I’ve only left a job twice before in my life, but it was for the same reason: they were bad jobs. The first required me to press the same keys to create the same reports every month. The second required me to work absurdly long hours on things I didn’t care about.
While I don’t have fond memories of my previous jobs, I actually enjoy my current job. I’ve been working for four years at a business consulting company called Slalom. I’ve learned quite a bit, I like what I do, and I can honestly say it’s been a meaningful place to work.
Tomorrow, I’m leaving my job. My wife and I are going to run a small business that rents out Airstream trailers. (Whenever I say that to people, their eyes grow in disbelief.)
It’s definitely an unconventional move, and it’s certainly one that raises a lot of questions. That’s why I’m writing this post on Medium. I want to share the reason and some details about this life-changing decision, particularly for my friends and colleagues whom I haven’t yet had the chance to explain this to in person.
Common Questions
I’ve had fun over the last few weeks as I began sharing the news with my friends, colleagues, and clients. They all seem to have a genuine excitement, which makes me feel good about my decision. And, they typically ask similar questions. Here’s the top 5:
Air-what??
Interestingly, about 1 out of 2 people aren’t sure what I’m talking about at first. Luckily, when I show a picture of an Airstream, everyone gets it. I suppose this means I’m entering a business with a niche unknown, yet highly recognizable product. I kinda like that.
How did this all happen?
Last year, I went on sabbatical and rented a 27' Airstream from a company called Elite RV Vacations. Elaine and I travelled with it for 3 weeks, exploring California, Utah, Wyoming, Montana (our favorite!), and Oregon. This year, I called up the owners of Elite RV to see if we can do it again. When I casually asked, “How’s business?” they replied, “It’s getting busier and we want to retire. We’re thinking of selling the business.” A couple months later, we shook hands on a deal to buy their business.
How many Airstreams will you have, and where do you keep them all?
5 Airstreams, ranging from 19' to 27'. We’re leasing commercial real estate within a business park called Club Auto Sport in San Jose, CA.
Where did you learn how to buy a business?
I’ve never done this before, so I had to figure things out along the way. I learned about the buying process mostly from SCORE, a non-profit that provides advice to small businesses. I’m also super grateful to my friends who taught me about business valuations and how to negotiate.
What inspired you to do this?
What I appreciated most about our Airstream trip last year was that, for the first time ever, I experienced simple living. Stripping down our surroundings to the basic necessities allowed Elaine and me to really appreciate each other and enjoy the places we visited.
And, I feel ready. I think a lot of my experience over the last 8 years in business consulting has prepared me to own and operate my own business.
The funny thing is…
If this opportunity had never come along, I’d probably stay at my job and be satisfied. I actually liked the work.
But, I’ll never forget the moment the owners of Elite RV casually mentioned to me,“We’re thinking of selling the business.” My heart started racing and my head started filling with ideas. For weeks after that, I’d wake up before my alarm, filled with excitement about possibly running an Airstream rental business. That’s how I knew this is the right next move for me.
What’s Next
Tomorrow’s my last day at Slalom. I’ll take a few weeks to wind down and spend time with family and friends. I’ll also use the time to get everything lined up for making the official transition in the first week of 2016.
Lastly, I intend to make this the first in a string of posts that describe my journey into a new life as an Airstream owner and small business operator. So follow me on Medium, and I’ll share with you where I go next.
