"I'm going to go multi truck to get more freedom"

[Mikey P]

This industry was notorious for pressuring us into going multi truck.
I say "was" because almost all the gurus and programs have moved on or passed away. Along with the fact that trying define men who fill all the needs for the sales oriented, hard work, seni- mechanical and problem solver role, is nearly impossible these days.

The vast majority of us are incapable of managing others and waste loads of precious time and resources figuring this reality out.

Some are fortunate and can return to the O/O roll. Insurance up, stay off the dirt bike or slopes and enjoy the freedom and savings of a running solo.

..and some go bankrupt and have to get a low skill, low pay job.

Those that stuck with never see the promise of more free time or revenue, just bragging rights.

Overy 40 years I've seen the viscous cycle over and over, it's very sad, and I have deep regrets for allowing myself to have gotten sucked into it.

The Cleaning Standard will be VERY upfront about this.


And we'll be very helpful in guiding those who can pull it off.




Tell me about your experiences....

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Employees are what you used to hear about women. Can't live with em, can't live without em. God gave me a lot of both. I love my women like crazy, can't always say the same for my employees! I'd hate to think I have 25-30 scattered all over a city in people's homes.

 

[Mikey P]

Employees are what you used to hear about women. Can't live with em, can't live without em. God gave me a lot of both. I love my women like crazy, can't always say the same for my employees! I'd hate to think I have 25-30 scattered all over a city in people's homes.

Commercial, Janitorial, Restoration, Soft/ pressure wash, HVAC etc all require a much easier to find employee...

As you well know.

The cleaning technician who is replacing Pop has to have most of the same endearing nuances he did, or Mrs Piftleton will move on.

Or you can play a numbers game if you're in a big city with lots of transients. Which requires capitol and systems and drive far beyond what most Owner Ops possess

 

[Kenny Hayes]

My janitorial employees aren't quite as easy to find as the normal. Being in Catholic schools, not only do they have to pass a background check, but then they have to go through safe environment and pass. Do we get them through, yes. We know what we're dealing with in the application process before trying. We're not the normal jan san co. Yes, I know what you're thinking

 

[sassyotto]

cant fault the gurus entirely. I think back in the day there was an overall understanding that you want to grow your business so that when it comes to retiring you can sell it and that would be your retirement income.

Well for me at least thats why I got into employees but that was back in the 80's. Hired family and YES that was a good thing. My best employee was my sister in law, Debi. EVERYBODY loved her. Grew to two trucks, both with two person crews. Then a third truck with me on it. From there, growing could be vertical (add services, same service area) or horizontal (same services, wider service area) For a short time we tried a larger service area but travel time killed us.

Then we found Mack Clark and of course got into Restoration (vertical) I learned more in 5 years about running a business than I would have if I went to college. Then I ran head on into a lot of personal issues at once and my wife and I sat in the office and did some heavy thinking and made the decision it would be only me on the truck cleaning carpet. That was 1999.

I can tell you now, it was the best decision (joining Mack would be a close second) we ever made.

So we had it both ways but ultimately I think it really depends on the person. There is something, cant find the word, trait maybe that good multi truck owners have. I saw that with Macks group. The more successful ones were more outgoing. Others like me did well but there was just something about the top earners. Hats off to the ones that can do it.

And yes, when we switched back to just me cleaning, everybody wanted to know where Debi was!

 

[bob vawter]

This industry was notorious for pressuring us into going multi truck.
I say "was" because almost all the gurus and programs have moved on or passed away. Along with the fact that trying define men who fill all the needs for the sales oriented, hard work, seni- mechanical and problem solver role, is nearly impossible these days.

The vast majority of us are incapable of managing others and waste loads of precious time and resources figuring this reality out.

Some are fortunate and can return to the O/O roll. Insurance up, stay off the dirt bike or slopes and enjoy the freedom and savings of a running solo.

..and some go bankrupt and have to get a low skill, low pay job.

Those that stuck with never see the promise of more free time or revenue, just bragging rights.

Overy 40 years I've seen the viscous cycle over and over, it's very sad, and I have deep regrets for allowing myself to have gotten sucked into it.

The Cleaning Standard will be VERY upfront about this.


And we'll be very helpful in guiding those who can pull it off.




Tell me about your experiences....

AND SOME had great wives that would run the bidness while I would play with the raceboats....( 12 year run)