I am a white male that grew up in Apartheid South Africa. Unlike some I grew up in a poor household with a dead beat dad and a single mom with 3 kids. I never finished high school because I went out to work to help support the family.
In the last 30 years I have worked at many things. I left the shores of this country for the UK and returned with a million rand after a few years away. I bought a house and made a terrible business decision. 2 years later I had nothing.
Over the last eight years I have worked very hard, trying to build a business and recover from the losses. I am a multi skilled individual, I have tried a number of things. I tried IT, web design, threw in some signage, tried to start a newspaper and even went back to working with my hands.
Over the years I have come to realise that my strengths are selling, but cold calling destroys my confidence. At one time I was great at doing it. My weakness has always been production. For some reason I am unable to get people to do the work on time and to the standard I would expect.
Four weeks ago I was involved in an industrial accident and for three weeks I couldn't even hold a pen. I still can't do it properly but none the less I have been following up on quote requests but nothing is coming in.
In the last two years things have gone from bad to worse, Every time we see light at the end of the tunnel, a train comes crashing through. I have done more than 100 cold calls in the last two weeks with no success. I have done 8 quotes for various projects but nothing has come in.
My website queries have gone down from an average 2-3 a week to none at all. Before my accident I was given notice to vacate my rented home, The owners daughter needs a place to stay. In 10 days my family and I will be homeless. The fact is that even if we can find somewhere to go we cannot afford it at present.
I have always seen the people at the robots begging and thought I could never do that. I still don't think I can but If things don't change what options will I have.
My problem is that every day I get closer to the deadline, Every day I don't earn the money I need I get more and more panicked.
What do you suggest?
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