Million Dollar Grind

What is the first thing you need to start a business?  If you answered money, you answered correctly.  There are so many creative ways to finance a business.  Some people turn to their family and friends for financing.  Other people take out loans, apply for government grants, or even seek out venture capital.  Darryl Haley didn’t have to do any of the above to finance his business.   Instead, he saved the money he earned from his first career and used it fund a business based on his passions.

Darryl Haley began his football career at the University of Utah.  After graduating with a degree in Commercial Physical Education and a minor in Marketing, he was drafted into the NFL as an offensive tackle for the New England Patriots.  Like most professional athletes, he received a couple million dollars for signing and another few million as a salary.  However, instead of taking the multimillion dollar yearly salary, Darryl asked for $40,000/year and deferred the rest (including the signing bonus) until he knew how to make the money work from him.  Instead of buying a large house or fancy cars, Darryl rented a one bedroom apartment and drove an Audi.  After eight years with the NFL, Darryl retired with a plan to live his life based on his passion for fun, fitness and romance.

In 2002 Darryl opened the first bed and breakfast of The Villa Bella Vista Inn.  The second house was built in 2003 and the third house was built in 2005.  Darryl sold the third house to a guest who fell in love with the house and its surroundings.  When you are surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the Shenandoah Valley how could you not fall in love?

Darryl discovered the location for the bed and breakfast while he was training for the Iron Man Triathlon.  He envisioned a bed and breakfast to serve as a romantic getaway or fun vacation spot that people can enjoy and customize to meet their own idea of “escape”.    Guests who visit the Inn range from fitness enthusiasts to musicians.  80% of the guests are repeat customers.  Aside from the beautiful and peaceful setting the guests probably come back for breakfast, which is cooked and served by Darryl himself.  Darryl is also the housekeeper, maintenance man and receptionist.  He enjoys running the bed and breakfast that he hardly considers it “work”.

Darryl’s mentality to “pay the fiddler now to relax later” has allowed him to live a life that he loves and is true to himself.

So if you’re stuck working for the “man” and hate your day job, ask yourself this:  When will you pay the fiddler?  Now or later?  If you’re spending more time thinking of a better job than you are working for the “man” you might consider taking a few pages out of Darryl’s book.  Statistics show that it takes a small business roughly two years to turn a profit.  Instead of working for the paycheck, why not make the paychecks work for you?  Save enough from your first career to fund your next career and then take the plunge to start your own grind.