(1) 6K or less. Most of it is the machine. The rest are accessories: 18 ″ traffic cones, a 30 ′ tape measure … etc. I know it can seem like a large number, especially when you are fighting. So, don’t buy anything yet. Buy my book first. I list everything I use. One step at a time.
(2) A real store is not necessary. Most strippers work from their own garage. I did it for (12) years. Many work from an enclosed trailer. Some may rent an Access (24) hour facility, U Store It. Again … no real store required.
(3) No actual inventory. Paint and stencils are inventory. Buy paint on the way to work, after they have given you the job. Buy templates once. Yes, I make templates. My Handicap squad is 28 years old. Templates can be one (1) waste of time. Buy on the go. Buy as you grow.
(4) You don’t have to quit your day job. Firefighters don’t. Teachers don’t. I did. Scratch the bank parking lot on your day off. Check off the restaurant lot before they open, even if that means (2) trips.
(5) Almost any economy. I’ve been through both. In a good economy, people build, repair, and seal parking lots. Stripper needed. In a slow economy, people just “Re-Stripe”. (Think retail stores or car dealerships during a slow economy. They will go for Re-Stripe only.) I still had a job.
I needed / wanted a side business. “Pavement marking” = Parking strip, met criteria. (That criteria includes … that I can do this with a little cash, some learning and also, earn a living. I made 165K with the bands. I take off Winter.) That’s in my book. I was broke when I started. (When you’re broke, it has nothing to do with money.) Now I am not. It was not easy. He had no one to talk to. After (16) years of creating bands full time, I wrote my book; How I light up a parking lot… to help others. The title also says; 24 years, alone. Now it has been (28).
If you are looking for something that really works, consider marking the parking lot. Take a look at my site; http://www.AmericanStriping.com. Take a look at my book. Buy that. Read them. Call me. Everyone has the same (2) questions: “What machine do I buy, what paint do I use?” I have the answers. I can help. I’d like to help. Thanks in advance. My name is Dan.