Clean It Up
UK Floor Cleaning Forum => Carpet Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Shaun_Ashmore on December 12, 2007, 07:13:18 pm
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Don't rest on your laurels what are you planning to do to better your business for 2008?
Me, I'm going into websites I think like the garlic bread it's the future, my plan is to literally throw money at the web and get rid of YP although I am in next year and with the saving throw some more at it.
Daft Webmaster Shaun
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new office and rug shop starting next year in tourist spot so lots of exposure. Hell if local rug shop won't recommend us, we'll get a better site and break him!
Bank just loaned us £30k this year is %£* or bust
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Going back into the Prison service. ???
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My better half (or so she thinks!) has handed in her notice as a manangement accountant and is coming to work for me (or so I think!!) at the end of Jan 08.
Hopefully this will mean I don't spend half my time on the phone booking in jobs and taking to customers, or half the night sorting out the paperwork and I can concentrate on growing the business, training staff and making sure what we currently do gets done properly.
2008 will see a lot of changes, not least the fact that there's no fall back income!! However the savings in travel costs, diverted phone call costs, missed calls, etc, etc will offset about half the loss in income.
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Hi Guys
I'm going to expand my website collection and have 5 weeks off.
Cheers
Doug
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I'm going to break even!
Not joking.
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5 Weeks off! you be bored, skint and have ear ache ;D
Shaun
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Already booked my 5 weeks (look out Algarve & Malta) and planning to push the commercial side, along with some suitable equipment 8)
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Ive got Tenerife for 1 week and Florida for 2 weeks and may be 1 other but depends on if we bring the kids back from the States!
Shaun
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Hi Guys
One of the hardest things about being self employed is taking time off, phone ringing , websites need developing, van needs tidying etc etc.
I have found the only way is to book holidays abroad, no mobile, no contact, just sand ,sea and Sangria ;)
This year I had 4 weeks and increased turnover considerably.
Cheers
Doug
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Hi Guys
Don't wish to sound flash, for all those for who this year has been a struggle remember, virtually all established CC's have been there.
This is a hard business to get establised in but once you are, you really can be your own boss as opposed to a contractor.
Cheers
Doug
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Heard someone say .......... you are meant to be running your business, not the other way round :o
Love not listening out when a mobile goes off........... gazing up from my favourite spot for past 3 years 8)
[attachment deleted by admin]
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Off for two weeks in the sun on Friday, I am getting another van on the road and then visiting Hydra master. :)
S
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Hi Shaun,
Usual... prices up!
Thinking of taking someone on this year as I am still stacked out with work. I`ll have to pick someones brains (like Paul King`s) who have done the same. Not sure whether to put them on the books or make them self employed but need to do something!
Clive
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YOU WHAT? BREAD WITH GARLIC?!!
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Win the lottery before the end of 07, then I can take an extra day off before returning to work in Jan.
Cheers!
Justin
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is that the same a cheese cake, cheese with cake!
Justin, you dont need the lottery you have 3 vans on the go now. You will be a millionaire by next year.
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I must be doing somthing very wrong. I will probably be very bald, grey & wrinkly next year, but no signs of being a millionare.
Cheers
Justin
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I plan on retiring. If what I have planned works well then by the summer I wont be cleaning anymore. I may still post hough?????
I have been doing this for what will be 15 years next year and not really anywhere else I can take the business too.
But best wishes to everyone for a good 2008.
Best, Dave.
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Looking into a re vamp of my website it`s been up for 3+ years and is looking very dated,not going to bother with the web marketing company`s either this year, promise the moon on a stick but not had any extra hits really.
optimised the site myself so getting on the first page of google results without their help..Really don`t get that much work from the web mostly price enquirys that hardly ever book,don`t really like giving prices over the phone either as 9 x out of 10 it`s more work due to dirty never been cleaned in the 10 years they have ben down jobs
Need to get my van sign written too also need another set of hoses as sick of taking the machine up 3 flights of stairs in town houses especially the new houses with tiny staircases which i usually gouge the plasterboard walls of...
Oh and putting some £££ aside for the F***ing revenue :(
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Ive had a really slow year. Quiet all year until the end of October, but even then im alot quieter than previous years. Even December isnt that great, no phonecalls at all this week apart from 2 cancellations.
Im planning on doing something else, maybe even going back to working for an employer, but will keep the carpet cleaning as a sideline.
Just can make a good enough living doing this full time :( Got a family to support and really miss a secure wage each month.
At least I can look back when im grey & old and say at least I gave it a try.
Best wishes for 2008 everyone
John
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Got into c/c in 89, 4 years ago started a contract cleaning
service for offices/ business premises etc, then builders cleans.
Employ 8 staff, i do training ordering and booking etc, 1 part of business sells the other, so is good for building up trade in either service.
Next year, plan to get into hard floor stripping and resealing, janitorial supplies, of paper products etc, don't have a website, so looking into that.
Havn't had a holiday in donkey's , and am kn*ckered, so booking soon. Hope to build up business and retire early,
Regards,
Andrew.
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John, Best kick start for my business recently, was revamp of website.
May not work in all areas but in remote areas, many people rely on internet for finding things.
Mark Roberts has recently redone mine and i average 1 email a day and 1 or 2 calls a day, simply via web searches.
May be worth looking at, before you go back to wage slavery...................... i have been that close on a few occasions, even started to learn to drive a bus a few years back. Luckily something came up and i stuck with it......... glad i did now 8)
Best of luck, whatever your path.
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well a new vans been ordered and payed for , maybe a new t.m. but defo going to get a much better type of custy this year and make some money , and ill be haveing 3 months in austria on hoilday
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I plan on retiring. If what I have planned works well then by the summer I wont be cleaning anymore. I may still post hough?????
Best, Dave.
Hi Dave,
I'll start the bidding then £5000 for your list.
ps are you serious or just had a bad day?
Have you thought what new exiting challenges are beyond cleaning?
Mike
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Will be charging more for websites (Shaun :D), getting more sleep and actually do some work on my own sites for once which will allow me to test new things not normally seen on cc sites.
With cleaning there are few different chemicals I want to play with if I can get them and a few new techniques to try out.
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Thanks Chris. In my 4th year now and have enjoyed my time working for myself. Ive got a young family and have been able to watch them growing up, first day at school etc.. something I could never really have done working for an employer.
This type of work is so seasonal and if I could only find something to tide me over in between it'd be great. Thought about expanding into cleaning but then having to go down the route of employing staff & the headaches that will come with it.
If I do go back to a 9 to 5 job at least i'll be able to sleep at night knowing the mortgage and bills are paid eh ;)
Anyway just want to say thanks to all the people who have given me advice over the years.
Have a great Christmas everyone. Hope Santa's good to you :D
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Mike, I never have a bad day. Just picked up 10 more horses, two more foals any minute now and just booked in almost 600 people for next year, (not cleaning, dont be silly).
And yes, not that my cleaning challenges weren't exciting but again, where else do I take the business to? You know who I clean for so there isnt any other challenge really I am interested in.
I will still be involved in the business to a degree but not anything I can go into right now as it is only in the "hope it happens" stage.
The job I was after for you as well could be up for grabs but you have to get yourself a "proper" machine if you are to take it on.
Best, Dave.
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Just to clarify its the other Mark Roberts who does websites not me as I havent a clue about computers but may get Mark to do something for me in that department.
I really want to become more organised. Accounts, marketing, general paperwork is a mess and all last minute which is getting to me.
Want to put somesort of referral system in place.
Also want to put a fitness plan into action, hike more and climb Ben Nevis at Easter. Holidays will be New York and Florida in July. Buying dollers now as i think the rate may fall.
For those struggling it takes time. Bear with it and it will come together but Jan, Feb and March can be tough.
Mark
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Dave,
So you're looking for a stable career maybe? ;D
Self hypnosis is an excellent tool for creativity and problem solving. Who knows you just might come up with an amazing idea that ticks all the boxes.
You know I owe you one so if you want to learn I'd be happy to show you.
Yes one day I will have a truckmount, but for the timebeing I'll have to work hard for a meagre crust.
Mike
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John Mc Gavin how do you not look into window cleaning ive been doing it for years and make good money from it also it works well with the carpet cleaning and you dont need alot of cash to start it.
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Cheers Darren. Did think about it, but diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis last year and its in my hands of all places, so thats a no go.
J
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Yep i have had some very very quiet times ! i was a head chef prior to doing this , i started off the back of my wifes business she ran a domestic cleaning agy and was subbing to another company she was always moaning about never seeing me due to stupid working hours (although she is prob sick of the sight of me now ! she shut down her business about 2 yrs ago ( thanks inland revenue ) so lost all the work from her, i have a couple of letting agy`s i work for they keep me ticking over just.And when it gets really really really bad i help my mate out cleaning windows and doing builders cleans usually in the coldest months though not nice work..This pays me nearly what i earnt working as a Dj playing clubs was resident for 2 promoters and also ran a promotions business,did also get into production put a small studio together (presently in mothballs) and released a couple of 12`s all died off now did have a booking for nye but changed my mind due to stupid smoking law , i like to smoke a lot when i am playin :) then there was getting there and back and other stuff to take into consideration things have changed a lot since i was a regular on the scene can`t have fun anymore without someone watching your every move
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Mike, I never have a bad day. Just picked up 10 more horses, two more foals any minute now and just booked in almost 600 people for next year, (not cleaning, dont be silly).
And yes, not that my cleaning challenges weren't exciting but again, where else do I take the business to? You know who I clean for so there isnt any other challenge really I am interested in.
I will still be involved in the business to a degree but not anything I can go into right now as it is only in the "hope it happens" stage.
The job I was after for you as well could be up for grabs but you have to get yourself a "proper" machine if you are to take it on.
Best, Dave.
i would love a trip out cleaning with you befour or if you move on as it would be nice to see if i could pick up some tips to move on a bit more , ive draged myself from the cheapest to one of the top middle charges in 8 months ;D just need a few more tips to go too the next levle now
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clean carpets, nose operation, clean carpets, holiday, clean carpets, holiday, clean carpets, holiday, clean carpets, holiday, clean carpets, holiday, clean carpets, Christmas. Somewhere along the line I'll also take a one day holiday every few weeks or so!
........life is for living not working!
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'If man carries out the duty given to him according to his nature, he overcomes the bondage of living'
Some wise old indian bloke.
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One things for certain, I'm putting prices UP! and job numbers down and going to make more profit for doing less.
Dave.
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Dave
Quantify by taxation fuel/selling you home etc. they will understand.
Len
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I'd love to put away the tools and concentrate on resolving other peoples problems, having trained in pelvic and spinal correction a few years ago, something that got me back on my feet, when facing a " wheelchair" future.
For those of you who are struggling, it's been an unusual year, with many outside factors affecting the market, but you can control your destiny to a greater extent than you realise.
I know all the correct marketing techniques, but have been lazy in implementing them and have been successful in spite of myself. Don't be like me, always carry your business cards, network with everyone, be on time, be pleasant and honest and make sure you REALLY are doing a good job and, when you know you have achieved a fantastic result, TELL THE CLIENT and ask for a couple of referrals
Work your client list !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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You could buy a tm that sorts the revenue avoids the 2 weeks in hospital recovering from a hernia and you will get twice as much work done in a day and not arrive home f*&$%d & you won't need to employ a decorator.