[angela stone]

Hi everyone,

I am currently getting ready to launch my new business venture!!  So I thought I would say hi as I am likely to be on here quite a bit from now on. 

 It's been interested reading everyone's questions and comments and you all seem really friendly - i've learnt loads and that's before i've started!

We have all our flyers, bus. cards and brochures ready and are currently sorting out our insurance.  We seem to be getting really low quotes of around £70-£80 a year and I don't think that can be right - so we will keep on searching!

I was wondering though, did anyone get questions from potential customers like "how long have you been doing this for?" when first starting out.  I'm worried that if I tell them they are the first they won't bother!!!


Thanks

Ange

[Art]

Hi Angela,

 Have you worked as a cleaner for someone else? and if so for how long?

Arthur

[angela stone]

Hi Arthur,

I haven't worked for anyone else before as I cleaner.  I have had my own business before in Spain, but not in this industry. 

Ange

[*Chris Browne]

Good luck ange

Chris

[Art]

Hi Arthur,

I haven't worked for anyone else before as I cleaner.  I have had my own business before in Spain, but not in this industry. 

Ange

What i was going to suggest was if you had been in the industry as a cleaner for x amount of years, you could've said we've got x years experience, but i suppose that's not going to be an option 

[Samuel]

Hi Angela,

Starting out is always challenging. But if you can meet your potential customers face to face and show your enthusiasm, you will have leapt over the first hurdle.

Whatever field of cleaning you have chosen, I can assure you that if you speak to those potential customers personally, you will get a much better response than you might imagine.

Just do the relevant research on this site, then you will have a ready answer to any questions put your way by your future customers.

Good luck with your new venture, Angela

[Jan K]

good luck Angela, this site was a mine of information, help and advice when i first started discovered it albeit after I had started up, but I was still a newbie in the game and still appreciate all the hlp given me.

You need to be confident with your approach and despite not operating a cleaning business you HAVE operated a business and that will stand in good stead for your new venture. I agree with what Samuel's post says so get in there, with confidence, a smile and belief in yourself and your business and imo you can't fail 

[Ian Gourlay]

Have you ever employed Cleaners.

How do you intend to learn your cleaning Skills.

What about pricing etc.

[angela stone]

Hi guys,

thanks very much for your replies.

I know it's challenging setting up a new business.  I went from being an office bod to deciding I was going to live in Spain, to running a restaurant that was on it's knees (having never done that before and turning it into a successful sports bar and selling it as quickly as I could!!).

 I'm thinking - nothing can be more of a challenge than that - even though the more a read on this site - the more I worry!

Confidence is a bit of a worry for me, to start with, once I get the first couple of meetings out of the way, I will be fine.  It's just those couple that I am nervous about. 

Jan - How long have you been up and running for?

Ian - I haven't employed cleaners before (although I have employed staff before)

I would say my cleaning skills are pretty good as it was part and parcel of owning a bar - when you don't employ anyone to do that specific task.  If I could clean up what I had to on a regular basis n the bar ( I won't give you details), then I can clean up anything - trust me!

I have pretty much worked out my pricing strategy -with the help of this site - so thank you very much to everyone.

And..thankyou for your good luck mesages they mean a lot cos I think I am going to need them!!!!

[Cleaning Resource]

hi,
good luck, are you doing commercial or domestic?  What area are you in ? 

[angela stone]

thanks

I'm doing domestic and I am in Brighouse, between Huddersfield and Halifax.

There are a lot of commercial co. around here but not many domestics and the ones who do houses will not touch our area.  Very strange.  I can't see the problem in getting in the car for 3 or 4 miles on going to do a job - but maybe cos there isn't that many they dont' have to!!

[Jan K]

angela - i been going for 4 yrs hun, domestic only tho

[angela stone]

Jan - did you work in this industry for someone else before starting up by yourself?

Ange

[Jan K]

nope i only ever cleaned my own house beforehand, but i have very high standards. i always worked in the office industry, althou i did work at a health and leisure club for 8 months cleaning changing rooms, bar area, poolside................i reckon apart from maybe clubs and pubs they have to be the filthiest places ever.

i never intended being a cleaner forever, i am more into the customer service, book-keeping, financial paperwork side of things. but i have 7 ladies, working various hours too now.

the clientele down here are very hard to come by and even harder to please, expect something for nothing and will try to take advantage if they can. I look after my cleaners and dont expect them to do anything i wouldnt and wont take my clients giving them gried either. rightly or wrongly, it is harder to get good cleaners than it is to get clients.

you gotta give it your best shot and then some Angela