[Dani J]

I just stick to the services that are related to window cleaning. i.e gutters, conservatories, fascias.

Makes you look more professional IMO

Totally agree. People don't won't jack of all, master of none....

Like that Ian Rochester fella. I heard he can't get a full window cleaning round together so had to diversify into domestic cleaning, leather cleaning/repair, carpet cleaning, wheelie bin cleaning and wait for it........ renting bikes out, christ how desperate must he be? Poor fella, had to take on 22 staff too.

 

 You forgot to mention our Flood & Fire Restoration work, we've been pulling water out of Magnet Kitchens showroom all weekend at a very good "out of hours" rate for the insurers.  You also forgot to mention our taxi business and also our holiday cottages, plus we now also do stone floor diamond polishing to add another bow to the cleaning business  and will be putting a 10th van on the road soon to keep up with demand

Jack of all trades??  Yes, we advertise ourselves as "Your one stop cleaning service provider"

Master or none??  No, master of them all.  Ask any of the 4500 customers we have our on regular database, see our reviews on Trip Advisor, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g1480277-d2687989-Reviews-Pedal_Power_Cycle_Hire-Amble_Northumberland_England.html http://

I have three people working all the coming bank holiday for the Pedal-Power Cycle Hire business, as we currently have over 90 bikes out over that weekend, mainly doing the C2C, Hadrians Cycleway and Coast and Castles Cycle routes, all multi day cycles (3-6 days)

Why have I diversified?  Because firstly it limits our exposure, secondly it means that I can go off on holiday and the businesses and staff are still earning me money.   Thirdly, when I retire I will hopefully have a brand(s), assets and goodwill which someone will find attractive to buy, or I put a manager in and take a monthly directors salary.  Yes it can be a headache at times, but in my opinion it's worth it.

We have just been awarded a new office cleaning contract on Friday which is worth over £1000 a month to us, this is all from initially doing their showrooms windows for the past couple of years for £20 a clean, talking to the office manager, finding out they were not happy with their current cleaners and offering them a more reliable service at similar cost.  We'll not be taking on anyone extra for this as our current office cleaners will absorb it into their weeks work.  They also want us to do their showroom and office carpets twice a year.  Businesses want to minimise the number of suppliers they use, so the more you can do for them do the happier they are as it means only one purchase order and one invoice, plus importantly only one point of contact if there are any issues with any aspect.

Whaaa I thought Richard Branson is a billionaire ? 

Well done Ian YOU ARE A SUPER, SUPER, SUPER MAN 

[GB Window Cleaning]

When starting I wanted to do a number of different things power washing, gardening and so on.
But the window cleaning took off so I didn't have the time.
Wish that I had stuck to my original plan sometimes a change is as good as a rest.

Yeah i know what you mean, Cleaning windows all day on your own gets a bit soul destroying afgter a few years doesnt it! if it wasnt for this forum i think i can honestly say i would have jacked it all in a long time ago!!!

Thankyou to all the member of cleanitup! 

[dazmond]

ian rochester is NOT YOUR AVERAGE GUY!!he s a businessman through and through with unbelievable drive and thrives on work,stress,pressure etc,etc!!

for a guy who wants to stay as a sole trader but earn a half decent income with virtually no stress and low overheads i would say its better to specialise in one or two areas of your work and do it well.

im very happy to have  good regular maintenance window cleaning work coupled with add ons like conny roofs/fascias/soffits and now solar panel cleaning using existing equipment.

some of us and i include me in this are happy with fairly humble aspirations and are grateful of a regular good income with minimum hassle and stress.


best wishes to you all


dazmond

[Knocker]

So in conclusion, find what makes you happy and stick with it.

For some it will be building a business with all the pros & cons that go whith it, and for others it will be staying as a one man band.

[Ian Rochester]

Exactly the right words "Find what makes you happy", or you could say "decide what you want out of it", thinks change over time, businesses get bigger, businesses get smaller, the thing is to be in control of your destiny and not controlled by it.

It would be a boring world if we were all the same

[Knocker]

Hi Ian

When you started your business did you always I tend to build an empire, or did you just drift into it?

[Ian Rochester]

Just drifted into the whole thing and didn't like saying "no you need to get someone else to do it"

[Knocker]

I think all the best cleaning companies started that way

[Ronnie Bryce]

I clean roofs, Here I am in action.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?v=427935987286984&set=vb.100002117590790&type=2&theater