If you were starting your biz and know what you know now....

[curt johnson]

what are several things you'd do differently to ensure a smooth start. I'm curious as to what others think was most important when starting out.

For me I would'vre been more organized. I've been using the shotgun approach to marketing, cleaning, etc...for about 8 years now.

 

[KevinL]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I'd buy a more accurate shotgun.

 

[Royal Man]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

Now days the internet is king. It levels the playing field for next to nothing.

Sure beats the old days of large Yellow Page ads and my 10 person telemarketing crew.

It was a very expencive way to gain new business. But, that was the way it was done.

 

[Art Kelley]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have become an underwear model and then put all my money in Microsoft stock in 1987. I just wish I could go back in time.

 

[Brian R]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have let go way earlier and realized that I didn't have to be the only one cleaning for "my" customers.

I would have Done everything I'm doing now....then.

 

[Becker]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

1. Good web presents
2. A good referal rewards program
3. Better record keeping of active clients, staying in contact via facebook, email, new letters, post cards
4. Treat it like a business, like a job, like you could get fired for not performing.
5. M-F during normal business hours, if I did not have work booked, then I'd work the business.

 

[Doug Cox]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

The problem I have is keeping up with technology. I finally ditched the Old Blackberry for a new Droid phone so I can take credit card payments. I realized last year that checks were becoming obsolete. I still stick with my small YP ad only because of the economic condition.

 

[Able 1]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

If there was something I would change it would be the three year years I did 3 half page ads with Yellowbook. I would also have started with my prices higher(2 rooms and hall for 55.00 :shock .

I started with a Prochem Peak (wouldn't change that),great unit!

I also would have hired a helper sooner (maybe year 3).

 

[bob vawter]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have become an underwear model and then put all my money in Microsoft stock in 1987. I just wish I could go back in time.

an' YOU wanna be an underwear model........?

 

[ruff]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have become an underwear model and then put all my money in Microsoft stock in 1987. I just wish I could go back in time.

You would have done better with Google.
Same mistake, two decades later

 

[Brian R]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

[quote="Art Kelley":22525d8t]I would have become an underwear model and then put all my money in Microsoft stock in 1987. I just wish I could go back in time.

an' YOU wanna be an underwear model........?

[/quote:22525d8t]


He could model the "Manzeer"

 

[Askal]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have liked to have a computer and have the internet available. We did have land line phones though.
Al

 

[Jamesh921]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I believe he's asking what you would do differntly NOW, ..... NOT then.

With all the tools available in TODAY'S business world, how would you restart your business NOW? I believe THAT is the question he is asking.

Did I just say that twice? Aw well, I usually experience dejavu at least twice a day - or does that make it 4 times? I don't know, but I need to make more money tomorrow, AND make some more money tomorrow.

And that's all I have to say about that - Forest Gump.

 

[Jimbo]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would pay a lady to answer my phone and do the scheduling...I made that change in the last year and it has meant a huge beneficial difference in my biz...

Plus I added a new book of clients in a nearby town...with almost no reluctance in switching over to my biz...since a very nice lady is doing the answering!

 

[bob vawter]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would pay a lady to answer my phone and do the scheduling...I made that change in the last year and it has meant a huge beneficial difference in my biz...

Plus I added a new book of clients in a nearby town...with almost no reluctance in switching over to my biz...since a very nice lady is doing the answering!

PLUS his partime Krispy Cream distributor job........

sorry Jim..i MEANT to talk to you more.......
don be mad at me fo the picture......

 

[Jimbo]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would love to have a donut shop...Dunkin Donuts wanted 500k for the rights to Nevada...to steep for me...


Maybe this one...http://www.daylightdonuts.com/own_a_daylight.html

 

[DannyD]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would have started with a top flite website from the get go instead of waiting 5 years. I would have had Full Circle- or at least an answering service, FC wasn't around back then, answer my phones instead of missing calls. I would have stayed out of the yellow pages. I would have never bought any Hruby products. For that matter, there's other equipment I wouldn't have bought either. He!!, a non carpet cleaning friend, who's got an extremely successful business, just reamed me for looking into more equipment. He had it right in that ya need to spend your $$ on marketing. Get what ya need so ya can work, & then get more efficient equipment as you can afford it & actually need it. No sense having a $20,000 TM if you're doing a job a day. Migth as well use a porty for that.

I would have tried to find a local cleaner-like an hour away, not one in my city- who'd let me work w/ him for a week or so. I agree w/ you on being organized. I used to write appointments on the back of envelopes & such. Then be looking for it when I wanted to put that info on an invoice.

 

[Mike Draper]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

1. Good web presents
2. A good referal rewards program
3. Better record keeping of active clients, staying in contact via facebook, email, new letters, post cards
4. Treat it like a business, like a job, like you could get fired for not performing.
5. M-F during normal business hours, if I did not have work booked, then I'd work the business.

same here.

 

[DannyD]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

Can you elaborate on that? I'm w/ ya on not keeping up w/ technology. I just learned how to burn a DVD not to long ago. So how does a phone take credit cards? What's the cost of the phone, the phone service, & to the credit card company? I'm not sure what else to ask so any other info ya could add would be appreciated.

Thanx

The problem I have is keeping up with technology. I finally ditched the Old Blackberry for a new Droid phone so I can take credit card payments. I realized last year that checks were becoming obsolete. I still stick with my small YP ad only because of the economic condition.

 

[bob vawter]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

i would find some poor smuck that didn't know any better ta BUY IT!

 

[Brian R]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

Can you elaborate on that? I'm w/ ya on not keeping up w/ technology. I just learned how to burn a DVD not to long ago. So how does a phone take credit cards? What's the cost of the phone, the phone service, & to the credit card company? I'm not sure what else to ask so any other info ya could add would be appreciated.

Thanx

The problem I have is keeping up with technology. I finally ditched the Old Blackberry for a new Droid phone so I can take credit card payments. I realized last year that checks were becoming obsolete. I still stick with my small YP ad only because of the economic condition.

I just ordered mine. The service is free...the square is free...you just pay fo each card transaction like normal.

www.Squareup.com

 

[Jim Martin]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would of never leased my first truck mount......biggest mistake I made.......

 

[Chris A]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

I would of never leased my first truck mount......biggest mistake I made.......

X2 can't wait til its over...

 

[Able 1]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

Shame on the suppliers that even offer leases on equipment! I took over a least from 2006 at $700 for 13 months... The least terms were $700.00 per month for 60 months. :shock: If I would have went with a lease I'm not so sure I would have made it... You would end up paying 42,000 for a $25,000 truck mount. :shock:

 

[Chris A]

Re: If you were starting your biz and know what you know now

Shame on the suppliers that even offer leases on equipment! I took over a least from 2006 at $700 for 13 months... The least terms were $700.00 per month for 60 months. :shock: If I would have went with a lease I'm not so sure I would have made it... You would end up paying 42,000 for a $25,000 truck mount. :shock:

No shit, then add in a shiny new van and imagine the lease payments then. My credit wasn't stellar at the time I bought my van but ill be happy to have other options next time.