[Kingfisher-CCS]

Hello all happy new year!,

I've been running this cleaning 'business' for 6 months now, not really making any profit yet but what can you do!

I'm beginning to think that because I am 24 and look fairly young for my age (was asked for I.D. at ASDA around christmas for christ sake!) people are put off by it!

I always produce a full quote/tender pack, with all H&S policies, method statements, cleaning spec, T&C's etc, all bound and smart looking. But, people are constantly avoiding telling me a straight yay or nay!

Van's sign written and I either wear company polo shirt or smart shirt n tie, so I don't know what is wrong other than my age?

A few of my clients actually talk to me as if they employed me (one told me she would buy me bleach for the toilets if I needed it because she didin't think I used anything!)

Of course, I'm not going to let this stop me. I thought that to offset this age discrimination (ha ha!), I oughta be as proffessional as possible. Sell the sizzle, as they say.

I'm beginning to think that contract cleaning is more hassle than it's worth!

Does anyone here think age would be a problem? Should I grow a beard (it doesn't suit me, but for more money I'm willing to try it!)

Hope everyone else is having a good year so far anyways
Thanks guys n gals
Paul

[clifford]

im 22 mate and i have been going just over 2 years now and doing really well....more work than i can staff but sometimes i still feel like its more hassle than its worth.......just keep at it.......


cliff

[gary evans]

Paul,

Remember me i did the quote for apd? for you, did you get it.

Every body is after something for nothing, i,m easy going with customers but you have to show that you are the boss, i still work & do all office & paperwork stuck in doing tenders taday.

The other option is that you amalgamate with somebody else to expand. We are in the process with other cleaning company at the moment.

The other option is do sub-contract work this can also be lucrative & you would be managing contracts.

All the best

Gary

[Cleaning Resource]

i get people looking at me as if to say "yer alright wheres ya boss" i`ve even sent my dad to price jobs before now cos they seem to like to see an older face....

 i`m growing beard as we speak, i`ll let you know if it works

[Kingfisher-CCS]

thanks for the replies,

Hi Gary, nah didn't get the ADP job think they went with a company that cleaned windows traditionally (not sure though). They just said their other quote was 'a lot' cheaper! I'm not sure they really knew what they wanted! Sorry, I thought I left you a message on your mobile.

Oh well, better pick myself up and get down to business 

[Robert Parry]

Paul,

Keep your chin up mate, this business is hard!! No doubt about it, you always see ads online about how easy this business is, none of its true, this industry, like any other, rewards, honesty, integrity and a strong work ethic, you just have to keep trying to convince others!!

Look on the brightside, with you being "youthful" at least you can offer lots of energy and dynamism whilst you learn the ropes, best of british and welcome, regards,

Rob

[*Chris Browne]

Dont worry paul about looking young, a couple of more years in this game and that will soon sort that out, by the time your 30 you'll look fifty and have a full head of white hair (or is that just through having a teenage daughter?)

if you dont beieve me look at the picture below just 3 years after starting my own business, and ive lost all me hair and good looks.




Chris

[chosker]

I'm 24 and own a commercial company also. I don't find age a problem, its the marketting that is the hardest bit. I come from  a domestic cleaning background and all you have to do is sit and answer the phone and the jobs roll in (no cold calling, all advertising) but unfortunatly it doesn't work like that in the business world!

I'm lucky in that my manager (who is''old''!) always introduces me as the MD and is respectful towards me - well, in front of clients anyway!

Good luck with it, and don't give up. Please don't grow a beard!!!

[martin19842]

hi there

profit --- 6 months trading!!!!

in reality that isnt an issue

if you were running a more technically driven business,  profit is seen in yer 2 and year 3

we will soon be in our third year, and whilst earning good money the profit is now emerging, and increasing at a steady rate.

you are not going to make huge profit in year one.

and you have to define profit, too many people get the definition wrong

the profit is the amount of money left after you ahve taken your salary. it is the money that provided the life blood for the business to prosper futher and hance more profit.


yes -- it can be hard work.

regards

martin

[dustdees]

Hi all,

Profit, in have just have all the paperwork completed and signed off ready for my account to send of for my annual return, I made a loss, of £311, from August 2005 to April 2006. So that's my hard work sll for nothing!!

However looking at the books for then on it's going to be very different this year, will have to pay tax and I reckon the account may suggest that I start think about registering for VAT!!

I beg to differ about the comment on domestic cleaning, sit there and answer the phone and the jobs roll in!!! I don't know about the others on here who do domestic, like Jan K, domestic bliss, but I find that statement a big of an insult, to be honest!!!! You still have to graft at the job, and sell the service, of they don't like you they won't go with you it's a simple as that!!
We still have to market the business, flyer drop, etc, etc!!! You still need to cold call on lettings agents, landlords, property managers, etc. If you don't cold call then they ain't gonna know that you are out there!!

Give yourself a good 2 or even three years before profit starts to show, after this end of this year you should be able to pull a wage from it!!

I think it's good to have youngish people in the industry, you could bring in new ideas, working practise, etc, etc and that is always positive!! And don;t forget we are always learning whether w ehave been in the business for 6 months , 6 years or 60years!!!

Take Care and good luck

[Cleaning Resource]

dustees, I know this is of subject but I just had a look at your website and thought I should mention that you need to slow down your marques cos you can`t read them they are almost a blur,

  :

[dustdees]

Hiya

Thanks Gleam,

I know but I am about to redesign my webpage, and re publish it.

You are not the forst one to mention this

thanks

Den

[chosker]

REPLY TO THE POST BY DUSTEES.

OUR DOMESTIC COPANY HAS BEEN IN OPERATION FOR OVER 11 YEARS, IS THE LARGEST OF ITS FRANCHISE IN THE COUNTRY.

WE DO NO COLD CALLING, WE HAVE NO NEED TO. ADVERTISING IS ALL WE DO AND ALL WE NEED TO DO, OBVIOUSLY THERE IS WORK ON THE PHONE SELLING POST-ADVERTISING BUT THE SERVICE ITSELF IS HALF-SOLD ALREADY AS WHOEVER IS CALLING WILL HAVE READ/SEEN DETAILS ABOUT US.

WE DO NOT OURSELVES DEAL WITH THE LEAFLETTING, WE SOURCE TO A LEAFLETTING FRANCHISE (ZONE MARKETING / DOR-2-DOR WHO ARE EXCELLENT)AND MYSELF AND A COLLEAGUE DEAL WITH THE ADS. AS WE HAVE DONE THEM FOR SO LONG NOW (WELL, ME FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS, SHE FOR MUCH LONGER) THEY DO NOT TAKE LONG ALTHOUGH WE DO RE-DESIGN THEM EVERY YEAR. THE WORK INVOLVED IN SELLING THEREFORE IS SIMPLY EXPLAINING EXACTLY HOW WE WORK, NOT REALLY SELLING, IT IS TECHNICALLY ALREADY SOLD OR THEY WOULD NOT HAVE CALLED US. OUR CONVERSION RATE IS PRETTY MUCH 50% DUE TO THIS.

THIS IS SIMPLY NOT POSSIBLE ON THE COMMERCIAL SIDE AND WE HAVE TO FIGHT FOR OUR CONTRACTS.

I DIDN'T MEAN TO BE INSULTING!

[dustdees]

COSKER,

I DON'T UNDERSTAND YOUR POINT!! TO BE HONEST FRANCHISE IT DOES IT FOR YOU!! MY COMOANY IS MY OWN, PERSONALLY WON'T TOUCH FRANCHISING BUT EVERY ONE IS DIFFERENT!!

IF YOU ARE A FRANCHISE THEN THERE IS ALREADY SOME KNOWLEDGE ABOUT THE COMPANY AND THAT'S HALF THE BATTLE.

AS YOU SAY YOU HAVE BEEN RUNNING FOR 1YRS THAT'S VERY DIFFERENT TO JUST UNDER 2 YEARS!!!!


 I HAVE TO SAY THAT I HAVEN'T A CLUE ABOUT THE COMMERICAL SIDE OF THINGS, AND UNDERSTAND THEY THINGS HAVE TO BE WORKED DIFFERENTLY, HOWEVER I WOULD BE VERY DISAPPOINTED IF MY CONVERSION RATE WAS 50%.
LUCKLIY MY RATE IS MUCH HIGHER THAN THAT AROUND ABOUT 90% MARK!!
THIS COULD BE REGIONAL THO!!

I WOULD NEVER COLD CALL ON DOMESTIC CLIENTS, MOSTLY BECAUSE THEY ARE NOT IN DURING THE DAY AND WHO WANTS TO GO WALKING THE STREET AT IGHT THIS TIME OF YEAR ANYWAY!!

I DON'T NEED TO COLD CALL ON DOMESTIC CLIENTS, REFERRALS AND STUFF COME IN AT A HIGH RATE, BUT I AM LOOKING AT CONTRACTS WITH A LETTING AGENT AND FACE TO FACE CONTACT WITH THEM INITIAL MAKES A MUCH BETTER IMPRESSION!!!

[chosker]

I WOULDNT TOUCH FRANCHISING EITHER, I COMPLETLY AGREE, I SAID THE DOMESTIC COMPANY I WORKED FOR WAS A FRANCHISE BUT THE COMMERCIAL MY OWN!
MY POINT WAS FOR THE GUY WHO WAS SAYING HOW TOUGH IT WAS, SIMPLY THAT YES THE COMMERCIAL SIDE IS TOUGH AND I DON'T REALLY THINK IT HAS MUCH TO DO WITH AGE, IT IS SIMPLY THE MARKETTING SIDE.
ANYWAY, IT'S NOT THAT IMPORTANT NOW ANYWAY, THE POINT SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN LOST ALONG THE LINE (MY FAULT PROB NOT YOURS!)

[chosker]

P.S. WE DO OUR ONE-OFFS AND SPRING CLEANS ETC HALF ON DOMESTIC AND HALF ON COMMERCIAL - ALL ESTATE AGENTS ETC GO ON MY COMPANY SO HENCE THE COLD CALLING AND FACE TO FACE THERE. WE DO NOT INVOICE CLIENTS ON THE DOMESTIC SIDE SO COULDN'T DO ANY COMMERCIAL WORK AT ALL, ALTHOUGH I UNDERSTAND THAT FOR A COMPNAY LIKE YOUR WHICH PROBABLY WORKS COMPLETLY DIFFERENTLY TO OURS (THE DOMESTIC SIDE IS A PAIN DUE TO PAYMENT ETC BUT IS ALSO OUR BREAD AND BUTTER )
AGAIN THOUGH THIS ALL MEANS THAT NOT MUCH FACE TO FACE ON THE DOMESTIC SIDE ALTHOUGH OBVIOUSLY WE SEND A REP ROUND.

[Jan K]

i agree with denise, you take on a franchised operation and half the work is already done for you, because you are paying for the privelege of NOT having to do the work.

I started my business 4 yrs ago with no money to put into and 8 months of research, courses and hard slog before I even launched it.

I am still here 4 yrs later albeit having had a tough past few months, and I aint ever gonna be a millionaire with domestic only. domestic is the hardest market to please imo, not the hardest to get payments from as i admit cos there are no credit terms offered, but is still doesnt mean peeps will pay on time.

but in my local area we are inundated with commercial, industrial and retail cleaning companies, but very few domestic..............purely because domestic is hard to break into down here with the amount of cleaners working on the side taking work from us legit companies.

the south west has the highest cost of living with the lowest wages in the country. i charge my clients £10.00 ph and pay my cleaners £6.00 ph, but myoverheads are still the same as everywhere else, insurance is the same advertising is the same.

i dunno about denise or lisa or any of the other domestic cleaners here, but work diesnt just fall in my lap..............quite the opposite I'm afraid, it is more likely to fall out of it cos some benefit fraudster wants to make a few bob on the side and the customer would rather pay £6 direct to them and risk not having insurance etc than £10 to me for a legit company..............well thems the breaks i guess huh? 

[chosker]

JUST A QUICK REPLY TO jAN BUT NOT REGARDING THE CONTENT... WE USE THE PHRASE 'WE DON'T CUT CORNERS WE CLEAN THEM' AND ONCE MADE THE HORRIBLE MISTAKE OF NOT PROOF READING AND PUTTING IT AS ''WE DON'T CLEAN CORNERS, WE CUT THEM!'' WHICH WOULD HAVE BEEN DISASTROUS IF IT HAD GONE TO PRINT.

WE'RE LUCKY WITH OUR AREA FOR DOMESTIC - HOME COUNTIES IN AN AREA WITH FEW BUSINESSES AND LOTS OF NICE RICH HOUSES. I THINK WE ARE IN OPPOSITE SITUATIONS - FOR US IT IS THE COMMERCIAL MARKET THAT SEEMS IMPOSSIBLE TO BREAK INTO, FUNNY HOW THINGS DIFFER ACROSS THE COUNTRY LOL!

[Jan K]

absolutely chosker. it all about location.

funny i hope you didn't use those printers again, i cant understand how they let that one slip thro 

[*Chris Browne]

Good points....but stop SHOUTING!

Chris