VincentRasa@optonline.net

Originally Posted by Steve Toburen

Good morning, Vincent,

First, congratulations on entering a great industry IF you do it right. "Do it wrong" (many do) and several years of your life and that 300K will evaporate faster than a mud puddle on a hot Texas day! You ask above if you are "Missing anything", Vincent. I would respectfully answer "yes".

You see, you are focusing on marketing and equipment and processes. All very important. But first, I would encourage you to read this information I call "Avoiding the Road In Between". http://www.strategiesforsuccess.com/...s/road-between
This is a dangerous area that I call "too big but too small". Many carpet cleaners wind up here by accident and it is just so sad because they convert what should be a great and comfortable business into a miserable existence where they dread for the phone to ring!

Also, Vincent, I see that your cousin has an apparently successful larger company in Texas. Wonderful! But I also see he has been in business 15 years and even that is a fast growth curve. So if you are 55 just how much of your life do you want to invest in the inevitably stressful business start-up phase?

Too state the obvious, Vincent, in 15 years you will be 70! Most 70 year old people (except for the owner of Jon-Don, "Poppa Nick" Paolella!) are at least thinking about retirement. So at 55 a budding new entrepreneur should be planning their "exit strategy" right from the git-go. I've written extensively on the "Business Sale Preparation Process" for a carpet cleaning operation. http://www.strategiesforsuccess.com/...-eventual-sale
I would really suggest you examine and implement these principles from Day One of your new business.

NOTE: You don't need to be a SFS member to download any of the free information above.

Whatever you decide to do, Vincent, this forum will be a valuable asset for you. (For example, Dave Yoakum makes some really good points above.)

Steve
www.StrategiesForSuccess.com

PS Thomas brought up the issue of employees. There is no doubt employees will always be one of your greatest challenges. Thomas isn't the only one. Notice how one Houston carpet cleaner poured his heart out to me in my advice column for carpet cleaners that I call "Steve's Bleeding Hearts Club"!
http://www.strategiesforsuccess.com/...ar-my-hair-out

Steve,

Thanks for your reply to my post.

Your steering me towards stratergies for success is much appreciated.

I have always found that understanding & true professionalism is the key to success in any business!

I will make it a point to find out more about this cource and to actually participate in it.

Isn't it made available to those spending a certain amount with Jon Don?

I look forward to having further disscussions ,

Vincent J. Rasa
Imagine Cleaner Carpets