Jumping into the Deep End

**Abbax8** · 07-12-2012, 12:57

Many of you know I retired last year. It has been great and it was the right decision. I'm one year out from retirement now and it is a certainty I will in the future need to increrase my income. Like everywhere else, jobs here are scarce, especially decent paying ones.

In addition, we are down to homeschooling the 3 youngest kids and it seems they may want to go to public school. Their brother Ken has been going for two years and it has worked OK for him. The driving force for this is we have talked to them about the increased opportunities for work-study jobs and they are interested in making money.

This opens up the chance for my wife to rebuild her Chiropractic business. So we have located an office were the rent quoted is very reasonable. We are looking at sharing this location. Sue would treat patients there and I would use at other times to teach First Aide/CPR courses. The large number of people locally employed as Nurses Aides, TSS's, etc guarantees that such training is necessary and on-going.

So it is looking like we are both opening a business during what is a very difficult economic period. Did I say DEEP END !

Keep us in your prayers !

Dennis

**rainesr** · 07-12-2012, 15:59

I wish you the best.

I am considering opening a business in the next few months as well, I work in IT but I am so sick of sitting behind a desk. I used to paint houses and do some minor (very minor) construction work. I may take that up again. I made similar money in the past but doubt I will now. I own most of the equipment, if not nearly all of it, so my start-up cost is super low. I'm researching rates and and all the other fun stuff now. We will see I guess.

~Rob

**Jonathan Randall** · 07-12-2012, 18:48

My sister-in-law runs a firm that offers CPR/Standard First Aid courses. Last I heard, she was doing very well. Also, fire departments have been cutting staff, so she has been able to hire (on a contractual basis, iirc) qualified paramedics to teach many of the classes.

In any case, best of luck on your endeavor.

**Webmaster** · 07-12-2012, 22:34

Good luck Dennis and go for it!! You guys will do great. Just make sure you get a Judo club going along with it!

**Abbax8** · 07-13-2012, 06:47

Originally Posted by Webmaster

Good luck Dennis and go for it!! You guys will do great. Just make sure you get a Judo club going along with it!

The office were looking at is too small for a Judo class, so if we succeed we will look for a larger place where I can offer Judo. I can see the sign, Judo School/Chiropractic Care/First Aide/CPR

That should draw some looks !

Dennis

**Webmaster** · 07-13-2012, 10:04

Originally Posted by Abbax8

The office were looking at is too small for a Judo class, so if we succeed we will look for a larger place where I can offer Judo. I can see the sign, Judo School/Chiropractic Care/First Aide/CPR

That should draw some looks !

Dennis

Yeah, but think how well they go together! You also have the order not quite right, should read:

Judo, First Aid/CPR, Chiropractic. First you break'em, give them the necessary first aid, and then your wife puts them back together. It's a killer business plan!

**Tripitaka of AA** · 07-13-2012, 12:19

Robert, that was classic! ANd, dare I say it, sounds like it comes from direct personal experience...

**Webmaster** · 07-13-2012, 12:56

Originally Posted by Tripitaka of AA

Robert, that was classic! ANd, dare I say it, sounds like it comes from direct personal experience...

Nothing like creating your own business!

**Tripitaka of AA** · 07-13-2012, 14:24

Like setting up a clinic for STDs in a street full of strip clubs, or a gastro-enterologist opening his office in the street where tourists come to try out local cuisine cooked in dirty kitchens. I have to stop now, my brain is hurting from all the cross-referenced illnesses/medications and causes.

**Tripitaka of AA** · 07-13-2012, 15:22

Massage parlours and Champagne distributors in the Banking district. Orthodontists and acting classes in the streets around Westminster and Capitol Hill, jostle for space among the hotels that book by the hour and women who carry leather correctional equipment in their handbags....

**Abbax8** · 07-19-2012, 14:24

Just jumped into the deep end with both feet. Manikins , AED trainer, and supplies are ordered (OUCH!) for the CPR/First Aide Training business. I made two contacts in the past two days, one for paid work (waiting on an answer) and one that will be more community service/advertising. It's a start. Next need to send out letters to prospectives local businesses.

Dennis

**Abbax8** · 08-10-2012, 09:48

Here is my business card.

Dennis

**Tripitaka of AA** · 08-10-2012, 10:14

Dennis, I have to ask. Why do you spell it First Aide? I have only seen seen "First Aid", for the skill, or "First Aider", for the practicioner. Is this an American thing?

**Abbax8** · 08-10-2012, 18:13

I've seen it both ways David. I'm not sure why I spelled it like I did, my brain is a bit of mush, I've been putting in some very long days between working on the
CPR/First Aid(e) business, trying to write and submit articles and family matters.

Dennis

**Webmaster** · 08-10-2012, 19:04

Originally Posted by Abbax8

I've seen it both ways David. I'm not sure why I spelled it like I did, my brain is a bit of mush, I've been putting in some very long days between working on the
CPR/First Aid(e) business, trying to write and submit articles and family matters.

Dennis

So how's that retirement going?

**Tripitaka of AA** · 08-10-2012, 19:40

Seen this Wiki page? Gives an interesting overview, including the history of how First Aid came to be taught to the civilians near a battlefield in preparation for the inevitable casualties.

I loved the logo and motto for the business card. That "Clark Kent" moment is exactly what I think of when it comes to saving a life or being a First Responder. Should it be a Red Cross? or a White Cross on a Green Square?

Although commonly associated with first aid, the symbol of a red cross is an official protective symbol of the Red Cross. According to the Geneva Conventions and other international laws, the use of this and similar symbols is reserved for official agencies of the International Red Cross and Red Crescent, and as a protective emblem for medical personnel and facilities in combat situations. Use by any other person or organization is illegal, and may lead to prosecution.

The internationally accepted symbol for first aid is the white cross on a green background

120px-Sign_first_aid.svg.png

**Abbax8** · 08-11-2012, 11:40

Originally Posted by Webmaster

So how's that retirement going?

I'm not bored !

Dennis

**Abbax8** · 11-27-2012, 14:45

Well it's been a slow beginning but I have a First Aid/CPR class tomorrow and one on Thursday. Hopefully word will spread and I'll be teaching regularly.

Dennis