[geefree]

Hi,

just curious, and wondering what all of your ambitions are in window cleaning?

Do you want to achieve multiple rounds in the long term, with people running them for you eventually,

or are you quite happy to work as you are, and keep a manageable round with a steady income, giving you some free time also?


How ambitious are you?


Gary.

[lee09]

It's the latter for me Gary.
Lee

[G Griffin]

 I treat it like a job on flexi time, not a business  :. Not even a well paid job  .
 So I`m not ambitious at all.
  I wouldn`t mind a  successful, thriving business and all the advantages that go with it but I`m not prepared to do anything about it.
       Apathetic; that`s me 
     

[paul rulton]

the latter 1 4me also  happy now 2 just plod along & leave all the hard work n long
hours 2 everyone else  i love havin an easy & simple life 
the only thing i would like is my back 2b better, but money just cant buy somethings 
any1 that wants 2do well in this business i wish them all the best 
as there is a lot 2b had out of it 

[daz1977]

plan is to get up to about 400 custy then split it in 2,  and rebuild again to about 300 each van

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I don't want to employ, I subb when needed with trusted windies.

What I find myself doing is refining my work. Price all new work high & pass on less profitable stuff. Working less for more money is the goal, profit is king although I still invest in top quality gear & appearance. I only take on selected work now, I don't sell any either, just pass it on to friendly windies who need it more.
Commercial wise, I don't go for big names, chains, high street stuff but more independant/privately owned ventures. I find I get better money & loyalty with these & I'll take these on all day, for the right price of course.

I like flexibility, have a day or two off when I want, spend time with my family etc. I don't like pressure though, my commercial is almost on time every time but my domestic is quite relaxed with cleans between 5 & 7 weeks normally.

[cozy]

I suppose I'm pretty much the same. Don't want to build an empire but full respect for those that want a big biz. I like to have free time and a good bank balance, although this winter hurt me badly 

That's the good part of this malarky, you can make it fit what you want. Look at  Winp®oClean , he's pretty dozy, and he does OK 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I suppose I'm pretty much the same. Don't want to build an empire but full respect for those that want a big biz. I like to have free time and a good bank balance, although this winter hurt me badly 

That's the good part of this malarky, you can make it fit what you want. Look at  Winp®oClean , he's pretty dozy, and he does OK 

 

[Ian Lancaster]

Just signed my 7th franchisee, so pretty much achieved my ambition which was to have a business that's very easy to run, capable of self perpetuation, pays well for very little input after the initial few months per new recruit and provides me with a decent income in my retirement

[aztec]

bigger the better for me i am so motivated. I now have 5 full time window cleaners and have just landed a VERY lucrative contract. I am also involved in office cleaning but not too worried how that goes.
Have 4 fully kitted out vans and now feel like the sky is the limit, started sub contracting from some major players paying my guys day rate to fill in any gaps ( not that we have any gaps i will just employ more ) i will never sell up i would just employ a manager to run things for me, by the way i am still 'on the tools' and will never give up that, i wouldnt ask any of my staff to do a job i wouldnt do myself ( and at 38 i can still beat anyone on tops half my age i love it!)
my advice to anyone is never turn down work no matter what it is, i hear no one likes builders cleans but hey some one has to do it why not you be more confident in your work and take it on, anything. from little old ladies in bungalows to office blocks just crack on and do it.

[paul rulton]

Just signed my 7th franchisee, so pretty much achieved my ambition which was to have a business that's very easy to run, capable of self perpetuation, pays well for very little input after the initial few months per new recruit and provides me with a decent income in my retirement

well done Ian  good on ya  my m8 done the same thing, he got up 2
10 people then just sat back n counted the money ££££££  he has a very nice life 
all he does these days is play golf.

[richywilts]

Just signed my 7th franchisee, so pretty much achieved my ambition which was to have a business that's very easy to run, capable of self perpetuation, pays well for very little input after the initial few months per new recruit and provides me with a decent income in my retirement

well done ian could you send me some more information on how you have got involved in this type of business franchising out as the way i promote my business everyone asks am i a franchise just be something for me too consider, how far apart r u franchisees???

[Paul Coleman]

Just signed my 7th franchisee, so pretty much achieved my ambition which was to have a business that's very easy to run, capable of self perpetuation, pays well for very little input after the initial few months per new recruit and provides me with a decent income in my retirement

I admire and respect what you have achieved Ian.  Even more so because you seem to have done it with a degree of humility and good grace and not allowed ego to take over.  Respect to you.

[paul rulton]

just had a gander at ur weg site.... very nice m8, looks a really good set up 
better than my m8 done his  dont tell him i said that tho  :

[aztec]

i like your style dave

[mr D]

Its a tricky one for me to be honest, I go through phases. Some times I'd like to 'one day' Spend every day on the golf course or in the gym with good loyal employees running things for me, But some times I'd just be happy to tick over nicely knowing I'm responsible for everything and don't ever need to rely on anyone else nor have there troubles on my shoulders.

I think if I were to re write my business plan it would probably change monthly. lol Not likely to have that £1m annual turnover with such indecisiveness I know but that me.

[aztec]

good honest reply that mate i can tell just by your response that you need to be positive and stop thinking about your pastimes though mate no wrong in that though!
 

[suds window service]

plan is to get up to about 400 custy then split it in 2,  and rebuild again to about 300 each van

i said that now i am there what do i do. got a lot of hard thinking to do starting now.
any one out there who has done this dont be shy tell me.
 regards suds.

[paul rulton]

My ambition is to hit a million
but would settle for what I have got now, to be able to stay in bed until I want to get up, employ someone in the office and have a team of guys bringing home the bacon, and not having to pick up a squeegie myself.
Its not without its stresses though, somedays I dont know what day it is or what planet I am on, on those days I could easily jack it all in. other days it feels all worth it.
On another note, I have just seen someone lose a £150k contract overnight, just goes to show you can't rely on anything in this game.

lo David, have u put a time limit on hitting ur target?

[cleewindows]

my aim is to get to 250 customers by xmas.
then keep going if i get to 500 i will get another van and take someone on.
im motivated and ready to hit the streets and knock some doors,might be getting a door knocker to do 2 days work for me in about 1 month.