For Those That Like to Make Lists Here.....

[rwcarpet]

How about a top 25 list of the "longest cleaning" members. I know Lee would probably top the list, along with Bawb, Jim Pemberton.......I'd be in there somewhere with 35 years. I've been cleaning since 1977, and business owner since 1988.

 

[J Scott W]

Cleaned my first carpet in summer of 1968, that's 43 years ago. Did cleaning as a side job back then. Did not become full-time as carpet cleaner until the early '80s.

 

[Art Kelley]

My member is pretty long.

 

[Ken Snow]

My member is pretty long.

Unlike Art- mine isn't, however I have been in the indutry for 31 years now and our company is about to celebrate our 73rd Anniversray.

 

[John Watson]

Guess I am considered short sticked and still a newby compared to the likes of Warrington and Heacock. I only lasted 31 years Started in 1980..

 

[Lee Stockwell]

It's funny to watch all the "back-dating" that goes on in our industry, and probably others as well.

Many now national companies back-date themselves by decades or more, perhaps to when one of the founders first cleaned his room as a kid.

 

[Derek]

Gary was at it the longest i am guessing ?

 

[Lee Stockwell]

Gary Heacock goes back to 1958 or so I've heard.

 

[John Watson]

1956 I believe I remember it well, I was 6 yrs old...

 

[dgardner]

Unfortunately I am probably not on the list, I never cleaned my room as a kid...

 

[dday]

June 16, 1986 was my first day on the job as a Stanley Steamer Helper ... so I'll be 26 years this June.

 

[Loren Egland]

There are a few different ways to calculate the years.

Some have been in and out of business, so the total years may not equal the number of years since the start of their first business. So the total number of years self employed in business might be the way to go.

Some have cleaned a little, off and on, when they were young as a part time job, perhaps for their parent or another employer. Then they later went into business for themselves.

Some where in the janitorial business, and just did carpet cleaning part time, if at all.

Some started out with a shampoo or dry foam method, but didn't get into steam cleaning when steam cleaning (hot water extraction) was in its infancy.

It would be interesting to see who has been steam cleaning the longest continually (or most years with steam).

So perhaps more than one kind of poll would be enlightening.

In answer to the above, I started my business in 1970 with a steam process and have used steam continually until 2012. From past posts over the years, I don't think I have noticed anyone else within the same parameters. Anyone out there I missed?

BTW, I have always done my own cleaning, never hiring a helper, unless you count my daughters once in a while to give them something to do, though they never actually did the cleaning. Also, my wife never worked elsewhere outside the home.

 

[ruff]

I bag to differ.

It is not how long you've been cleaning.
It's how long does it seem like!

Take a newbie like me for example. I feel like I've been cleaning carpet practically forever now.

I can't lift a wand, no longer, without cursing. The days seem way too long and the nights are but a memory. Any non titanium tool seem way too heavy.

And it seems like I've personally raised Lee, the entire Chavez clan and invented Judson.

Any prizes?

 

[bob vawter]

i bought the FIRST Gene Bates Big Red Diesel machine that came down the line in 1971...
towed all the way back to Mi

 

[Mikey P]

Heacock will be speaking on how to attain and KEEP high end customers at MF.


reserve your bean bag now.

 

[KevinL]

I carry my beanbag with me all the time.

 

[Magic One]

I started out in 1974 with a Von Schrader machine with 72 Chev station wagon. That 454 loved stuckng the gas. Worked for 2 years for different cleaners and started in busines with My TM in 1977.

 

[rwcarpet]

There are a few different ways to calculate the years.

Some have been in and out of business, so the total years may not equal the number of years since the start of their first business. So the total number of years self employed in business might be the way to go.

Some have cleaned a little, off and on, when they were young as a part time job, perhaps for their parent or another employer. Then they later went into business for themselves.

Some where in the janitorial business, and just did carpet cleaning part time, if at all.

Some started out with a shampoo or dry foam method, but didn't get into steam cleaning when steam cleaning (hot water extraction) was in its infancy.

It would be interesting to see who has been steam cleaning the longest continually (or most years with steam).

So perhaps more than one kind of poll would be enlightening.

In answer to the above, I started my business in 1970 with a steam process and have used steam continually until 2012. From past posts over the years, I don't think I have noticed anyone else within the same parameters. Anyone out there I missed?

BTW, I have always done my own cleaning, never hiring a helper, unless you count my daughters once in a while to give them something to do, though they never actually did the cleaning. Also, my wife never worked elsewhere outside the home.

Loren.....you gotta top the list. I started out in 1976 helping out with a relative. I was laid off from GM back then for over 2 years. I helped him get his first TM.....a Turbo-Matic....up and running in 1977. I think I picked it up for him from Ohio Steamway in jan or Feb, so we started out with Cold Weather Opps right from the getgo. So I have been cleaning regularly since 1976 through today, while in business for myself since 1988....say 23 years or so.

It was so nice to get away from that Steam Way 400 portable with the HEAVY power valved head.

 

[Loren Egland]

I hear you Robert. That was one heavy machine. I hated taking it up steps, especially when there were two stories worth.

My first truck mount was purchased in March 1978. It was also the Turbo-Matic. My first 14 years in business where in cold Minnesota, so I can feel for you. So glad I started over in California.

 

[Bruce Humphrey]

[quote="Art Kelley":nok4ey0w]My member is pretty long.

Unlike Art- mine isn't, however I have been in the indutry for 31 years now and our company is about to celebrate our 73rd Anniversray.[/quote:nok4ey0w] :shock:

 

[rwcarpet]

I hear you Robert. That was one heavy machine. I hated taking it up steps, especially when there were two stories worth.

My first truck mount was purchased in March 1978. It was also the Turbo-Matic. My first 14 years in business where in cold Minnesota, so I can feel for you. So glad I started over in California.

I hear ya, Loren. I was looking into purchasing a CC company in Cambria, Ca, back in the early 2000's when I was flush with cash, and letting my Son's run it. Hey, did you ever come to Ohio Steamway or some of the CC trade shows that used to take place in Ohio in the 70's? I would swear I had seen you at a few. I know Rawknee Curtis used to come in from Baltimore, I think.

And that 400 Portable.....it was louder than a TM, and we used to run it in custys homes!

 

[Ron Werner]

I was 2nd owner of a Big Red built in 1980; Gary saw it delivered.
I feel like a youngster only being in the industry for just under 20yrs.





wrt to backdating, whats a little deceptive is when someone buys a well established company they will use how long that busn has been around even if they just started out a couple years before. ie, they've been cleaning for 2yrs and buy a busn thats been around for 20.

 

[Hoody]

June 16, 1986 was my first day on the job as a Stanley Steamer Helper ... so I'll be 26 years this June.

I was 35........ days old then!

 

[Loren Egland]

I hear you Robert. That was one heavy machine. I hated taking it up steps, especially when there were two stories worth.

My first truck mount was purchased in March 1978. It was also the Turbo-Matic. My first 14 years in business where in cold Minnesota, so I can feel for you. So glad I started over in California.

I hear ya, Loren. I was looking into purchasing a CC company in Cambria, Ca, back in the early 2000's when I was flush with cash, and letting my Son's run it. Hey, did you ever come to Ohio Steamway or some of the CC trade shows that used to take place in Ohio in the 70's? I would swear I had seen you at a few. I know Rawknee Curtis used to come in from Baltimore, I think.

And that 400 Portable.....it was louder than a TM, and we used to run it in custys homes!

I never was in Ohio, but I remember you from either a Mikeyfest or winterfest in Fresno.

It was so nice getting a truck mount because I could clean in relative quiet. One lady gave me earplugs while I was cleaning her carpet! The sound of power, eh?

 

[rwcarpet]

[quote="Loren Egland":d3tkm90r]I hear you Robert. That was one heavy machine. I hated taking it up steps, especially when there were two stories worth.

My first truck mount was purchased in March 1978. It was also the Turbo-Matic. My first 14 years in business where in cold Minnesota, so I can feel for you. So glad I started over in California.

I hear ya, Loren. I was looking into purchasing a CC company in Cambria, Ca, back in the early 2000's when I was flush with cash, and letting my Son's run it. Hey, did you ever come to Ohio Steamway or some of the CC trade shows that used to take place in Ohio in the 70's? I would swear I had seen you at a few. I know Rawknee Curtis used to come in from Baltimore, I think.

And that 400 Portable.....it was louder than a TM, and we used to run it in custys homes!

I never was in Ohio, but I remember you from either a Mikeyfest or winterfest in Fresno.

It was so nice getting a truck mount because I could clean in relative quiet. One lady gave me earplugs while I was cleaning her carpet! The sound of power, eh?[/quote:d3tkm90r]


Yep.....I was at the Fresno WF and a Mikeyfest. Who was the Host of the Fresno WF?

 

[Loren Egland]

Yasser?

 

[rwcarpet]

Yasser?

Yep....it was Yasser. Haven't heard from him in a while. I think he took us to a Casino at the top of a mountain. Cheap buffet, and we got a $10 card to gamble with. When we left, the fog had rolled in and it was a real thrill trying to find our way down that road, back to the motel. I have never seen fog so thick!

 

[caleb211]

somewhat amus