Return business is unlikely to succeed
I was in business for more than ten years. I had three brigades, which were responsible for the installation of Windows and glazing of balconies. Everything was going perfectly until the crisis began. Now I work as a janitor for 17 000 rubles per month. If the country is more settled, then throw the broom and returning back to their boxes and hammers. I like to work for themselves. Only until there are no prospects that I can see.
Before becoming an entrepreneur, I worked as a foreman in the brigade. In 2005, she collapsed — businessman who organized everything, went to live in Serpukhov and moved the business there. I was left alone, but decided to continue to do the same. They had to start from scratch. Half of the income gave the family, and the rest was invested in tools. His I was not, so with every order I bought one: first the drill, then jig saw, then a screwdriver (while he was all twisted with a screwdriver, wiping his hands). Worked mainly on region — Podolsk, Domodedovo, Vnukovo, Troitsk and everything around them.
The year I worked alone, and then started to employ people orders became too much, and I can’t cope. I started with one team, but for a couple of years gradually reached three (two people each). It is difficult now to calculate the average number of orders, but revenue remember — more than 300 000 rubles per month. How could I, will not say exactly, but I remember that on a van worth 160 000 I had been saving for about three months. At the same time in the same months I sent a family on vacation in the Crimea, and he three times visited my parents in Ukraine. In General, in what does not deny. Winter orders have always been few, but I still had enough money with a hot season that never work. At some point I even stopped giving ads in local newspaper and put up ads, because orders had very much.
The decline began three and a half years ago. Orders suddenly became less and I again started to advertise in the newspaper and to advertise. Even did it in the distant towns and military camps, but it did not help. The money was wasted. What is the reason? I strongly associate the demand with the crisis: people left without work and without money.
Two years, I still somehow interrupts with zagazig zagazig. In a normal season I had two sets of tools, and I have them constantly updated. As the crisis began, I had one to sell and the second I still use. Then I was perscitia people — I had to say goodbye. It got to the point that I am in the low season, he had a job in a store security guard or porter, just to somehow have a bad time.
During this time, has accumulated rent arrears: five years ago, we as a large family with five children gave two apartments to pay out only one. I had to sell the van and transfer to the old “Moskvich”. I was hoping for a hot season, I thought that now cross the line and everything will fall into place. But not getting any better and about a year ago, the arrears of rent has become so great that I had to say goodbye to their own business and look for a permanent job.
I read on the website of our management company that you can come just to work off the debt. I got a job as a janitor for 17 000 rubles a month and that’s not the least bit shy. I work as a janitor in his house, all know me here. Trying to stay afloat in their spare time can go to put one or two of the window. But even such orders almost never happens.
Recently met with former competitors with whom we have always had a good relationship: shared orders, if someone had too many of them. And here they also say that bent. So I couldn’t have brought himself to that, the crisis has hit everyone. I have friends with teams of plumbers, have friends that keep a computer shop, they that sales fell, people lost money. Another friend kept a Bicycle shop: earlier in the season in his own truck a few times a month brought bikes for sale, and he is now “Gazelle” hires only one delivery per month.
I can understand, as an entrepreneur who seized hostages in a Bank, has come to this. It’s stressful when you have no money and have to deal with the debt. But his actions I condemn. Whatever happens, why make suffer other people? You can always find a way — at least the same as a janitor to go to work. Another thing is that the state is obliged to help in such situations. I think the government needs to do something with this crisis, let the officials fulfill their campaign promises.
I don’t think will soon be able to start business again. I may not be confident, because if you start — you need to know one hundred percent that it will give something. I myself from Ukraine, conquered Moscow, slept at bus stops and in the doorways of houses. Again all risk is not desirable. How to do business, if at any time all can cover?
Cover photo: Maxim Bogodvid / RIA Novosti
