Can a new carpet cleaner handle a Home Show?
A new Georgia carpet cleaner is worried about tackling the strange new world of Home and Trade Shows. Steve says Home Show marketing is great … IF you do it right! Here’s some tips …
how to start cleaning business
When to jump from my part-time “job” to a “real” cleaning business?
Cleaners get nervous when its time to quit the day job and go full speed ahead with their new cleaning venture. Bill Yeadon shares his insights after helping many budding cleaning entrepreneurs make the jump!
Can buying a franchise help me get started in carpet cleaning?
Should I go with a franchise- yes or no? A huge question that faces a beginning carpet cleaner at the worst possible time- before they know anything about this industry! Fear no more as a would-be carpet cleaner in Nashville pops the franchise question to Steve …
So what the %&?$#@* is this thing called “SFS”?
Unsuspecting new carpet cleaners are still wasting time and money attending “sleazy snake-oil seminars”. (Sadly, the old “bait and switch” game doesn’t just happen in people’s homes!) So Steve gets nailed with the totally valid question, “What is SFS?” every day. He unloads right back in this passionate post. Steve also unveils the new “SFS Curriculum” page which supports his claims. See it for yourself in the top menu under “About SFS”.
What if you could do your cleaning career “all over again”?
Do you “fritter away days”? Chuck Violand fights this tendency to waste time. Read here Chuck’s musings on how to avoid this destructive habit and live your life to its full potential.
The Great Carpet Cleaning Pricing Debate- Part II
Big Billy Yeadon weighs in with what may be the most profitable way to price your carpet cleaning services as an owner-operator. In the final analysis it will be up to you. But first check out Bill’s musings …
The Great Carpet Cleaning “Pricing Debate”- Part I
Outside of arguing about the best truck mount (which invariably is owned by the person talking) there is nothing that causes more disagreement among carpet cleaners than “how to price” the job. My take? They all work! Let me explain why …
Should I start out hitching a ride as a sub-contractor cleaner?
After an extended absence from our industry an independent cleaner is looking to get back in the game. He’s looking for a shortcut to success but as usual Steve tells it like it is …
Why carpet cleaners should ask “stupid questions” …
Carpet cleaning business owners can do well by taking a lesson from small children. Kids are by nature inquisitive and take in enormous amounts of information (also called “learning”) by asking questions. Sadly, as we grow older we lose this essential “growth trait”. Chuck Violand weighs in on why and how you should rekindle your curiosity and start asking some so-called “stupid questions” …
When should I move my owner-operator carpet cleaning operation out of my house?
It makes a lot of sense to start your cleaning or restoration business out of your house. However, sooner or later you will be faced with the question of “when should I stop storing all these cleaning chemicals and equipment in my garage?” Steve waxes nostalgic …
As a “just starting out” carpet cleaner should I buy expensive or low cost cleaning chemicals?
True or false- “Every penny counts when you are a brand new carpet cleaner.” Steve’s answer to a neophyte North Carolina, new to carpet cleaning, may surprise you. Here’s a hint: the cleaning chemical supplies you buy are not the most important factor …
Why won’t my wife get on board with my new carpet cleaning venture?
A prospective Denver carpet cleaner has caught the “entrepreneurial cleaning bug” but his wife just isn’t excited about this new development. Steve timidly ventures into the “family counseling” field with some hard-learned wisdom from his own experience in cleaning up …
“What can I do to pay the bills till my carpet cleaning business kicks in?”
In a perfect world your first clients would all be clamoring for clean carpets BEFORE you even open your doors for business. Surprise! It doesn’t work that way, as one slightly disillusioned Kansas City carpet cleaner is finding out …
“Information age” to the “conceptual age”- where do I fit in?
You may be “just a carpet cleaner” but have you ever been accused of being “a blue-sky person”? Do you recall information better when it is explained in story form? Have you noticed that one of your child’s favorite sayings is “Mommy, read me a story?” If your head is nodding up and down, you are going to love this book.
Should I go with a “one stop package” carpet cleaning “business opportunity”?
When entering a new industry it can be an oh-so-very-overwhelming journey. So it is tempting to go the pre-packaged equipment route, especially if the company offers you a “protected territory” for your carpet cleaning business. But Steve says to be very, very careful. After all, you are putting one more link in the “supplier chain” …