One of the biggest fears people have about starting a house cleaning business is the fear of having no real security. But for natural entrepreneurs, security comes from designing your own life. My partner Ev and I discovered that we could create security when we put forth the effort to call our own shots and make key business decisions that made sense for our lives. Starting a house cleaning business has helped us achieve real security.
We started a house cleaning business over nine years ago. Although our schedules are now brimming with other creative commitments, we continue to clean houses and offices because the pay is excellent, it gives us the free time we need to pursue our personal goals, and we like it.
When I first joined Ev as he started a house cleaning business I had no idea what I was getting into, but I loved the idea of working for myself. Two things were bothering me a little. First, I was concerned with job security. Second, I secretly doubted my basic cleaning skills. Cleaning had always seemed like drudgery and I wondered if my skills were up to par with the pros. Ev guaranteed that cleaning would give me time to spend the way I wanted. I was ready to take a leap of faith, so I decided to try it.
I made three discoveries:
Cleaning is not drudgery when you're getting paid well to do it.
Leaving behind neat, clean rooms is quite satisfying.
Not having a boss is fantastic.
I also discovered a new use for my research and investigative skills. Because I was determined to rank up there with the best of the professionals, I began to research cleaning tips and as a result, learned how to clean just about anything. Best of all, our diligence and excellent service has provided genuine job security all along.
Why do we think starting a house cleaning business is a great idea? Here's eleven reasons why:
1. Unlimited income potential
You can grow your house cleaning business as big as you want. Many recent entrepreneurs have built up their house cleaning businesses up to 100k a year within one year. Try that with a JOB (just over broke). Cleaning franchises are booming nationwide, but franchises are a bad deal for the want-to-be professional cleaner. You go massively into debt before you even get started. Franchises are highly appropriate for oil lube shops and Internet cafes because those are expensive and complicated businesses, cleaning is not.
2. Start bringing in money within two weeks
You can discover interested clients within days. You can be giving quotes within a week. You can have jobs by week two. You can have a full-force house cleaning business within a few months.
3. Start on a shoestring budget
You can start a house cleaning business for well under $100. This business is one of the best for inexpensive start-ups. Believe it or not you can even start without a vacuum or a car. We did!
4. Be your own boss
Absolutely my favorite reason for starting a house cleaning business. My inner compass just tells me that being my own boss is taking me in the right direction. I'm sure you can relate. Nothing quite compares to the pride and excitement of calling the shots and being in charge of your own destiny. This is what America is all about, right? What is stopping you? Sure, you'll make mistakes, we all make them. But no one is going to scold you and you'll learn from your mistakes. Besides, as another entrepreneur once said, we have the most sympathetic boss in the world - ourselves!
5. Set your own hours
We love this aspect of starting a house cleaning business even more than being our own boss. We take days off when we want and as often as we can get away with. Try that with a JOB (just over broke). We find that we each work smarter instead of harder because we're able to tap into our natural sense of responsibility. When you're empowered to take charge of your own schedule you take more pride in the work you do.
6. Get paid everyday
This is my second favorite benefit. It's really cool. Every day we get at least one check if not several. You won't stress out about paying your bills on time. No waiting two weeks or a month to get paid. This makes your personal accounting system less stressful and a whole lot more enjoyable and even downright fun.
7. Cleaning is easy work, not technical or complicated
If you prefer to use your brainpower on genuinely creative, significant pursuits, or even if you don't, starting a house cleaning business won't drain your brain.
8. Professional cleaning is not emotionally or mentally exhausting
This is Ev's favorite part of starting a house cleaning business. Ev initially started a house cleaning business because he was frustrated with how emotionally draining his JOB was, making it very difficult for him to pursue his creative endeavors. He was tired a lot of the time and just couldn't get motivated. Within weeks of starting his first house cleaning business he was realizing a lifelong desire to compose music. He now has seven CDs of music published. Ev and I built a house ourselves with the free time and free mental space afforded by our part time house cleaning business.
9. Choose who you work with
Number two favorite on Ev's list. There has always been that one person that made life at work less than enjoyable if not a complete drag. Can you relate? If we discover we don't exactly click with a client, we have a system for replacing them within one week, sometimes sooner. You'll never feel trapped with an unwanted associate again.
10. Work close to home
No long commute, no commute at all if you prefer. There is plenty of work near you, we drive maybe ten miles a day, we do 80% of our work in one neighborhood. When Ev started his first house cleaning business he rode his bike and took public transportation to his clients' homes and offices. With a little foresight and planning, you can clean with no supplies of your own. We have met several other cleaners who work by bike and on foot as well.
11. Start additional cleaning services
You can add in any of a dozen additional cleaning services to maximize your profits. Carpet cleaning, steam cleaning, house sitting, pet sitting and plantscaping are all natural outgrowths of starting a cleaning business. You can mix house cleaning with office cleaning, or window cleaning with house cleaning, or for variety do all three.
Starting a house cleaning business may not be glamorous, but because we did it, Ev and I have gained free time to do what we want to do, lowered our stress levels, become more productive and happier, and we make a good living. For people with a sense of independence and a creative spirit, starting a house cleaning business is a wonderful way to provide yourself with genuine security.
This article was adapted from the newly revised and improved edition of Suzanne Arthur's ebook, Start Your Own House Cleaning Business. Two of Suzanne's other business ebooks, featuring the Suze & Ev Method, are Start Your Own Window Cleaning Business, and Start Your Own Office Cleaning Business. These ebooks, as well as a handy dandy cleaning tips ebooklet, can be found at http://www.start-cleaning-business.com. Suze & Ev's further adventures in cleaning and beyond are posted on their blog, http://www.start-cleaning-business.com
licensed cleaning services Park Ridge ..It's the dream of every person who starts a business... Read More
A lot of business owners I've spoken with lately have... Read More
Let's face it, we all tend to get stuck in... Read More
What's your job profitability? Do you know?Many business owners are... Read More
One of the biggest excuses franchisees of home based and... Read More
Are you responsible for your results?What comes to mind when... Read More
Last summer the FTC put forth a report and then... Read More
Whether your target audience is in your neighborhood or across... Read More
Many auto detailers fall short in their sales presentations. I... Read More
If you are a motorcycle detailer and need to expand... Read More
As a teenager I worked for my father's small business.... Read More
Do you promote yourself as offering prompt, reliable and quality... Read More
Your business is making profits, but where is the cash?... Read More
Most small businesses will not even try to advertise on... Read More
When is it a good thing to say no to... Read More
Q: I will be retiring this year at age 60... Read More
I believe the number one reason why a business will... Read More
I started working with another new client last week. He... Read More
If you own a small business, you should know that... Read More
Outsourcing is the strategic use of outside resources to perform... Read More
No, I'm not talking about gambling or dairy cows ?... Read More
Bookkeeping?the "dreaded" word is something we all have to worry... Read More
Paul Leonard's BirthdayCards2Go.com paid greeting card service offers convenience when... Read More
Many ventures are faced with the challenging task of raising... Read More
As a successful small business owner,you're accustomed to long hours;... Read More
on demand house cleaning Arlington Heights ..Everyone loves a good story. Whether it's the story of... Read More
Until the day I learned to play chess I loved... Read More
If you are a franchisee of a large franchise system;... Read More
Ongoing support for a franchise system is omnipotent. A major... Read More
A Private Investigator is a professional trained in the art... Read More
Do you sometimes find yourself just going "through the motions"... Read More
In this series of articles I'm going to show you... Read More
I agree that knowledge should be free, but the next... Read More
All legitimate home business entrepreneurs insist and announce loud and... Read More
What's your job profitability? Do you know?Many business owners are... Read More
When should you leverage the relationship?Leveraging sometimes brings a negative... Read More
I only have to point to the 555 plus failed... Read More
If you plan to do business online, then your website... Read More
In a world full of complications sometimes we overlook the... Read More
Many of our nations 400,000 franchisees run their businesses out... Read More
Attorneys and Lawyers are ruining the franchise industry. It is... Read More
If you're starting your own business or currently work for... Read More
Security Professionals provide the products and services necessary to create... Read More
Every company has business pain, but the pain does not... Read More
It is not surprising that some people may perceive Six... Read More
The difference between rates and wages is not always clear... Read More
There were only an estimated 1800 active franchisors in this... Read More
The Federal Trade Commission which governs the franchise industry thru... Read More
In this paper, I will:1. provide a framework for creating... Read More
CARD SHARK7 Card Tricks That Improve Your Personal Networking PowerThe... Read More
Small Business |