[Clever Forum Name]

Worked for NASA and decided I wanted to earn more. So I quit my lifestyle and started window cleaning. Best thing I ever did. £800 by lunch time most days.

You must of been over the moon with how it finally worked out.

 

[Johnny B]

I lost my previous job when the company folded. I was unemployed for around three months, and was on the verge of starting to learn the knowledge to become a London cabbie, when a good friend of mine offered me part time work cleaning windows.

I worked for him for about three months, when he encouraged me to build a run of my own.

I canvassed in my spare time, and within a couple of weeks I was earning enough to go solo. It snowballed from there.

Three years ago I relocated to Ireland and started up again. It's been a challenge this time as my move was in the middle of the recession, which hit Ireland hard, but I am still plugging away and inching closer to where I need to be with the business.

John

[Frankybadboy]

i walked out of my last job as a transport manager for a rather large local firm,when i got divorced,lost my dad to cancer and then finally had a break down

didnt work for 3 months lived of my saving,and then brought a part round of a local guy,who i worked with for a month and then took on 3day a week worth of work off him

 

[Dave Willis]

....... and still only works three days a week 

[Frankybadboy]

....... and still only works three days a week 

got to ride all them bikes somehow

[elite mike]

....... and still only works three days a week 

got to ride all them bikes somehow

three days should be enough to earn a good living 

[Frankybadboy]

....... and still only works three days a week 

got to ride all them bikes somehow

three days should be enough to earn a good living 

about 80k 

[elite mike]

 

[Dave Willis]

Sort of.

[Window Lickers]

i walked out of my last job as a transport manager for a rather large local firm,when i got divorced,lost my dad to cancer and then finally had a break down

didnt work for 3 months lived of my saving,and then brought a part round of a local guy,who i worked with for a month and then took on 3day a week worth of work off him

 

Franky what firm was that?

[Marc Stock]

I used to work in sales for a company called In-Tuition computer training in central London. I was 20 years old getting up at 5 am and coming home at 9pm, it started off ok, and I did relatively well out of it, I was getting tired though and I had a boss who used my naivety to bully me and make my day harder. My sales targets kept getting bigger, the better I did, the more they kept moving my targets, I would come in a 6 am for a two hour sales meeting to discuss what the focus was for the day, only for them to rollock us for not hitting targets, or increase our targets.

I lasted about 18 months and quit due to burnout. I then had a few other jobs, and started my own telemarketing business. I managed to get 12 clients and was making good money, and then the contracts finished and I couldn't get anymore as no one was spending money.

So I went window cleaning with a friend to earn some cash, did some gardening with my (now ex) father in law until work picked up. I realised I enjoyed working outside and as worked picked up again on the telemarketing I longed to work outside again.

I had a meeting with a customer in Scotland, I rang him up and cancelled the meeting; I cancelled any future work, finished my contracts and closed the business down. The next day I started canvassing for window cleaning, that was back in 2003 and I haven't looked back since.

[vinty]

I lost my job as a banker and needed something that would pay at least £150k a year.  So I started cleaning windows.

[Stephen.C]

Lost my job as a city stockbroker so needed something that paid loads of money for very little effort and also tax avoidance. Normally do about 3k a day
Thinking about going legit next year.

[Window Lickers]

You do £3K a day in pies. 

[Electric]

hi Adam. When I started a lot of people took the mick but I got publicity because of my size.  You could gain weight to ab out forty stone and copy me but I don`t recommend that.
Here`s what works for me.
   Get some good professional leaflets printed but don`t just stick them through doors but knock the doors. This way the leaflet is a sign that you`re not just another fly-by-night. If there is no answer then post leaflet or if the door has no cold callers then post leaflet.
  When you`ve cleaned a house, knock on the neighbours say you`ve just done their neighbours and do they need a window cleaner.
Facebook have selling pages in your local area, go on there and promote yourself.
If you want to build a business then re-invest every penny you can back in.
 Finally get a back pack and pole from wcw. you can usually buy water from a local firm.
This is a great way to earn a living so go for it.  gerald

[Stephen.C]

You do £3K a day in pies. 

Shut up you fat pikey

[Frankybadboy]

i walked out of my last job as a transport manager for a rather large local firm,when i got divorced,lost my dad to cancer and then finally had a break down

didnt work for 3 months lived of my saving,and then brought a part round of a local guy,who i worked with for a month and then took on 3day a week worth of work off him

 

Franky what firm was that?

David hathaway transport

[C o z y]

hi Adam. When I started a lot of people took the mick but I got publicity because of my size.  You could gain weight to ab out forty stone and copy me but I don`t recommend that.
Here`s what works for me.
   Get some good professional leaflets printed but don`t just stick them through doors but knock the doors. This way the leaflet is a sign that you`re not just another fly-by-night. If there is no answer then post leaflet or if the door has no cold callers then post leaflet.
  When you`ve cleaned a house, knock on the neighbours say you`ve just done their neighbours and do they need a window cleaner.
Facebook have selling pages in your local area, go on there and promote yourself.
If you want to build a business then re-invest every penny you can back in.
 Finally get a back pack and pole from wcw. you can usually buy water from a local firm.
This is a great way to earn a living so go for it.  gerald

Like that, good attitude.

[Electric]

You do £3K a day in pies. 

I`ve cut down to only 1.5K

[C o z y]

I used to work in sales for a company called In-Tuition computer training in central London. I was 20 years old getting up at 5 am and coming home at 9pm, it started off ok, and I did relatively well out of it, I was getting tired though and I had a boss who used my naivety to bully me and make my day harder. My sales targets kept getting bigger, the better I did, the more they kept moving my targets, I would come in a 6 am for a two hour sales meeting to discuss what the focus was for the day, only for them to rollock us for not hitting targets, or increase our targets.

I lasted about 18 months and quit due to burnout. I then had a few other jobs, and started my own telemarketing business. I managed to get 12 clients and was making good money, and then the contracts finished and I couldn't get anymore as no one was spending money.

So I went window cleaning with a friend to earn some cash, did some gardening with my (now ex) father in law until work picked up. I realised I enjoyed working outside and as worked picked up again on the telemarketing I longed to work outside again.

I had a meeting with a customer in Scotland, I rang him up and cancelled the meeting; I cancelled any future work, finished my contracts and closed the business down. The next day I started canvassing for window cleaning, that was back in 2003 and I haven't looked back since.

Interesting story Marc, do you use your sales skills to the max now? What training did you have behind all that work? You must find getting commercial work pretty easy.