May 20, 2025 - Daily Recap

Chair pickups, margin math, and a sharp turn to the barbershop

Author

Ramon Luna
May 21, 2025

Running on Empty, But Still Rolling
Pulled into the warehouse around 10 a.m., feeling every bit of the past few weeks. I never unloaded the truck yesterday, so that was the first order of business. These long days are adding up.

Stop 1: Easy Chair Pickup with Bonus Hope
Picked up a stack of 50 chairs from a local dealership. Smooth job.

  • Revenue: $279

  • Total Job Cost: $100

  • Profit: $179 (64.19%)

  • ARA Calculator Profit: $174 (62.41%)

  • Difference: -1.78%

  • Margins were better than expected, especially since I waived the rush fee to hopefully build a relationship. If I can land a review or future event, this little job becomes a big win.

Stop 2: Return to the VFW (and Margin Reality)
Back to the VFW drop-off from last week — yes, the one where I dropped the whole stack of chairs in the parking lot. Today was just the pickup.

  • Revenue: $455

  • Total Job Cost: $272

  • Profit: $183 (40.17%)

  • ARA Calculator Profit: $107 (23.47%)

  • Difference: -16.70%

  • These numbers are rough, especially compared to the earlier chair delivery. The difference? Distance. Longer drive, lower margins. Time to adjust delivery pricing strategy based on proximity if I want to stay sharp.

Stop 3: Tent Takedown, Round Two
Final stop was the 80-guest package pickup at a private residence. We had previously removed the tables and chairs — this time, it was the tents and blocks.

  • Revenue: $1,989

  • Total Job Cost: $374

  • Profit: $1,615 (81.18%)

  • ARA Calculator Profit: $1,605 (80.71%)

  • Difference: -0.47%

  • Solid numbers, even factoring in the two trips. My newish teammate and I knocked it out in about an hour, but the sun was brutal, and those concrete blocks didn’t move themselves. Still — great margins, great efficiency.

Race to Real Life
Back at the warehouse, I left the truck fully loaded. Why? Because dad mode kicked in — had to rush out to get my kid to a haircut appointment before their moving-up ceremony. Priorities.

Until next time
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