[Doug Holloway]

Hi Guys

I have had a very good 2009 and am looking forward to a tough but interesting 2010.

My decision to go TM , 15 months ago was a good one and I would certainly recemmend to all but those with the most difficult access problems, to take this route.

2010 will be a big year for driving forward my website business, time is the limiting factor but I will have to sort this.

How have you been and wha'ts are your plans?

Cheers

Doug

[paul moss]

Good god Doug was that 15 months ago. How time flys.

A Tm is the only way forward for hwe.

Ive had an exceptional year and plan to maximise further next year with a couple of new disciplines.

This will mean a business restructure.

I have just got a decent size commercial unit to launch it all from early 2010.

[Mike Halliday]

a unit is the next thing on my list, seen a few but I have dreams of an office woman doing tele-marketing so need a unit with an office. I've just been outside trying to insulate 2 bowser-washers and pulling another pressure washer out of the shed into the conservatory.  I need a unit.

this year has been more of a foundation laying year, I've bought everything i need, sorted out my marketing, got a website and paid off  a lot of personal debt. the new year will be a new start of a more stable productive company.

on a personel level I'm decided I''ll  no longer will use age an excuse for being a fat Basterd

[Peter Sweeney]

Hi Doug

Can you call me. Lost all numbers.

Had an unexpectedly good start to the year and a decent summer. Autumn was dire and the xmas run in has just about put me back on the front foot.

Would also like to get a unit (mainly for the rugs) but not ready yet. Have alot of plans myself for the new year and Jason and I are working together on these.

Good to hear you are doing so well Paul. Hope (and assume it is) working out for Dean as well.

I agree that this coming year could be the toughest generally but planning is key.

I hope you all get through the New Year.

Best of,
Pete

[gr cleaning solutions]

I only started carpet cleaning in august off this year but from then to now has gone really well. The machine has paid for its self and i am now saving the money form carpet cleaning to get a better machine and a rotary machine.I am getting on with my web site and i have just received some funding(witch has taken for ever to get)  to work with a company to help with marketing and advertising and networking. So i am really looking forward to next year yes it will be hard but i have the drive to make it a success.

[Steve Barnett (Carpet Care Plus)]

Had a bloody awful start to the year, in fact was pretty desperate at times - but I stuck to my plan and to the fundamentals and as a result the last 3 months have been very good. Having said that, if Jan and Feb are poor all that hard work will have been in vain.

Have re-invested back into the business and bought my truckmount ahead of schedule.

Next part of my plan, believe it or not, is to sell the truckmount and van as a complete unit, as my priority is a bigger, newer van and then finance a new prowler or phoenix.

2010 is a big year for me, particularly as I will be getting married.

Steve

[paul moss]

2010 is a big year for me, particularly as I will be getting married.

Steve are you maddd !!! 

[JandS]

Poor start to year, picked up Spring/Summer and Nov/Dec has been hectic
although only 2 jobs booked for next week and one week after.
Going to really work on my marketing this year, plenty of postcard drops.
Spent quite a bit of money last year upgrading equipment but it has
proven itself if only in the time taken to do jobs.
The newer equipment gives you confidence to say yes I can get that
clean and have seen that in the number of referrals I have received
since taking home my new porty.

John

[Colin Day]

My full first year.... As well as I expected I suppose, but things are always going in the right direction, which is promising.

I still believe a TM will only be justifyable when I have more jobs to fulfil, but the triple vac has been the best and most sensible move so far, and Clinton nudged me into making that leap (I owe you one Clinton ...

I can't say enough how thankful I am to so many members on CIU, who have encouraged me to become better at what I do and more confident when it comes to pricing etc....

2010 is going to be better, I will have more time now my youngest will be full time at school and spare afternoons will see me being a whole lot more proactive with regards to marketting.... Plus I have a trick up my sleeve with regards to my other side line... "This time next year Rodney...." Or should that be Dave?  

[markpowell]

I have taken £26.00 more in 2009 than 2008, i class that as a success during the credit crunch, where a lot of businesses have made a loss.
Mark

[JandS]

Yes Steve I fancy one of those Phoenix or Prowlers.
TM with portability.

John

[Andrew Briscoe]

This year set off really well, with an excellant Jan.
Since then it has fluctuated from really busy to very quiet.
On the whole we are up on 08 even tho last 10 days has been dire.
Commercial cleaning is up 30% and have taken on 3 extra staff.
Thought about a unit/shop/store earlier in the year, only to leave it because of the risk from the recession.
After 20 years carpet cleaning, i went for a truckmount, expecting my 64 year old tech to say what do we want one of them for, only for him to tell me it is best thing i ever bought  

I am like Steve, getting married on the 9th jan, and first child due in april, unfortunately it is same time
as CCDO, i hope she is early  :

Looking to have another good year c/c ing  and gaining new cleaning contracts, plus other things on the horizon.
to 2010.

Andrew

[Tony Gill Carpet Smart]

2009 Ticked over nicely Got me Truckmount up and running made life alot easyer  less Decorating MORE Carpet cleaning.
2010 More marketing and get a website.
Hope you all have a great Christmas & Newyear.

CHEERS TONY

[absolutecleaning]

From about March onwards this year I actually started being a little bit more proactive on the marketing side of things and due to one big non ccing job in summer (cheers Pete and Dave) have been able to step up to a TM.  I would also recommend this to anyone who has been thinking about it - even if the workload isnt there right now it will give you more time to get the work in.

Turnover and profit definitely both up.

Next year I want to make a plan which I actually stick to (probably because it needs to be more realistic in the first place) and grow the cc and commercial sides of our business.

Thanks from me as well to various folk who have helped me out on here and other forums.

Cheers

Simon

[clinton]

Hopefully 2010 will be a nice steady year as was this year

Was a little doubtfull at the start of the year with the ecenomic downturn but have had a decent year.

Got the new vehicle a year early than planned and also the new 3 vac and many other new gadgets so my set up is all new..

If i did want to take on more work a prowler would be next..

Steve

Good luck with your plans..

Colin

Nice one with your new venture

[Mike_Roper]

Been busiest year since I started 20 yrs ago, every week full except for hols and other dates scribbled out of diary, oh and last week in nov off with a bad virus or food poisoning which I am just getting over.
Undecided how to take m business further , if I thought a 3 vac would be better I.d get one, same with truck mount . I have the work load but dont know if access problems would be compatible with TM.Also have a VW transporter combi van with a row of removable seats which is a fantastic van , had it 4yrs from new. as we sometimes use it as a family for long runs and camping a bit reluctant to put a TM in it.
Mike 

[richy27]

My first full year. January - March were a bit slow then has been steady increase in T/O since then worked hard to get recom and referrals mostly domestic and small commercial. But have made a living in my first year so happy with that.

Added leather cleaning and restoration after doing a course at LTT has been a good add on to fill some gaps.

[M.Acorn]

All in all it`s been a pretty good year,there have been ups and downs,but that is life,and what does not kill me makes me stronger !
Will be 6 years next year for me,and have made more money each year so far

[Ricky M]

2009 has been a real eye opener and has given me many options in which way push the business forward for 2010

hard work really paying off is a nice feeling 

[Doctor Carpet (Ret'd)]

Congratulations to you all. It's not easy being your own boss but the satisfaction of knowing that success (or failure) is pretty much entirely of your own making gives you such a buzz.

Ten years in and I still get a high when I book another customer in. My t/o is up this year because half way through it I suddenly got the confidence to charge most  existing customers the vat due on their job rather than absorbing it. I can't say I've lost any customers as a result. I've also expanded my customer base, put my prices up and developed other advertising streams all of which have been most profitable.

I've invested in some new kit as well. (Still not tempted by a t/m, though.)

T/o up just over 22% for the last 3 months of the year which I think is no mean achievement so I'm looking forward to a longish holiday between Christmas and sometime in 2010. Unfortunately many big jobs i would have done during December have all asked me to do during January-hence the changing nature of the cc's calendar profile. Coupled with another operation looming mid January times remain as ever...interesting.

Roger