I wish I could grow...

More successful. Seriously though. I really had hoped I would be "steady" by now. Next month closes out my fourth year in business and despite the many lessons, mistakes and strides I've made along the way, I'm somehow back to being told "No" way more than "Let's do it!" I'm not sure what happened, but the leads dried up, people backed out, a couple either kept money from me or destroyed a Major opportunity. Then the summer came and I was expecting work to pick up but it just didn't. It was as if the Working Well just Dried Up for me. Could call it a "Cruel Summer" for 2025.

The referrals I Did receive from friends and family didn't pan out and the one that did, well, everybody gets One, if you know what I mean. I just don't understand how I'm not "bigger" than I am at this point in my career. So I began trying to find what is creating this block on me, this "ceiling" that's holding me down. Was it because my method of staying ad-free, pro word-of-mouth, "let my work ethic and results do the talking for me" is out dated and can't succeed in this day and age? No, because there's a VERY successful entrepreneur in Dallas who has been in business as long as I have and he Only works off referrals. No ads, no loans, no handouts. Just an Impeccable work ethic and Superb results. So that can't be the problem. Perhaps my referrals aren't giving my name to anyone? It did become fewer and far between since I hear, "This person highly recommended you".

However, not everyone needs electrical work done, especially in this economy where funds are in shorter supply. Also, I did receive referrals, but not everyone wanted to pay Me to do their work, for whatever reason. Too expensive, that may be it. I did hear that an awful lot, "That's way more than I expected," "You would charge That much just for This?" "I don't have that in my budget." That would make perfect sense, except that I have pals who are also electrical contractors and we discuss our wins, losses and, most importantly, our gripes. My prices are as competitive as theirs and they haven't been around That much longer than I have. Add to the fact that certain "Big Boy" contractors are still rolling around with more than a dozen work vans so Someone is paying to keep them all in business. I was told financing in their secret weapon. Now That must be it--I'm not pushing the financing angle, despite I don't care for financing things myself if avoidable. That could be the ticket! Alas, Every Single Person I've offered financing to, save one, all but sneered upon the financing option. They genuinely did not want to entertain the notion. One person even Asked if I offered financing because they needed to rewire their home and couldn't pay out of pocket, but he could afford payments. Wonderful, I thought, my first financing acceptance. Psych, the moment he got the estimate quote, he refused to even look at the financing. Said no way would he finance. Oh, and that "one" that didn't sneer at the financing--stated that the payment options were too much to afford every month and would look for a home loan instead. They would also look for Other contractors' estimates. That was a Relative. I was going to take less money than usual, drop my schedule for them but it didn't matter. Cold world out here. So my price isn't it. I'm forever keep getting calls about my "Google listing not being verified" yet Google themselves clearly state I am.

Ever since I started, the One Call I can rely on--people wanting me to pay them to shoot me to Top of Google Listings! Consistent as gravity and bills. So Maybe that's the blockage. Google is the #1 search engine and clearly there are many other contractors who are at the top of the list. Maybe paying for that Is worth it. I mean, they're more successful than Me, right? I have to change Something if I want any change to occur, lest it becomes insanity. So I took one of those calls, made an appointment for a Zoom Call and got to see certain things about this SEO mystery that I've never realized, paid attention to, and have yet to truly utilize. It was honestly a revelation because without that call, I wouldn't understand how Vital this SEO standing is for a business to grow and be visible to the public. I had to turn down the offer for the Google Shot however because $1500 Each Month is an overhead addition I'm not looking to take on...especially when Most of the work they would do, I'm Already Doing: asking for reviews, checking up a certain time after the install or repair date, letting the clients know when I'm on my way or falling behind due to certain issues, updating on the install or repair progress, sending prompt invoices, updating my social media accounts and so forth. After that call, I now know how to be Better and more precise with my social media updates, my Google listing, and now, my website. Yet, not being found or called. There's possibly a clash because there's two companies that names Very similar to my own--a Miller Electric and an almost-identical name that services or installs Submersible Pumps. That last one is Annoying for two reasons. One, the similarity is Far too close. Two, I receive their call backs! I've had to explain, In Detail, how we are Not the same. I had one person who Swore I was the one who performed her pump install and what I looked like. She described a white man that was about 5'8" with blond or brown hair and a ball cap--"Ma'am, I'm a Black Native American with black hair I keep in a bound tail that's near the middle of my back." "Oh well, that's not him...well aren't you that company out of that city???" "No ma'am, I'm based out of

South Oklahoma City, I'm an electrician and electrical contractor." "Yeah, you're definitely not them. Sorry to waste your time."

Meeting new people, making new contacts--That's Got to be it! I just need to put my name Everywhere possible and meet other individuals who can help me reach my goals! I started putting my cards in certain store shelves, if I saw a construction company truck--card in the wiper. Through others, I was able to meet individuals that could be great business relationships. Through the Better Business Bureau, I was able to meet more. It's still early, but I'm slowly getting out of my own introverted way and just Mingling with people.

Will all of these new methods pan out? Possibly, but I'm at least feeling more confident that I have more Chances for good referrals and work. I've also partnered with Home Serve as a means to get guaranteed, good paying jobs, though most of them are much farther than in Oklahoma City. None of them want to leave reviews, despite the praise they give when I figure out the problems they have and when others before me couldn't solve. Good excuse to get some country air again and out of Oklahoma City for a bit. I began reaching out to earlier clients or prospects who I haven't spoken to in some time just to let them know I'm still around for their electrical needs. 2025 has not gone how I wanted, but I can end it much better than it began! That's the magical part about construction, when it's slow, it's molasses, but when it's Poppin', it's like Hot Grease in a pan! All I need is give these new methods some time and keep doing better on this SEO and social media. Perhaps tomorrow can change my life. It only takes One Great Job to light the fuse, then I'll be blogging about "Remember When...". I'll be ready for it too. It's time to break open this cocoon.