“Down in the trenches” at Mikefest 2011
This can be a lonely business but cleaners are fighting back by spontaneously organizing “get-togethers”. Steve gives us an ongoing inside view of the most “informal” gathering out there…
starting out
Carpet Cleaner “Pinching Pennies 101”: Office software
Five solid free software tools to make your cleaning business more productive. Did we mention they are all FREE?
24 years old and rarin’ to go in commercial carpet cleaning!
California Dreamin’? This young carpet cleaner is focused on retiring young by dominating his commercial sector. We share some great SFS site resources and a few cautions along the way …
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 …
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!
How does this quote make you feel?
Recently, I ran across a quote in a new book that really made me sit down and think about the meaning. The quote was from Abraham Maslow, famous for Maslows Hierarchy of Needs…
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”.
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 …
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 …
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” …
What pitfalls are there in buying a carpet cleaning business?
One wanna-be entrepreneur asks Steve what to watch out for in buying a carpet cleaning business. Steve’s answers may surprise and shock you. If so, they may be just the wake up call you need to successfully sell your company in the future …