If you’ve been following this blog since it’s inception (which wasn’t that long ago), you know that I run a commercial cleaning business. It’s not the most profitable business, nor it’s the cleanest one around, however it does meet the needs of my lifestyle.

You see I really didn’t start this business to make a shit load of money, instead my goal from the beginning was to help a family member (which happens to be my father) find alternative income.

After my father became unemployed (recession shutdown) we urged him to take some time to him self and simply relax. He took home a nice severance package and we figured it would give him enough time to relax and find the right job in his field again.

Just one little problem: he could never find that job in his field and money was running out, so he couldn’t afford to stay at home and earn nothing at the time.

So I came up with the idea to find him a part-time cleaning job to earn some money, not lots of money.  One part time led to a few contracts, a few contracts led to a staff of five, and while I’m not making a boat load of money, I’ve enjoyed numerous other benefits from being a small business owner:

1. Ability to Pick & Choose Clients

Since this is part-time side gig, I pick and choose my clients, the jobs and when to work the jobs. I’m not desperate to find as many clients as possible, because I’m not desperate for the money. Offering a high demand service give me the ability to pick the businesses that I want to conduct business with – making my life way less stressful in the long run.

2. Flexibility

One of the biggest reasons for deciding to flip one job into a legit commercial cleaning business was due to the ability to be flexible. I cannot forget that I have a full-time job. That’s the job that pays for 70% of my life expenses, including a roof over my head, automobile and food on the table. The business schedule runs around my everyday life schedule. I make it work by fitting into everyday.

I’ll also admit that it’s not all rosy. I do work six days a week and 3-4 evenings Monday through Friday. Sounds like a lot, but really it’s not. I still make time for the important things and people in my life.

3. Opportunity for Growth

Since the business is still relatively new and in the growth stages, there is a lot of room for growth. Opportunities are there for taking and expanding into different parts of commercial cleaning.

4. Being Your Own Boss

One of the biggest rewards of being an owner of any business is the reward of being your own boss. I’m at the top of the command post, and the one that has the final say. Even though calling my own shots is rewarding, it’s not all about that at the end of the day for me.

Being my own boss is far more rewarding due to the ability for me to see the project from start to finish. I get to see direct growth and I’m part of every stage to some degree along the way.

From negotiating a price of the job, preparing for the job, equipment rental, doing the job and finally seeing the finished result is quite a rewarding experience.

In the end the business is perfect for me and my type of life style.  Yes, I could likely be making even more money, but in this case that isn’t the primary goal.  So don’t feel bad if your small business isn’t a gold mine, there are other goals that you should keep in mind that might just end up being what you need.

Do you run a small business that has other goals than money?

Eddie