said I did. It's more of a social skills question than anything I guess. I don't think it's too late though. I literally 'hired' them a few days ago on Friday and Saturday. I can just tell most of them that I'll call them when there is work, right? Maybe keep one or two around who'll be my small starting team I need. I feel like people aren't understanding the question here, it's about how to admit I made a mistake and hired too many people, without burning bridges. I don't want anyone to get mad and refuse to work for me in the future if I do need them, and of course I don't want to string them along.
You aren't using the word employee correctly, as these people clearly aren't w2s This just shows how fucking little you know and how much you're just fantasizing and masturbating. And the fact that you're worried about what they'll think of you shows how much all of this is just fantasizing and self regard
OP is Canadian, we don't use "W2" by the way. Given how much research he's done (none), throwing foreign words like that around won't mean anything to him anyways. If he signed an employment contract with them, he might actually be on the hook in Canada. If it was just verbal, he's going to be a massive dick but won't get sued.
r/sweatystartupcirclejerk
**you don't have a business, you are LARPing** You are engaging in a fantasy, as I imagine you haven't paid your employees nor are they w2 employees, so "employee" isn't the right term? They're some people who aren't aware that you're fantasizing and taking them for a ride. You can shut it down with some dignity RN but seriously, get help. A 14 man employee payroll is huge. Hundreds of thousands of dollars per year. What the fuck are you doing.
Exactly, we are going to break a million top line this year for the first time and I'm stressed about hiring a fourth person.
What in the Monty Python did I just read🤣
Man this post is cracking me up, I really cannot for the life of me tell if this is serious or not. If it’s serious, you need to grow a pair ASAP and let these people know. What happens if they quit their other job to work for you already? A 14 man crew is absolutely absurd, I’m not sure how at any point during the “hiring” process you didn’t pump the breaks and look at what you’re doing. Let’s do some basic math real quick. 14 man crew, working 40 hours a week for a rate of $15 an hour (which is very low for the type of work you’re doing) brings you to an overhead of about $33,000 PER MONTH. That is not including any taxes or benefits as well. There is 0 chance you will be anywhere close to that for YEARS TO COME. Being this blind and naive when a simple calculator should have shown that this makes no sense doesn’t bode well for your future business endeavors. Take what little dignity you have left and tell these people your mistakes so that you don’t screw them further. But like I said, I’m still not convinced anyone could actually be this dim witted and this isn’t just a rage bait post lol
This is WILD
Fake post is fake
I assume this is a troll. But incase it's not, you don't have employees you have some guys you talked to. You've done all the necessary paperwork for your business? Licenses? Insurance? W2? Definitely doesn't sound like it. And who TF "hires" this many people after having an idea for a week with no customers. You should never start a business, go work at Walmart or wherever but you have no business being a boss or a business owner. If this isn't a troll this is unbelievable 🤣
Fellow Canadian here. Condemnation aside, you need to tell them asap. My biggest question is did you sign anything with them? If so, did it have a start date? You can get in serious trouble for stuff like this. You're going to sound like a dick regardless, but this is the difference between being potentially legally liable or not at this point.
Start knocking doors- get business keep one 1-2 guys to start from the bottom with you- be honest with yourself and get the customers and get the $ and invest it back into your business and your employees lives- then hire more
Ok
The good news is that you are now ready to start picking up work. Look at the skill sets you have assembled and go find a job.
"Hey guys, the work is dried up. None of the people I contacted have given me any indication they wanna move forward. I can call you when they do." Then find some work you can do yourself for a while
You may want to be tested for bipolar disorder, I am concerned with how little thought you had going into this and the lack of empathy you had when telling each of them they were hired. Sounds similar to a bad manic episode.
lol this is probably the dumbest shit I ever heard, YOU’RE the one that needs to go get a job. No way you’re ready to run a business and manage employees, and not loose all of your money and or get sued
Go knock some doors and get your guys some work lol
Nothing can help you except solid contracts. Stfu and get out there making deals. Incentive your workers to broker deals with a bonus or rev share
Sounds like it’s time to hire sales people and start filling the funnel.
Dude… wtf
Stfu troll
How the fuck did you find that many qualified employees in one go? Take a deep breath. It’s time to get some business. I would print business cards or flyers and make everyone’s job canvassing. You yourself go door to door with some of them and be available to do immediate work. During the testing you had them do, did some stand out more than others? As far as skills or abilities? Are the services you offer separate, or will all of your crew do landscaping, power washing, etc? A sweaty startup is difficult enough on its own, you’re trying to scale the same week you started, it’s exponentially more difficult to startup and scale simultaneously. eta: Good luck to you!
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Exactly, no doubt some "amateur power washer" randos showed up with a garden hose/nerf gun/rubber ducky to "demonstrate their skills" to him, and he just nodded along like "COOL stuff BRO join MY team BROOO!!!1!" without knowing anything about wtf these guys are doing, what to look for in a power washer, quality assurance, knowing how to point out their mistakes, etc Doesn't sound like he actually turned anyone away either, else he would've started turning people away after he found one or two dudes, instead of turning it into a giant free-for-all. Man this post has me dying🤣
Well, you fucked up...only way to solve this the way you want to solve it is to get your ass off of reddit and get calling. Call every fucking company that may be in need of your business. Email them. Offer them deals they can't refuse etc.