IDEAS ON STARTING A CLEANING BUSINESS

You've heard all of the hype, work from home, get rich by doing nothing, and here's the one I like, make money while you sleep. Wow that's pretty amazing! If I didn't have a child in the house, I'd make millions, but the truth is it's time for an article about starting a real business.

So if you're reading this hoping to have everything answered and a million dollars in your pocket by next Tuesday, OK next Friday in case you're reading this on Tuesday, then this article isn't for you. However, if you want to start a business and eventually get someone to work with you or a full crew, then this might be the article for you.

Everyone who starts a business or wants to knows something about these quick facts that are good to list for review. Decide what business structure you wish to have, sol proprietor, partnership for example. Your accountant which we'll talk about in a minute or so, will help you with this. Study the market. What are other cleaning services charging and what services do they provide? Yes, you have to call them, or have someone else call them posing as a potential customer. If you're moving to a new area, study aspects like demographics, rent values, housing values, number of cleaning services in a given area. Next take some time to think and ask "What strengths do I have to capitalize upon? Are you a better house cleaner? Would you prefer cleaning offices? If you choose house cleaning, what services will you offer besides basic cleaning such as laundry, making beds, windows? In commercial cleaning, will you provide basic cleaning, carpet cleaning, floor care, and window cleaning?

Here's another thought. You need to establish a business name. You can check with your city county building to see if this name is already registered. If you use your last name in the business, like Smith's Cleaning Service, chances are that the name is available.

Now we come to some crucial issues. How will you advertise? Will you use the yellow pages, direct mail, a website, fliers and the list goes on? If you need expert advice, contact your local Small Business Administration. These folks do a tremendous job of helping potential entrepreneurs get their business off the ground. These folks even offer workshops which are well worth the cost of attending. Investing in these aspects will only help you in the future.

Study how others are advertising, and invent new ways to get the word out. Make sure you have nice looking business cards made or create your own and just pass them out when you're on the go. Let everyone know that you're in business and do quality work. Eventually the word will spread.

You started to advertise and you made some calls, but what's next, just let the money roll in? No. You need to make sure your butt is covered. First, obtain an EXCELLENT accountant who knows what they're doing. They should almost be a friend with the IRS, well sort of, but they should know every new law and requirement. Don't even think for a moment that a mistake in this area will go away. Have you ever scratched poison ivy? Exactly, you know what I'm thinking. This mistake will spread like wildfire. So obtain an excellent accountant or CPA form the get go. Find one who is willing to work with small businesses as well as large corporations.

Next, it wouldn't hurt to become bonded, and find expert advice on insurance. If you have a designated vehicle for the business, then insure it with a commercial policy. If you have just one, insure it for a commercial policy as well. Make sure your agent knows the ins and outs of working with small businesses.

Before you let the excitement hit when you get your first check and head to your personal bank account STOP. Be certain to open a business checking account with your bank or credit union. Keep business and personal monies far far away from each other. It's hard to balance the two when they are in the same account. Trust me.

Read books about starting a business, taxes, marketing etc. Keep yourself informed. Attend workshops when you can. Get out into the community and meet people who might need your services such as land lords for example. Get yourself out there.

Next if you hire employees, count the risks involved against any advantages. Make sure this is something you want to do. Your accountant will help with this. It involves more work, but it can also increase profits if done correctly.

Do quality work. Train your employees well. Pay your employees well so they too will do quality work. Remember when an employee comes to clean a house or office, they represent you. Find employees you can trust and depend upon in times when a judgment call might arise. Do your homework.

When I assisted my spouse with their cleaning business, we discovered some of the pitfalls as well as successes in running a business. My goal here is to help you avoid some of the mistakes we made and to capitalize upon the things we did right. It was a joy to work together, and we even hired some help on occasion. It was fun, exciting at times very stressful, but over all we enjoyed having a cleaning business. Feel free to write in the comment section and let me know how you're doing with the business. To your success!