Greg Cole
Member
It’s been an interesting 2014 for me. After 21 years in business I closed my carpet cleaning business. It was a tough decision but one I am quite pleased with. The days of large coupon based carpet cleaning companies is OVER. Groupon sealed the deal and I got out while the getting was good!
I wrestled with whether or not to retire and spend my days fishing, hunting, or doing whatever the hell a retired person is supposed to do. I thought about moving to Costa Rica, the Philippines, or somewhere else exotic.
Thankfully, the decision was made for me as I had acquired 1/2 of a fledgling restoration company in Feb of 2013. Its best year prior was $1 mil (16 years in business). We rebranded, restructured, and began adding a corporate feel to it. Training, Training, Training and more Training. From March 1- Dec 31st 2013 we did $1.6 mil. A good start….
As I planned my exodus from carpet cleaning, I decided I would throw myself into the restoration company full time. I am pleased to say that we are closing 2014 with 3.6 mil in sales. $200k off target but still not bad. I still blame the ice storms for that variance ( lol). I wish I could take all the credit but it was a combined effort of my partner and I working like hell to set a standard.
I am working tirelessly to shrug off the cloak of “bait and switch” which I wore for many years as a coupon carpet cleaner. Here is my baseline:
1. I will NEVER use SUBs to clean anything again! EVER!
2. I will NEVER own a transactional based business again. Relational is the ONLY way to go.
3. I will ALWAYS take the side of the customer.
4. I will Over-compensate the GREAT and fire the rest
5. Customer Satisfaction outweighs PROFIT MARGIN ( that one still makes me sick to my stomach but it is necessary lol)
Why am I posting this? That’s where you guys come in. I welcome advice! Any and all advice. I greatly wish Ken were still around………
I wrestled with whether or not to retire and spend my days fishing, hunting, or doing whatever the hell a retired person is supposed to do. I thought about moving to Costa Rica, the Philippines, or somewhere else exotic.
Thankfully, the decision was made for me as I had acquired 1/2 of a fledgling restoration company in Feb of 2013. Its best year prior was $1 mil (16 years in business). We rebranded, restructured, and began adding a corporate feel to it. Training, Training, Training and more Training. From March 1- Dec 31st 2013 we did $1.6 mil. A good start….
As I planned my exodus from carpet cleaning, I decided I would throw myself into the restoration company full time. I am pleased to say that we are closing 2014 with 3.6 mil in sales. $200k off target but still not bad. I still blame the ice storms for that variance ( lol). I wish I could take all the credit but it was a combined effort of my partner and I working like hell to set a standard.
I am working tirelessly to shrug off the cloak of “bait and switch” which I wore for many years as a coupon carpet cleaner. Here is my baseline:
1. I will NEVER use SUBs to clean anything again! EVER!
2. I will NEVER own a transactional based business again. Relational is the ONLY way to go.
3. I will ALWAYS take the side of the customer.
4. I will Over-compensate the GREAT and fire the rest
5. Customer Satisfaction outweighs PROFIT MARGIN ( that one still makes me sick to my stomach but it is necessary lol)
Why am I posting this? That’s where you guys come in. I welcome advice! Any and all advice. I greatly wish Ken were still around………
In the insurance company regulated restoration world I think you'll have to temper your definition of greatness, as true leadership is an exceedingly rare find. A team just needs engaged leadership and a crew of willing to be successful, so one or two GREATs is all you need. 
