Help a brother out

[adamh]

Laid off.

Starting over cleaning carpets again. I have the truck and TM with all the fixens?

How do I get business? How do I get back into the big money?

Tell me what I should do.

Thanks

 

[Mikey P]

Pound the streets with your resume Adam.


Hit the retailers, decorators, mom and pop real estate agents, property managers you know the drill. let them know of your great skill and econo busting prices.

And better yet..

Gather up those cute kids of yours and hit the neighborhoods with a well formulated flier and a great offer.

 

[B&BGaryC]

I'm in the same predicament. I haven't decided whether to pick up and move somewhere, start my own, or work for someone thats actually gonna pay me a decent wage. Or just fall back on my computer degree.

You would be so proud of me. I buided a computer with my bare hands and some cool tweazer things and little screwdrivers today. I was an honorary nerd.

 

[B&BGaryC]

Laid off.

Starting over cleaning carpets again. I have the truck and TM with all the fixens?

How do I get business? How do I get back into the big money?

Tell me what I should do.

Thanks

Aren't you the vortex guy who has a van called 911 spot cleaners or something?

Why did vortex lay you off?

 

[Jay D]

Yes flyers, yes retailors, yes hand out cards everywhere, also networking groups like bni etc. Come up with a good, better, best packages to appeal to the masses to bring in income. I am in my third year here and am still adjusting to changing market conditions but am still supporting the family. Do not be too proud, be willing to do what it takes to get started and survive. Are you in a non compete agreement on your old business? If you are not contact all your old avenues of income to let them know your back in town. The main thing is getting up to bat and making good swings. Get back in the grove and keep swinging. Don't give up.

 

[adamh]

I can clean carpet in the area but can't clean for anyone I ever used to so I am starting over. I respect the guy that bought my first company so I would never do anything to hurt him.

I haven't had to pound the streets in years. I guess its time to get back at it.

 

[rhyde]

Sounds like you are in a tough spot. I’d start with commercial to generate some cash flow and hit retailers/ designers but Napa can’t be that big so at some point you’d be hitting the same crowd as your old business …right?


Do you have marketing material … a brochure, cards, spotting guide?

Can you send out a letter of introduction explaining your previous business experience, history in the community or is that too much of a conflict?

 

[rhyde]

I’m sure he could but Adam is a good guy…morals & all he probably wants to work by not hurting the buyer of his old business.


I have another idea Adam!

 

[Jimbo]

Hey Adam...I just checked out BNI info for your area...it is a networking group that you pay to belong to...it looks like 4 groups have an opening for a carpet cleaner.

1. TV Accelerators BNI Todd Grand 208-424-2003

2. Boise AM BNI Martin Ackerman 208-345-9900

3. Meridian BNI Jennifer Walker 208-559-5595

4. Riverside BNI Jennifer Newhouse 208-321-4000

You can visit each group 2 times...just be ready to pay for you lunch or breakfast...thats 8 meeting at no cost...make sure you have about 50 biz cards each time...and pick out the one that best suits you...find a group that has a good fit in members and attitude.

 

[Jim Pemberton]

Go make a cold call on Cougar Mountain Software in Boise.

I am a client and recently attended a class there. It looks like they have had a bad bonnet cleaning job in the past, and it needs to be cleaned......badly.

Tell them that customer #412-751-3700 (and my name) gave you his endorsement.

 

[Goldenboy]

Adam find a cleaner in town. A older one who is ready to retire. Do a 70/30 spilt you get the 70. Have him keep the 30 which goes toward paying off the business. Call the guy you sold the business to and buy it back that way.

Golden Boy

 

[adamh]

Thank you for the ideas and PMs. You guys are great. I can clean for anybody but I would never step on the toes of the guy that bought me out. I run into old customers everyday at Wal Mart etc. I could have cleaned 100 of them but I could never do that. I carry his cards just in case so I can give them to old custys.

I will take much of the advise. Thank you

 

[XTREME1]

If I didn't want to step on the toes of a cleaner I sold my business to I would set up a different business model or move.

I would go after all commercial accounts and take up hard surface care. Beat the pavement to all the property managers start bidding on the Sears, Toy"r"Us and all those stores. I would hire a couple guys and really dig into the everyday janitorial. I would use my experience as a cleaner and quality specialist to sell my other services.

I would develop a business plan and come up with all my QA plans and bid sheets and get out there. I would pretend I was looking for services for a building and call companies like Anago, Unico and get their info packages and emulate them but focus more on a niche market of companys 20-100 employees.

 

[Jay D]

I have a pink flyer 8.5X11 double sided if you want a copy. lots of junk on it. Anything you need just ask US.

 

[GRHeacock]

E-mail me at- dfrif@juno.com for my Special Report on Free Advertising and Marketing.

Lots of good ideas there for people starting out, or wanting to grow.

No charge, of course.

Gary

 

[Guest]

Jay and Gary,
Is that offer open to others as well?
If so, I would like to take you up on that!

 

[GRHeacock]

My offer is to anyone who can read this.

Gary

 

[B&BGaryC]

his special reports kick butt.