[Jimmy Jon]

I am new to Window Cleaning and literally just starting out now. I am 35 years old, 3 kids, mortgage etc and have done various jobs over the years. I come from a building background, Painting & Decorating, Groundworks, Renovated  properties, Rent some properties out, Built a nice extension on my house beginning of this year. I Worked in an office for 8 years doing logistics, became branch manager, got bored of that, resigned then I went back into building and am now bored of that and fed up of the hassle and breathing in dust and wanted a change anyway. I've got a friend who earns big money as a financial advisor, He encouraged me to train as a mortgage advisor so qualified last year during the credit crunch. I found a position on a self employed basis for a local mortgage broker but it just felt like I was working for nothing so left that and anyway the industry is so heavily regulated by the FSA it just seemed like a lot of stress for little reward - not for me! Last November/December I took on a large exterior painting job of a house which the owner wanted doing asap even though it's the worst time of year for doing it but I needed the money. One day when it was freezing cold I was up my triple ladders at full extension preparing some woodwork on the apex when I clocked this window cleaner turn up at this bungalow next door (trad). About ten minutes later he comes from round the back, knocks on the door and I see a note changing hands which I am thinking was a tenner as it is a posh area. I thought to myself what am I doing with my life working my nuts off for peanuts, I worked out that he only had to do 3 or 4 an hour to be earning reasonable money. Since that time I have been researching the industry mainly through this forum, BWCA, ACS etc and have got my WFP set up sorted out and practised and practised. I have just picked up a large commercial building window clean and gutter clearance and looking to start the canvassing/leafletting. I would be interested to read other peoples stories (newbies & experienced) and of those that have built up a succesfull business up from nothing. Just for the record my name is Marc and not Terry Tibbs who is in fact a fictional character from the tv programme fonejacker who cracks me right up, it was the first name I could think of when I registered, Thanks 

[A & J Owen Window Cleaning]

ad enough of working for someone else and the freedom of doin wat ya want worked in a crappy warehouse for 6 yrs dust dirt and all that started with a few up my street and went from there

[Ian101]

My story is below .... all true apart from the bit about my window cleaner stopped coming ... he only stopped coming cos I was a crap payer !

[Ian101]

heres another version 

[Jimmy Jon]

Nice newspaper articles Ian, Did any of these bring you much new business? 

[Ian101]

Nice newspaper articles Ian, Did any of these bring you much new business? 

Had 3 commercial enquiries so far from it and a few " I saw you in the paper last week" from me customers ...

Did it mainly to put 2 fingers up to my old colleauges who laughed at me when I told them what I was doing.

Since the articles came out my old dealership has laid 10 staff off and im sure I would have been one of them so looks like I left at right time

[darren clarke]

couldnt get a job and didnt want to be a plumber no more

[AuRavelling79]

> Wow Ian! Nice copy! Why did you take ten years off your age you little liar! 

[Clive McDonald]

Good three point contact too.

[landy2]

the MONEY

[chopsie]

Bloody hell Ian, you really do look like a car salesman 

[Ian101]

> Wow Ian! Nice copy! Why did you take ten years off your age you little liar! 

Cheers Gold ..... thats what 25 years in the motor trade does to yer 

[Ian101]

Bloody hell Ian, you really do look like a car salesman 

Wot u mean Chopsie  Ive taken off my fake rolex and chunky gold chains so cant possibly look like a car salesman anymore   

[Moderator David@stives]

I am too thick to do anything else, my teacher told me I wouldn't come to anything and would end up cleaning windows

[chopsie]

I took voluntary redundancy from my job in construction this time last year, I was working away 98% of the time, and due to the recession the work was drying up (and they are still really struggling). I was lucky if I was working 3 days a week.
I had split up with my wife the christmas before whom I had 3 kids and a house/mortgage with. The house had sold, I had less commitment financially so decided It was probably the best time I could get out of the game I was in as I would of ended up being stuck in the job as I would of ended up living to my means again by buying another house or something, and as the money was very good it would of been difficult to find anything else that paid even half of what I was getting (of course they might still go bust yet). I had met a girl whilst working in London, She was looking for a job in Derby  to be with me, So I decided to get out as I would end up leaving anyway, So I took voluntary redundancy and thought i would just see what came along. I sat at home toying with ideas, and remembered years ago i had considered window cleaning as a  extra income, So i researched it a bit, found this place and went out door knocking, and here I am.

[Clive McDonald]

I am too thick to do anything else, my teacher told me I wouldn't come to anything and would end up cleaning windows

.
Don't put yourself down Dave, but we'll see just how thick or otherwise you and others are.Look at my bump

[chopsie]

Bloody hell Ian, you really do look like a car salesman 

Wot u mean Chopsie  Ive taken off my fake rolex and chunky gold chains so cant possibly look like a car salesman anymore   

I did nearly 2 years working at Toyota at Burnaston Ian, That was like being a robot, Had to press a bell to go for a sh?t !!
Did not know if it was day,night,sunny or raining as there were no windows....bloody Japs 

[Jimmy Jon]

Thanks for your story Chopsie, Are you happier now window cleaning working for yourself than when you were in construction?

[chopsie]

Thanks for your story Chopsie, Are you happier now window cleaning working for yourself than when you were in construction?

Yes much happier (must admit I miss the money a little though), I get to see my kids more than ever, I have them at least 3 nights a week, being my own boss means I can work around their requirements. I get to be in my own house and sleep in my own bed instead of some cheapo dump digs,sleeping 8 men a room.

[bobby p]

i was a car mechanic for 21years but the last 3years i hated fixing those crusty cars and the crusty pesky customers so i sold every tool,every single spanner and had a giant bonfire one night to get rid of all the rest. i set it on fire at night to hide the huge plumes of black smoke !
 planned to take a 6 month rest but after 2 months i was going up the wall.
  started windows one day on a whim after seeing ladders on special offer in BnQ ,mainly as a day filler.but now have a full round. and anybody get pesky---bye bye you pest !