Things you wish you at the known when you were first starting out...

[Mikey P]

What would you add to either list?



Realities for the new Owner Operator to be aware of, (that no other guru else talks about)

• The realities of owning a cleaning business.
• Costs involved for the first five years, do you have enough to survive on?
• Seasonal work in certain locations
• Personality assessment- Are you a people person built for residential work or are you a recluse better suited for commercial work?,
• Home or office/shop?
• “Start with the end game in mind” business planning
• Are you handy with tools or will you be hiring a mechanic?
• How’s your chemistry knowledge?
• How’s your back, shoulders and joints?
• Do you want to fly solo or hire help, and all the realities behind both choices.
• Identification skills, some can, some can’t

The benefits of being a “Carpet Cleaner”

• Be your own boss in a highly demanded service industry.
• Strong industry community support.
• A single truck operation can gross up 300k to 400K a year with very little overhead compared to similar services
• Control of your schedule.
• Immediate satisfaction and sense of a job well done.
• A strong sense of belonging and purpose in your local community.
• A great career for those who can’t stand still and enjoy working with their hands.
• By offering Multi-Surface services, you’ll establish a company with very few to no competitors.

 

[Papa John]

When people say they want to have a business to "Be Their Own Boss", I warn them that the customers and government will be their boss-- AND in California, The employees might also be their boss.
However, A business owner who follows all the rules and laws has control of their destiny more than an employee.

An entrepreneur is someone who will work 16 hours a day so that they don't need to work 8 hours a day for someone else. And If successful and hires the right people-- can work less and enjoy life more.

 

[Jimmy L]

For additional services add Mary Kay or Avon to sell to the housewife.
Free facials on request.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

• The realities of owning a cleaning business.
• Costs involved for the first five years, do you have enough to survive on?
• Seasonal work in certain locations
• Personality assessment- Are you a people person built for residential work or are you a recluse better suited for commercial work?,
• Home or office/shop?
• “Start with the end game in mind” business planning
• Are you handy with tools or will you be hiring a mechanic?
• How’s your chemistry knowledge?
• How’s your back, shoulders and joints?
• Do you want to fly solo or hire help, and all the realities behind both choices.
• Identification skills, some can, some can’t

Important questions

Another is:

"Do you have a source of income to take care of you/your family while the business grows?"

Put in other words:

"Does your wife a real job, with health care benefits, that can take care of you, her, and your kids until the business is self sufficient?"

Or

"Are you willing to have a full time job with benefits and work A LOT of extra hours building the business?" (That doesn't mean a couple of Saturdays a month....but nights and both weekend days).

 

[Mikey P]

Important questions

Another is:

"Do you have a source of income to take care of you/your family while the business grows?"

Put in other words:

"Does your wife a real job, with health care benefits, that can take care of you, her, and your kids until the business is self sufficient?"

Or

"Are you willing to have a full time job with benefits and work A LOT of extra hours building the business?" (That doesn't mean a couple of Saturdays a month....but night and both weekend days).

Sort of covered in number two in segment 1 but yes it needs to be much more thorough

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Sort of covered in number two in segment 1 but yes it needs to be much more thorough

I brought it up that way because, with damned few exceptions, it has been the only way a cleaning company could establish itself without falling into the giveaway price trap.

It wasn't unusual in the 80s and 90s for guys to be willing to work 40 hours a week AND work most every night and weekend to get to their dream. That isn't a model I see much any longer.

A third option, while harder to find is this one:

Find a carpet cleaner in his 60s who realizes his business is profitable, but not saleable, and work out a "pay as you go" program. I have a few businesses where the kids didn't want it, but the long time helper earned a place of trust and paid the retiring owner a nice income monthly until it was paid off.

Outside of the helper, there were cases where family members or friends took over the business on payments, and that worked out for most of them too

 

[sassyotto]

building your business to be big enough to sell when your ready isnt going to happen.

 

[Mikey P]

building your business to be big enough to sell when your ready isnt going to happen.

not with THAT attitude it isn't...

 

[Trip Moses]

The key to starting out in either situation is research the industry by talking to both owner operators ( self employed) and business owners ( person who stays at office). Then have an in-depth business plan with an in depth budget that includes business and personal finance.

Being self employed and owning a business are vastly different. If you want to be self employed find a repeatable service that you enjoy and build on it. If you want a business, never get on the truck. Never.

 

[Walrus Gumboot]

Don't fall prey to every beautiful marketing Devil in a short dress.

 

[SamIam]

Don't fall prey to every beautiful marketing Devil in a short dress.

So your saying coupons on The back of grocery receipts don't work???

Darn

 

[sassyotto]

If you want a business, never get on the truck. Never.

agree, but how many here have never been on the truck?

 

[Trip Moses]

agree, but how many here have never been on the truck?

None. We are not business men. We are hustlers and liars.

 

[hogjowl]

How fickle you are

 

[SamIam]

That I would keep working forever hahahaha

 

[SamIam]

agree, but how many here have never been on the truck?

Truck this

 

[Trip Moses]

How fickle you are

I’m not selling you anything, soft hoof…

 

[Mike J]

The key to starting out on anything is.....knowing where you want to finish.

That can never be for certain, so get ready for a wild ride, and keep learning. Time is the only thing that will ever be equal to everyone, its all a matter of where and how you want to spend yours.

Be careful what you pray for.....true story

 

[Mike J]

The key to starting out in either situation is research the industry by talking to both owner operators ( self employed) and business owners ( person who stays at office). Then have an in-depth business plan with an in depth budget that includes business and personal finance.

Being self employed and owning a business are vastly different. If you want to be self employed find a repeatable service that you enjoy and build on it. If you want a business, never get on the truck. Never.

you can have both, but it is a 20+ year gamble. Business plan:

Work solo or with tech for 20 years, never upsell

After gaining trust of 20 years, train and delegate every other service with a professionally trained human to represent your company. No hour rate, only percentage work.

Must follow strict ediqate that you have established and pride.

Hope that MikeyP can train you. He really should raise his prices on the courses. The course paid for itself indefinitely and keeps paying. And everybody is happy or even happier since Im so happy.

 

[Trip Moses]

you can have both, but it is a 20+ year gamble. Business plan:

Work solo or with tech for 20 years, never upsell

After gaining trust of 20 years, train and delegate every other service with a professionally trained human to represent your company. No hour rate, only percentage work.

Must follow strict ediqate that you have established and pride.

Hope that MikeyP can train you. He really should raise his prices on the courses. The course paid for itself indefinitely and keeps paying. And everybody is happy or even happier since Im so happy.

Don’t up sell me.

 

[Dr. Kleen]

Professionally trained human. No hour rate, only percentage rate!? Good luck with that…

 

[Mike J]

So the guy who did this for me and some carpentry work on removing a post to fit the reel, also has experience in polishing marble, really liked today and is going to be very happy with this system.
Lunch, coffee, sent home with homemade chili. He did in 5 hours what I been avoiding for years. He is in on Mikeysfest. Im running out of room....