When you find yourself maxxed out on time and/or geographically unable to service the clients that are calling for business, that is the time to consider developing an ASP Staging team.
There are several things to consider - mostly do you want to have employees or do you want to work as independent contractors? I chose the latter as I did not want to be an employer, and it has worked out great so far. We are in our 6th year as a company, and in our 5th year as a "team."
I started off with one person - that went and took the ASP course and I added her to the company as a team member. Over time we got busier, and so we added more people. Each team member is able to just "plug in" to the existing company - for marketing support and material development, so all they need to do is focus on Staging and getting clients.
When we have projects - we work together and use each other as a resource. For each team member that joined, I mentored and taught them how we did business in our company, and then passed overflow business to the team member as available.
Each person has developed their own "Style" of Staging - but overall we do run our jobs with a similar style, and write our reports in the same way. So clients of the overall company are getting a consistent product, but the creativity of the individuals has not been "controlled" by me as the owner.
One of the things I found with adding team members is that they HAD to show other sources of income besides me - or else they would just be considered an employee. So, anyone that works with you as a team member needs to get their own clients and have their own income source outside of you - or else in the eyes of the IRS you are their employer.
On their honor, our team members pay back a % to the house for a team marketing pool that we then use for getting promotional items, secure advertising, and conduct other marketing activities such as have a website. The amount that is paid is less than if the person were on their own running their business, so it's a win-win situation.
If you are ready to develop a team, let me know. I have some helpful documents that I have shared with other ASPs ready to take this leap.
If you don't want to go the team route, the other option is to just partner up with another ASP for jobs - and you both remain separate for business purposes (accounting) but are a trusted resource. That way, you can go on vacation or if you get sick - your clients will still have someone to work with and you will not have to be concerned about your business going away.
Jennie, I have been developing a plan to set up a team in my area. Any documents you could throw my way would be be very appreciated. I know you have been doing this very successfully and would love your help.
It's not just being maxxed out on time. We all recognize that we have different areas of expertise to bring to the table. "More is more!! Nora
2 Comments:
When you find yourself maxxed out on time and/or geographically unable to service the clients that are calling for business, that is the time to consider developing an ASP Staging team.
There are several things to consider - mostly do you want to have employees or do you want to work as independent contractors? I chose the latter as I did not want to be an employer, and it has worked out great so far. We are in our 6th year as a company, and in our 5th year as a "team."
I started off with one person - that went and took the ASP course and I added her to the company as a team member. Over time we got busier, and so we added more people. Each team member is able to just "plug in" to the existing company - for marketing support and material development, so all they need to do is focus on Staging and getting clients.
When we have projects - we work together and use each other as a resource. For each team member that joined, I mentored and taught them how we did business in our company, and then passed overflow business to the team member as available.
Each person has developed their own "Style" of Staging - but overall we do run our jobs with a similar style, and write our reports in the same way. So clients of the overall company are getting a consistent product, but the creativity of the individuals has not been "controlled" by me as the owner.
One of the things I found with adding team members is that they HAD to show other sources of income besides me - or else they would just be considered an employee. So, anyone that works with you as a team member needs to get their own clients and have their own income source outside of you - or else in the eyes of the IRS you are their employer.
On their honor, our team members pay back a % to the house for a team marketing pool that we then use for getting promotional items, secure advertising, and conduct other marketing activities such as have a website. The amount that is paid is less than if the person were on their own running their business, so it's a win-win situation.
If you are ready to develop a team, let me know. I have some helpful documents that I have shared with other ASPs ready to take this leap.
If you don't want to go the team route, the other option is to just partner up with another ASP for jobs - and you both remain separate for business purposes (accounting) but are a trusted resource. That way, you can go on vacation or if you get sick - your clients will still have someone to work with and you will not have to be concerned about your business going away.
- Jennie
By
Jennie Norris, ASPM, IAHSP, at 5:24 PM
Jennie,
I have been developing a plan to set up a team in my area. Any documents you could throw my way would be be very appreciated. I know you have been doing this very successfully and would love your help.
It's not just being maxxed out on time. We all recognize that we have different areas of expertise to bring to the table. "More is more!!
Nora
By
Nora Flaherty, at 7:17 PM
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