Well, it has finally happened. For months I have put the word out that I was interested in running a shop again.
Yesterday I got a call from a 3 bay shop that is in downtown Eugene, Or. that heard word of mouth that I wrench on the side and they want me to move my tools and turn wrenches in their shop. The kicker is this. It is a Monday thru Thursday set up that starts at 9 and goes till 3:30 but can work other days and longer hours if I have a job I want to finish. I also have the right to turn down any job I don't want to work on, for whatever reason. I would diagnose and sell my own work. Big drawback is two things. Moving my tools there and fear of a break in because the shop is right down in the homeless area of the city. The other is no tools at home to do what I want to do for my regular customers that I have built up here. Not gonna take this position.
Several months ago I applied for a service writer job at a shop. Was told I was over qualified for the Assistant Service Writer position and we parted ways. They did hire a single mother of 3 that had been an insurance claims adjuster but did not work out because of needs for her kids. They called me yesterday and want to hire me. Starts at 7:45 am and open till 5:30. Is in a way better part of town and my tools stay home. At 71, not sure about the obligation of the hours. Plus, as an assistant, the pay is less. Figures out to be around $45k a year. Figures out to be just over $19 an hour or about $865 a week. I know my experience is worth way more and should be in the $60k a year range at least. I am going to have a meeting tomorrow at 4 pm and will approach this with a proposition of a minimum amount on a paycheck and the rest $.
I really like the clientele I have built up here and that I run the whole show and do what I want and turn down what I don't want.