Can you imagine...

[Mikey P]

Having a job/lifestyle that demands that you sit at a desk in the same room 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year...


say what you want about us idiot owner operators but it's a pretty nice lifestyle, if done correctly..

 

[Jim Pemberton]

There are more than a few corporate types who stripped off their suits and ties and rode truck mounts into the sunset.

Two that come to my mind immediately:

The vice president of the largest jewelry chain in the Pittsburgh area.

The president of a large bank chain.

Each came to me in their late 40s, having just quit what was causing them stress related physical and mental issues. Each had their carpet cleaned, talked to the owners, and thought it would be a good gig for them.

The jewelry chain guy built a four truck mount operation and large janitorial firm that he sold for a nice profit and he's now enjoying his second retirement and the new business owner is growing the business bigger still.

The banker built a nice single truck, owner operator model that he gave to his son, who is doing well with it, and the guy keeps his social life active by delivering luxury cars for buyers and service customers for a large auto dealership.

Both guys tell me that getting into carpet cleaning saved their marriages and probably their lives.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

My High school senior granddaughter says she can’t imagine having to sit in a Brown Building she points at, all day. She is #1 in her 6A school, and is going to OU on scholarship. Point is, she’s 17 and already thinks our way

 

[Cleanworks]

There are more than a few corporate types who stripped off their suits and ties and rode truck mounts into the sunset.

Two that come to my mind immediately:

The vice president of the largest jewelry chain in the Pittsburgh area.

The president of a large bank chain.

Each came to me in their late 40s, having just quit what was causing them stress related physical and mental issues. Each had their carpet cleaned, talked to the owners, and thought it would be a good gig for them.

The jewelry chain guy built a four truck mount operation and large janitorial firm that he sold for a nice profit and he's now enjoying his second retirement and the new business owner is growing the business bigger still.

The banker built a nice single truck, owner operator model that he gave to his son, who is doing well with it, and the guy keeps his social life active by delivering luxury cars for buyers and service customers for a large auto dealership.

Both guys tell me that getting into carpet cleaning saved their marriages and probably their lives.

Where else do you see a 62 year old man slinging an 8x10 wool rug on his shoulder and calmly walking into a condominium building and up the elevator with it.

 

[FB7777]

Having a job/lifestyle that demands that you sit at a desk in the same room 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year...


say what you want about us idiot owner operators but it's a pretty nice lifestyle, if done correctly..

X2 Tsaosand

 

[Kenny Hayes]

When I was in family insurance, I was Always out and about. When I left, with no plans whatsoever, I actually told Diana, I can’t go sit at a desk.

 

[Brian H]

You guys are killing me... sitting at a desk all day is exactly what i do.

 

[Dolly Llama]

It really doesn't matter what the job is, be it a shop, gas station, rug plant or office, when at the same spot, doing the same things everyday it gets old.

'bout half my week is at a desktop.
the other half out in the field.

days like today (7 degrees this morning) the desktop ain't so bad....

..L.T.A.

 

[Mikey P]

You guys are killing me... sitting at a desk all day is exactly what i do.

Sorry.


Hey Brian here's something that may make you feel better about working for Hagopian..

A few years ago a handful of us mighty festers visited the Tampa Bay Stanley Steemer facility.

It was super impressive and chock-full of very happy technicians that were making a very good living in most of whom could afford to buy a home in that area, especially with the assist program that division had in place..

a couple weeks ago corporate decided to knock all the technicians of which they're probably over a hundred at least at that location down to $13 an hour base pay no commissions no overtime..


virtually every one of them is leaving, buying their own truck and going out as owner operators...

 

[Brian H]

That was a very poorly thought through decision!!!

We also have a lot of long term employees who make a nice living, can afford to buy a home and raise a family! Just last month we celebrated 8 employees who reached their 25 year anniversary with us in 2020.

 

[Cleanworks]

What's that going to do to the quality of their work, such as it is already.

 

[Mikey P]

What's that going to do to the quality of their work, such as it is already.

How many other things can a 20-30 yo do to earn $13 an hour that doesnt involve:

Dealing with mother figures.
Piss and shit.
Upselling.
Sweating.
Math.

 

[Cleanworks]

How many other things can a 20-30 yo do to earn $13 an hour that doesnt involve:

Dealing with mother figures.
Piss and shit.
Upselling.
Sweating.
Math.

Why ever would anybody even upsell anything if they don't get a piece of it. The lady ask, "can you scotchgard my carpet please"? The Stanley tech answers, "oh no ma'am, we don't do that anymore". Cause that's too much like work.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Hours maybe.?

 

[Kenny Hayes]

You guys are killing me... sitting at a desk all day is exactly what i do.

But surely you come and go as you please. (You know what I mean)

 

[Fat Mike]

Having a job/lifestyle that demands that you sit at a desk in the same room 5 days a week, 50 weeks a year...


say what you want about us idiot owner operators but it's a pretty nice lifestyle, if done correctly..

A year after I started my business a steel truss manufacturer in my area called asking if I wanted to come design. Told him sure if I do it remotely after hours. He wanted someone on-site 50hrs a week. That was a big no thank you.

I hate having to sit at my desk on my computer I’ll do it but I won’t do it 50hrs a week

 

[Bob Savage]

I still enjoy getting in that van and going out to do battle with dirty surfaces and kicking/stretching, even though I am almost 76 years young. I have had customers ask me when I am going to retire. My reply is, I don't know. As long as I am physically able, I will not retire, so I guess I have semi-retired. I have made lasting relationships in this business, with peers and people that I do work for.

Who'd a Thunk I would become a carpet cleaner, having been a home remodeler, home builder, Realtor, cabinet maker, an interior trim specialist, and a carpet cleaning machine designer?

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Nope not me made it to 79 today will work a few more yet. Never sat behind a desk or in a factory. My Dad worked at Lincoln Electric in Cleveland O. Was their welder for 35 yrs in the same small hole welding no windows or fans prior to the strong EPA rules but that was him. I drove a police car for 15 yrs then a few side jobs. But now it's 40 yrs of carpet cleaning and I still love it call me crazy and I am .Life is what you make it and I love fighting with dirt now each job is the same but different. That's my story . jz

 

[Dolly Llama]

a couple weeks ago corporate decided to knock all the technicians of which they're probably over a hundred at least at that location down to $13 an hour base pay no commissions no overtime..

what was the previous hourly rate?

wonder how the cut will affect their employee retention rate.

..L.T.A.

 

[Meter Maid]

I love my life these days, just cleaning carpet by myself and not really any stress.

 

[Zion Carpet Cleaning]

After cleaning carpets full time for about a year I'm unfortunately chained to a desk again. Just moved to a new city and am hoping to start back up once spring rolls around.

 

[hogjowl]

Speaking of Stanley Steemer, haven’t seen that SS dude here in awhile. Did we run him off?

 

[FB7777]

Speaking of Stanley Steemer, haven’t seen that SS dude here in awhile. Did we run him off?

Or in your case...

bore them to death

 

[Mikey P]

Speaking of Stanley Steemer, haven’t seen that SS dude here in awhile. Did we run him off?

 

[Meter Maid]

After cleaning carpets full time for about a year I'm unfortunately chained to a desk again. Just moved to a new city and am hoping to start back up once spring rolls around.

Why did you change cities?

 

[Zion Carpet Cleaning]

Why did you change cities?

My wife and I are from Salt Lake City and moved 4 hours south about 7 years ago. Now that we have little kids we wanted to be closer to our family again. After I hurt my elbow and couldn't work for a couple weeks, then both my vans broke down for three weeks at the same time, then right after that COVID made my phone stop ringing for a few months we decided it was a good time to move back. After winter is over I'm going to focus on going full time again.

 

[Kenny Hayes]

Happy Birthday Jack! You’re an inspiration!! And a decade older than me

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

Happy Birthday Jack! You’re an inspiration!! And a decade older than me

Thank you it's just a number don't feel it. Played the drums all weekend Rock& Roll and some Blues & Jazz jz

 

[Cleanworks]

Thank you it's just a number don't feel it. Played the drums all weekend Rock& Roll and some Blues & Jazz jz

You rock Jackie and still roll a little.

 

[Jack Zipper Zerkie]

You rock Jackie and still roll a little.

Yes down hill easier