Mikey P
Administrator
Did you have completely different demographics in your new location? What were your biggest challenges?
Who here has relocated and started over?
- Thread starter Mikey P
- Start date
Zee
Supportive Member
Old Coastie
Supportive Member
Mike, don't change yourself. However, since you asked, the worst thing you could do in Dixie would be to explain how you used to do it "back home."
Listen to the conversations. Study the mannerisms; my parents had a hard time understanding why everyone waves on the back roads.
Answer questions cheerfully, you will always be an object of curiosity.
Ask questions frequently that let people help you. Nothing says "smart" like good listening and nothing strokes ego like giving you advice.
In fact, I feel pretty stoked right now. HAHAHAHA!
Listen to the conversations. Study the mannerisms; my parents had a hard time understanding why everyone waves on the back roads.
Answer questions cheerfully, you will always be an object of curiosity.
Ask questions frequently that let people help you. Nothing says "smart" like good listening and nothing strokes ego like giving you advice.
In fact, I feel pretty stoked right now. HAHAHAHA!
hogjowl
Idiot™
I once knew an Air Force dude that was trying to build a house here. The folks at city hall delayed every permit and inspection for as long as possible. Just because he was a yankee who went around acting like he was smarter than all of us. I tried to tell him, but he was to far gone into Mikeyland to listen.
Desk Jockey
Member
Whut is wrong with you fookers?
Ohhh yeah, you're from the South.
Ohhh yeah, you're from the South.
Bob Pruitt
Member
From California, to Washington State to Florida. All very different. Next will be Texas where all the Californians have fled so expecting a mixed bag there.
Washington was the most difficult because they hated Californians. Always asking "Why did you move here?"
I was real nice at first...we moved here because it's so beautiful...yada yada yada. I'm cold... I'm wet... After a while I stopped being nice and told people who asked - I moved there because I heard there were problem. I'm here to try to straighten out your gene pool. I blame lack of sunlight for losing patience. No offense to people on the board from Washington... it really is a beautiful place!
Florida was easy...lots of Wealth and people who just want a good job and someone who doesn't scare their dog. Once you are through the Security Gate- Price is not a factor. Be nice to the ladies who are Cleaning the houses of the Rich and doors will open.
Texas? We will see.
Washington was the most difficult because they hated Californians. Always asking "Why did you move here?"
I was real nice at first...we moved here because it's so beautiful...yada yada yada. I'm cold... I'm wet... After a while I stopped being nice and told people who asked - I moved there because I heard there were problem. I'm here to try to straighten out your gene pool. I blame lack of sunlight for losing patience. No offense to people on the board from Washington... it really is a beautiful place!
Florida was easy...lots of Wealth and people who just want a good job and someone who doesn't scare their dog. Once you are through the Security Gate- Price is not a factor. Be nice to the ladies who are Cleaning the houses of the Rich and doors will open.
Texas? We will see.
Loren Egland
Member
I relocated once. I sold Rochester Steam Way in Rochester Minnesota where I started in 1970 and sold in 1984. I had the distinction of using the steam method of cleaning since I started. No other cleaning company in Rochester had used the steam method as long. I used to advertise that we were the oldest in the area using steam.
We relocated to Antioch California and started Delta Steam Way about 5 months after buying a house in Antioch on our honeymoon. There was only a couple truck mounts in the area and they disappeared shortly after we arrived, leaving us as the oldest cleaners in east contra costa county using a truck mount. The area was small enough at the time to afford a phone book ad that would be profitable for a one truck operation. (Times have changed, eh?)
What helped me was a new wife and a new attitude. My first year grossed more than my best year in Minnesota. That was due to a number of factors, but the weather was better all year long in California, where as work would get mighty slow during the long winters in Minnesota.
I have been thinking of moving to Carson City Nevada to start another carpet cleaning business with a fancy new truck, Steam Way Powermatic and all!
We relocated to Antioch California and started Delta Steam Way about 5 months after buying a house in Antioch on our honeymoon. There was only a couple truck mounts in the area and they disappeared shortly after we arrived, leaving us as the oldest cleaners in east contra costa county using a truck mount. The area was small enough at the time to afford a phone book ad that would be profitable for a one truck operation. (Times have changed, eh?)
What helped me was a new wife and a new attitude. My first year grossed more than my best year in Minnesota. That was due to a number of factors, but the weather was better all year long in California, where as work would get mighty slow during the long winters in Minnesota.
I have been thinking of moving to Carson City Nevada to start another carpet cleaning business with a fancy new truck, Steam Way Powermatic and all!
Why do you keep starting over Bob? Sounds like a major PITA to me!! I couldn't imagine moving, shit just got easy after 11 years!
Bob Pruitt
Member
It's a long story... I'm use to it.
I would love to move after the kids are done with school(9 and 11)!! Pretty established here though, all I use for advertising is SM(and Facebook OMG).. The roots are deep for me! Not sure if I could start over unless it was more of a hobby, and I didn't need the money.. I tip my hat to you! To be successful in 3 going on 4 states is impressive!
Lee Stockwell
FOJL
I moved from Calloway county (Murray) to Marshall county (Benton) Kentucky after 30+ years in biz.
Only locals would understand how difficult that was. This is a much more redneck place. I've even been called a Yankee here.
Only locals would understand how difficult that was. This is a much more redneck place. I've even been called a Yankee here.
Bob Pruitt
Member
Bob Pruitt
Member
I hire based on Character and I over-pay...meaning I prefer guys that don't know anything about what I do but are good people and are workers. In Santa Barbara I had UCSB put up a help wanted on their Student Bulletin Board. I hired a couple guys that were in their last year of school...had worked their way through 3 years of school. They were about 30 hours a week help and would cover for each other when school pressed. Whe they graduated they had their replacements lined up and they trained them for me...was a good job for a guy in school...if you can be a little flexible with them.
Other place I get help is Church. LDS Stake Centers have Employment Offices...some are big in larger cities and big Companies hire through them. You will get a non-smoker/drinker there...most don't swear much either. Also network family. My secret is I pay more than the other Carpet Cleaners do.
I usually have 2 vans but have had 3. If I'm in the van I make a lot more money because I SELL...in a nice helpful way. But...
I'm not in Texas yet and all my past experience might not mean anything... so, that will be an interesting thread when I finally get started.
Old Coastie
Supportive Member
Bob is correct, as usual. Hire the heart, teach the skill.
We moved from AZ to IL about 9-10 years ago, had to start over(from scratch with a porty, ugggg). The wife was able to transfer and still had a nice job.
The first few years were real tuff, no money for anything - advertising, etc.... Even when we did start making money again, it didn't help(getting busy). Just took time and good reviews, by year 3-5 we were pretty busy and got the first tm.
It sucked, IL still does(cold). On a good note, boat load of stuff to clean here. Az people would have 3-4 rooms and that's that. Here in IL it's carpet paradise(cold) compared to out west. Avg. home here 4-5 rooms, stairs, halls, basements!
The first few years were real tuff, no money for anything - advertising, etc.... Even when we did start making money again, it didn't help(getting busy). Just took time and good reviews, by year 3-5 we were pretty busy and got the first tm.
It sucked, IL still does(cold). On a good note, boat load of stuff to clean here. Az people would have 3-4 rooms and that's that. Here in IL it's carpet paradise(cold) compared to out west. Avg. home here 4-5 rooms, stairs, halls, basements!
Desk Jockey
Member
Gotta love basements! Most homes in this part of the country have just as much living space in the basement as they do the main level. Nice large family rooms and several bed rooms. As you said great for cleaning and even better for WDR work!
GreenTechAgain
Member
From NJ/NY to Florida.
Had to get used to just about everything, including terrible food.
Just had this conversation with someone. When I first got down here, people would always complain about people from "New York" and how obnoxious they are. Used to take a little offense to that. Now that I've been here a while, I kinda see where they are coming from.
But some people born/raised here think they are the cat's meow and they don't understand they are really just Rubes.
Oh yeah, Christmas shouldn't be 85 degrees.
Had to get used to just about everything, including terrible food.
Just had this conversation with someone. When I first got down here, people would always complain about people from "New York" and how obnoxious they are. Used to take a little offense to that. Now that I've been here a while, I kinda see where they are coming from.
But some people born/raised here think they are the cat's meow and they don't understand they are really just Rubes.
Oh yeah, Christmas shouldn't be 85 degrees.
Dam right!
And I shouldn't be eating Thanksgiving dinner next to a pool... Doesn't feel like the holidays unless ya suffer(cold/snow).
Desk Jockey
Member
smart n kleen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2010
- Messages
- 273
I was born and raised in SOCAL. I had a business for 11 years in corona. I moved to south Oregon in 2004 and started a new business. My business in thriving here. It was a scary move but I got lucky it worked out.
Mikey P
Administrator
smart n kleen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2010
- Messages
- 273
A few years. I'm a go getter. I went everywhere handing out cards and doing estimates. Also a lot of people hunt and fish and can't work around that I just work so I'm always ready.
Desk Jockey
Member
How does the 11 years in Corona and since 04 in Oregon explain the "Since 1967"?
smart n kleen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2010
- Messages
- 273
My step father started this business. He is still in corona ca. He owns smart n clean. He also owns a janitorial supply store called inland janitorial supply
rut row Scooby Doo
smart n kleen
Member
- Joined
- Mar 29, 2010
- Messages
- 273
Keep reading
I'm just giving you a bad time Rick.
Mikey P
Administrator
Matt may have been our most successful temfs transplant.
Damon is off to a great start
Dev Tom figured it out faster then most.
I think Ladwigs was king for a day over there for a second. Maybe even Marty
Just kills me that Fjordking is at home there...so ironic..
Who else Matt?
Damon is off to a great start
Dev Tom figured it out faster then most.
I think Ladwigs was king for a day over there for a second. Maybe even Marty
Just kills me that Fjordking is at home there...so ironic..
Who else Matt?
