[Ian Lancaster]

Noticed on the 'best job ever' thread that a lot of people have a problem with the 'stigma' of 'only being a window cleaner.'

I went to grammar school, got 7 'O' level GCE's (1961) and 3 'A' levels (1963).  Didn't want to go to university so my first job was as a bus conductor.  Great job   earned twice or three times what my old school mates were earning and thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Tried various things over the next few years and then met a bloke who was working for a London window cleaning firm, doing all the schools.  Went with him to 'try it out' and never looked back

Soon got fed up of working for someone else so set up my first round - since then I've been window cleaning for over forty years, started and built umpteen rounds, expanded and employed people, sold businesses and started again and can honestly say I've always enjoyed it.

When ignorant conceited people give me the 'oh, he's only a window cleaner' attitude, I play along with it.  I say something like:

"Well, I think I was lucky, really.  In my day someone without qualifications had a very hard time trying to find a decent job.  I'm very glad I've been fully employed for almost all my life and even if I've had to manage on a lot less than most people earn, I'm still gratefull that I've never had to claim the dole.  I may not be a millionaire but I've had a good life and always managed to pay my way.  Maybe I could have been a (here I mention whatever my victim's job might be) and had all the things that would have brought me, but I'm happy with my lot.  I retire next month and I can look forward to a quiet retirement knowing I've done my bit."

What I DON'T  mention is the fact that my wife and I own a 5 bedroom house which we paid for many years ago, that we have a £35,000 motorhome that we spend most of our weekends in and that when I do retire I will have an income in excess of £40,000 per year as my pension.

Why would I want to spoil their feelings of superiority?

I really am more than happy with my lot!!!

So don't worry about the 'stigma'

If that's what having a stigma means, I'll take it every time

[matt]

Noticed on the 'best job ever' thread that a lot of people have a problem with the 'stigma' of 'only being a window cleaner.'

I went to grammar school, got 7 'O' level GCE's (1961) and 3 'A' levels (1963).  Didn't want to go to university so my first job was as a bus conductor.  Great job   earned twice or three times what my old school mates were earning and thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Tried various things over the next few years and then met a bloke who was working for a London window cleaning firm, doing all the schools.  Went with him to 'try it out' and never looked back

Soon got fed up of working for someone else so set up my first round - since then I've been window cleaning for over forty years, started and built umpteen rounds, expanded and employed people, sold businesses and started again and can honestly say I've always enjoyed it.

When ignorant conceited people give me the 'oh, he's only a window cleaner' attitude, I play along with it.  I say something like:

"Well, I think I was lucky, really.  In my day someone without qualifications had a very hard time trying to find a decent job.  I'm very glad I've been fully employed for almost all my life and even if I've had to manage on a lot less than most people earn, I'm still gratefull that I've never had to claim the dole.  I may not be a millionaire but I've had a good life and always managed to pay my way.  Maybe I could have been a (here I mention whatever my victim's job might be) and had all the things that would have brought me, but I'm happy with my lot.  I retire next month and I can look forward to a quiet retirement knowing I've done my bit."

What I DON'T  mention is the fact that my wife and I own a 5 bedroom house which we paid for many years ago, that we have a £35,000 motorhome that we spend most of our weekends in and that when I do retire I will have an income in excess of £40,000 per year as my pension.

Why would I want to spoil their feelings of superiority?

I really am more than happy with my lot!!!

So don't worry about the 'stigma'

If that's what having a stigma means, I'll take it every time

one issue i would like to raise

your 35 K motorhome still doesnt have any soul

[Sapphire Window Cleaning]

Good on you Ian, are you really retiring soon?



Matt

[mlscontractcleaner]

Most folk have no idea what a decent window cleaner can earn; it's still beer money after all; and we're all on the dole and robbing the system by "earning" some spare money "on the side" :.

The reality is of course very different, but it's our little secret and they don't need to know that. Just let them think that you're ever so grateful for their valued custom

[Niall McAllister]

Noticed on the 'best job ever' thread that a lot of people have a problem with the 'stigma' of 'only being a window cleaner.'

I went to grammar school, got 7 'O' level GCE's (1961) and 3 'A' levels (1963).  Didn't want to go to university so my first job was as a bus conductor.  Great job   earned twice or three times what my old school mates were earning and thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Tried various things over the next few years and then met a bloke who was working for a London window cleaning firm, doing all the schools.  Went with him to 'try it out' and never looked back

Soon got fed up of working for someone else so set up my first round - since then I've been window cleaning for over forty years, started and built umpteen rounds, expanded and employed people, sold businesses and started again and can honestly say I've always enjoyed it.

When ignorant conceited people give me the 'oh, he's only a window cleaner' attitude, I play along with it.  I say something like:

"Well, I think I was lucky, really.  In my day someone without qualifications had a very hard time trying to find a decent job.  I'm very glad I've been fully employed for almost all my life and even if I've had to manage on a lot less than most people earn, I'm still gratefull that I've never had to claim the dole.  I may not be a millionaire but I've had a good life and always managed to pay my way.  Maybe I could have been a (here I mention whatever my victim's job might be) and had all the things that would have brought me, but I'm happy with my lot.  I retire next month and I can look forward to a quiet retirement knowing I've done my bit."

What I DON'T  mention is the fact that my wife and I own a 5 bedroom house which we paid for many years ago, that we have a £35,000 motorhome that we spend most of our weekends in and that when I do retire I will have an income in excess of £40,000 per year as my pension.

Why would I want to spoil their feelings of superiority?

I really am more than happy with my lot!!!

So don't worry about the 'stigma'

If that's what having a stigma means, I'll take it every time

so not only are you just a window cleaner, you're weekend trailer trash as well 

I am happy for folk to look down on the window cleaner, it means they don't try to work out the lowly window cleaner hr rate, and how much more he's on than them.

[cozy]

Nice one Ian, how much a month did you pay into your pension fund? As for stigma, Maybe Squaddies are different to other UK custies. I don't notice it at all if there is one honestly.

For Germans, having a WC is a status symbol,and they are relatively expensive, so I don't think we are looked down on.

Who cares? Count the money and cry all the way to the bank.

[ftp]

The stigma thing is certainly there for the first year or so. Former work collegues show absolutely no interest in what I'm doing, in fact it's a sure conversation killer. The family I'm sure scoffed behind my back. Funny how things change - sister in law was asking if I would take on her hubby a few weeks ago. Got chatting to another brother in law and suddenly realised I had earnt double his builders income this year so far  
People still ask me if I'm in the Print trade and think I'm part time. My accountant is impressed, I'm moving house shortly, have a good float in my business account so things can't be bad.
I have one customer who is semi-retired and lives in a massive house - he's in the cleaning business.
 Some people are so short sited and snobby - I think it's great  

Ian, that pension of yours is amazing  

[dai]

Well done to Ian, those that have read his posts in the past know that Ian set up a sucessfull franchising operation, no doubt that will help with his pension.
The stigma thing has never bothered me, Other peoples thoughts are their own, and they can think whatever they like.

[peter holley]

Noticed on the 'best job ever' thread that a lot of people have a problem with the 'stigma' of 'only being a window cleaner.'

I went to grammar school, got 7 'O' level GCE's (1961) and 3 'A' levels (1963).  Didn't want to go to university so my first job was as a bus conductor.  Great job   earned twice or three times what my old school mates were earning and thoroughly enjoyed the work.

Tried various things over the next few years and then met a bloke who was working for a London window cleaning firm, doing all the schools.  Went with him to 'try it out' and never looked back

Soon got fed up of working for someone else so set up my first round - since then I've been window cleaning for over forty years, started and built umpteen rounds, expanded and employed people, sold businesses and started again and can honestly say I've always enjoyed it.

When ignorant conceited people give me the 'oh, he's only a window cleaner' attitude, I play along with it.  I say something like:

"Well, I think I was lucky, really.  In my day someone without qualifications had a very hard time trying to find a decent job.  I'm very glad I've been fully employed for almost all my life and even if I've had to manage on a lot less than most people earn, I'm still gratefull that I've never had to claim the dole.  I may not be a millionaire but I've had a good life and always managed to pay my way.  Maybe I could have been a (here I mention whatever my victim's job might be) and had all the things that would have brought me, but I'm happy with my lot.  I retire next month and I can look forward to a quiet retirement knowing I've done my bit."

What I DON'T  mention is the fact that my wife and I own a 5 bedroom house which we paid for many years ago, that we have a £35,000 motorhome that we spend most of our weekends in and that when I do retire I will have an income in excess of £40,000 per year as my pension.

Why would I want to spoil their feelings of superiority?

I really am more than happy with my lot!!!

So don't worry about the 'stigma'

If that's what having a stigma means, I'll take it every time

oh dear!!!you should have worked harder at it


















ONLY JOKING   good on you Ian!   thats enouraging to us all

[ronnie paton]

i think ian means is franchise when he says pension fund cozy.........he is proof that franchising can succed.

[cozy]

Ah, OK, never thought of that. Is it a big thing in UK?

[Craig 72]

I have a similar background to you Ian.Went to a grammar school and got all my GCSEs and A levels.Left school and started working with my dad doing building work,20 or so years ago.Dad moved away to Devon so had to come up with a way of earning money so came up with this lark.My family couldn't be happier or more proud that after only 8 months I've got a business that covers all my mortgage and bills etc.I only wish I'd started up years ago.I have never,or never will work for anybody but myself.If I'm honest though,yeah I do get a bit embarrassed telling people what I do.Maybe embarrassed isn't the right word,it's more like you wonder if people think you're underachieving.Let's be honest when the average person thinks of a window cleaner they picture a scruffy bugger who's too lazy to get a 'real job'!I can't say I thought much differently until I started doing it.

[wizard]

Is there a sigma ? I never new that maybe I am to dum.

[matt]

nothing wrong in signing on and doing a few hours window cleaning with a damp dirty rag

no stigma in that

[ronnie paton]

cozy i dont think many make it work but Ian has it to a tee.

I would prefere to employ but if it continues to cause me big head aches then i wil give franchising a go. Its one way of gettng some one commited who will have good time keeping and provide a good service for the customers(cause he has had to invest into the franchise) but with out the hassle or ougoings employing can provide.

You also earn more money if you help and support the franchiser has you usually take a percentage, and he also makes more money if he makes it a success every one is happy

[cozy]

I didn't realise that there was franchising in WCing. Thanks for that, I'll trawl about abit online and see if there is anything like that here.

[ronnie paton]

cozy you can franchise anything has log has people fee its worth the investmnt

[Clive McDonald]

This thread is very dishonest. Just because you earn or have more money than somebody else that doesn't make you better than them.Is a premiership striker more valueable as a person than a heart surgeon?

There is a stigma to being a window cleaner, deserved or not, and to be fair before youn pat yourself on the back too much a grammar school boy with seven o's and three A's could have done better.From the things you have posted on here there are things to admire in the arc of your life, particularly coming back into the game and doing it so well.

I like people people who come back.Look at the hammering Steve Jobs got a few years ago, he was laughted at and hounded out of his own company by fellow directors, but my word what a comeback.

[geefree]

whos Steve jobs 

[Clive McDonald]

You've started me of now.When i was at school you asked the class what they wanted to be and it would be a footballer, or doctor, or pop star, okay not great aspirations but values have become so distorted now that the most common cherished ambition is to win the lottery.

The best thing you can have in life is a sense of purpose and some values.But if you can't have these i suppose a lot of money will do.