[stephen evans]

hi to everyone
i'm new to the biz just starting up due to being made redundant last august. was told new firm taking co., over would be takin old staff back on , well couldnt wait no longer investigated into carpet and upholstery cleaning shopped around and bought my equipement.do a course next week and then start to advertise and cold call to get work with mo courses planned . was told about this web site and have found peeps ready to offer help and advise many thanks to those and know that there are many good people out there willing to support others . hope my venture takes off as theres not a lot of hope of finding employment in the vallies of wales and feel sorry for the genuine 1s lookin 4 work .

[Steve Chapman]

Hi Stephen,

Good luck in your new venture its a difficult time to start a business but it seems your going about it in the right way.

Once you  know what your are doing, I would say carpet cleaning is 10% about cleaning the carpets and 90% marketing. If you remember that and realize you can never just sit back and wait for the phone to ring then you will hopefull stay the course.

They do say  ( whoever THEY are  ) that if you can start and maintain a business in a recession then you will cope with anything and reap the benefits later on.

Regards
Steve

[The Carpet Cleaning Pro]

Good LucK Stephen

Don't wait for the phone to ring. Marketing is the key. As stated above 10% carpet cleaning the other 90% is marketing your business. Beware of companies that want you to advertise with them in glossy mags etc. They just want the money you earn. Invest wisely. Gain the knowledge through forums like this and remember sometimes you just have to take what some people say with a pinch of salt. The experience will come over time. Some people will slate you and won't want you on what they refer to as thier patch but don't let that bother you. "It means that you are doing something posotive", they see it as a threat, I would turn it round and take it as a compliment.  Also remember you can do 50 good jobs but it only takes 1 bad job to ruin your the good reputation you create.

[garry22]

Steven,

As above about marketing plus this...

This may sound crazy.

I know two self made millionaires. Both have said that when you start a business, you should have a clear plan on what you want out of it and more importantly, how you intend to get out of it.

In other words, are you thinking of building a business to sell later or are you building it to say, pass on to your children? If you are sure about which way you are going it's easier to plan the next couple of years.