Hi Mama's!
I have three boys, 8, 3, and 1. I have been thinking of starting a cleaning business for a few years now. I have for the most part, been a SAHM for since my oldest. I have had a few retail jobs, I owned my own nail and tanning salon, about 11 years ago, and I am a sub-teacher. I am thinking of giving it a try an see how it goes. Does anyone have any knowledge about this type of business? I know it doesn't require overhead and that's what I am looking for. I have tried Mary Kay, etc, so I am not interested in these type of businesses. I have a bachelors degree in business, so I do have some knowledge about business, but I am not a sales person. Can I get some advice please?
Thanks so much!!!
In Ottawa - word travels fast! I'm from Spring Valley (live in the city now).
My parents still live in the Valley, so if you're get it going, PM me your info and I'll spread the word...if you're willing to go to LaSalle/Peru to clean.
Apart from that, the cleaners that we use just made little flyers and stuck them in our door handles. Lots of people do that up here. Great, cheap marketing.
You could definitely start a cleaning business but will you have time to do the jobs during the day?
My ex had a cleaning business for companies at night!
It was great. He would go in after they close to vacuum, clean bathrooms, empty trash, clean their mini kitchen etc.
He had a few businesses so it was lucrative.
The best are business offices that close at 5pm so you don't have to wait too late at night to go in and clean.
You can get business cards made up inexpensively at Vista Print then start making calls to offices or word of mouth.
If you do start your own cleaning business, I would suggest cleaning with all natural (no chemicals) cleaning supplies. I know some of my friends use these services and pay a premium for it. Good luck to you!
I also say go for it. Like you said there's really no overhead so if you don't like it or it doesn't work you didn't lose anything. I tried years ago. I actually got a movie theatre. The hours were odd, either really late night or early am but it was good money. As for houses....I never had any luck. If they forgot I was coming and didn't leave the house open for me I didn't get paid. I would set up a reminder system.
Good luck
Go for it. It won't hurt. I f you are starting a cleaning service form a basic business plan and what you will or won't do...Should be clear what your serivces will be....You don't want to do the basic cleaning and then all of a sudden you find out the client wanted dishes and laundry done to...that is unless it is part of your agreement.
Treat it like a business, not a side gig
This is the economic development corporation in your area. contact them. they have resources to teach you how to get a tax id and file your taxes and how to get bonded. They have mentors, sometimes small business loans are available. They can get you plugged into your local chamber of commerce.
just wanted to say gotprint.com makes great business cards. We buy ours there. They are thick and glossy. Very professional, and very inexpensive.. maybe $20 for 1000! Best deal out there. And quality! They sell other things for promotion too (have only ordered the business cards)
Good luck!
