One of the biggest benefits of owning a contracting business, besides being my own boss and setting my own schedule, is having the ability to give other guys a chance to prove themselves. I can't even begin to tell you how many men have walked up to my truck over the years to ask me for a job with nothing but a tool belt and a word-of-mouth referral to their names. I try to help out whenever I can, so if there's an opening on my crew I'll gladly take on another set of hands.
Usually these men work for a couple of months or a couple of years, learn what they can, and then move on. While they're here, I try to help them acquire the skills and knowledge they'll need in order to find a better paying job in the industry. For instance, the first thing I recommend is using a portion of their paychecks to purchase Makita power tools whenever possible. A skilled carpenter is a valuable commodity for sure. But when he has a whole set of his own Makita power tools to boot, then he'll never be out of work.
There's only one reason that I personally recommend Makita power tools: simply put, they're the best around. I've been in this business for more than 20 years, and have tried equipment from every major manufacturer. But whether it's something as small as a cordless screwdriver or as big as a table saw, no other company can match Makita power tools in terms of performance, durability, and comfort.
Because Makita power tools are crafted from quality materials, they sometimes cost a bit more than the competition. So my guys are often tempted to go with a lesser tool in order to save some cash. That's when I explain that their cheap substitute will probably break within a year, forcing them to spend even more money to replace the tool. If they had just stuck with Makita power tools in the first place, this kind of problem would never even come up.
But I can understand the desire to save money, which is why I also encourage my guys to shop online whenever possible. By doing so, they can often find great discounts and bargain prices on Makita power tools that they won't be able to find at local home improvement stores. The savings start at anywhere from $10 off (on the low end) to 25% or more for the better deals. Most online retailers also offer free shipping on their orders, so that shouldn't be a concern either.
Yes, being a business owner offers many rewards, the most important of which is being able to "pay it forward" and help out other guys in need. I like to think that I've done a lot more than just give advice about buying Makita power tools, and hope the people I've helped are now doing likewise.