I'm sure most of us did not aspire to be carpet cleaners as kids,lol. So what got you into carpet cleaning? KS. My brothers we're carpet cleaners and we could not seem to work together even though we are still close now. I guess too many chiefs and not enough indians. Therefore I went out on my own. So I suppose I have to credit my brother with getting me into the rug cleaning biz!
A few years ago we had a local carpet cleaner come to our property to clean our draylon suite and wool mix carpet. Anyway this guy took 10 hours yes 10 hours to complete this task, I will never forget him!!! He brought his portable machine into our house left it in the hallway leaking water over the hallway carpet then filled his bucket with soap and started sponging our suite. Six hours later he informed me the suite was clean but, as I was entering my living room I could see his portable machine spouting soap suds everywhere. Whoops sorry mate he said, anyway sets up his portable to clean the carpet no pre-vac, no pre-spray, no agitation and no dwell time just spray and suck. On completion of his he left saying it will take a couple of hours to dry! Two days later we able to sit on our suite and walk on our carpet that was smaller than it was before he started. As I have never had carpets/upholstery cleaned before I thought this was standard? Cowboys will always be cowboys. Thank goodness for the NCCA and IICRC. Jimmy
I'm still doing it... I worked for a large Corporation and was responsable for the cleanleness of close to 22 million square feet of space in 10 states and Puerto Rico, about 20% carpeted. Carpet always created a challenge for us so I started learning all I could about carpet in the late 70s. We were using a new product then called Capture and special machines by Clarke designed to apply and scub it into the carpet, then started adding Host. I could go on..........but from that I got interested and 30 years later I'm still doing it, although I have my son and grandson in the business.
I was selling computers... Then I sold one to a guy who had a friend in the carpet care and carpet supply business, who talked me into working for him. I sold systems and chemicals, and did dye seminars for six and a half years, then, to make a long story short, since I was so familiar with "the biz", decided to actually do the work of carpet care for a change. I provided all facets of carpet care (cleaning, repair, dyeing, odor control, flood damage restoration) for 8 years. After carpet care, taking stock of my experience as a carpet care provider, and before that, a manufacturer's marketing director, I decided that I had a unique perspective for manufacturing for the industry, that I could put to good use. So I went "back" to selling systems and chemicals, this time of my own design and my own formulation.
I started in the carpet cleaning by running the advertising for a small carpet cleaning company in London. One week they could not meet the payroll. I walked out that week and with a savings of 2000 GBP I was a carpet cleaner, no experiance just a squirt and suck machine. 22 years later we are still going. Since then we have branched into manufacturing both chemicals and equipment.
I was 19 and working with my dad. He got a new job, so that put me out of mine. He called a friend and said I needed a job. His friend hired me to work for his carpet cleaning company. I have been doing it ever since. Basically, I'm cleaning carpet because my dad told me to!
I was born into carpet cleaning. Need I say more? lol I actually grew up never thinking I would turn into a carpet cleaner, and look at me now. I still have a passion for the industry, and helping others. I am very thankful for the users who have signed up so far to make this place succeed. Tre Allen
We started out as a janitorial service, and carpet cleaning was always a headache. It seemed that everyone we contracted to perform carpet cleaning did a horrible job. So we felt that we couldn't do a worse job ourselves, and we might even do better! Now, we don't have any janitorial, and carpet cleaning is the core that drives the business...
i sow an ad in the paper from a local carpet cleaning company that they looking for sub contractors so i went and had a talk to the owner of the company. went for the day with one operator and got all the info that i needed to know that not to join this company. all there interest was to sell vans and equipment and after you join them and you work like a dog you have to Chas your money from the owner of the company. so i decided to start my own. after 7 year of being a cowboy carpet cleaner with a truck mount i came across a guy that say ed to me go study put your prices up and you will last in this industry and you will start making money. 5 years later that was the best thing any one told me to do
I needed the extra cash my buddy needed help at night, all downhill from there now I have my own stuff and ready to get dirty///// or is it clean!!
Much like Tre, I was born into it. I was removing spots on carpet before I could walk. :joke::hammer::yes:
I worked for management company and after 14 years the company losted the contracts for this area. So as I was getting unemployment I started cleaning carpets for extra cash. 10 1/2 years later I'm still doing it and don't look back.
Good job, I love this story. It's not like this is an easy job, but you took the bull by the horns rather than feel sorry for yourself.
Thought I would bump this thread up. I'm a flooring installer: One day about 2 years ago I was installing a vinyl kitchen, dining room, laundry, and 2 baths with cove. I was floating all the areas with Webcrete, I put all the excess Webcrete into my trash can that happen to have a big hole in the bottom of it. I walked from the hall bath to the front door leaving a thick trail of cement behind me as I walked out, when I walked back in the elderly couple's home I notice the trail of cement on the white cut-loop berber and absolutely freaked out!!! I tried to clean the carpet as best as I could and nothing! Luckily there was a Carpet Cleaner across the street caddy-corner to the house I was working at, setting up his TM. I quickly ran over to him and asked, "can you guys help me out"? Long story short, he pulled his van up and took care of my lil' problem in nothing flat and did'nt even charge me!!! Ever since then I've had an interest in getting into the CC trade, and finally 2 years later we are starting to get up an rolling. Sorry for the long post!!
I had a friend who was an owner operator. He bugged me for years to do it because I could make more money than what I was doing at the time (FedEx Express Courier) Well, years went by and I wanted to max out my retirement at FedEx and one day two years ago the annouced that they were capping the pension plan. Well that afternoon I talked to my friend, bought his truck and client base, changed the name of the company and here I am.
Part time after high school, I nneded the cash LOL My Father new someone and I started cleaning on weekends!
I did collections for 17 years. Was getting burned out when my father in law decided to sell the carpet truck that he had for his Commercial Janitorial Company. He gave me an offer I couldn't refuse. Had my brother in law train me and 19 months later I am very very happy to cleaning carpets and not answering to managers that dont know there hiney from a hole in the ground.
