Hi folks,
April this year is my 20th annaversary of window cleaning and my 1st anneversary (still can't spell it right :
:
:
) WFP.
My story (iff anyone is interested :
)
I left school and got a job on a local farm. Got made redundant after 4 years. Went out with my dads ladder and did a bit of W/C for pocket money. Then I got a job on a local Pig farm for another 4 years - jacked it in and started up Rabbit breeding
, odd jobing and W/C on the side. The W/C grew and grew.
In 1987 I met my wife and in 1988 we got married. The Rabbit trade wasn't good and I needed to invest heavily to expand so Tracy and I decided to sell up the Rabbits and concentrate on Windows.
I did other Odd jobs as well back then but a year later in 1989 our daughter Hannah was born in July. That spring we decided to go fulltime W/C and we canvassed all the villages around. Worked a treat - Tracy 7 - 8 months pregnant and us looking for work. A lot of people knew of me so I soon found lots of more work.
I was still using a leather and dry cloth then and met a W/C near Skeggy who put me onto the Fed. I joined and after the Fed telling me about Scrim and Squeegees I bought a kit from a janitorial suppliers in Grimsby. Had no idea how to use it
The Fed put me in touch with Brian Dolby in Grimsby. I went over to see him and attended afew of thier meetings and Brian showed me how to use the squeegee.
In 1992 we moved to Louth and an old chap from Alford (14 miles away from Louth) gave me some work in Louth and away I went in town!
Tried employing, tried parteners. I sold most of the rounds in the villages and concentrated in Town.
When I turned 40 I went through a Mid life crisis, seriousely - I did
Got totally fed up with W/C and decided to join the local Fire Brigade as a retainer (on call whilst W/C)> I took on a couple of lads and got some more work.
That went OK for about 6 months until one lad packed up. I took on another - right rouge
Sacked him and just had me and the one lad.
In 2003 - 2004 I found this site and learned about WFP. Couldn't afford it and just as many were, I was sceptical. Last year I finaly purchased WFP gear and went for it
What a stressfull time the first 6 months were
I jacked in the Fire Brigade last August and got stuck in WFP Window Cleaning.
I am now reaping the benefits of my efforts - but it still buggs me
............ Leaving the windows wet
I must add that our better life here is not entirely due to WFP. Tracy has made leading efforts with part time work to fund our family holidays and the extras in life. She is a real inspiration to me
I would like to say a big thankyou to all of you folks for your advice and trade understanding. Trade assosiations and Federations have been mentioned - but Cleanitup.co.uk is by far THE BEST trade group to be in
David Salkeld