Starting a business in the cleaning industry is just about as straightforward as it gets. Most ventures can be started in a matter of days and you can be putting money in your pocket almost instantly. The great thing about a cleaning business is that you are usually paid upon completion of the job. Rarely is there ever any invoicing or net terms involved with you getting your money (unless you've got a lot of commercial clients).
If you've never run a business before, you'll appreciate everything that a cleaning business can offer. Most can be started for just a few hundred dollars, experience is not always required, and the paperwork involved is usually minimal.
Compare that to a retail business or manufacturing business where you need to invest a good chunk of money, hire employees, and manage it properly so it doesn't all fall apart. A good example of this is the restaurant business or retail store. You've got a lot on the line and the margin for error is practically zero. Not only that, but it takes experience and good management skills to produce any kind of profit. In fact, if you don't have enough money to get you through the lean times, you will likely fail anyway, despite your best efforts.
Talk about stress!
Alternatively, the cleaning business is much more low-key and much less risky. There is a higher tolerance to owner mistakes and you don't have to have your life savings on the line. It's also a great opportunity for new business owners to learn the ropes as they go along. Although you may not be making as much as a restaurant or retail store, you have the luxury of slowly building your business up. In fact, in the beginning you can really go at your own speed without any dire consequences. Accept as much work as you feel comfortable with, and get experience so that you can take on more down the road. It really is an ideal situation.
As if that weren't enough, you've also got the opportunity to grow your cleaning business from a one-man operation to a multi-million dollar company if you so desire. Ironically, you might even make more than if you had started a restaurant or retail store.
It isn't all fun and games, however. And because of the low entrance requirements, you're going to find much more competition in your chosen field. If all it takes is $100 worth of equipment and supplies to get started, you're going to see everyone and his brother trying to get in on this. Fortunately, your excellent customer skills and professionalism will speak for you and you'll rise above those who are only in it for a quick buck.
Wednesday, November 26, 2008
Sunday, November 23, 2008
Start Your Own Business - But Get Experience First
If you've made the decision to start your own service business, then good for you. Deciding to actually start something puts you way ahead of everyone. While they're still dreaming of what could be, you're actually getting things done.
Most service businesses require a certain level of skill to perform the required work. Everything from landscaping, to window cleaning, to pressure washing, to handyman services - they all require a certain level of competency before you can hang your shingle out and advertise your services. In most cases, if you decide to wing it, you're in for some pretty rough times. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to your customers.
But where do you get the experience if you can't do the work? It's the whole chicken-and-the-egg syndrome and it can be pretty frustrating for any budding entrepreneur that wants to get his/her business off the ground now.
Well, there are a few options:
1. Enroll in a course to learn your chosen trade. Many times, you'll be able to take a course at your local college, or you can look around and find a class being offered by some of your major suppliers. An example of this might be a carpet cleaning course offered by a manufacturer of carpet cleaning equipment. Given the choice, you're almost always better off to go with the hands-on training you will receive from people that are already in the business - in other words, take advantage of any courses offered by your suppliers.
2. You can send away for books and video or take an online course in your chosen field. While this may not be as effective as a traditional "hands-on" method, some of this information is very well packaged and is full of exactly what you need to get going.
3. On-the-job training. The experience you'll gain by working for another company in the same field is priceless - even if you're only there for a short period of time. This is the route most people take because it provides unparalleled experience in just about every situation. If you're going to run into snags, there's a good chance it's going to happen while you're working for someone else. Although some people may have a moral dilemma with "using" another company to gain experience to start a business, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. First of all, while you're working for the other company you should be giving 110% of yourself. Don't go in with the attitude that you going to be leaving in a few months. They are paying you to do a job and put in an honest days work and you are morally obligated to do this. The second thing is to make sure you don't open a competing business within that same company's territory. Not only can you be sued if you signed a non-compete document, but, when it comes down to it, it's just wrong.
Starting up your own business is exciting, however, you want to make sure that you're providing value to your customers. They are counting on you to be the professional and if you're lacking skills in any area it's imperative that you prepare yourself by getting the required experience before you even think about opening your doors to the public.
Most service businesses require a certain level of skill to perform the required work. Everything from landscaping, to window cleaning, to pressure washing, to handyman services - they all require a certain level of competency before you can hang your shingle out and advertise your services. In most cases, if you decide to wing it, you're in for some pretty rough times. It's not fair to you and it's not fair to your customers.
But where do you get the experience if you can't do the work? It's the whole chicken-and-the-egg syndrome and it can be pretty frustrating for any budding entrepreneur that wants to get his/her business off the ground now.
Well, there are a few options:
1. Enroll in a course to learn your chosen trade. Many times, you'll be able to take a course at your local college, or you can look around and find a class being offered by some of your major suppliers. An example of this might be a carpet cleaning course offered by a manufacturer of carpet cleaning equipment. Given the choice, you're almost always better off to go with the hands-on training you will receive from people that are already in the business - in other words, take advantage of any courses offered by your suppliers.
2. You can send away for books and video or take an online course in your chosen field. While this may not be as effective as a traditional "hands-on" method, some of this information is very well packaged and is full of exactly what you need to get going.
3. On-the-job training. The experience you'll gain by working for another company in the same field is priceless - even if you're only there for a short period of time. This is the route most people take because it provides unparalleled experience in just about every situation. If you're going to run into snags, there's a good chance it's going to happen while you're working for someone else. Although some people may have a moral dilemma with "using" another company to gain experience to start a business, there is a right way and a wrong way to do it. First of all, while you're working for the other company you should be giving 110% of yourself. Don't go in with the attitude that you going to be leaving in a few months. They are paying you to do a job and put in an honest days work and you are morally obligated to do this. The second thing is to make sure you don't open a competing business within that same company's territory. Not only can you be sued if you signed a non-compete document, but, when it comes down to it, it's just wrong.
Starting up your own business is exciting, however, you want to make sure that you're providing value to your customers. They are counting on you to be the professional and if you're lacking skills in any area it's imperative that you prepare yourself by getting the required experience before you even think about opening your doors to the public.
Friday, November 21, 2008
Starting a Service Business
One of the easiest businesses to get off the ground is a service type business. The startup capital is generally low and experience isn't always necessary in order to get the job done. Of course, this doesn't include actual "trade" businesses such as carpenter, electrician, plumber, and so forth. These occupations require extensive experience and, generally, an apprenticeship and licensing requirements. For the purposes of this blog, 99% of the ventures I'll be talking about will be providing less skilled services to homeowners and some commercial clients.
Of course, the fact that you don't need a five-year apprenticeship and/or invest in thousands of dollars worth of equipment is extremely attractive to most budding entrepreneurs. Essentially, the businesses mentioned in this blog will fit the bill of the person that has little startup money but an incredible desire to succeed. Although the following occupations may not be highly skilled, they can't produce some very serious income for their owners.
Included in this category are:
Window cleaning
Gutter cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Pressure washing
Deck refinishing
Maid service
Janitorial service
Automotive detailing
Scratch repair
Residential painting
Handyman services
And the list goes on...
As you can see, one of the more general themes with all these businesses is cleaning. A cleaning business can be started by just about anyone for very little money. Customers will hire you if they're under time constraints or they simply have the extra money and don't want to do the job themselves. In some cases, the homeowner may be physically incapable of performing a certain task.
So whether you're looking for a full-time income or a part-time supplement to your job, getting into any of the residential services is quite often as straightforward as it gets. The startup costs are minimal and many can be run single-handedly by the owner with little or no experience.
Now, having said that, there are some businesses that require a level of skill that can only be obtained through experience. And you would be well advised to get that experience before you do anything. Some examples are painting, carpet cleaning, handyman services, and window cleaning. The good news is that it can be learned in a relatively short period of time if you work in the industry before you decide to go out on your own.
Of course, the fact that you don't need a five-year apprenticeship and/or invest in thousands of dollars worth of equipment is extremely attractive to most budding entrepreneurs. Essentially, the businesses mentioned in this blog will fit the bill of the person that has little startup money but an incredible desire to succeed. Although the following occupations may not be highly skilled, they can't produce some very serious income for their owners.
Included in this category are:
Window cleaning
Gutter cleaning
Carpet cleaning
Pressure washing
Deck refinishing
Maid service
Janitorial service
Automotive detailing
Scratch repair
Residential painting
Handyman services
And the list goes on...
As you can see, one of the more general themes with all these businesses is cleaning. A cleaning business can be started by just about anyone for very little money. Customers will hire you if they're under time constraints or they simply have the extra money and don't want to do the job themselves. In some cases, the homeowner may be physically incapable of performing a certain task.
So whether you're looking for a full-time income or a part-time supplement to your job, getting into any of the residential services is quite often as straightforward as it gets. The startup costs are minimal and many can be run single-handedly by the owner with little or no experience.
Now, having said that, there are some businesses that require a level of skill that can only be obtained through experience. And you would be well advised to get that experience before you do anything. Some examples are painting, carpet cleaning, handyman services, and window cleaning. The good news is that it can be learned in a relatively short period of time if you work in the industry before you decide to go out on your own.
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