Thought about it a few years ago, but a job came up that was good paying at the time so went for that (something i knew how to do).
That job came to a standstill in Feb this year. I tried my hardest to get a job doing anything but just couldnt get any work. I got turned down straight for a job at McDonalds without a reason and i was refused an interview for a job filling sandwiches in one of these factorys because i had 'no experience' of making or filling sarnis other than making my kids lunch every morning.
A month on, still no job and £1500 short for the rent & bills. My wife and i looked into starting our own business.
First was office furniture (was the job i lost in Feb), that was just too hard to get going and the reason i didnt have a job was because people werent buying office furniture.
Next came the idea of a gardening business. Great idea, but i dont know a plant from a weed and the longer term wouldnt be so good money wise come winter.
Next was an idea i had about 18 months prior. I had looked into window cleaning WFP style and liked it (it was this forum how i learnt back then) I researched this site, google and youtube for pretty much 3 days solid with only a few hours kip each night and came to the conclusion that i was going to be a window cleaner !
I priced up the BASIC kit i would need to get going and begged my mum to lend me the money, which she agreed to. Before buying the equipment, i needed customers. So i went out for 2 weeks day and night with my book to quote people with, 500 leaflets i had made up with the money i borrowed.
Customers who said yes were told there would be a 2 week wait because of getting my kit, but all were ok with that. Once i had my first 30 i went out and cleaned them by day and knocked / dropped leaflets by night and so on.
The beginning was a stressfull time and i nearly packed it in a few times because of water issues. My wife gave me a swift kick up the arse when i was ready to jack it in by syaing fine, go work in a factory for someone who tells you when you can eat, smoke and pee. And reminded me of times when i came home with horror storys. I hated her for what she was saying to me at the time, but looking back now im so glad she did.
Im just going into my 6th month as a window cleaner and im so happy. Ive worked though problems of not producing enough water, i can now afford to get rid and replace those customers that are just a PITA. Ive just had 9 days off due to my vehicle die'ing and finding another one. But its not so bad and ill be caught up in a couple of weeks.
Window cleaning has transformed the quality of my life aswell as my familys. I can take my kids to school in the morning and pick them up. I get to come home at dinner so i can have food with my wife. I work 4 days a week and pick when i want to do conservatory / fascia extras.
Its not just a case of cleaning windows and your done. People dont see the water / equipment / papaerwork side. But adding all that together i wouldnt swop this job for the world.
I LOVE WINDOW CLEANING
