[Joe Bromley]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

[Johnny B]

I was made redundant in late 1996, and was unemployed for 3 months.

 In early 1997 a good friend of mine, who was a well established windy, offered me part time (3 days a week) work with him. He trained me up, and we worked together for the next 3 months.

My friend encouraged me to look for some work of my own, to cover me for the rest of the week. This I did, and very quickly I was earning enough to go it alone, so we parted company. We did, however, regularly work together working for each other.

In 2011, I had to relocate to Ireland for family reasons, so I sold up and started up again from scratch.

2 years on, my run is progressing very favourably. 

John   

[Positivity]

Depends on what "Success" means to you.
If it is being able to keep up with the bills - Yes thankfully.
Not answering to a boss - Yes
NO Appraisals - reviews - rules - no pay rise - phone ringing constantly - demand to work extra - Yes
Knocking off early for a quick pint in the Sun - Yes
Working in the rain and sub - zero - No
Motivating myself when I can't be bothered - No
No more monthly cheque and pension and car - No
Problem custies - No
Overall I work about half as many hours as I used to for more money and been going about 18 months so hopefully it will get better!!!!
Maybe that will be success!!!

[JNESTIE]

It's a year to the the day since I left full time employment for window cleaning. I bought a small round off my brother in law and have never looked back since. I have more than doubled the value of my round with out door knocking or leafleting.  I am earning more than I ever did in my full time work.  I found that after the first few months people got to see me regularly in their area and would approach me or through word of mouth.  Loving being my own boss!

[suds window service]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

. Just read my posts from day one. I love doing it when I get a bit down. It makes me realise how lucky I am.

[Dave Willis]

I've just found a wart on my thumb - after six years of leaving my job. 

[robbo333]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

Had a good job (working on computers) but got made redundant after 22 years. Worked for myself (from home) for about 5 years but couldn't hack being indoors alone, so started window cleaning as a part time gig. Missus couldn't live with me cleaning windows so dumped me. (seriously). Moved down south and still worked from home (plus cleaning windows). Home work dried up, so now only cleaning windows. New Mrs Robbo luvs me for who I am. Now I'm only cleaning windows. The world is now my oyster and I'm just deciding how much I want!

[LT carpet cleaning]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

Had a good job (working on computers) but got made redundant after 22 years. Worked for myself (from home) for about 5 years but couldn't hack being indoors alone, so started window cleaning as a part time gig. Missus couldn't live with me cleaning windows so dumped me. (seriously). Moved down south and still worked from home (plus cleaning windows). Home work dried up, so now only cleaning windows. New Mrs Robbo luvs me for who I am. Now I'm only cleaning windows. The world is now my oyster and I'm just deciding how much I want!

Shallow bitch

[robbo333]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

Had a good job (working on computers) but got made redundant after 22 years. Worked for myself (from home) for about 5 years but couldn't hack being indoors alone, so started window cleaning as a part time gig. Missus couldn't live with me cleaning windows so dumped me. (seriously). Moved down south and still worked from home (plus cleaning windows). Home work dried up, so now only cleaning windows. New Mrs Robbo luvs me for who I am. Now I'm only cleaning windows. The world is now my oyster and I'm just deciding how much I want!

Shallow bitch

Unfortunately, I think you're right. She was a 'high flyer' accountant and it obviously didn't work very well at dinner parties! Funny how people are! Perceptions are a weird thing!

[Dani J]

For those of you that left full time employment to set up and never looked back; tell us your story, warts n'all.

Joe

Had a good job (working on computers) but got made redundant after 22 years. Worked for myself (from home) for about 5 years but couldn't hack being indoors alone, so started window cleaning as a part time gig. Missus couldn't live with me cleaning windows so dumped me. (seriously). Moved down south and still worked from home (plus cleaning windows). Home work dried up, so now only cleaning windows. New Mrs Robbo luvs me for who I am. Now I'm only cleaning windows. The world is now my oyster and I'm just deciding how much I want!

Shallow bitch

Unfortunately, I think you're right. She was a 'high flyer' accountant and it obviously didn't work very well at dinner parties! Funny how people are! Perceptions are a weird thing!

Yes i bet you make more money than her now though  never mind about the states, its about how much money you have in your pocket at the end of the day.  thats my moto 

[windiewasher]

Im very successfull.i have 525 custys at a average of £3 im rich.
Last week i cleaned 35 houses in 1 day and took over £100 and only took me 11 hours.

[Sean Kelly]

Im very successfull.i have 525 custys at a average of £3 im rich.
Last week i cleaned 35 houses in 1 day and took over £100 and only took me 11 hours.

Where's your round too?? Average price for a house down my way is £10 done 19 in 4 hours last Friday

[paul ette]

think he was taking the mick

[windiewasher]

Im very successfull.i have 525 custys at a average of £3 im rich.
Last week i cleaned 35 houses in 1 day and took over £100 and only took me 11 hours.

Where's your round too?? Average price for a house down my way is £10 done 19 in 4 hours last Friday

I will move to your way and do them for £4 each.

[koopmaster]

I was a IT consultant for 15 years and moved to a new job,  they where giving out overtime Christmas 2011 and I needed the money as my wife looks after my boy so my wages was the only one...

they didn't give me overtime and our Christmas sucked big time... no money...

I was sitting on the couch January 2012 and thinking of a way to make money and suddenly my head said "BE A WINDOW CLEANER"  I jumped out of my seat and told the missus...

She said "OK do it" and I phoned a windy friend, got some training and 1000 cards and started a month later...

I worked 2 jobs last year, 7 days a week building my round, quit the full time job end of January this year and now have 320 customers.  With a average of £8.5 per a customer.  

I am taking this year easy and not doing any carding or knocking and finish at 16:00 or earlier, 4 or 5 days a week.
(because I worked so hard last year I thought I deserve it take it easier this year)
Next year January i am gong to get about 30 000 cards and re-drop my whole area and canvass and get a 2 man setup with the idea of doubling my round or better.

[Ian101]

I am taking this year easy and not doing any carding or knocking and finish at 16:00 or earlier, 4 or 5 days a week.
(because I worked so hard last year I thought I deserve it take it easier this year)

basically thats what ive been doing since about Feb this year as I worked virtually non stop for 2 1/2 years but since last month felt recharged enough to crack on with growing and gained just over 40 new customers in last month.

[Tom-01]

I used to work in media sales for Thomson Directories and then for a advertising and packaging company. Got fed up with targets and office politics so I left, traveled through Europe and lived in Sweden for just under a year. Whilst out there the thought of returning and having an office job again filled me with dread. I'd done window cleaning on and off years ago so decided to come back and do it properly - I had £15 cash and that was it. My brother has a window cleaning company so I worked for him 2 days a week and used his old van, saved a bit of money and then moved to an area where I knew I could set up a good business. When I moved I got a back injury so canvassing and working with sciatica for a year wasn't easy at all (but still better than being back in an office!) 2 years later have an employee, a smart van with another of each due soon.

I've had some great help along the way and I'm always willing to help others because of that. But it takes a lot of hard work and not having much money for a while. Perseverance is key.

The funny thing is I now have targets again and spend a bit more time in the office! But I'm the boss

It's a business so has to be taken seriously but it should also be fun along the way.

[supernova77]

My brother has a window cleaning company so I worked for him 2 days a week and used his old van

Tom-01

I've heard that your brother is much better looking than you - and looks younger...

 

[Jim Waugh(Albright & Shiny)]

At 14 hours in its probably a bit too early to say, but so far so good !...

[stuart mc]

At 14 hours in its probably a bit too early to say, but so far so good !...

14 hours is a start well done

I made enough to cover my bills and eat within 3 months of leaving my job, only just though, within 6 I was doing ok