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StartYourOwnCarpetCleaningBusinessTheSuze&EvMethod©

ByS.Arthur&E.LandAllRightsReserved/2008-2020/PixelInk

start-cleaning-business.com

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TableOfContents

Introduction

StepsinCarpetCleaning

GetOrganized

YourMission(Shouldyouchoosetotakeit)

WritingaBusinessPlan

SetYourRatesandCommunicate

Well-IntentionedFriends

It'sBusinessTime

EntrepreneurialIntelligenceAgency

Branding,MarketingandSelling

ExpandYourService

DisasterCleanUp

HiringEmployees

KeepingCustomersHappy

MemberResources

TheRequisiteDisclaimer

TheSuzeandEvMethodforStartingaCarpetCleaningBusiness

Introduction

Actionistherealmeasureofintelligence.--NapoleonHill

Welcome!Thankyouforpurchasingourbusinessmethod.You'reseriousabouttakingthereignsofyourlifeanddesigningasuccessfulcareerasaprofessionalcarpetcleaningbusinessowner.Weadmireyourdetermination<highfivesallaround>,andwe'repleasedtobeabletohelpyougetstarted.

Asyoumayknow,theprofessionalcarpetcleaningservicebusinessisbooming.Onereasonisthatcleancarpetsaresimplynotaluxury,theyareanecessity.Concernsaboutdamagetothecarpetfibersfromsandanddirtparticles,dangerouscontaminants,chemicalsandbacteriatrackedindoorsfromapollutedenvironmentarejustafewofthereasonsthatbusinessownersandhomeownersalikecannotaffordtogowithoutregular,qualitycleaning.Highqualitycarpetisanexpensiveinvestmentwhichaccountsforalargeportionofanybusiness'orhomeowners'budget.Theyarekeenlyawarethatregularcleaningandmaintenancehelpskeepcarpetfibershealthyandattractive,enablingthemtorestassuredthattheyarelivingandworkinginacleanandhealthyenvironment.Thesearethefolkswhoneedreputable,dependableservicesliketheoneyouareabouttostart.

Eversinceancientcliffdwellersfirstsplatteredyakbloodontheirsheepskinrugs,peoplehavebeeninneedofreliablecarpetcleaners.Deliveringgreatserviceisn'tthatdifficulttodo,asyouwilldiscoverinthesepages.However,itdoestakeresourcefulness,apositiveattitude,andanunswervingdedicationtocustomersatisfaction.

Ofcourse,youdon'tneedtoreadthefollowingchaptersinanyparticularorder.Clickdirectlytothepagesthatinterestyoumost.You'llfindstacksofusefulinformationherethatwillenableyougetstartedquickly,particularly

ifyoutakeadvantageoftheresourcesandtoolswe'vemadeavailableforpromembersonourWebsite.ThroughoutthiseBookyou'llnoticefrequentreminderstogotowww.proclean4u/carpet.We'reexcitedaboutbeingabletokeepyouupdatedthroughthepromembers'blog,sopleasecheckitout.Also,pleasecheckthatouremailupdatesaren'tgettingcaughtinthespamfilterinyouremailprogram.

Bestwishesforahealthynewrevenuestreamthroughyourprofessionalcarpetcleaningbusiness.Afterall,asWoodyAllenobserved,"moneyisbetterthanpoverty,ifonlyforfinancialreasons."

SuzeandEv

StepsinCarpetCleaning

Anyjobworthdoingisworthdoingwell.--Somebody'sgrandpa

Inthischapter:

• Descriptionofdifferentcleaningmethods• Generalstepsincarpetcleaning

Anentrepreneurstrivingtoearnasolidreputationneedssatisfiedcustomers.Yoursuccessdependsonyourcompetency.Here'showtodothedirtyworkofcarpetcleaning.Therearetwobasicwaystogetthejobdone:steamcleaninganddrycleaning.Differentchemicalsandequipmentareusedwitheachmethod.Dependingonthetypeofcleaningmethodyouchoosetooffer,youwillneedtheappropriatesuppliesandmachinery.Formoredetaileddescriptionsofthefollowingmethodsandtheequipmentusedforeach,pleasegotothemembers'area.Inaddition,wewillkeepyouupdatedonnewhigh-techmethodsastheyaredeveloped.

Steamcleaning

Steamcleaningisalsoknownasthehotwaterextractionmethod.Thismethodishighlyeffectiveincleaningcarpetsthoroughlydowntothebase.Ahotwaterbasedcleaningsolutionisforceddownintothecarpetwithhighpressure,thensuckedbackoutofthecarpetintoaholdingtankalongwithembeddeddirt,bacteria,pollens,andchemicals.Sincethemajorityofdirtincarpetsiswatersoluble,thisisthepreferredmethodofmanyprofessionalcleaners.Thetrickistonotoverlywetthecarpets,andtousehighquality,professionalequipment.Withapowerfulmachineingoodworkingorder,carpetsshoulddryquickly,usuallyunderanhour,duetothemachine'sabilitytosuckmostofthewateroutalongwiththedirt.Maintainyourequipmentproperly,becausethequalityofyourworkdependsonit.

Therearetwosystemsforsteamcleaning,theportableunitandthetruckmountedsystem.Herearesomeoftheprosandconsofeachmethod:

• PortableExtraction

• Advantages:Thissmallmachine'sgreatestadvantageisprobablyitsaffordablecost,especiallyforastart-upbudget.Youmaychoosetostartwithaportableunitandworkuptoatruckmountedsystem.Duetoitssize,portablesystemsareconvenientandeasytohandle.Youcancleanasyougo,withoutdraggingthehosebehindyou.Theseunitsusehottapwaterandplugintotheelectricitysourceofthehouseorofficebuilding.

• Disadvantages:Duetoitssize,itmaynotcleanaseffectivelyasatruckmountedextractionsystem.Inaddition,humidityanddirtyairfromtheunitrecirculatesthroughtheairinsidethehouseorofficebuilding,insteadofbeingventedoutside.

• TruckMountedExtraction

• Advantages:Thisisalargecleaningmachinewhichstaysmountedontoatruckorinsideavan,andthehoseandfloortoolarebroughtintothehouse.Morepowerfulthantheportableunitandcapableofamuchmorethoroughcleaning.Inaddition,thewatercanbeheatedtoahighertemperaturethantapwater,andinjecteddeepintothecarpetpileatafastervelocitythanispossiblewithaportableunit.Humidityanddirtyairisventedoutside,notinsidethebuilding.

• Disadvantages:Thehosegetsdraggedaroundthehouseorofficebehindyouasyouclean.Thiscouldincreasetheriskofbreakageordamagetoproperty.

DryCleaning

Somepeoplemaypreferthismethodoverusingwater,whichcanleavecarpetsvulnerabletomildewandmoldifnotproperlydried.Whileit'struethatso-called'drycleaning'isdryerthansteamcleaning,mostofthesemethodsdouseasmallamountofwater.Forthefollowingmethods,cleaningchemicalsareappliedeitherbysprinklingorsprayingthemon,thenvacuumingthemuporworkingthemintothecarpetwithamachine.Besureyouareawareofthemanufacturer'srecommendationfortheparticulartypeofcarpetyou'recleaning.Somematerialsshouldnotbedrycleaned,becausethecleaningsolventswillswellordamagethefibers.

Herearethreetypesofdrycleaning:

• Spinningbonnet

• Chemicalsolutionisapplied,thenthecarpetisagitatedbyarotaryoroscillatingbrushwithanabsorbentpad.Alargebonnetonahandheldmachinespinsfromsidetoside,absorbingthecleaningchemicalsalongwiththedirt.Afterthepadissaturatedwithdirt,itisreplacedwithanewpad.Carbonatedwaterissometimesused,asitsupposedlylowersthepHofthesolutionandactsasabettersoilsuspender.Althoughthismethoddoesn'tcleanthecarpetdowntothebase,itdoeshavetheadvantageofdryingfairlyquickly.However,itcanleavedistinctswirlmarksinthecarpetanddistortthecarpetfibers.

• Dryfoam

• Afoamychemicalcleaningsolutionisapplied,allowedtodry(thisdryingperiodisreferredtoas'dwelltime'),thenvacuumedupalongwiththedirt.

• Drycompound

• Amixtureofdetergent,solvent,andwaterinanabsorbentcarrierresemblingtalcumpowderissprinkledoverthecarpet.

Themixtureisagitatedbyamachinethatworksitintothecarpet,thenlefttodryandvacuumedupwiththedirt.

Regardlessofthetypeofcleaningmethodyouuse,allcleaningsshouldincludethefollowingsteps:

Pre-Inspection

• Doawalk-throughwithyourclienttovisuallyinspectthecarpet• Evaluatethecarpetfiberanditscondition,andpointoutpotentiallypermanentstains.Aworndowncarpetmayseemdirtywhenitisn't.Hallwayswithheavyfoottrafficoftendevelopwearpatternsandscratchesinthecarpetfibersthatcleaningwillnotrestore.

• Giveyourclientasummarydescriptionofexpectedresults.

FurnitureMoving

• Yourcleaningfeeshouldincludemovingsofas,chairs,tablesandsmalleritemssuchaslamps.Leavebeds,dressers,andheavierpiecesinplace.Youmaychoosetomoveheavypieces.Ifso,re-calculateyourfee.

Pre-Vacuum

• Removedrysoil,grit,andsolidswithathoroughvacuuming.

Preconditioning

• Injectahotpre-conditionertolooseninsolubledirtandoilsthatvacuumcleanerscannotremove

• Preconditioningthecarpetallowsforalongertimetoemulsifythesoilsinthecarpet.

Pre-Spot

• Difficultspotsfromsubstancessuchascrayons,grass,andrustarepre-treatedwithspecialsolutionstoincreasechancesofremoval.

Neutralizer

• UseapHbalancedsolution,soyoudon'treceivecomplaintsfromcustomerswhoaredissatisfiedwiththestickyresidueleftbehind.Whenyoucompleteyourjob,thecarpetshouldbesoftandsmellfresh.

PostSpot

• Anyspotsorstainsstillremainingwillgetextratreatmentwithspecialtyspottingsolutions.

FinalFinishing

• Useaprofessionalgroomer,orraker,togetthecarpet'spiletostandstraightup.Groomingalsohelpsthecarpetdryfasterandintherightposition.

PostCleaningInspection

• Walkthroughwithyourclienttopointoutthecleaningresultstomakesurethatheorsheisthoroughlysatisfiedwiththejob.

KeyConcepts:

• Methodsofcarpetcleaning• Stepsincarpetcleaning

GetOrganized

Iamdefinitelygoingtotakeacourseontimemanagement...justassoonasIcanworkitintomyschedule.

--LouisE.Boone

Inthischapter:

• Timemanagementskillsandthemasterschedule

• Suggestionsfordaily,weekly,monthlyandannualchecklists

• Beingwell-organizedhelpsminimizestressandfreesupyourtime.Yourclientswillbenefitandyourbusinesswillboom.

TimeManagementSkillsRock

Startingacarpetcleaningenterprisecaneatupmoretimethanyouanticipate.Therefore,ithelpstomakeaplanforefficienttimemanagement.Gettingascheduledownonpaperoronyourcomputerhelpstounclutteryourmind,andalsohelpsyouvisualizethetimeeachactivitywilltake.Thisisespeciallyimportantifyouarenewtoself-employmentandareaccustomedtohavingyourdaysstructuredbyyourjob.

Herearethreesuggestionsforcreatinghealthytimemanagementhabits,bycreatingamasterschedule,dependingonadatebookordigitalcalendar,andmakingadailychecklist.

• Createamasterscheduleof'fixed'activitiesforacertainblockoftime,saythreemonths.Onit,includeallyourregularactivities,suchasappointmentswithlenders,partners,orotherprofessionalassociates;businessnetworkingmeetings;appointmentstopurchaseequipment,andsoforth.Whenyoublockouttimeforthesenecessaryactivities,youcantellataglancewhentoschedulebidsandcleaningswithnewcustomers.

• Carryadatebookordigitalcalendarwithyouandbepreparedforadjustmentsinyourclients'schedules.Keepyourdatebookandphonetogether,sowhetheryou'reintheofficeorathome,you'llhavethemonhand.Thatway,ifaclienthasaquestionaboutyouravailability,youcanansweritonthespotwithouthavingtocallthemback.

• Makeadailychecklistandscheduleatimetotendtoit.Createefficientsystemsfromthestart,andyouwon'tspendneedlesstimeworryingwhethersomethingwasdoneornot,suchasrefillingthecleaningsolutionormaintainingthehotwaterextractionmachine.You'llbeabletotellbylookingatyourchecklistthatitwas--orwasn'tdone.Often,thebesttimetodealwithyourchecklistisimmediatelyafterfinishingajob.Getinthehabitofcleaningyourequipment,performingregularmaintenance,andrefillingyoursolventsandcleaningchemicalsassoonasyoufinishonejob,soyou'llbereadytogothenextday.Makeyoursystemworkforyou.

CheckitOff

Checklistsareuniquetoyourbusinessandpersonalneeds.Belowaresomeideastoconsiderwhendesigningyourdaily,weekly,monthlyandannualchecklists.

Everyday:Setprioritiesandgetimportanttasksdoneasearlyinthedayasyoucan.Spotcheckequipment.Checklevelsofcleaningproducts.Refillorreplaceasneeded.Pickuplitterfrominsidethecompanyvehicles.Makenecessarycallbacks,respondtoemailquestions,schedule

estimatesandbids.Makenoteofnextdayappointmentsandprepare,ifnecessary.

Everyweek:CheckinonyourWebsite.Ifnecessary,meetwithyourflyerdistributortogivehimanotherstackofflyers,discusslocationsfordistribution,andpayhimforlastweek'swork.Conductanoverallsuppliesandequipmentcheckforanythingyoumayhaveoverlookedonyourdailychecks.

Everymonth:Examineyourmonthlyearningsgoal,andseeifyoucanfindwaystoimproveit.Examineyourlong-termbusinessgoalsandreadjustyourdailyscheduletomakesureyouaremovingtowardachievingyourgoalseachday.Decidehowfrequentlyyouwanttoflyer,andwhere.Considermeetingwithotherself-employedpeopleorjoiningabusinessnetworkinggroup.

Quarterly(everythreemonths):Setasidemoneyfortaxes.Paytaxesifyou'resetuptopayquarterly.

Everyyear:Paytaxesifyou'resetuptopayannually.Setpersonalandprofessionalgoalsforthenewyearofbusiness.Examinethehabitsyou'vecreatedoverthepastyear,anddecidewhethertokeep,changeoreliminatethem.Findnewwaystobuildonyoursuccesses.Writedownyournewgoalsandlookoveryouroldonestoseehowfaryou'vecome.Patyourselfonthebackforajobwelldone.Takeyourvacation!

KeyConcepts:

• Efficienttimemanagementtakesalittleplanningbuthasbigpayoffs• Aregularsystemofchecklistswillhelpusheryoutowardsuccessinbusiness

• Checkthepromembers'areaforbusinesstoolsandformstohelpwithorganizationandtimemanagement.www.proclean4u.com/carpet

YourMission(shouldyouchoosetoacceptit)

Ifyoudon'tstandforsomething,youmayfallforanything.--LesBrown

Inthischapter:

• Createamissionstatementtodefinewhatyoustandfor.• Letithelpyoubuildyourbrand.• Yourmissionstatementhelpsyouclarifyyourdefinitionofsuccess.

MissionStatementAccomplished

Whetheryouintendtopursuecarpetcleaningpart-timeorfull-time,takethetimetoconsiderwhatyourdefinitionofsuccessis.Thereare,ofcourse,lotsofreasonspeoplechoosetoworkforthemselves.Oneofthemostcompellingreasonstobeyourownbossisthatitgivesyoutheultimatecreativecontroloveryourlifesothatyoucandeveloptoyourfullestpotential.Youtaketherudderintoyourhands.Youdecidewhatgivesmeaningtoyourlifeandyouplanhowtonavigatethewatersinordertogetthere.

Whyshouldyouhaveamissionstatement?TheInternalRevenueServicedoesn'tcarewhetheryouhaveone,butgoingthroughtheexerciseofcreatingonewillhelpyouclarifyyourroleasanentrepreneur.Eventually,everysmallbusinessownerpassesthroughthetell-me-again-why-I-like-doing-this-so-much? stage.Asoundmissionstatementwillhelpyoustayfocusedonyouroriginalvisionasyounegotiatethechanges.Theguidingprinciplesyoudevelopandestablishinyourmissionstatementwillhelpyoumarkettoyourclients,attracttherightemployees,anddeterminewhichgrowthopportunitiesyoushouldexplore.

• Whatwillthepurposeofyourcarpetcleaningbusinessbe?Forexample,thepurposeofyourbusinessmaybetomeetyourbasic

financialneeds,allowyoutheopportunitytodevelopyourlong-termprofessionalgoals,andprovideavenueforservingothers.

• Yourmottomaybe:Customersatisfactionisour#1goal.• Yourpurpose+yourmotto=yourmissionstatement.

Yourmissionstatementcanbederivedfromyourstatedpurposeandyourmotto,forexample:IservemycustomerstothebestofmyabilityandinsodoingImakemyselfhappyandmeetmyfinancialandprofessionalgoals.

Inthepast,fewernumbersofpeoplestartedbusinessesoftheirownbuttheirgoalstendedtobemoregrand.Theydreamedofbecomingaworld-playerinaglobalcorporategame.Thesedaysmorepeoplearebecomingtheirownbossesbuttheirgoalsseemmoreattainable,andmorerealistic.

Let'sassumeforaminutethatyouarepursuingtheadmirablegoalofstartingandrunningabigcarpetcleaningbusinesswithateamofemployees.Youhavemanyoptionstochoosefrom.Youmaychoosetobeginsmall,asweteachyoutodohere,growingyourbusinessasyoudeemitappropriate.Youmaychoosetostartoffbyhiringacrewandtakingonthepositionofmanager,inchargeofgettingyourcrewthecarpetcleaningjobs.Oryoumaychoosetoworkalongsidethecrew.

Whateveryourchoiceis,andhoweverlargeyouintendyourbusinesstogrow,werecommendthatyoucreateamissionstatementthatsupportsyourpersonaldefinitionofsuccess.Asyourbusinessevolves,youmayrefineyourstatement,orchangeit,sothatitcontinuestodescribeyourbusinessinthemostmeaningfulway. Somecompaniesrevisetheirstatementannually,likeclockwork,whichhelpsthemmeasuretheirgrowthandsuccess.Ontheotherhand,youmaydiscoverthatyou'resopreoccupiedwithyourgrowingbusinessthatrevisingyourmissionisnotfirstonyourto-dolistforquiteawhile.

• AsGeorgeCarlinputit,"Somepeopleseethingsthatareandask,Why?Somepeopledreamofthingsthatneverwereandask,Why

not?Somepeoplehavetogotoworkanddon'thavetimeforallthat."

Onceyou'vecreatedyourmissionstatement,letithelpyouwithbranddevelopment.PutitonyourWebsite,flyers,andifit'sbriefenough,considerwritingitonyourbusinesscard.

Inyourmissionstatementyoumayincludethefollowingelements:

• Whatyourclientswillultimatelygainfromyourservice• Thebenefitsofyourservice• Whatclientscanexpectfromyouregardingyourprofessionalism• Howyouexpectyourclientstotreatyou• Howwell-knownyouexpectyourcompanytobecome• YourUniqueSellingPoint,orUSP• Whatyouwantyourcompanytobecomeknownfor

• Principlesyouwillfollowinordertoachieveclientobjectives,suchasresponsetimeorethicalissues.

Keyconcepts:

• Amissionstatementhelpsyouclarifyyourcompanygoals

WritingaBusinessPlan

Alwaysplanahead.Itwasn'trainingwhenNoahbuilttheark.--RichardC.Cushing

Inthischapter:

• Componentsofabusinessplan• Writingabusinessplanhelpsyoudefineyourobjectives.

Pleasenote:Fortemplatesandfurtherinformationonformulatingandwritingabusinessplan,pleasegotothepromembers'area.Thereyouwillfindhelpfulexamplesaswellascontinuallyupdatedmaterialandideastohelpyougetstarted.www.proclean4u/carpet

Themaincomponentsofabusinessplanare:

• Executivesummary-Highlightsofyourbusiness(who,what,where,why,when,andhow)

• Companydescription-Yourlegalstructure(soleproprietor,DBA),yourplansforstartingup,theyearyoubegin

• Service-Adescriptionofyourservicewithanemphasisoncustomerbenefits

• Marketanalysis-Whoyourcustomersare,wheretheyare,andhowyouplantoreachthem

• Strategy-Specifictabledescribingresponsibilities,budgetanddates• Websiteplan-CostandimplementationstrategyfordevelopingaWebsite

• Management-Howyourbusinessisorganizedandadescriptionofthekeymanagementteam

• Financialanalysis-Profitandlossandcashflowtables

Layingthegroundworkforsuccess

Comparebuildingabusinesstobuildingahouse.Ifyou'veevertakenonamega-projectlikethat,oryouknowsomebodywhohas,youunderstandthatit'snotunusualfortheprojecttotakelongerandcostmorethanwhathadbeenbudgetedfor.Itiscommontounderestimatethefinancialrestraintsthatyournewbusinesswillimposeasyougetstarted.Andfinancialconsiderationsaren'ttheonlythingthatgetshortshriftintheplanningstage.

Manyentrepreneursdon'tanticipatethetimecommitmentthatafledglingbusinessneeds.What'smore,it'seasytobeexcitedaboutyournewbusiness,getoverly-optimisticandplanforeverythingtogoright.Positivequalitiessuchasoptimismandago-for-itattitudeareattheverycoreoftheentrepreneurialspirit.Butawell-builthouseneedsmorethananenthusiasticbuilderwiththerightequipment.Itneedsasolidfoundation.

Writingaplanislikelayingthegroundworkforyourbusiness.Youmaynotneedaformalplandesignedforsubmittingtoinvestorsortoyourbankforabusinessloan,yetevenaninformallywrittenplancanprovideyouwithabasistostartupyourbusinessonapracticalandrealisticnote.Obviously,yourplanshouldreflecttherealityofyouruniquevision.Asyoucomposeyourplan,bearinmindparticularitiessuchasthesizeofyourenterpriseandyourstartupfinancialneeds.

Awrittenbusinessplanwillfocusanddefineyourobjectives.Inaddition,itwillassistyouto:

• Buildyourbrand,targetyourcustomersandsellyourservice

• Spelloutyourstrengthsaswellasyourweaknesses,andpointtostrategiesforhandlingadversities

• Planfortheinevitabilityofchangingconditions

Longrangeplanningworksbestintheshortterm

Ratherthanmakinglong-termprojections,it'smoreproductiveandrealistictokeepfocusedonmonthlyearningsandexpenditures,atleastforthefirstyear.Thinkofyourplanasasystemforsuccess,aflexibledocumentwhichyouwillfrequentlyadjustandrefinetofittherealityasyourbusinessproceeds.

Keyconcept:

• Writingabusinessplanhelpyoufocusanddefineyourgoals• Forfurtherinformationonformulatingyourbusinessplan,pleasegotothemembers'area

SetYourRatesandCommunicate

Therearefourways,andonlyfourways,inwhichwehavecontactwiththeworld.Weareevaluatedandclassifiedbythesefourcontacts:whatwedo,howwelook,whatwesay,andhowwesayit.

--DaleCarnegie

Inthischapter:

• Theworkcontractagreement• Setyourratesright

• Communicateclearlyandeliminatepotentialproblemsfromthestart

Pleasenote:Forfurtherinformationaboutsettingcompetitiveratesandbiddingonjobs,pleasegotothepromembers'area.www.proclean4u/carpet

Historically,oneofthescariestthingsaboutself-employmenthasbeencreatingjobsecurity.Anyentrepreneurknowsthat,forallitsglories,self-employmentreallycanbealittleunsettling,becauseinsteadofworkingforjustoneotherpersonorboss,inrealityyouworkforeverybody.You'realwaysdependentonotherpeopletopayyouforyourwork.Andhumannatureisfickle.Youcan'talwayscountonpeopletofollowthroughontheirword.Somecustomerswillmakeitsoundlikethey'regoingtogiveyouloadsofwork,thenflakeoutatthelastminute.That'sjustthewayitis.Asyouestablishyourbusiness,frequentadjustmentssimplycomewiththeterritory.

Herearetwotime-testedwaystocreatemorejobsecurity:

• Setyourratescompetitively

• Communicateclearly

Getitrightfromthestart

Setyourratesappropriatelyandsticktothem.Itmightsoundlikeagoodideatoloweryourfeeswhenyouneedtheworkasyou'restartingup,butitisnot.Peoplewhocontactyoutoinquireaboutyourservicemayalsocalltwoorthreeothercarpetcleaners.Mostpeopledocomparisonshoppingtogetanideaofthestandardgoingrateinyourlocale,yetthere'smoretoitthanthecost.Whatthey'relisteningforinthatfirstcontactwithyouaresignsofconfidenceandreliability.Theywanttoknowthatyou'lldeliverexcellentprofessionalserviceinatimelyway.Theywantafairdeal,buttheyaren'tnecessarilylookingforthecheapest.

Onceyourcustomerhassignedaworkagreementcontract,youareassuredthejobisyours.Thesecustomersaresolidgold,sodoyourverybesttodeliverqualityserviceandcreatecustomersatisfaction.Ifyoucandothat,you'vealsocreatedadirectlinetofutureclients,increasingyourrevenueandstrengtheningyourbusinessincrementally.Wordofmouthisthebestadvertisingthereis,andyoucan'tbuyit.Youmustearnit.

• Bearinmindthateachpersonyouworkforhasacircleoffriendsandassociateswhowillhearaboutthequalityofyourwork.

• Onaverage,eachofyourcustomersisindirectcontactwitheightpeople,allofthempotentialcustomersofyours.

• Thosepeoplehaveeightcontactseach,andsoon.

Remember,youdon'thavetotakeallworkthatcomesyourway.Workingforyourselfimpliesacertainamountoffreedom.Youdon'thavetoburnthecandleatbothendsjustbecauseyouaresuccessfullydrummingupbusiness.Allself-employedpeoplemustlearnhowtocreateabalancebetweenworkandrestorrelaxation.Saying'no'totoomuchworkisjustas

importantassayingyestotherightamount.Onlyyoucandeterminewherethatsweetspotis.

• Toviewanddownloadcontractagreementforms,pleasegotothemembers'area.www.proclean4u/carpet

Settingyourfeesisnotanexactscience,andtheamountoftimeeachjobtakeswillvary.Thatis,sometimesyouwillencountermoreofamessinyourjobs,suchasgreasycarpetspotsthatneedalotofpretreatmentandorpostcleaning.Obviously,thosejobswilltakelongerthanusualtocomplete.Othertimesyouwillgofasterbecausethecarpetisnotinbadshape.Keeptrackofthelengthoftimeyouspendoneachjob.Thatway,you'lllearnhowfastyoucanreasonablywork.

Returnyourclients'callsandrespondtoemailimmediately

Listentoyourcustomersandrespondtothem.

• Thesurestwaytobuildbusinesssteadilyistodohighqualityworkanddelivercustomersatisfactionwitheverysinglejob.Youmaythinkthissoundslikealotofwork,andyou'reright,itcanbe.Butyoucanactuallyminimizethehardworkbydoingonething,anddoingitwell:Listentoyourcustomer.Usuallytheyknowjustwhattheywant.Practiceyourlisteningskillsandwatchyourbusinessgrow.

Regular,consistentcommunicationwithyourcustomerforthedurationofthejob,frombidtofinish,helpsyoumaintainaprofessionalrelationship.Regularcommunicationisn'tlengthyortime-consuming.It'sclearandconsistent.Theobjectistobeavailableforyourcustomerwhileyouaredoingbusinesswiththem.Mostproblemshavefaultyorbroken-downcommunicationsomewhereattheroot.

• Yourclientsshouldfeelcomfortablecontactingyouwithanyconcernsorquestionsregardingyourcontractorcleaningprocedure.

• Beingavailablethroughemail,onthephoneorinpersonisaverygoodwaytostopanyproblembeforeithasachancetogetstarted.

• AprofessionalWebsitethatdescribesyourbusinesscanreallyheadoffalotofthesepotentialconflictsfromthestart.

Bearinmindthatevenemailsorphonecallsthatsoundcriticalareagoodsign.Anyfeedbackfromyourclientisagift.Useittoimproveyourbusiness.Evenifyoufeelyouhavetodoalittleprofessionalhand-holding,itwon'thurt.Keepanycritical-soundingmessagesfromyourclientsinperspective.Itisn'ttheirfeedback,butthewayyouhandletheirfeedbackthatisameasureofyourjobsecurity.

• Makeitahabittothankcustomersfortheirobservationsandcomments,whetheryoutakeitasacomplimentorascriticism.Thenworktofixorimprovethesituation.

Keyconcepts:

• Setyourratescompetitivelyandthendeliverthebestserviceandcustomersatisfaction

• Communicationwithyourclientsisvitalforyourbusinesshealth.

Well-IntentionedFriends

Youhavetoknowwhatisrightforyouandgoafteritregardlessofwhatotherssay.--LesBrown

Inthischapter:

• Bewareofsuspectadvicefromwell-intentionedpals,especiallyiftheyhaveneverattemptedtostartacarpetcleaningbusiness.

• Whenyouencounternegativism,remindyourselfthatittakeswillpowerandcouragetostartasmallbusiness,andthatyouhaveeverythingittakes.

Caution:Well-meaningfriendsandfamilymembersmaybedangeroustoyoursmallbusinessstart-uphealth!

Withalarmingfrequency,wehumansarecapableofsuddenlybecomingself-righteousexpertsatallsortsofthingsweknowabsolutelyzippoabout.Forexample,howtoplayprofessionalbasketballfromourlivingroomchairswhileholdingabeer,orwhichrockbandisthebest,orwhoshouldstartthatspinclassatthegym.Ourspeciesmeanswell,butalsowe'refrequentlyreadytomakeourselvessoundhi-falutin',asmydadwouldsay,ortootherwiseofferourinfinitelywiseadviceinordertosaveourlovedonesfrommakingtheworstmistakesoftheirlives...inourhumbleopinions.Ifyouhavecriticalpeopleinyourlife,please,don'teventellthemaboutyournewbusiness.

Don'tsayaworduntilyoufeelgoodandready,preferablyafteryou'velandedyourfirstcustomers(andyou'vealreadytakenseveralcheckstothebank).

• Ifyoumusttotalktoyourfriendsandfamilyaboutyourplansbeforeyourbusinesshasstartedtoturnaprofit,makesuretoremind

yourselfaftereachencounterwithnegativityorunsolicitedadvicethatyou'relearningasyougo,andyouhavethemembers'areablogtoturntowhenyouneedit.

• Remember,themostsuspectadvicecomesfrompeoplewhohaveneverstartedabusinessoftheirown.

• Manypeopleneverexcelatanythingotherthanarmchaircoachingbecausethey'rejustplainscared,andthey'dfeelbetteraboutitifyouwouldbejustplainscaredaboutittoo.

Thefunnythingis,fewofthesecriticseverrealizethatinrealityyouareactuallyscaredaboutit,butyouareallowingyourselftogoaheadwithyourplansanyway.That,myfriends,iscalledcourage.Anddarn,it'strue.Youarespecialandyoudeservetobesuccessful.Don'tcastyourpearlsbeforetheswine.Eachtimeyouhaveacloseencounterwithnegativethinkingmakeitahabittoreaffirmyourbusinessgoals.

• Apositiveattitudemaynotsolveallyourproblems,butitwillannoyenoughpeopletomakeitworththeeffort.

Knowthatyouareembarkingonanimportantmission--self-employed--andthatyourfocus,courageanddeterminationareyourrequiredtools.Protectandsharpenthem.Theworldstepsoutofthewayofthepersonwhoknowswhereheisgoing.

Naturally,membersofyourtribemayfeelthreatenedbyyournewfoundexcitementandenthusiasm,especiallyifthisisyourfirstencounterwithself-employment.Theymayreactwithsurprisingnegativity.Peoplewhoreactthiswaywanttobringyoubacktotheirlevel,wherethey'reusedtoseeingyou.

• Remainpositive.• Donotwasteyourenergytryingtoexplaineverythingaboutyournewpathtoself-employmenttothem.

• Keepfocused.

Seeksupportfromlike-mindedpeopleinstead,peoplewhoaremorelikelytoencourageyoutotakeariskandgoforit.Visitthemembers'areaforempoweringinformationaboutstrengtheningandgrowingyourfledglingbusiness.

Donotletnegativepeoplederailyouwiththeirfears.It'sfrighteningforsomefolkstoseetheirkindredsistersandbrotherstakeoffinanunfamiliardirection.Why?Becauseitforcesthemtothinkaboutmovingoutoftheirowncomfortzone.Thisisanaturalhumanreaction.Youmustpersevereandtrustyourownintuition.Thosesamepeoplewillsingyourpraisesinthemonthsahead,andyouwillbetheirinspiration--whethertheychangetheirtunesornot.

KeyConcepts:

• Beconfidentofwhoyouareandwhatyouarecapableofachieving.• Persevereandremainfocusedregardlessofanynegativefeedbackfromyourfriends.

It'sBusinessTime

Remindpeoplethatprofitisthedifferencebetweenrevenueandexpense.Thismakesyoulooksmart.

--ScottAdams,creatorof Dilbert

Inthischapter:

• Typesoflegalstructuresforyourbusiness

Yourcompany'slegalstructureprotectsyouandassistsyouinaccountingforyourprofit.Thebottomlineis,inthewideworldoftheself-employedyou'renotonanemployer'spayroll,soit'suptoyoutofigureoutthebestwaytostructureyourbusinesslegally.

Weprovideageneraloutlineofeachtypehere,andyou'llfindrelatedinformationinthepromembers'areaofourwebsite.Allofthefollowingbusinessstructuretypesarepotentiallyconfusing.Beforemakinganybusinessdecision,thoroughlyresearchyourchoicesandseekthecounselofaprofessionaltaxaccountant.

SoleProprietorship

Yourbusinesswillbeconsideredasasoleproprietorshipifyouchoosetodobusinessusingyourownname.Youwillbetaxedatanindividualrate,insteadofatacorporatetaxrate.FromtheInternalRevenueService'spointofview,youarethebusinessownerandyouarewherethebuckstops.Youaretheonewhoiscollectinganyincomegeneratedthroughthecompany.Soleproprietorshipisthesimplestlegalstructureifyouareinbusinessonyourown.

• Yourclientswritetheircheckstoyoupersonally• Ifyouownyourbusinessandtakejobsonacontractbasis,youareautomaticallyconsideredasoleproprietor.

Youdon'thavetofileanyspecialformstostartworking.Youdohavetodeclareyourbusinesstobeasoleproprietorshipwhenyoucompletethegeneralregistrationrequirementsthatapplytoallnewbusinesses.Asthesoleproprietor,youarepersonallyresponsibleforpayingbothincometaxesandbusinessdebts.Checkwithyourlocalbusinessboard,becauseyoumayalsohavetohaveabusinesslicenseandcomplywithlocalregistrationandpermitlawsinordertomakeyourbusinesslegitimate.

DoingBusinessAs(DBA)

Ifyouaredoingbusinessas,say,Drew'sCarpetCleaning,you'vetakenonabusinessnameandaredoingbusinessas,orDBA,Drew'sCarpetCleaning.InordertoestablishyourDBAyou'llneedtocompleteaDBAcertificate,whichyoucangetatalegalstationeryshop,andsearchthecourthouserecordstoensurethatnobodyelseisregisteredtodobusinessunderthatname.You'llalsohavetopayafee,usuallyaround$50orunder.

• Yourclientswriteouttheircheckstothatbusinessnameinsteadofyourname

• Youarestillviewedasasoleproprietorship

Now,let'ssayyoutakeonapartner.Thingschangeslightly.Youstillhaveasoleproprietorship,butyourbusinessbecomesDrewandTony'sCarpetCleaning.

• YoucannowfileaDBAforapartnership.

Theonlydifferencehereisthatyouarebothequallyresponsiblefortheactsandomissionsoftheotherperson.Forexample,ifyourpartnerTonyleasesacarpetcleaningmachineforthebusiness,you,Drew,areequallyresponsibleforthepayments.

Corporation

Ifyouwanttoseparateyourbusinessfromyourpersonalobligations,youmightconsiderincorporating.Onceyou'vedoneso,youareconsideredanemployeeofthecorporation.Anyincomegeneratedbythecompanygoesdirectlytothecompany.Youarepaidwagesorasalarybythecompany.MostsmallcompaniesfileasaSubchapterSorSubchapterC,whichistohelpyouavoidbeingwhattheycall"doubletaxed."

Allstateschargedifferentannualfranchisefees,socheckintofilinginyourhomestateandresearchotherstateswhereyoumaylegallyfileyourcorporation,whichmaysaveyoumoney.Youdonothavetoincorporateinthesamestateinwhichyouaredoingbusiness.Thebigadvantagetoincorporatingisthatdoingsomayprotectyourpersonalpropertyincaseyourcompanyiseversued.

LimitedLiabilitycompanies

YoucanformulateaLimitedLiabilitycompany(LLC)oraLimitedLiabilitypartnership(LLP).Bothofthesetypesofcompanieswereintroducedin1977.Theyarelikeahybridbetweenapartnershipandacorporation.Thistypeoflegalstructureisrecommendedtohelpthebusinessowneravoidbeingdoubletaxedaswell,anddoesn'tseemtobeascomplicatedtosetupasacorporation.

Allofthesebusinessstructuresarepotentiallyconfusingandrampantwithlegalese.Werecommendthatyouresearchyourchoicesandseekthecounselofaprofessionaltaxaccountantbeforemakinganybusinessdecision.

Keyconcepts:

• Choosethelegalstructuremostappropriateforyoursituation

• Forupdatesandnews,referoftentothemembers'areaofourwebsite

EntrepreneurialIntelligenceAgency

Inthischapter:

• Exerciseyourentrepreneurialintelligence.• Investigateothercarpetcleaningservicesinyourareainordertofindouthowtheydobusinessandhowyourfeescompare.

• Discoverhowitfeelstobeacustomerbyrole-playingthepartofone.

TheobjectofthisexerciseistoindoctrinateyouintotheEntrepreneurialIntelligenceAgency(otherwiseknownastheEIA).Thisway,youcanlearnabouthowthecompetitioninyourareadoesbusiness.Observingthestrengthsandweaknessesofbusinessesthatofferthesameserviceenablesyoutoseewhatyou'reupagainst.

Scanlocalpapers,searchGoogle,andcheckoutsitessuchascraigslist.orgforcarpetcleaningserviceslikeyoursinyourlocale.Ifpossible,havethemcometoyourhouseandgiveyouafreeestimate.(Ifyou'drathertheynotcomeovertoyourhouse,askafriendorrelativeifyoumayusetheirhomeoroffice.)Role-playthepartofacustomer.

Askpertinentquestionssuchas:

• Exactlywhatdoesyourserviceinclude?(Doyoumovethefurniture?)• Whatcleaningchemicalsdoyouuse?• Howlongwillitbeuntilthecarpetwillbedrytothetouch?• Areyouthepeoplewhowillbedoingthework,ordoyourepresentacarpetcleaningservice?

Youmaywanttoobtainthreedifferentestimates(fromthreedifferentservices)togiveyouanideaaboutthelocalgoingrate.Thisexerciseisveryusefulifyou'resecond-guessingyourselfaboutyourrates.Goingthroughthetroubleofgettingthreedifferentestimateswillgiveyouagoodideaof

wheretosetyourfees.You'llalsolearnthatthereisquitearangeofacceptablepricing.Peoplewillcleancarpetsforaverylowfee,aswellasforanoutrageousprice,andeverythinginbetween.

• Observewhatyoulikeabouteachcompany.Takenotes.• Noticewhatbothersyouaboutthem.Takenotes.• Decidehowyouwoulddoitbetter.

Playalongandanswertheirquestionsnaturally,buthey,thisisspywork,right?Don'traiseanyredflagsbyaskinginappropriatequestionsabouttheirbusiness.Forexample,don'tinquireabouttheirannualincomeoraskthemhowtheygetclients.Sticktoquestionsaboutyourspecificcarpetcleaningconcerns.Thankthemfortheirtime,andtellthemyou'llhavetoconsultyourpartnerbeforeyoudecide,anddon'tsignanycontracts.

KeyConcepts:

• Investigateothercleaningservicesinordertolearnhowyourserviceandyourfeescomparewiththeirs.

• Empathizewithyourcustomersbyplayingtheroleofone.

Branding,MarketingandSelling

Animageisnotsimplyatrademark,adesign,asloganoraneasilyrememberedpicture.Itisastudiouslycraftedpersonalityprofileofanindividual,institution,corporation,productorservice.

--DanielJ.Boorstin

Inthischapter:

• Creatingacompanyimage,yourbrand,helpsyoureachyourcustomers

• Brandingassistswithmarketingandsellingyourservice

Trythis.Thinkofthreelargecompanieswhoyou'refamiliarwith,companiesthathavefamouslydistinguishedthemselvesasuniqueinthemultimilliondollarindustriesofautos,agriculturalequipment,andlingerie.TheonesIhaveinmindhaveinstantnamerecognition.Notonlythat,buteachbrandnameimmediatelybringswithitacatalogofassociatedvisuals,scadsofinformation,judgments,andopinionsabouttheproductorservice.

Whatimagesspringintoyourheadwhenyouhearthesenames?FedEx.JohnDeere.Victoria'sSecret.

Reliabledelivery,qualityridingmowers,andracyunmentionables,right?

Brandingisaboutcreatinganoverallimagethatinstantlydefineswhatyourcompanyisallabout.Inaddition,itdistinguishesyoufromothersinyourfield.Granted,yourcarpetcleaningbusinessmaybeasmallventureincomparisontothemegalithiccorporategiants.However,brandingandimageisasimportanttoasmallbusinessasitistoalargeone.Letmetellyouwhy.

Marketing+sellingyourservice =makingmoney

Yourbrandcanattractcustomers,createrepeatedbusiness,anddevelopcustomerloyalty.Thinkaboutthebusinessesyoufrequent.Whatbringsyoubackagainandagain?Yourfavoritecompaniesknowtheymustconsistentlydeliverwhatyouwant,whetherit'sfastresultsorgreatcoffee,oryou'llfindbusinessesthatdo.Asabusinessowner,yoursuccessdependsonattractingbusinessanddevelopingcustomerloyalty.Choosinganappropriatebrandcanhelpyourcustomersrelatetoyou,becomefamiliarwithyourservice,andcomebacktimeaftertime.

• Yourbrandmustreflectyourcompany'scorevalues.Forexample,excellenceandcustomersatisfaction.

• Researchwhoyourcustomersareandfindoutwhattheywant.Chooseabrandthatspeakstothem.

• Analyzeyourbrandtomakesureitreflectsthereality.Canyoudeliverwhatyoupromise?

Bearinmindthatyourcompanynameandsloganmustreflectthereality,oritmaydomoreharmthangood.IfyouprintflyersandspreadthemaroundyourtownclaimingtobeCleveland'sFastestHomeCarpetCleaners,youbetterbedarnquick,oryourprofessionalreputationwillsuffer.

• Sticktoit.Changingyournamewillresultinconfusingyourcustomers.Beconsistent.

• Don'ttrytopleaseeveryone.Youcan't.Defineyournicheandfindyourcustomers.

• Getreal.Defineandfocusonwhatyourcompanyprovides,notwhatyouwishtoprovide.

Thinkaboutthequalitiesthatdistinguishyourcompanyfromtherestoftheherd.Inyourcustomers'minds,howdoyoustandapart?Brandingyourcompanyisaboutcreatinganimageinkeepingwithyourpurpose.Yourbrandshouldradiateaclearmessagethatyourcompanyprovidesexcellentworkandpridesitselfincustomersatisfaction.

Whatimpressiondoesyourimageconvey?

Ifyouwereinyourcustomers'shoes,whowouldyoubemorelikelytohire?Ascruffyblokewiththreedaysofstubbleonhisfacewhopullsuplatetotheappointmentinanunmarkedvanandgrindsouthiscigaretteinyourdriveway?Oraneatlygroomedguyorgalwhoarrivesontimefortheappointment,andwhosecompanylogoonhisorhershirtmatchesthesignonagleamingcompanytruck?

Peoplejudgeusbythewaywedress,thewordswechoosetouse,andourbehavior.Inbusiness,asintherestoflife,wearecontinuallycreatinganimpressiononthepeoplearoundus.Takethetimetoanalyzehowyourappearanceandbehaviorcomeacrosstoothers.Theywantyoutobeontime,well-groomed,courteous,andattentivetotheirneeds.Planwaystocreateapositiveimpressiononyourclients.Craftyourcompanyimage.FollowthroughwiththisoverallimagewhendesigningyourWebsite,businesscardsandflyers,andalsowhenhiringemployeesandchoosinguniforms.Mostimportantly,provethatyouareasgoodasyouclaimtobe,byyourbehaviorwhileconductingbusiness.

• Showupontime(orfiveminutesearly)forallappointments• Arrivewell-groomed• Conductyourbusinessprofessionallyatalltimes

Firstimpressionscount

Makeagoodfirstimpressionbecauseitwillonlyhappenonce.Wheneverapotentialcustomerpicksupyourflyer,goestoyourwebsite,orshakesyourhand,theyareformulatingtheiropinionofyou.Itonlytakesafewseconds.Ifyouwantthebusiness,yourfirstmeetingisprobablynotthetimetoflauntyourbellyring.

Alwaysbeawareofbeingjudgedandsized-upbyyourclients,especially

newones.Theydon'tknowanythingaboutyou,sotheywillformulateimpressionsbasedonhowyoulookandbehave.Ifyouaresloppy,usequestionablelanguageintheirhomeorplaceofbusiness,orotherwisemakethemfeeluncomfortable,youwillnotwinthecontract.

Soalthoughitmaysoundsuperficial,remember:yourlivelihooddependsinpartonyourappearanceandyourbehavior.

KeyConcept:

• Yourbrandisyourprofessionalimage,asimportanttoasmallcompanyasalargeone.

ExpandYourService

It'snevercrowdedalongtheextramile.

--WayneDyer

Inthischapter:

• Offeradditionalservicesandincreaseyourincome

There'snoquestionthatgoingtheextramileandexpandingyourservice

canopennewdoorsofopportunity.Whenyou'rejuststartingtoestablisha

nameforyourself,orwhenbusinessisslow,expandingintorelatedterritory

canhelpyoureachtwoimportantgoals:itcanhelpmakeendsmeetand

buildyourprofessionalnetwork.Inaddition,wheneveryoucanoffer

valuableservicestoestablishedcustomerswhoarealreadyfamiliarwiththe

qualityofyourwork,youcancreateastrongpotentialforaddedrevenue,

nowandinthefuture.

Manyoftheseservicescouldbeexpandedintolucrativebusinessesoftheir

own.Offeranyorallthatappealtoyou.

• TileandGroutCleaning• WoodFloorCleaning• WindowTreatment

Moreservicestoconsiderinclude:

• AreaRugCleaning

• AirDuctCleaning• AutoInteriorCleaning• EquipmentRental–handheldsteamcleaner

Whenstrategizingaboutthetypesofservicestoofferyourclients,bearin

mindthatforeveryaddedservicetherewillbecostsandbenefits.Youwill

increaseyourrevenue,butyou'llalsoincuradditionalexpensesfor

equipment,insurance,maintenance,laborandsoforth.Beforeyoudecideto

expandyourbasiccarpetcleaningbusiness,seriouslyconsiderwhetherthe

effortwouldbringaworthyreturnofyourinvestment.

Howlargewouldyoulikeyourcompanytogrow?Growitasbigasyou

want,andincreaseyourearningcapacity.Herearefourmorespecialized

servicesyoumaychoosetooffer:

• Movein-MoveoutService• PetOdor&StainRemoval

• CarpetRepair

• Dyeing/Tinting

AGoodFit

Considerwhichservicesyouarebestpreparedtooffer.Forexample,ifyou

loveworkingoncars,anautointeriorcleaningservicemightbejustthe

ticketforanextraboostofrevenueduringaslowperiod.Atileandgrout

cleaningservicemayappealtoyouifyouhaveanaturalaptitudefortending

todetail.Andifyouhavecarpentryexperience,woodfloorcleaningmaybe

aperfectfit.

Eachservicewillrequiretheappropriateskills,tools,andequipment.Togive

youanideaoftheskillsandequipmentyouwillneed,herearejustafew

examples:

AutomobileInteriorCleaning

Helpyourcustomerskeeptheirautomobile’sinteriorfragrantandnew.

Cleaninganddetailingincludestendingtothefollowing:

• seats• carpets• rubbermats• dashboard• panels

TileandGroutCleaning

Tileisaversatilesurfacematerial,andyouwouldneedtobepreparedto

workonfloor,wall,orcounter-toptile,aswellastileinshowers,sink

basins,andotherplacesthatgetwet.Stepsinvolved:

• Vacuumawayloosedirt

• ThoroughlycleanceramictilesandgroutjointswithapHbalancedsolution

• Thoroughlyrinseofftilesurfacesseveraltimestoensurethatnoresiduefromthecleaningmaterialsremain

WoodFloorCleaning

Helpyourclientspracticeregularmaintenancetoensurethattheirwooden

floorswilllooklovelyandfeelgoodunderfootforyearstocome.Asidefrom

cleaning,stepsinvolvedmightinclude:

• Sanding• Applyingfiller,ifnecessary• Sealing• Finishing• Waxingandpolishing

MoveIn-MoveOutService

Helppeoplewhoareinthemidstofmovingcleanuptheirapartment,house,

orcommercialbuildingsotheycanfocusonpackingandrelocating.

Guaranteethecleanlinessofyourcustomers'newhomebeforetheymove

in.Stepsinvolvedmayrequirethatyou:

• Leavekitchenappliancessparklingclean• Eradicatehouseholdpestsandinsects• Washwindows• Scrubfloors• Cleancarpets• Cleanceramictilesandgroutjoints• Sweepoutfireplaces

AreaRugCleaning

Persianrugsandotherexoticfurnishingsneedspecialmaintenanceand

care.Helpingyourcustomersprotecttheirinvestmentsmeanspaying

attentionto:

• Grime,dirt,dust,andsoilparticleremoval• Removinganddislodgingmitesandmitecarcasses• Restoringtherug'soriginalpHgrade

KeyConcepts:

• Expandyourserviceandincreaseyourincome

DisasterCleanup

Ibelievethatthemeasureofaperson'slifeistheaffecttheyhaveonothers.

--SteveNash

Inthischapter:

• Typesofdisasterreliefservicesyoumayoffer• Emergencyresponseisnotforwimps,butitisrewardingandcanpaywell

Afterahurricaneslamsthroughacoastalneighborhood,orasprinklersysteminacommercialbuildingfails,orsmokefromafirecausesdamage,whoyougonnacall?

Disastercleanupisn'tforeverybody,butifyoufeelapassionforservingonthefrontlineswhenfolksareinneed,itmaybeagoodfitforyou.Specialrequirementsincludeprofessionalcertification,thecapabilitytoworkwithyourcustomer'sinsurancecompanies,andtheabilitytorespondimmediatelyona24-hourbasisforemergencyservice.Inaddition,you'llinvestinatruck,orafleetofmobileunits,speciallyfittedwithtruckmountedsystemsforwaterextraction,highpoweredcleaningandothernecessaryequipment.

Youmusthavetherightpersonalityforthework,whichcanbedemandingandphysicallyrigorous.Disastercleanuppersonnelarededicatedtorespondingimmediatelytowater,fire,smoke,andmoldemergencyneeds.

Emergencyresponsemayincludethefollowing:

WaterDamageRestorationRegardlessofthesourceoftheproblem,respondingimmediatelyhelpspreventfurtherdamage,andworkstorepairthedamagecausedby:

• plumbing• sprinklersystemfailure• stormdamage• flood• hurricane

FireDamageRestorationRemovesmokeodorandrepairstructuraldamagecausedbyfire,aswellasproblemscausedbysmokedamage.

MoldContaminationCertificationisrequiredtobecomeaCertifiedMoldRemediator,andsuccessfullyidentify,removeandpreventmold.

SewageBackupRemovesewage,cleanandsanitize.

Heating,VentilationandAirConditioningSystemDamagefromdustbuildup,water,fireandsmokedirectlyaffectindoorairquality.Inspectandcleanthesystem.

VandalismandGraffitiRemovalandcleanupofspraypaint,fireextinguisherchemicals,strewnandbrokenglassfromvandalism,fireorflooddamage.

CigaretteSmokeandTarBuildupRemoveandcleancontaminationorodorfromtobacco.

OdorRemovepersistentsmellsfromhomes,commercialbuildingsorautomobiles.

KeyConcept:

• Disasterreliefservicerequiresspecialcertification,investmentandpreparation

• Canbehardwork,rewardingandpaywell

HiringEmployees

WhenImeetsuccessfulpeopleIask100questionsabouttheirsuccess.It'salwaysthesame.Hiregoodpeople.

--KianaTom

Inthischapter:

• Employeescanmakeyourbusinessorbreakit• Forfurtherinformationandupdatesonhiringemployees,pleasegotothepromembers'areawww.proclean4u.com/carpet

Atfirst,youmaychoosetowearallthehatsandtakeonthecompanyresponsibilitiesasasoloact.Thatmightbethewayyoupreferittostay.However,asyourbusinessexpandsandyoufindyourselfworking12to14hourshifts,theremaycomeadaywhenyoudecideit'stimetohireanassistant,ortwomorepeople,orevenawholeteam.Thepeopleyouhirecandomoreforyourbusiness--badorgood--thananyothersinglefactor,sotheprocessofinterviewingandhiringdeservescarefulattention.

Effective,profitableservicecompaniesarebuilt,notaccidentallypiecedtogether.Attractingandkeepinggoodemployeesmeansofferingasatisfyingworkenvironmentandbenefits.Ofcourse,oneofthekeyfactorsisinhavingenoughworktojustifyhiringotherstohelpyourunthecompany.

Threegeneralpointstoguideyouthroughthehiringprocess:

• Discernyourapplicant'sbasicattitude,goals,andfocus• Bealertforevidenceofqualitiesyouwant,suchastrustworthinessandreliability

• Consideryourapplicant'srelevantemploymenthistory

Additionally,wheninterviewingapplicants,werecommendthatyourelyon

usinganinterviewsystemthatbearsthestampofapprovalfromthelegaldepartmentsofmajorcorporations.YourinterviewsystemmustmeetallEqualEmploymentOpportunityCommission(EEOC)UniformGuidelinesforEmployeeSelection,whicharedesignedtoassistyouincomplyingwiththerequirementsofFederallawthatprohibitsdiscrimination.

Skillsandexperience

Considertheskillsetandexperienceneededforeachposition.Areyouhiringaworkcrewtodothecleaning?Asalespersontotakechargeofmarketingandsecuringcontracts?Perhapsyouarelookingforamanagerialtypetohelpyourunthecleaningcrew.

Wheninterviewing,bearinmindhowwellcanyoujudgetheapplicant's:

• Basicattitude• Potentialvalueasateammember• Resourcefulnessandabilitytogetthejobdone• Andfinally,howdotheyactwhenunderpressureoron-the-jobstress?

Usecandorwithapplicants.Beforehiringanyoneyoushouldrealisticallydescribeforthemtheworkenvironment,wartsandall.Allcompaniesareunique.Allhavetheirquirksandimperfections.Beupfrontandpaintarealisticpictureofthejob,ratherthantrytorepresentitassomethingitisn't.Beinghonestcanhelpreducetheemployeeturnoverrate.Onceyouarehappywithyourchosenapplicantandofferthemthejob,youwouldn'twanttolosethemrightawayandhavetostartalloverinthehiringprocess.

Tothebestofyourability,trytomatchyournewemployeestothepositionwhichsuitsthem.Awell-matchedteamcanoftenworkinspiteofkinksandchallengesandlearn,together,howtodecreasetheproblemsandimprovethesituation,thusincreasingcompanyprofit.

KeyConcept:

• Thepeopleyouhirecanmakeasignificantdifferenceinyourbusinesssuccess.

KeepingYourClientsHappy

Thewaytobehappyistomakeothersso.--RobertIngersoll

Inthischapter:

• Howtobuildyourbusinessbykeepingyourcustomershappy

• 3suggestionsforfine-tuningyourcarpetcleaningbusiness

Weknowthatnervousfeelingthatcanaccompanyworkingforyourself.Ifyou'renewtoself-employmentitcanbedifficult,butitcanalsobehardevenifyou'vebeenatitforyears.Financialinsecuritycanstrikeduringhardtimes,usuallywhenyou'reworriedaboutyourcar,oryouhaveaseriesofexpensessuchasadentistvisitoraveterinarian'sbill.Thatiswhyit'sveryimportanttomeetandexceedeachcustomers'levelofexpectation.That'sthewaytocreateagenerousstreamofhealthyrevenue.Theimportantthingtounderstandis,thatisn'thardtodo.

So,howdoyoudoit?

Howtobuildyourbusinessbykeepingyourcustomershappy:

• Developsystemsthatenableyoutoworkefficiently.• Seethechapter"GetOrganized,"fortipsontimemanagementskillsandscheduling.Gotothepromembers'areaandexploretheonlinetoolsthatweprovideformakingyourbusinessmoreefficientandlessstressful.www.proclean4u.com/carpet

• Enableyourclienttobecomearepeatcustomerandgiveyoureferrals.

• Makecustomersatisfactionyournumberonegoal.

Don'tassumethatinyourbusiness,thingswillneverchange.Theonethingwecanallcountonforcertainisthattheywill.Wheninbusinessforyourself,youcanaffordtostepbackperiodically,getafreshperspective,andreinvigorateyourselfandyourapproach.Keepup-to-date.

• Continuelearningandeducatingyourselfaboutthecarpetcleaningbusiness.Wearededicatedtohelpingyoustayontopofindustrychangesthatmayaffectyou.

• Scanonlineforums(butdon'tletthemsuckthehoursoutofyourday)

• Networkwithotherserviceprofessionalsinyourlocale• Participateinprofessionalserviceandtradeorganizations

Duringthegoodtimes,whenyourexpensesandincomearerelativelypredictable,itpaystothinkaheadandgiveyourselfanextraedgeinjobsecurity.Keeplearningsoyoucangiveyourcustomerseverythingtheybargainedforandmore.Customersatisfactionisyourgoal.Returnyourclients'phonecallsandrespondtotheirquestionsorconcernsassoonastimeallows.Don'tgivethemevenonesmallreasontothinkofyouaslessthanprofessional.

Evenwhenyou'restartingupandyouhaveonlyafewcustomers,thesetwoelementsenableyoutocreatearobustrevenuestream:

• Repeatbusiness• Customerreferrals

Unbelievably,fartoomanyservicebusinessesfailtomakecustomersatisfactiontheirnumberonepriority.Asaresult,theirjobsecuritysuffers.Whenservicesfailtomeettheirclients'expectations,theydon'tgetrepeatbusiness,andtheydon'tgetvaluablecustomerreferrals.Thosetwoelementsmakeupthemeatofyourbusiness.Makeitconvenientforyour

clientstoreturntoyouforrepeatbusiness,andtotelltheirfriendsandassociatesaboutyou.Makeiteasyforthemtorememberyourcompanyname.Mostimportantly,encouragethemtocontactyoubygivingthemaflyerorbusinesscardthatincludesyourWebsiteaddressandyourphonenumber.

We'vemadeiteasyforyoutogetanaffordablebusinessWebsiteupandrunningveryquickly.AsaSuzeandEvMethodmember,youcanhaveyourowncarpetcleaningbusinessWebsiteassoonasyouwant.Pleasegotothepromembers'areatoorderyoursnow:www.proclean4u/carpet

3waystofine-tuneyourcarpetcleaningbusiness

• Offergreencleaning• Useall-naturalingredientsandhealthyalternativestotoxicchemicalcleaners.Thismarketisgrowingexponentially.Increasingly,peopleareconcernedwithchemicalinteractionsandtheharmfuleffectsoftoxicingredientsontheirfamiliesandtheenvironment.Targetcustomerswhocareaboutgreencleaning,andyoumayfulfillanichemarketthatothercleanersinyourlocalehavenot.

• Specializeinspotremoval• Apopularcomplaintaboutcarpetcleanersisthattheydon'tproperlytendtospotremoval.Manyspotswillcomeoutwhenyoutakethetimetoanalyzetheproblemandapplytheappropriatecleanserandmethod.(Gotothepromembers'areaforspotremovaladvice.)Inmostcases,theproblemlieslesswithdifficultshmutzthanwithcarpetcleanerswhowon'tbotherwithdifficultshmutz.

• Showup• Okay,we'rebeing facetioushere.Buthonestly,it'soneofthemostcommoncomplaints.Youmightbeshockedatthenumberofshmucksouttherewhocan'tevenkeeptheirappointments.

Doingbetterthanthatisnotsohard.AsWoodyAllensaid,70%ofsuccessinlifeisshowingup.

Yourcarpetcleaningappointmentsshouldrunassmoothlyasawell-oiledmachine.Letyourcustomersknow,fromyoureveryinteraction,thattheycandependonyoutoarriveatyourappointmentspromptly,delivergreatserviceandthensome.Thekeyisinthe"thensome."Bethemagicthathappenswhentheycollapseintotheirfavoritechairsafteralongworkdayandgazearoundtheroomsmiling,becausetheircarpetiscleananddry,andtheirlivesfeelorderlyagain.

• Wanttoreallybrightensomeone'sday?Partnerupwithalocalrestaurantoraquickieoilandlubeshop.Leaveyourcustomeracouponforahalfpricedinnerfortwo,oranoilchangeatanearbyshop.

Inaddition,herearetwomoreremindersforbuildingjobsecurityintoyourbusiness:

• Returnyourclients'phonecallsassoonaspossible.EvenifCatherinethePicky,whocallseveryhourtoaskamillionquestions,iscallingaboutsomethingyoudon'tyethavearesponseto,suchasaschedulingsnag,oraquestionaboutchemicalcleaningagents.Returnhercalltoletherknowyou'reonit,andyouwillletherknowassoonasyouhavetheanswer.Andthenfollowthroughwithyourpromise.

• Sendgreetingcards.SendyourholidaycardsjustbeforeThanksgiving,sotheywon'tbelostinanoceanofseasonalcards.Thisisanicetimetothankyourcustomersforgivingyoutheopportunitytoservethem.Bearinmind,youdon'thavetowaitfortheholidays.Whenevertheurgetosaythankyoustrikes,doit.

Keyconcepts:

• Treatyourclientslikeroyaltyandreapthebenefitswithrepeatbusinessandcustomerreferrals.

• Checkthepromembers'areablogforupdatesandadditionaltipsonbuildingjobsecurity.

Member'sResources

Don'tforgetthatthisisjustasmallpartoftheresourcesthatyouhaveaccesstoasaSuze&EvMethodownerandmember.AslongasyouareamemberyouhaveaccesstoalloftheresourcesintheMember'sportal.

TheseResourcesinclude:• Custombusinesswebsiteservice.• Carpetcleaningbusinessblog.• Businesstoolsandresources.• Equipmentauctionsandsources.• LegalFormsandadviceresources.• Servicecontractsanddocuments.• Additionalmethods(pdf's)byotherbusinessexperts.

Pleaseperusealloftheresourcesinthemember'sarea.www.proclean4u.com/carpet

***Onceyoucancelyourmembership,youwillnolongerhaveaccesstotheseresources.

The Requisite Disclaimer

Suze & Ev solemnly swear that all of the tips, tricks, steps, advice, recipes, procedures, practices, techniques,etc. in this ebook have worked very well for Suze & Ev in the starting of their cleaning businesses over theyears. Suze & Ev make no promises or claims that you will have identical results for you are not Suze or Ev.Therefore, you will have different results, quite possibly better ones!

In other words, results may vary.