May 23, 2025 - Daily Recap

The Day Kicked Off Strong
Today was one of our most efficient days yet. With the truck pre-loaded from the day before, our 3-man crew hit the ground running right at 9 a.m. Instead of splitting up loads across multiple trips, the guys convinced me to pack everything at once — and it turned out to be the best decision of the day.

First Stop: Cocktail Tables
A quick delivery of cocktail tables had us in and out in 10 minutes. Worth noting: the planner initially pushed back on delivery costs, but I stood firm, reinforcing the value we bring with reliability and no last-minute cancellations.

Second Stop: Tables and Chairs Pickup
We returned to the house where I’d delivered yesterday. This time, everything was already staged at the curb, making for a smooth and easy pickup.

• Total Job Cost: $171

• Profit: $426

• Profit Margin: 71.36%

• ARA Calculator Margin: 64.49%

• Difference: -6.87%
  Key difference here: I handled the drop-off solo, so no labor cost factored in, while the pickup involved three crew members, which impacted the ARA comparison.

Third Stop: 40-Guest Package with Add-Ons
We set up a 40-guest package complete with tablecloths and lights. It took about 45 minutes, and the team’s push to fully load the truck ahead of time made this a seamless stop.

Fourth Stop: Another 40-Guest Setup
This one, without tablecloths or lights, only took 30 minutes. The only hiccup? Navigating road closures in the homeowner’s complex to reach the site.

Fifth Stop: 40-Guest Package (and a Sidewall Standoff)
This setup was further out, and I expected it to be smooth — until the homeowner assumed sidewalls were included and proceeded to berate us for not making that clearer. I stayed calm, even offered to remove the entire setup if they were unhappy. When she asked for sidewalls at half the price, I practically ran out of there. I explained we were closed on weekends, but that I’d check availability, and — truthfully — let a few hours pass before texting back:

Final Stops: Tables and Chairs, Plus Extra Effort
The last two stops were simple tables and chairs orders near the warehouse — both last-minute rush jobs. Fun fact: four out of today’s seven stops were rush fee jobs, underscoring how critical late-booking premiums are to monthly margins.

Even after all that, I ended the day helping a colleague set up a 10x20 tent over a video call. Tomorrow? I’m off — enjoying family time and stepping away from the chaos for a bit.

Until next time
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