1. By Matt Taylor

2.  At 10 years old, Dennis Baker received a
chainsaw as a gift from his father.
 He began helping his father cutting trees and
firewood around his house.
 After working for a few landscapers chopping
firewood and cutting down trees, Dennis
decided he could do all of it on his own and
start his own business.

3.  In 2006 he began putting ads in local
newspapers and on craigslist offering services to
remove trees and also selling firewood.
 He bought a dump truck and multiple chainsaws
as well as other tools.
 Whenever there was a job that required
help, Dennis would have friends
work for him as well as
other people with knowledge
of how to use a chainsaw
or split wood.

4.  Business is usually good while Dennis is still in
college. The business began in high school so he
could make some money but while in college was
his primary source of income.
 Most firewood is bought in the fall and winter so
Dennis has started another job as a technician
for AT&T as well.
 Not every fall and winter has been successful. If
the weather is warm and there is not much
snow, business cools down as not as many
people need firewood.
 Conversely, when the price of oil and fuel are
high, more people will buy firewood to generate
heat in their homes.

5.  Because Dennis primarily works for
himself, he does not have any employees.
 When he needs help, he will turn to his
friends or people he knows.
 Sometimes he has asked good friends to help
him with work and they don’t take the job
seriously or work hard, putting a strain on
their personal relationship.

6.  Dennis files taxes at the end of the year and
is able to write off certain expenses for his
business
 He uses a 1099 tax form and is able to write
off expenses such as tools and mileage.

7.  Dennis plans to keep cutting firewood as long
as he has time and people need wood.
 It will become his secondary job and source
of income as he will be working full time for
AT&T

8.  Dennis is a very hard worker and earns every
cent of his paycheck.
 When asked for advice about business he
makes it very clear that you must work for
your money and be willing to make sacrifices
in order to be successful
 Success does not come without sacrifice