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| One of the biggest fears people have about starting a small
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 helped us achieve real security. |
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We started our cleaning business over nine years ago. Our schedules now
burst with other, more creative commitments, but we continue to clean houses and offices.
Why? Because the work is steady, the pay is excellent, and we love getting the free time
we want in order to pursue our personal goals.
When I first joined Ev as he started a house cleaning business I relished the idea of
working for myself but I had no idea what I was getting into. 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 reassured me that my basic skills were good enough. He
guaranteed that the short working hours 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 found a new use for my research 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:
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 sink into debt before you even
get started. Franchises, while highly appropriate for oil lube shops and Internet cafes,
are not a good idea for an entrepreneur who simply wants to start a cleaning business. Oil
change shops and cafes 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!
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I discovered that cleaning is not drudgery when you're
getting paid well to do it. I also discovered that working in office environments is a
pleasant way to make quick cash. We also clean houses where you have to deal with people.
An office is more neutral territory. No one to have to talk to when you really just feel
like focusing.
Best of all, I realized that through our diligence and excellent service, Ev and I have
provided genuine job security for ourselves all along.
Why do we think starting an office cleaning business is a great idea? Here are 7 reasons
why:
1. Unlimited income potential
You can grow your office cleaning business as big as you want. Many recent entrepreneurs
have built up their office 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, office 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 office cleaning business within a
few months. 4. Be your own boss
Absolutely my favorite reason for starting a house cleaning business. My inner compass
indicates that when I’m my own boss I’m going 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. We find that we
each work smarter instead of harder because both of us are 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. 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. 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. In fact, a lot of
people find the gentle, repetitive tasks involved in cleaning to be meditative.
8. Professional cleaning is not emotionally or mentally exhausting
This is Ev's favorite part of starting a house cleaning business. Ev initially started his
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
Second favorite on Ev's list. There has always been that one person who made life at work
less than enjoyable if not a complete drag. 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 get to work by bike and on
foot as well.
11. Start additional cleaning services
Maximize your profits by adding any of a dozen additional cleaning services. 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.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
This article was adapted from the ebook, Start Your Own House Cleaning Business.
Other business ebooks, featuring the Suze & Ev Method, are Start Your Own Window
Cleaning Business, and Start Your Own Office Cleaning Business. Find these ebooks
at:
http://www.start-cleaning-business.com.
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| Real-world, common sense strategies
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