I'm currently working for a small lab right now and have been considering branching out and opening up my own denture laboratory. I have the capability to open it from my home, but I have some questions.
Working for somebody else gives me the opportunity to have a paid vacation, but how does everybody work out having vacations or being closed for holidays when you have a few dentists and are the only technician?
Along with vacation another scenario that I keep thinking about is maternity. With another lab I would be able to take a maternity leave, but how do other woman technicians work it out with not taking a leave, but still dealing with the change of a newborn?
Greetings Earthling! Welcome!
It is good that you are thinking ahead. Luck favors the prepared.
Assuming you are in the US, as far as vacations go, you're gonna have periods, during July and December at least, where all your offices will be closed for about 3days up to a week and a half depending on where July 4 and then the week between dec25 to jan1. These times will, unless you have a lot backlogged(which we all kinda both hope for and dread),be your built in vacation times. Also these are when you can catch up refitting the lab either with new tech, new layouts, or just a good deep cleaning and overlooked maintenance issues.
You need to plan for slow times, and budget accordingly. Extra large income from big months aren't always best used by expanding or deepening options in materials or equipment. Saving for lean times and unexpected power, equipment, or vehicle failures is a must. Both for the business and personally.
If you have not, you need to make a business plan. If you are looking to borrow capital for starting no one will take you seriously without one. Even if you have all you need on hand already, going by the seat of your pants will end up with you falling on their contents.
@sidesh0wb0b is a big fan of nxlevel.com and their books which will guide you through the process.
http://www.nxlevel.org/TM-business-start-up.htm He may also be able to give some good information about in lab childcare and his attempts to 'child safety' his lab.
@Affinity has introduced us to a great book you should read as well. Being a skilled technician is far from the only skill you will need in order to be a good businesswoman. The E-Myth was quite eye-opening. I'd had, and failed in runjing, two businesses before. This made me understand why.
https://www.amazon.com/Myth-Most-Businesses-Dont-About/dp/0887303625 I'll page some of the ladies for you for the questions I'm disqualified from answering.
@Doris A @Mrs.galfriday @wwcanoer @Galgolfer
