I have been doing some contracting, ... subcontracting work, for an individual who is also a subcontractor. He has projects across Texas subcontracting under the Texas Department of Transportation. My experience with him has been with bridges.
It happens to be that he has commercial duty sand blasting equipment being unused. He, after finding out that I hired/used sand blasting companies when I was building rigs, wants my oil field contacts to get some work for his equipment/company. He is bonded and insured for a million dollars. My oilfield experience/contacts are really of no help except that it could give me an edge in a sales call.
I have a chance to write my own ticket sort of. I need to figure out how to do it. Many things to consider but first I want to know what it would be worth to me, ... how much I will ask for. Sales and working hourly. Perhaps running a crew (depending on the job). Just as an actor will study his character's life, so should I. Commercial sand blasting is nothing new to me, I just need to know more about it. The behind the scenes stuff.
Leads, experience, ideas, anything ?

Since you said you already have experience with sandblasting, I will assume you already know how to quote a job to the customer.
What you are describing is a salesman/contact man.
I'll tell you how it worked at the last place I worked but it may be different where you are.
Salesmen worked commission plus salary, and there wasn't much salary. They supplied their own phones, their own fuel, their own vehicles, their own vehicle liability insurance. All the company provided was an office to work out of. Their salary without any sales commission added on was about $350/week. They put in a MINIMUM of 8 hrs/day--6 days/wk--with most of their work being on the phone. Commission on sales was 3.5% of the sale. Not much. In a slow economy, a sales guy can starve.

quote Originally posted by maryjane: I will assume you already know how to quote a job to the customer.

No, I don't. I have no clue what going rates are. I actually have the same problem with every type work I bid on. I never know if I left too much money on the table or priced myself out of the job. I just figure out what I want and go for it. Then I learn how smart I am .
I have not even discussed with the entrepenuer any sales commission. He is looking at my experience, wanting contacts. I may get him one job and then he is in like flint. I am trying to figure out how to not lose on future jobs. Even though if I just get one I am ahead. One job at a time for me now, in these times. The guy is fair. I know I can man the job as long as I am making him money. I am just trying to figure out how to get more of his money, .

I don't know much about comercial sand blasting but I have heard that soda blasting is pretty popular now.