Hi Ian
Magic success story. One picture says it all. Didn't someone just recently 'slate' or belittle one of your advise comments inferring that you didn't know what you were talking about?
Spruce
Good chance of that, water off a ducks back 
There's no real magic formula to our growth, it's simply a case of working hard at it especially in the early stages, getting your name out there so when people are looking for a cleaner your name is known and your details are easy to find.
In the early days I was spending around 7-8% of turnover on advertising, primarily to get our name known so people were reminded of it every week.
We grew primarily because we have customers confidence and recommendations, they know we deliver on what we say regardless of what the task is and we don't rip their eyes out for the privilege.
The other key is good staff - probably the biggest key to success, I realised early on that I couldn't do it all myself and needed help, after taking on the first person after 6 months in business, adding others was pretty easy. However finding the right people is quite hard, we've had a few who looked good on paper and even started off well, but in essence they couldn't/wouldn't clean to the standard I wanted, so they went.
As I have said on here before "Diversify!" If I was still just doing carpet cleaning I would still just have myself, a van and an extracta exel. Work on the adage when someone asks you if you can do something - "Yes, I can do that" Then work out how to later!!! 
There are two types of people in the world: one is a leader, the other a follower. The difference received in compensation by each is vast. Only you can decide which type of person you will be.
People are not leaders by virtue of their position. No, real leadership involves much more. You might be the boss, might have President or General Manager on your business card, but that does not make you a leader. Leadership involves the ability to lead. A leader is someone who knows where he/she is going and is able to persuade others to go along.
There’s a great quote by Bernard Montgomery, a British Field Marshall that sums up leadership perfectly. Marshall said, “Leadership is the capacity and will to rally men and women to a common purpose and the character which inspires confidence.”
An organization short on money can borrow and one with poor facilities can build, but if it’s short on leadership, the likelihood of it surviving for any length of time is very poor.
What makes an exceptional leader? Here are a few of their characteristics:
Effective leaders are self-starters; they don’t have to be asked to get the job done. They can get their fires burning without depending on external stimuli.
Humility … the last person you want to be around is the person who is full of himself. Billy Graham once said, “The smallest package in the world is a man all wrapped up in himself.”
Emotional control … there is nothing wrong with blowing off steam once in awhile. It’s the loss of control that ruins the impact of many potential great leaders.
Humor … humor attracts people and making others laugh a little is a definite asset.
Positive attitude … people are attracted to positive people. Who wants to follow someone who’s always in a foul mood or is always thinking doom and gloom? Instead, in a dark and negative world, the positive leader shines and draws others to him/herself.
AND THAT SUMES UP YOU IAN, well done sir.
