Work a bit slack, what to do?

[SC7]

I'll try and keep this pretty brief. I've been a self-employed valeter for the past 5 years, and after every winter I tell myself I don't want to battle through another one. Work has been a bit slack in the past 12 months, so it's been impossible to put any away for a rainy (snowy?) day.

After having a terrible week last week with the frost and ice, I've woken this morning to around 6 inches of snow and all 3 jobs I had booked in have cancelled - which is completely understandable but no good to me.

I'm now questioning my position again and wondering what to do next. If I could find something to do for a bit of cash over the winter it would be ideal (since my job is a pleasure in the summer); but if anything were that easy then everyone would be doing it. Another option is to change employment completely into something where the potential to earn would be reduced but the reliability increased.

I'm sure there are many people in my position at the moment, so I'm just looking for a bit of advice on what to do next.

I'm 26, and live in a rented property with my fiancée and our 5 year-old son. I own a van and car (total value around £6k) and that's about it. Although I have all of my GCSEs and A Levels, which I appreciate mean very little, I have no qualifications as such. I do have experience of the NHS and finance/management accounts and I pick things up pretty quickly. Due to debt problems in the past (which are now sorted) I have no credit cards, overdraft, loans etc. and I want to keep it that way (plus I'm almost certain I couldn't get anything anyway).

My O/H is also self employed (photgrapher) and is making pretty good money at the moment, which whilst I should be thankful, at the same time also makes me feel even worse about not having much on.

Any advice appreciated. Thanks.

[cal72]

There is plenty of work available within the security industry and better still if you go for a relief mobile support role you can virtually pick and choose shifts to suit you. And keep the valeting job going to.

[ZOLLAR]

Have you thought about branching into building cleaning contract etc?, my brother in law has a cleaning company has 3 vans and does everything from graffiti removal,window cleaning,patio refurbishment etc he also does car valet too.
He always has a job on the go whether it be a booked one off job or a contract with a company to clean windows,interiors.

[Odie]

I know you may already have done this but how about tooting for work at office based companies? with people who's cars are sat in the car park all day, give them a nice bulk discount. As long as you come across professional I could see you getting a few jobs out of it.

[Mr AJ]

Might be worth getting in with a few local used car dealerships/car forecourts too. If you do quality work should guarantee you repeat business and you'll probably be working inside too!. I'd expect most main dealers have their own employee's for car valeting though. Perhaps local independant garages/mot stations aswell?

[gsfrontera]

Odie said:

I know you may already have done this but how about tooting for work at office based companies? with people who's cars are sat in the car park all day, give them a nice bulk discount. As long as you come across professional I could see you getting a few jobs out of it.

Ill second that, a valeter used to come to my old office on a friday and would spend the day there. Must have got through about 20 cars, charging a fiver for a wash and a hoover. People would jump at it with all the salt and road st on their cars.

[cheadle hulme]

gsfrontera said:

Odie said:

I know you may already have done this but how about tooting for work at office based companies? with people who's cars are sat in the car park all day, give them a nice bulk discount. As long as you come across professional I could see you getting a few jobs out of it.

Ill second that, a valeter used to come to my old office on a friday and would spend the day there. Must have got through about 20 cars, charging a fiver for a wash and a hoover. People would jump at it with all the salt and road st on their cars.

This.

Approach the offices direct. Ask to speak to the facilities manager or even the "employee engagement" manager. Pitch it as a free perk they can offer.

[jdbecks]

If we had a car valeter come to our work every week and charged a fiver for a quick wash, I would have it done every week