The past year has been tough on a lot of people, including cleaning business owners. Many are simply shutting the doors to their business because they're losing clients faster than they can obtain new ones. The good news is that many cleaning company owners are actually growing their business despite the odds against them!
Recently a cleaning business owner asked for advice because she's fearful of the growth of her business. She has the opportunity to go back to her old job and she's seriously considering it. She asked, "Do I abandon my growing cleaning business to accept a job in my old profession (with all of the same old headaches) or, do I take on new headaches that will come with moving forward to fully grow my current business and hire an employee?"
A couple people offered encouraging advice:
1. Do you prefer working for yourself or for someone else? Which one gives you the most pleasure, makes you happy, gives you freedom and control? Anything we want bad enough is worth working for and working through the headaches.
2. You have to ask yourself several questions first. Then, the answer to those questions will drive your pursuits. If you want to be in business for yourself and don't want to return to your old job, then I recommend you stay in the business and look for ways to grow. There are incredible opportunities for growth in the cleaning industry. Hiring and training and growing and expanding your cleaning business can be rewarding and lucrative. But it can also be fraught with headaches and frustration as any business can be. Your vision and your dreams for this business need to be the driving factor.
What advice do YOU have on whether or not she should stay in the cleaning business or quit? Click on the Comments link below to share your thoughts.
I have weathered a-many-a-storm with the same nagging fear...do I go back or do I move ahead? The answer is...fight, ambition & ALWAYS discovering ways to set your business apart from everyone else. THAT IS THE KEY! DO NOT ABANDON SHIP! Maybe do a part-time gig with something temporarily, til things pick up. I do what I do because I TRULY LOVE IT! For that reason only, is why I stick to my guns. This experience actually is boot camp for what is necessary to thrive as a successful business. The initial "idea" state of persuing your dream is not as strong as the one of investing time, sweat & tears over. You will love your end result for all the labor of love you have endured. I went from (3) accts to a current full schedule, just about splitting at the seams. This all had occurred during poor economic times. Stick it out folks, the best is yet to come :)
Posted by: Shaw Warner | October 23, 2009 at 05:23 PM
I will refrain from telling you what to do ,but I will tell you this. If you stick it out and continue to study new ways to bring in customers, you will get them.They are out there. It is just a matter of trial and error. I have had my down times during this economy ,but I some how had my good times also. I have aquired 5 more new customers this month and season is about to start here in Fl. It is up to you and which headaches you are willing to endure. No matter where we are there will be a certain amount of stress.Best of luck. Just follow your heart.
Posted by: tonya | October 24, 2009 at 11:31 AM
Cleaning business is the same everywhere, all of us been having a rough time in this business, thank you to this site, am gathering alot of information which has helped me to run my business smoothly without having to worry.The advise is timely.
For and my husband, we have told ourselves that there is no going back, forward ever. Cleaning is the only business that anyone at anytime is able to start without worrying where the capital is going to come from. The only capital one needs is passion and determination.
Maintain your business by differentiating it from your peers, add more activties to your business in terms of supplying cleaning chemicals, equipment, accssories and just other items that will make your client have a reason to come back to you.Try conducting a customer reserch. Best regards Charity
Posted by: Charity | October 26, 2009 at 04:00 AM
Things are very bad here in Vegas too. At any time you have the choice of playing the cards you're dealt or folding your hand (sorry, couldn't resist). I would encourage you to keep trying. I actually increased my advertising budget to try to offset the loss of business. Making it through tough times builds your business acumen and when times get better you'll be that much more of a powerhouse in your area. I think it's only natural to have doubts and think, "What if I don't make it?" but this is not helpful thinking and tends to sap you of energy. Asking yourself, "What if I DO make it?" will help you to create strategies to survive this awful storm. I hope things work out!
Posted by: Vegas Mike | October 27, 2009 at 12:39 PM
Ultimately, the decision is yours and yours alone. However, I offer this tidbit of food for thought: Selling the company you have built to an up-and-comming cleaner can pay dividends.
Many think that working for themselves will be a "paches and cream" dream, only to realize that it requires extremely long hours and a hefty investment - both financially and emotionally.
If you have a solid customer base and a sound business model, it will be seen as valuable to someone willing to purchase your good name.
Another option is renting out your client list. This is a win-win situation: You can return to your previous employer and earn a paycheck the old fashined way while still receiving income from the business you worked to build.
I wish you the best and hope you make the right decision - the one that puts your mind at ease.
Posted by: Aaron Baunee | October 27, 2009 at 03:24 PM
Thanks for all the great feedback everyone! Anyone else care to share?
Posted by: Jean Hanson | October 27, 2009 at 03:56 PM