Ann Arbor Window Cleaning

Thinking Beyond Cleaning Office Buildings
 by: Steve Hanson

If your business is like many other traditional cleaning companies, you started by cleaning an office, apartment building, retail store or other commercial building. Adding additional clients may have included more office buildings, medical clinics and perhaps even expanding into manufacturing facilities. But have you stopped to think about expanding into residential cleaning? Perhaps some of the people who work in your buildings have asked if you also clean houses. This is an opportunity to break into the residential market.

Even if your cleaning business is doing fine with your commercial accounts, expanding into residential cleaning is one more way to increase your profit margin. You probably have all the supplies and equipment that you need to cross over from commercial to residential accounts. And as with commercial cleaning, there is always the possibility of add on services – carpet spotting, carpet cleaning, window washing and floor stripping and waxing.

There are several benefits to residential cleaning:

- Residential cleaning is typically done during the day, so it can be easier to find employees.

- Improved cash flow for your business as payment is required after the service is performed.

- Commercial accounts usually require bidding against several competitors and requires extra time on your part to calculate and present your bid. Residential customers don’t often want to spend the time getting prices from several different companies.

- Residential customers tend to go with a name they trust and stick with that company.

So how do you make that first step from commercial into residential cleaning? First take a look at the market in your area and study the competition. Is your area saturated with residential cleaning companies? If so, make a few calls to the current cleaning companies and see what their charges are and if they are accepting new customers. There still may be opportunities available if the current residential cleaning companies are already booked up several weeks in advance.

Once you have an idea of the competition and prices in the area it’s time to start looking for residential cleaning customers. A good place to start is with your commercial accounts where you have already built up a good reputation. Send out a flyer announcing that you are now offering residential services. Or see if they’ll allow you to post a flyer on the break room bulletin board. Also, send out press releases to your local media announcing your new service. Start slowly and as your reputation builds your client list will grow.

Although commercial and residential cleaning clients are similar, there are also some major differences to keep in mind. When cleaning a home it is a more personal space and cleaning expectations tend to be higher. Cleaning homes can also have major obstacles – such as grease filled kitchens, rust stained bathroom fixtures, and pets.

Adding residential accounts to your commercial cleaning business can provide your company with another income stream. Begin by entering the market slowly and build up your reputation as a cleaning company that provides a great service and your residential client list is sure to grow!

Copyright 2006 The Janitorial Store

About The Author

Steve Hanson is co-founder of TheJanitorialStore.com, an online community for owners of cleaning companies. Sign up for Trash Talk:Tip of the Week at http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com. Read success stories at http://www.cleaning-success.com.

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Bootstrapping Your Way To Business Success

In today’s economic environment, individuals with entrepreneurial mindsets are exploring new ideas for businesses that will not only survive in a recession, but will also thrive. The key to starting a new business is maximizing its resources while remaining lean in operations. Let’s face it: most people do not have $100,000 sitting in their pockets. So, how is it possible, then, to start a business with a minimal amount of capital? The good news is that there are literally hundreds of business concepts that can be created with less than $5,000 in start-up costs.

Businesses under $1,000

Yes, believe it or not, it is possible to start a business under $1,000. According to BusinessTown.com, there are 82 business categories that do not require more than $1,000 in start-up fees. For example, to become a Merchandise Demonstrator, start-up costs are estimated between $500 and $1,000. However, earnings can rest between $20,000 and $35,000 per year. This business requires a person who has garnered a network of business contacts to demonstrate products for one or more specific companies at trade shows and seminars. This business can be learned first by handing out samples at grocery stores, which typically pays up to $50 per day. By beginning here, the person has a launching point from which to establish relationships with larger corporations, with the ultimate goal of merchandising their products. Other examples of inexpensive businesses under $1,000 entail Lawn Care Services, Toy Cleaning and Repairing Services, Reminder Services, Professional Organizers, Motor Vehicle Transportation, and Roommate Referral Services.

Businesses between $1,000 and $5,000

The good news is that there are literally hundreds of business concepts that can be created with $5,000 or less. As reported by the aforementioned online source, 136 businesses cost between $1,000 and $5,000 in start-up fees. Most of these concepts only require a phone, desk, and a few other tools such as a list of established contacts and a passionate drive to build a steady pipeline. Some of the more interesting businesses that stood out include a Resume Service Provider, a Mobil
1000
e Hair Salon, a Meeting Planner, a Mover, a Window Washing Service, a Vending Machine Owner, Flower and Tree Cutting and Trimming Services, and Speechwriting Services. Now, these are only eight of the 136 businesses listed, but are businesses that may appeal to a larger number of entrepreneurs, than the more concentrated, niche-targeted businesses such as an Adoption Search Service firm.

The antiquated notion that a business cannot be started without a large lump sum of money is no longer the reality. Many businesses today have flourished based off of lean operations and low start-up costs. Today’s world does not require every type of business to begin its first day in operations out of a 10-story office building with leather couches and a glitzy waiting room. Companies can start out of one’s home and see immediate results. Entrepreneurial expert Bonny Alpo, who has owned her own copywriting service since 2005, reports that the least expensive business concepts revolve around pet care, home care, and delivery and moving services.

There’s no excuse for not being able to start your own small business either as a full time effort or start off part-time until it grows.

By: Ellisa Brenneman

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

About author:

Ellisa Brenneman has started green businesses and has vast experience managing public, media and investor relations for small-cap public and private companies. Ellisa is currently the President of Ethos 360. Ethos 360 provides entrepreneurs with affordable one on one coaching, business growth consulting and capital raising services so they can launch and grow their businesses.

Visit www.Ethos360.com for additional information, email info@Ethos360.com or phone 503-501-2444 to schedule a free consultation.

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Hope you enjoy the read as much as I did and please if you have something to say, use the comments form below to let everyone know your thoughts.

Have a great day!

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