On a personal level -- and let's face it, being a tool dealer can get personal -- many distributors have to balance their home life with their business. Oftentimes these two coincide, while other times one takes precedence over the other (usually the business).
For this month's distributor ridealong, I had the opportunity to learn more about independent distributor Noah Hammond's route. One of the most important aspects of Hammond's business is that he can make his own hours. Part of the reason he appreciates this flexibility is because he has a family to take care of with his wife: two young boys, ages six and eight. Every morning during the school year, Hammond drops his children off at school, before starting his route for the day. He also wants to ensure he gets time to spend with them after school, and will try to be home around 5:30 in the evening, before they go to bed. On weekends, Hammond also makes sure to spend his free time with family.
“That’s the hardest part, and that’s why I don’t work as much. I know a lot of other tool distributors that don’t have kids, they’ll work 7 AM to 7 PM. I don’t. I make a decent living and I’m happy,” says Hammond. “To me, it’s (family) important. You have to spend time with the kids.”
If you recall the ridealong with Matco Tools distributor Craig Wineinger from earlier this year, he tries to maintain a similar operation. While he works hard on his route, he also makes sure to work with his wife, Cara, to care for their two children, ages nine and 13.
With time management and communication as top priorities, Wineinger makes sure to balance out his stops throughout the day so he can make after-school activities on time. This also means he will cut his route short on occasion -- say for his daughter's dance class -- then head back out to the truck in the evening to finish up daily tasks. "It makes a long day for me, but I get to enjoy it with my family," says Wineinger.
Wineinger also mixes business and family life, by getting his 13-year-old son involved. To teach about business operations and allow him to make extra cash, his son to rides along with him during the summer break. In addition to helping with inventory, his son will also sell beef jerky and make commission on any cash-based sales.
I'd love to hear how you balance the two. Do you have a young family at home?
Speaking of family, I have some personal news of my own to share. My husband and I had our first child in August. As you read this, I'm currently taking a few weeks off to tend to my own family. I'll be back again for the November/December issue.
