This week CTD asked me if I wanted to go to “Demo Day” at his work @techstars. We have attended countless events that showcase new companies who have created a product ready for the marketplace. It was then that I realized MY “Demo Days” are a little different now. Mine are all about taking stuff apart, ripping out the old, to prepare for something new. We have the “Shark Tank” and “Fixer Upper” all under one collective roof.
To CTD and myself, the comments are very similar! “I love that show”… To each of us, the shows almost stress us out! I can only speak for myself (stay tuned for a Shark Tank reality check in another blog!) when I say that flipping houses is MUCH different than on TV.
First of all, I am NO Joanna Gaines…OMG…she is so cute and always looks so put together. If I am going to clean or do yard work, I am usually feeling good about myself if I am in matching sweats.
We (CTR= CoffeeTalk Rick) don’t have fancy offices where we meet with an architect. If we are feeling very official, we take out graph paper and sketch a rough idea on how to LAYOUT the rooms and open the spaces. Phones are the best because we can text numbers and measurements (and find them down the road when we are in Home Depot).
We have a LOT of fun, but “Chip” makes DEMO DAY look like a trip to Disney. It is full of dirt, dust, nails and a huge mess. What they fail to show are the literal PILES of drywall, old useless appliances, tile, and garbage. We have YET to find an old treasure map or money in the walls. The closest we have found are some old savings bonds.
Most Important is BUDGET. I love when you watch the shows and they casually walk through beautiful showrooms and barns looking for JUST the perfect tile, wood floors, etc…. The thing you learn very quickly is to stick with a budget, even when you see something amazing that would “look perfect”. We can typically find good, quality product and a “play on” what we see in magazines or TV without breaking the budget. If the numbers don’t line up, you don’t make money and all of the blood, sweat,and tears are for nothing. Don’t “wait until later” to add up receipts …
TIMELINE is critical. These shows have a staff and layout very carefully how to start and finish in a timely manner. You cannot make money if it takes a year to complete. If you are working on your OWN house, you will live in dust and mess forever, if you don’t plan ahead to manage your timeline. There is a method to the madness, and I hope to tackle some tips and tricks in later blogs.
Happy Weekend!
CoffeeTalkMom
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