Skip to content
  • Contact Us
    • Request your seat at SFS
    • Subscribe to our weekly QuickTIPS
    • Request Steve’s advice
    • Join us in Industry Forums online
  • SFS Training Options
    • About SFS: “Winning over your caller!” Online Course
    • About SFS: “Hiring the Very Best!” Online Course
    • About VAST Training
  • About Us
    • SFS: “Business Transformation” Curriculum – Day by Day
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 1 – Monday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 2 – Tuesday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 3 – Wednesday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 4 – Thursday
      • SFS Seminar Curriculum: Day 5 – Friday
    • The Strategies for Success Team
      • Nick Paolella
      • Angela Buege
      • Steve Toburen
      • Bill Yeadon
      • Chuck Violand
    • Why Consider SFS?
    • What Others Say
    • SFS History
    • FAQ’s about SFS
  • SFS Members Only
    • Blue Door Access
    • Operations Manual
  • Jon-Don

Search

Strategies for Success – (SFS)
  • Equipment
  • Training
  • Technical
  • Hiring
  • Telephone
  • Sales
  • Diversify
  • Office
  • Finances
  • Downloads
    • Special Reports
    • QuickFIXs
  • More

SFS Instructor’s Blog

The SFS / VAST team of Jeff Cutshall, Chuck Violand, Bill Yeadon and Steve Toburen share their insights into the best business practices and how you can make it alone in the Cleaning and Restoration Industry.

Affluenza … no one is immune! – Part 3

by Chuck Violand

As our companies grow, or as we rise through the ranks in our business, it’s easy to forget what it’s like to be one of the “workers.”

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags attitude, carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, complacency, entitlement, owner accountability Leave a comment

Affluenza … where does it start? – Part 2

by Chuck Violand

As ridiculous as this might sound, handling finances and financial success is a learned skill.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning technician, discipline, finances, leadership, owner accountability, success in carpet cleaning industry Leave a comment

Affluenza … are you infected? – Part 1

by Chuck Violand

The virus to which I’m referring is still alive, well and thriving in far too many companies.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning techncian, complacency, infrastructure, management, personal success, success, wealth Leave a comment

Mind YOUR business

by Chuck Violand

Most of us have an over-active need for the approval of others. In the process, we let other people or things get in the way of what we could (and should) be. Even worse, we don’t achieve what we personally want out of life.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning technician, cleaning business owner, core beliefs, lifestyle analysis, management, owner accountability, personal success, success Leave a comment

Core Principle #1: “Goods” vs. “services”

by Steve Toburen

What is the one common denominator of all the different “results” that our industry provides?

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags cleaning business, core business principles, goods, services, small business Leave a comment

David Pollay’s “The Law of the Garbage Truck”

by Chuck Violand

Please see David Pollay’s excellent book “The Law of the Garbage Truck”

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Leave a comment

How should I write up an encapsulation proposal?

by Jeff Cutshall

Should a professional carpet cleaner include details of encapsulation, extraction frequency, etc. in the job estimate?

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags bidding, commercial cleaning business resource, encapsulation, maintenance contract commercial cleaning, production, selling commercial cleaning Leave a comment

Alpha talk

by Chuck Violand

There’s an epidemic of Beta Talk in business today and I think it’s hurting rather than helping.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning marketing, communication, marketing Leave a comment

It ain’t easy out there – #1

by Steve Toburen

Let’s check out some of the resources that this site (and our SFS seminar) can offer you to keep the cash coming in!

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, commercial, commercial cleaning business resource, fire and water damage restoration business resource, residential carpet cleaning, sales, selling commercial cleaning Leave a comment

Never give in! – Part 2

by Chuck Violand

Reminding yourself of Sir Winston’s words to “Never give in, never give in, never, never, never, never…” might help sustain you through the rough patches that are a natural part of every cleaning and restoration business.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, Endurance, Focus, goals, leadership, management, shared vision, starting out, the big picture Leave a comment

Never give in! – Part 1

by Chuck Violand

How to work through adversity and stay on the path to success and sustained growth

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, Endurance, entrepreneurs, Focus, goals, leadership, management, motivation, personal success Leave a comment

So are we done with “belching at the table”? – Part 5

by Chuck Violand

Yes, there are significant emotional and financial rewards that come along with the CEO title. However, there are also pitfalls to be avoided.

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags arrogance, carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, employees, leadership, management, owner accountability, personal success, respect, training Leave a comment

Brave enough to “belch at the table”? – Part 4

by Chuck Violand

Are you continuing to develop your own skills to help you keep up with an ever changing workplace? OR have you started to coast?

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning technician, employees, leadership, management, owner accountability, personal development for carpet cleaners, personal success, respect, training Leave a comment

Are your employee’s “belches” growing? – Part 3

by Chuck Violand

One of a CEO’s main responsibilities is to “grow their people”. How is this done?

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning financials, carpet cleaning technician, employees, exit interview, leadership, management, owner accountability, respect, training Leave a comment

Do your employees need to “belch at the table”? – Part 2

by Chuck Violand

“Holding yourself accountable” by answering some uncomfortable (and very soul-searching) questions will make a huge difference in your business… and your life!

Categories SFS Instructor’s Blog Tags carpet cleaning business growth, carpet cleaning financials, carpet cleaning technician, employees, exit interview, leadership, management, owner accountability, respect Leave a comment
Older posts
Newer posts
← Previous Page1 Page2 Page3 Page4 … Page22 Next →

Account

  • Log in
  • Register
  • Lost password?

SFS Online Training

SFS: Winning over your caller $149

Upcoming dates:

Online Jun. 12, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Online Aug. 6, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Online Oct. 1, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

SFS: Hiring the Very Best $149

Upcoming dates:

Online Sep. 10, 2025 ⇒ RESERVE NOW

Want even more help?

Join the SFS facebook group!
Join our SFS Facebook group to Grow your Business!

Looking for forms?

Free Form Downloads

Still looking for answers? Ask us!

Are you starting a new business?

I WANT TO…

Start

Start a Business


Employees

Add Employees


Freedom

Achieve "Freedom"


More Categories

MY FOCUS IS…

Restoration

Restoration


Residential

Residential


Commercial

Commercial

More Industry Sectors

NEW POSTS

  • Goods versus services? Wassup wit dis?
  • Parking your truck safely and efficiently
  • What’s It Going to Take to Persuade You?
  • Laughing your way through sales calls?

WEEKLY QUICKTIPS

  • A lesson from dentists and quick-lube shops
  • ‘Atone for your sins’ with a Gift Card!
  • “Breaking bread” brings your team together

more quickTIPS...

Sign up for our weekly QuickTIPS

* indicates required

ATTEND SFS

What is SFS?


You now have five SFS training options!


Meet the SFS Team


Even more...

Class Curriculum

What Others Say

SFS FAQs

Join Jon-Don on Social

  • Jon-Don on facebook
  • Jon-Don on Twitter
  • Jon-Don on YouTube

By Industry

Upholstery Cleaning
Fire Restoration
Carpet Cleaning
Janitorial
Smoke Damage
Mold Abatement
Water Damage
Commercial

By Topic

Diversifying
Marketing
Employee Training
Website / SEO
Finances
Pricing
Equipment
Customer Service
Sales
Telephone
Hiring / Firing
Technical

By Resource

QuickFIXs
QuickTIPS
Videos
Procedures
Special Reports
Steve’s Advice
Bill’s Blog
Chuck’s Thoughts

SFS Members

Operations Manual
Contact Steve
Contact Bill

About

What we teach
Our History
Class Reviews
SFS Member Profiles
About VAST
FAQs
Terms & Conditions
Privacy Policy

Contact

Contact SFS
Request Help
Call Jon-Don
Jon-Don on Facebook
Jon-Don on Twitter

SFS Classes

Check here for updates

© 2025 Jon-Don, Inc. | Privacy Policy