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READER QUESTION: I’m New and Want to Start a Cleaning Business

This week’s reader question:

Hi Eddie!
How are you? It was inspiring to read your story. I moved to the States from England recently – I reside in Massachussetts and am looking to start up a cleaning company.
Although I have no professional cleaning experience, I have always been a clean freak and enjoy it! And my cleaning is impeccable and I have also been told so on many occasions.
I feel I have the drive and determination to take it up professionally, though I have never had a business.
Just wondering what advice and help you could give to a newcomer who’s just starting out and wants to start a cleaning business.
Any advice would be most greatly appreciated!
Thank you for your time.
Kind Regards.
Reader

This Week’s Answer:

The fact that you enjoy cleaning and are a cleaning freak is an important step towards becoming successful in the cleaning industry, because let’s face it – 95% of people don’t enjoy cleaning and only do it because they have to. The rest of us or the 5% enjoy cleaning because we’re passionate about it, slightly nuts and total clean freaks. That’s why there’s such a demand for cleaning businesses – residential or commercial. Now that I’ve been in the cleaning business for over three years, everything has become second nature to me. Certain tasks that were once a chore, have now become easy and straight forward.

Are You Passionate About Cleaning?

Without passion you can’t succeed, whether you’re planning to start a cleaning business or any other business for that matter. Passion is what drives you, and on those really tough days it’s what makes you understand why you’re in the business in the first place. Far too many people start businesses without being passionate about the subject they’re starting the business within. They focus way too much on the green stuff (money), without much thought on why they’re about to get into the industry. Don’t become one of those people. Be honest with yourself, and asses your reason for wanting to get into the cleaning industry.

Cleaning Industry Has An Easy Entry Barrier

Gaining entry into the cleaning industry is relatively inexpensive and pretty easy. All it takes is your dedication, some home made flyers, cleaning materials and voila – you’re a small cleaning business. That’s why I’ve recommended to many people over time, that starting a cleaning business is a no brain-er. However, at the same time, it’s more about passion than the dollars. I started my cleaning business for under $200, and haven’t looked back since.

Research Before You Commit

I really think it’s important to do you research ahead of time before you commit to anything – especially starting a business. Read as much as possible, take notes, and ask a lot of questions. I’d also highly advise you to get together with an accountant, and see what your options are for taxes within your state or province. Maybe you’d like to incorporate your cleaning business and separate the personal and business taxes at the end of the year or maybe your accountant will recommend you stay small due to projected income you foresee earning.

Here’s a list of articles I’d recommend you read, as they’ll offer you some great insight:

The main reason people fail at starting a cleaning business

Different types of cleaning businesses

6 start-up tips for new entrepreneurs

How to start a cleaning service

How to get cleaning business leads

Marketing Material

You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars on Marketing and promotional items in order to become successful. However, you will need to maintain a sense of professionalism in order for potential clients to take you more seriously. Start off with a logo and business cards. The reason why I emphasize on having a logo designed – your logo will brand your business. It automatically distinguishes you from the rest. Ask friends if they know of any graphic designers and see if you can negotiate a rate to have a custom logo designed for your new business.

The next step I recommend is to create business cards. Again, something that’s important to any business, especially when you pitch your service to potential clients, you can leave a business card with all your contact information. Two websites that create amazing business cards are MOO BUSINESS CARDS and JUKE BOX. For the slightly more budget conscious business cards, check out VISTA PRINT.

Finally, with your logo and business cards in hand, you’re ready to create flyers. For years now I’ve been creating my own flyer’s through Microsoft Word. I insert my logo on top of every flyer, and ensure that there’s a phone number where I could be easily reached.

Sales and Promotion

When I first started, I really didn’t know where to start promoting my business or my services. I think it took me almost three months to land my first client, but with a lot of dedication and perseverance I manged to land my first client. Please give yourself enough time as this is certainly not an overnight process. Be ready and open to talk to anyone and everyone about your business. Here’s what I’d recommend when you first start out:

  • Have business cards ready to hand out at all times
  • Let your friends, family members and acquaintances know that you have a business
  • Send an email out to all your contacts introducing your business
  • Develop a simple promotional flyer, and visit your local grocery stores and libraries to hang them in their FREE ad bulletin board
  • Use websites such as KIJIJI and CRAIGSLIST to advertise your cleaning services
  • Carry business cards with you at all times – in your purse, car and jackets
  • Talk openly about your business – holding back doesn’t get you anywhere and nobody will ever find out about your services
  • If you’re doing residential house cleaning, take a walk within your local neighbourhood and drop off flyer’s door-to-door
  • If you’ve decided to get into commercial office cleaning, visit small businesses with your flyer and don’t forget to drop off a business card

Final Thoughts

Any beginning is difficult. Whether you’re starting a new relationship, job or business – there are certain challenges that you’ll need to overcome. Probably the biggest challenge any new business will face is drumming up new clientele. That being said, keep in mind that it’s all a time process. Establishing your business in the market and gaining sales takes time. Gaining new clientele certainly isn’t an overnight process. It’s very easy to get discouraged and give up,  but if you give yourself enough time, stay determined and keep pushing forward, the results will be unbelievable and your income potential unlimited.

Good Luck!!

Eddie

Valentines Day Special – Couples in Business Together

 

Every entrepreneur will tell you that running a business is in it’ self a labour of love. You live and breathe your business. So, what happens when couples become business partners. Can this be a good thing for the business? What are the upsides of running a business with your spouse? How about the downsides of a business partnership with your spouse?

It’s a tough call, and certainly there is no one right answer whether to enter a business together with your spouse or stay the hell away from the whole idea.

I’ll share some upsides and downsides of coupling together as business partners with your loved one. I figured a post like this would be perfect, and just in time for Valentines Day 2012 in five days.

Let’s start with the positives first.

Upsides of Couples in Business Together

Stronger Bond – Working together towards one common goal is always a good thing, and it’s even more attractive when you’re working towards this goal with your life partner.

Two heads are always better than one they say, so who better to be your business partner than your significant other.

My old neighbors were a perfect example of a couple in business together. They owned a cleaning business. She cleaned homes, and he focused on commercial cleaning. During the day he was home with the kids while his wife worked, and at night he’d head off to work, while the wife would stay behind with the kids. Worked for them for many years, until they eventually sold the business.

Learning Opportunity – It gives you the opportunity to see your spouse from a different angle. I assure you, that you’ll discover things about your spouse that you never knew before.

You may discover that your wife has the gift of conversation, no matter what the situation. While the wife may discover that her husband is an excellent problem-solver, with a “no project” too big attitude.

Team Work – Sharing duties at home is one thing, and sharing business duties is another. We’ve all got our own strengths and weaknesses, so why not maximize them? If one part of the couple is good with the numbers, get them to take the lead on it, while the second part of the couple focuses in an area that they’re strong in. For area’s that are a weakness for both partners, duties can be shared.

Downsides of Couples in Business Together

Lack of Breathing Room – You’re with your spouse virtually 24/7. You go to bed together, wake up together, eat together, and now you have to work together? Think about it first or else coupling in business together can become stale pretty quickly.

Business is Business – Sometimes separating business and personal life can be a difficult obstacle for some couples to overcome.  It’s tough sometimes to leave work at work, while focusing on empowering the family life at home.

I think there are many more upsides to partnering with your significant other, than the downsides that come with the same idea. Most importantly you will have a trusting partner, right from the get go, who will have your back equally as much as you have their back.

Finally, there is a great sense of security. We all have our tough days, but you’ll always have someone there to pick you up when you fall. Let’s hope that you don’t fall too hard.

Readers, would you ever start a business with your significant other?

Eddie