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Balancing Business and Racing: My Journey to Hiring Help

by Chad Byrum on August 31, 2024

Managing Business and Racing: My Journey to Hiring Help

Hey everyone, Chad here from Midlife Classic Cars. Today, I want to share an important update about my journey as a business owner and a racer. As many of you know, managing a business and keeping up with racing can be a lot, especially when you're doing it all on your own. That's why I decided to make a big change—I've hired some help! In this post, I'll talk about what led me to this decision and how it's already making a difference.

Key Takeaways

  • Hiring help can alleviate the stress of balancing multiple responsibilities.
  • Having an extra set of hands is crucial for maintaining productivity and morale.
  • Organizational improvements, such as a clean workspace, enhance efficiency.

The Struggles of Balancing Racing and Business

For those who are new here, I run a business called Midlife Classic Cars, where we specialize in classic car manuals and parts. On top of that, I manage my racing career, which includes maintaining my race cars and participating in various events. Recently, I've been facing some setbacks—my race car has been in the shop for repairs, and it's been tough to keep up with races.

Like many of you who follow racing, I also watch a lot of content from other YouTubers like Landon Huffman and Tanner Holmes. I've noticed they have teams of people helping them out, which got me thinking about my own situation. With my father living in Charlotte and me being in Greensboro, it's been difficult for him to assist me regularly. Plus, juggling the business, the race car, and other car projects is just too much for one person.

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Making the Decision to Hire Help

After much thought, I realized I needed help to manage everything better. Watching others succeed with support teams made me understand that it wasn't sustainable to do it all alone. I came to terms with the fact that it was time to bring someone else on board.

I decided to hire a young guy named Jameson, someone I've known for a while and helped with his car projects in the past. He will start by working one day a week, helping out in the shop and potentially joining me at the track.

The Importance of Having a Team

One of the biggest lessons I've learned is the importance of having a team or at least an extra set of hands to help. It can be overwhelming to manage everything solo, from maintaining the race car to keeping up with business tasks. With Jameson joining, I already feel a weight lifted off my shoulders. Knowing there's someone else around to help makes a big difference in both productivity and morale.

Organizing the Shop for Efficiency

Another critical aspect of managing both the business and racing is organization. I am a firm believer that a clean and well-organized workspace is key to getting projects done faster. Today, Jameson and I spent several hours cleaning up the shop. We cleared out unnecessary clutter, set up storage solutions, and made sure everything has its place.

Here's what we tackled:

  • Clearing the Clutter: We removed items that were no longer needed and reorganized our inventory.
  • Setting Up Storage: We installed a tire rack and organized tools and parts, making them easily accessible.
  • Improving Workspace: We created a more functional layout, making it easier to move around and work on projects.

By organizing the shop, I’m hoping to make the workspace more efficient and reduce the time spent looking for tools and parts. This kind of setup allows us to focus on what's important—getting the cars ready for the next race.

The Impact of Hiring Help

Hiring Jameson has already shown me the benefits of having an extra pair of hands around. Not only does it make the workload more manageable, but it also motivates me to be more productive. Knowing that someone is counting on me to guide them keeps me focused and driven. We managed to get a lot done in just a few hours, which is more than I could have achieved alone.

For those of you managing multiple projects, whether it's racing, running a business, or both, I highly recommend considering some help. It might seem like an added expense, but the return in productivity and reduced stress is invaluable.

What’s Next?

With the shop now organized, the next steps involve diving back into our car projects. Here’s a quick rundown of what’s coming up:

  • Subaru Project: We’ll be working on getting the engine finished and ready to sell.
  • Legend Race Car: Once it’s back from the shop, I'll be focusing on preparing it for the upcoming races.
  • 2002 Restoration: I’m eager to get my 2002 back on the road as a daily driver.
  • Motorcycle Flip: I have a couple of bikes that need some work before they can be sold.

I'm excited about these projects and look forward to sharing updates with you all. Having Jameson’s help will make tackling these projects a lot more feasible and enjoyable.

FAQs

1. Why did you decide to hire help now?

I've been struggling to manage both my business and racing on my own. Watching others succeed with a team made me realize that having help could make my life easier and more productive.

2. How did you choose who to hire?

I chose Jameson because I've known him for a while and have helped him with his car projects. He's familiar with the work and eager to learn, which makes him a great fit.

3. What are the main benefits of hiring help?

Hiring help alleviates stress, improves productivity, and allows you to focus on the most important tasks. It also motivates you to stay on track when someone else is relying on you.

4. How do you keep your workspace organized?

We set up storage solutions, keep tools and parts in designated places, and regularly clean the shop to maintain an organized and efficient workspace.

5. What projects are you currently working on?

We’re focusing on the Subaru engine project, the Legend race car, restoring my 2002, and flipping a couple of motorcycles.

Conclusion

Managing a business and racing simultaneously can be a huge challenge, but having the right support can make all the difference. Hiring Jameson has already been a great decision, allowing me to focus more on what I love—racing and working on cars. Stay tuned for more updates on our projects, and don't forget to check out Midlife Classic Cars for all your classic car needs.

See you in the next video!

Midlife Classic Cars – For all your classic car manual needs!

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