Mom and Pop’s are the heartbeat of most communities

[Mikey P]

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

We’ve gotten to the point of being able to NOT advertise.

We stay busy year around, with ZERO call backs, zero advertising, and zero logo on our truck,

This is not a good thing.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m stuck in the hamster wheel FOREVER….

If u want to get off the truck, don’t do what I do….

It’s NOT where a business owner wants to be.

We work WAY TOO HARD, and make money, but at what cost???

 

[Mikey P]

A work/life balance should be taught by example in Jr High and stressed by academia and parents until achieved.

 

[Sierra Clean Care]

I think the route I/we are following, is a carbon copy of what you experienced yourself Mike…

Just a lesson you, yourself learned a later stage in life…

 

[Mikey P]

I think the route I/we are following, is a carbon copy of what you experienced yourself Mike…

Just a lesson you, yourself learned a later stage in life…

Sounds like it.

More than happy to get in the phone with you...

 

[Jim Pemberton]

I couldn't agree more

In over 50 years of being a part of the supply end of this industry, I've watched the rise and fall of many cleaning companies. Only one company founder that I knew in 1974 is still living, and his son is a couple years from hanging up his wand, but over those years the best and brightest have been those "Mom and Pop" or "Father and Son" businesses. They weren't always the best cleaners or best people, but I can safely say that well over 90% were and are.

I cannot say that most were "great business people"; most really just "bought a job", and were content with that. Financial responsibility and paying attention to their obligations were, of course, important or they couldn't have lasted long.

Their long term success came from being trustworthy, ethical, friendly, and compassionate people who made their customers feel good about having them in their homes and businesses. That level of trust is such that only in their later years do they find out that price is never an issue, and they could have been charging a lot more.

I have a few multi-truck customers who deliver great service and have wonderful employees. In each case, though, the company culture is still "Mom and Pop" in nature. The employees are very well paid, and more importantly, treated with respect and compassion by the owners. These employees often stay for years until their own bodies fail, and those that do leave almost never become competitors.

My father always loved "the little guys". He didn't not mean that in a demeaning way. He just felt about them what I said above, and what Mike and Jeff have shared.

I make no secret of the reason I left the IICRC as a board member in 2011:

During a meeting, a board member said: "We have to still be looking out for the little guys, not just the big franchises and corporations"

A person, who I will not identify, but with a high level of visibility in the industry and with the IICRC said, and I quote:

"Screw the little guys"

That's why I left and won't ever go back.

Dad loved the little guys, and so do I.

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Yes mom&pop work harder to out clean the large companys. In the past 40 yrs here Stanley Steemer are on TV all the time . They have GREAT ads but the work doesn't do the same. Manny ladies say they have used them only to have a soaked and still dirty carpet. I have never watched them or the outcome. Some ladies watch how I clean and they say that is what Stanley did but you removed the dirt and carpets are much drier. I only say I can only explain what I do and can't explain why their results are different.Manny years of happy cleaning but not anymore trying to sell van and equipment gave away all my jobs due to health but feeling better 84 the end of this week going to join a gym to stay active.

 

[Cleanworks]

We’ve gotten to the point of being able to NOT advertise.

We stay busy year around, with ZERO call backs, zero advertising, and zero logo on our truck,

This is not a good thing.

I’ve come to terms with the fact that I’m stuck in the hamster wheel FOREVER….

If u want to get off the truck, don’t do what I do….

It’s NOT where a business owner wants to be.

We work WAY TOO HARD, and make money, but at what cost???

Sometimes, you just have to say no. If you want a vacation, let your customers know you will be closed at the appropriate dates. Get it on your website and Google page. Guaranteed you will be slammed when you get back.

 

[Cleanworks]

I couldn't agree more

In over 50 years of being a part of the supply end of this industry, I've watched the rise and fall of many cleaning companies. Only one company founder that I knew in 1974 is still living, and his son is a couple years from hanging up his wand, but over those years the best and brightest have been those "Mom and Pop" or "Father and Son" businesses. They weren't always the best cleaners or best people, but I can safely say that well over 90% were and are.

I cannot say that most were "great business people"; most really just "bought a job", and were content with that. Financial responsibility and paying attention to their obligations were, of course, important or they couldn't have lasted long.

Their long term success came from being trustworthy, ethical, friendly, and compassionate people who made their customers feel good about having them in their homes and businesses. That level of trust is such that only in their later years do they find out that price is never an issue, and they could have been charging a lot more.

I have a few multi-truck customers who deliver great service and have wonderful employees. In each case, though, the company culture is still "Mom and Pop" in nature. The employees are very well paid, and more importantly, treated with respect and compassion by the owners. These employees often stay for years until their own bodies fail, and those that do leave almost never become competitors.

My father always loved "the little guys". He didn't not mean that in a demeaning way. He just felt about them what I said above, and what Mike and Jeff have shared.

I make no secret of the reason I left the IICRC as a board member in 2011:

During a meeting, a board member said: "We have to still be looking out for the little guys, not just the big franchises and corporations"

A person, who I will not identify, but with a high level of visibility in the industry and with the IICRC said, and I quote:

"Screw the little guys"

That's why I left and won't ever go back.

Dad loved the little guys, and so do I.

Sometimes, it's the little guys who provide the cash flow for distributors. We come in and buy a gallon of this, a pail of that. Maybe a spot remover or 2. Get a valve replaced at the same time. Buy some pads or blocks. Pay right away. Those big guys are great, buying skids of products but always want a deal and will pay you later. You should have a balance of both.

 

[sassyotto]

been in business since 1981, ran three trucks at one time and also got into water/fire restoration. That was the "grow your business so you have something to sell when its time to retire" part. But it wasnt fun and in 1999 we went back to OO running it out of our house. Its been the best years hands down. Depends on the person tho.

Ready to retire but got a few years left, cause.......I just enjoy it too much.

 

[jeffexe]

A person, who I will not identify, but with a high level of visibility in the industry and with the IICRC said, and I quote:

Back in the day, Butler used to host IICRC seminars. My brother and I attended when he bought his first truckmount in 1987. During the seminar this instructor " JB" actually made it a point to say, Look at those two in the back, Who is going to hire them. They are young. No one will trust them.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Back in the day, Butler used to host IICRC seminars. My brother and I attended when he bought his first truckmount in 1987. During the seminar this instructor " JB" actually made it a point to say, Look at those two in the back, Who is going to hire them. They are young. No one will trust them.

I have never understood why anyone would think public humiliaton could be a useful teaching tool. I wonder what he would think (if he were still with us) about the fact that the two of you each now run successful, owner/operator businesses, and have done so for decades.

I had a similar, but funny, experience like that.

I showed up late the first day of a seminar, and one of the instructors looked at me and said:

"I hope you never die"

My puzzled expression caused him to explain:

"Because then I'd be the ugliest person in the world"

Of course I loved the guy for that, and learned a lot from him.

If you knew Carl Williams, you understand



There is a huge gulf between the kind of public scorn you and Mark were subjected to, and the ritual of traded insults that are what male bonding seems to be about.

 

[Cleanworks]

I have never understood why anyone would think public humiliaton could be a useful teaching tool. I wonder what he would think (if he were still with us) about the fact that the two of you each now run successful, owner/operator businesses, and have done so for decades.

I had a similar, but funny, experience like that.

I showed up late the first day of a seminar, and one of the instructors looked at me and said:

"I hope you never die"

My puzzled expression caused him to explain:

"Because then I'd be the ugliest person in the world"

Of course I loved the guy for that, and learned a lot from him.

If you knew Carl Williams, you understand



There is a huge gulf between the kind of public scorn you and Mark were subjected to, and the ritual of traded insults that are what male bonding seems to be about.

Like Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Like Clint Eastwood in Grand Torino.

Exactly

An irate customer later apologized to be after using strong language (to put it mildly) when he disputed something our service technician said about the condition of his truck.

After he apologized I said:

"That was nothing. My friends call me worse names!"

 

[Kenny Hayes]

When I take my truck for service, I empty it to bare bones and I mean bare bones. I might leave a jar of powder, but basically it looks like it was installed. I don't want em me crap

 

[Jim Pemberton]

When I take my truck for service, I empty it to bare bones and I mean bare bones. I might leave a jar of powder, but basically it looks like it was installed. I don't want em me crap

A dream customer!

In fairness, my (former) service guy asked the customer if he hauled pigs in his truck