We all know when we are successful the same way we know we failed. Our gut tells us. But have you ever wondered what goes into being a successful modular home builder? Wonder no longer.
Your company earns money while you’re on vacation
Going on vacation and earning money at the same time means
you have built a company, not just a job. You started your modular home business
without giving much thought to vacations or free time. During the first few
years you still didn’t think you could take time off but a successful owner
will soon realize that time away from the company they started is even sweeter
when the money continues to come in even though they are on a long vacation, you
are successful.
You change a customer’s life
Most modular home builders seek to make a difference in the
world through their businesses. When a customer writes to tell you the
difference you have made in their life, it’s one of those moments. If you open
your mail and find a handwritten letter from a customer that just moved into
their new home telling you all the joy they are experiencing in their home, you
are successful.
Clients find you
People you do not know and never contacted you before are now asking
you to quote a price on their new home. It is such a great feeling the first time
someone calls without you having to go after them, you are successful.
Customers refer you
The highest compliment is when one of your customers refers
another person to your business. Stop and think about this for a second. Not only
did you build a great home for someone, they thought enough of your business ethics
and quality construction to recommend you to one of their friends. That is the
ultimate compliment and you are successful.
You bounce back
When you go through bad times and you are able to bounce
back to success. Losing money on a house, having your employees defect to
another builder, loss of a business partner and other problems are always
jumping into your path to success. How you handle them is what makes the
difference between success and ruin. Bouncing back from any of these and
continuing to grow your business means that you are successful.
News media takes notice
A news article helps to get the word out, and it flushes out
other “believers” to your company. The next time you set a modular house invite the
press. They are always looking for something new even in areas that are experiencing
a lot of new home growth. Not only will they send someone to talk to you and
take video or pictures for their evening news, they will post it online where
you and your business will continue to be seen long after that day. Using the
media and working it to help your business means that you are successful.
You fire customers
When your business is successful enough, it can let go of
customers that are unprofitable for your business. There was a day when you had
to quote just about anyone that wanted a new home whether they were qualified
or not. You had more than your share of pain in the a** customers that looking
back on you knew they would be from the moment you met them. When those types
of prospects are in your rearview mirror, you are successful.
You achieve positive cash-flow
This holy grail gives the business the time to succeed and
reinvest its profits for future growth.
If you have cash in the bank after ALL your bills are paid, you are
successful. Don’t go out and spend right away however. All it takes is
something to go wrong and that cash will disappear quicker than snow in
You get that first signed contract
When someone signs a contract with you to build their new
home, there is nothing like it. I remember the very first home sale I
made when I was a Realtor, the first house I built as a site builder, the first
house I sold as a modular home factory rep and the first ad I sold on this
blog. Success starts with the first contract. Write a lot of them, make a
profit, take a vacation, have cash in the bank and get referrals and you are
successful.
