[Lee Pryor]

So i wasnt going to say anything about all this until next year when hopefully its worked. But I thought it would be fun to chart the journey.

Im about to take a very big step and a big gamble in my finacial and business life.

I have sold my house to invest 1/4 million pounds (the equity) in my business which currently has 5 vans with me in a little (and very cold) office! Im moving back in with my parents and renting the spare room from them.  Its all going through on thursday this week.

My investment is as follows.

Vehicles

I have bought 8 brand new renault traffic vans currently at Ionic systems being fitted with the same 700L systems we already use. I have financed all of this £160K over 5 years.

Office

My office is being doubled in size and proffesionallly fitted out from floor to celling including 2 wall mounted 50" screens to display vehicle trackers, schedual on cleaner planner ect.  3 new computers. ISDN2 phone system for multiple lines, transfer ability ect, fully fitted kitchen ect. I will be taking on 2 full time office staff to join me.

static system

Ionic are building me a completely bespoke static system of 9000L, not going for parts per billion but has all the same features like boosted fill, auto flush, with stainless steel filters ect. 4 transfer pumps so 4 vans can fill at the same time.

Marketting

I will be doubling our covered area this year and doing my usual leafletting drops with jog post. This year however its the volume that will be a first in the industry. I have ordered 1 million leaflets to be printed and delivered costing £85K I saw the first run of 300K being printed last week which was pretty exciting. I hope to get 6000 customers from that this year so fingers are very crossed right now.

Into next year

I hope to reach a point where we can continue to grow at this rate under our own finacial steam, leaving me some of the money for the next deposit on a house. This project takes us to 13 vans this year (I hope!) then we plan to purchase another handful next year with the ultimate goal being the 15-20 vehicle level.

Once we are a few months in I plan to make some video updates of the process. Just got a few more things to do over the next 2 -3 weeks before it all kicks off.

Brave or stupid?

You decide!

[TomSE]

Brilliant! Good luck Lee, brave and ambitious.

Look forward to the video updates I'd be very interested to see how it all pans out for you.

All the best
Tom

[Bungle]

Why?

[Lee Pryor]

Why?

 1. Because I want to build my business to a point that it provides me with the lifestyle I want.

2. Because its a good time of my life to try. No wife, no kids, been in the game 12 years and I feel I know what im doing.

3. Because I feel the need to

[NWH]

Good luck you are very brave and deserve all the rewards from being so,ionic will be sending you a Xmas card lol.

[NWH]

It'll be frightening to see how much work you'll need to clean to make a profit won't it,I take it your very good with logistics who's helping you run it.

[Bungle]

Why?

 1. Because I want to build my business to a point that it provides me with the lifestyle I want.

2. Because I feel the need to

So having 5 vans out isn't enough for you and you want to gamble your house? Go for it!

[Lee Pryor]

It'll be frightening to see how much work you'll need to clean to make a profit won't it,I take it your very good with logistics who's helping you run it.

I will be running it with the help of 2 new admin staff. Im simply repeating the same business model I already use over a wider area with more vans. Few small changes here and there but much the same as the last few years.

[Lee Pryor]

Why?

 1. Because I want to build my business to a point that it provides me with the lifestyle I want.

2. Because I feel the need to

So having 5 vans out isn't enough for you and you want to gamble your house? Go for it!

No it isnt. I have

[Bungle]

Maybe sort your website out before you try and conquer the world, it's as slow as fkcu

[Lee Pryor]

Maybe sort your website out before you try and conquer the world, it's as slow as fkcu
[/quote)

That's very true and is one of the many little changes being made over the next few weeks. I'm not trying to conquer the world bungle. Just want to build something to be proud of

[ChumBucket]

Stupid. If I was to invest that kind of money it wouldn't be in window cleaning! But good luck all the same.

[robert mitchell]

Good on you , hope it all works out 

[Og]

That's f***ing brilliant mate, good luck to you!  Hope you don't live near me, amigo.

[nathankaye]

That's f***ing brilliant mate, good luck to you!  Hope you don't live near me, amigo.

Yep thinking same!!! Hope no where near me!!

So curious, there has been some on going debates on here about pricing strategies and also in previous threads of national companies coming into areas bulk snatching at ridiculous prices (low prices just to clarify) driving out competition. Curious to have your input in your marketing plan and projection of economic growth and achieving that??

[Perfect Windows]

Good on you, Lee.  Glad to hear your plans coming from ideas to concrete actions.

Remember, though, leaflets don't work, so you're doomed.

Vin

[Clever Forum Name]

Fair play and good luck.

I would have saved a fortune and gone with grippatank though. Unless it's the cheap version of ionics.

Grippa tank do van and equipment deals all leased etc.

Pics or it didn't happen

[8weekly]

The things that would worry me are the fripperies. Ionic systems, professionally fitted offices, 50 inch screens leap from the page. Fine if you are financing through turnover. It doesn't mean your plans won't work, but it just hints at something other than business driven decisions.

[Dave Willis]

Plenty of work going down south apparently.

[Dave Willis]

Stupid and Brave I reckon but you've got nothing to lose. Just feel sorry for your parents. I think if it was me I would have kept the house and rented it out or sold the house and reinvested in property whilst slowly building the business. The stress of that lot would kill me.