Sunday Hustle: Two Runs and a Strategic Play - February 2, 2025

Hey Future Owner,

Some days, you make moves for the long game. Today was one of those days.

A Small Order with a Bigger Goal

First up, we had a 40-chair delivery. Am I thrilled about tiny orders? Not really. But this one had a purpose. I waived weekend fees and cut the rush fee by 50% to secure the booking. Why? Because it was at a new venue I’ve been trying to connect with. While I didn’t meet the management in person, my follow-up email actually got a response—so that’s a small win. If I can also land a 5-star review, this effort will have been worth it.

The Numbers:

• Revenue: ~$330

• Job-related costs (ARA Calculator): $140

• Contribution Margin: $190 (58%)

Tent Breakdown & Lessons Learned

The clear top tent takedown went smoothly overall, but I ran into a couple of issues. The new vinyl was extra tight on one section, and the tents didn’t come with storage bags—so now I need to find a solution for that. I’ve also decided to reinforce the center pole with screws instead of the cheap pins they sent. It’ll make transport heavier but will speed up installation and add stability.

Final Pickup & A Little Extra Effort

After unloading the tent, my colleague handled another job while I returned to pick up the 40 chairs. They weren’t stacked, so it took longer than expected, but I didn’t charge extra. Sometimes, it’s just not worth the risk of annoying a client over a minor inconvenience.

Wrapping Up with Admin & Family Time

The rest of the evening was a mix of sending follow-up emails, answering questions, and crafting quotes—all while squeezing in some family time.

Final Thoughts

Some days aren’t about big wins but setting the stage for future success. Today, I made strategic sacrifices, learned a few lessons, and kept things moving forward.

Onward and upward,

Ramon