“I don’t see what’s wrong with a man getting old pushing a wheelbarrow instead of a pen.”

Steve Maxwell wrote an editorial in our last print issue called Avoiding the Young Contractor Trap. In it, he pointed out that the physical stuff you do at 23 – if you plan to stay on the tools “forever” – can become a real grind at, say, 53. Hence the importance of building a real company where you have don’t have to punish your body when you are older: You are the president/owner, not the labour. Your business can run on “auto pilot.”

This generated the following post from Sam Granata, who didn’t fancy Steve’s “build a business” idea one bit!

“I’m 50, still have braun and brains and enjoy what I do. Started with one employee and will retire with one. We are the true builders who love what we do, not the businesses that run on auto pilot. If I had brains to run what you call a “true business,” contracting would be the last one on my list. I don’t see what’s wrong with a man getting old pushing a wheelbarrow instead of a pen. I’m still proud of what I still build myself everyday.”

Here is Steve Maxwell‘s reply to Sam:

“Thanks for your note, Sam. Good to hear from you. I’m 53 and I love pushing wheelbarrows (and other manual work). I did that yesterday and will do it again today. My point in my article was just that building a little team where you are not the only leader gives you flexibility. You can push a wheelbarrow if you want, but your livelihood doesn’t depend on it. If you’re hurt or sore, or want to take a vacation with your wife, or take a sick day, or go see your grandkids at the track-and-field days at their school, you can. Your operation can still generate income for you even when you’re not pushing a wheelbarrow. Anyway, just some thoughts. I hope you have a good day.”