list of new start ups mistakes

[Greg Loe]

no business insurance
no accounting system
no retirement system
no medical insurance
no cash flow for income
no idea about how to pay their taxes


please add to list


oh, think a portable can clean just as good as any tm.

 

[joey895]

No marketing plan - thinking the that when your yellow page ad comes out you'll have all the business you need.

 

[diamond brian]

Poor customer database.

Should have date, price, descriptive, address, each follow-up (reminder card...), etc.

Play like you're gonna need this info, because, if you survive long enough you will.

 

[TimP]

I definitely have the cash flow problem. Which equates to not marketing enough. I've taken care of the rest though. Working on database customer list stuff.

 

[alazo1]

spend all the money on equipment
none left for marketing

albert

 

[Out of Character - 0]

Hiring experienced carpet cleaners who know it all.

 

[Guest]

Thinking that the first "boom" is going to last.

 

[Chris A]

cash out your retirement to buy a Vortex

 

[captaincarpet]

Not buying the right equipment from the start, usually buying too small a unit, then needing to upgrade within a year. I'm not saying a V is for every business type, but I see many complaining that if they had known better they would have bought bigger from the beginning ( and bigger usually means #4 blower at least and for many a #5).
A V is definitely not for everyone, but it can fit your business model very well...and from experience I can tell you a V or AT will get a lot more walk ups than a 175 rpm scrubber!


Partnerships also seem to be a big problem with new business start ups.