Regular cash flow, your very own production schedule, a steadily appreciating asset and best of all … less interaction with an at times difficult and demanding residential customer. So what’s not to like? Will this carpet cleaner’s dreams of profit in commercial maintenance work be fulfilled? Steve Toburen gives his prognosis …
Are you enjoying the lifestyle benefits of living in the countryside? GREAT! This small town carpet cleaner asks, “Can I build a ‘real business’ in a market base of only 30,000 people?” Steve shares how he did it …
One veteran professional carpet cleaner in California has been debating the pros and cons of offering the credit card payment option to his clients. Steve helps him realize he has already sub-consciously decided …
As Chuck reflects on how the typical carpet cleaning or restoration business is much like a boat he focuses on your business wind- MONEY! No money? Then as a business you are “dead in the water”. A simple concept? Yes. But at times agonizingly difficult to implement. Read on for Chuck’s meditations …
A harried Florida cleaner is battling an upholstery cleaning problem. Steve explains that sometimes the best thing to do is “throw in your cards” but do so with honor and dignity …
Read about the pros and cons of structural rebuilding in fire and water damage restoration as Steve answers the question above …
Check out these 10 questions that just may keep you from joining the 80% of start-up businesses that fail within their first decade. Then share with your fellow board members other vital questions that have kept you safe, sane and profitable …
Bill Yeadon reviews books, blogs and other education resources with a focus on modern marketing for small businesses in the Carpet Cleaning, Mold Remediation and Fire and Water Damage Restoration industries.
Ah yes, the eternal question: “How do I ‘bid’ a job at the ‘right price’?” (Which means low enough that the manager does not fall out of his chair laughing when reading your proposal but high enough to make a profit.) Steve shares a 4 step “pricing for profit” system …
Everywhere you go and every commercial transaction you make should be examined with your “Customer Eyeglasses”. For example, notice what Steve took out of a recent (and very sudden) sojourn to Brooklyn, New York …
Steve waxes nostalgic when asked about his “success time-line” and then shares a few bone-headed mistakes he made over the years so you can avoid them!
Can discounting your price help drive more business? Take a look at Pizza Hut and see what it did for them.
Are you tired of trying to be “all things to all men”? You aren’t the only one struggling with business identity crisis…
There is no way to beat the system… But we can adjust our habits to lessen the damage.