If you were starting out...

[GoLaggyGo]

Hey everyone I'm probably 6 months away from starting my own floor cleaning company. I'm good at business, marketing, etc but new to cleaning carpets. I've spent many hours reading the different ways of cleaning and wanted to see what you guys think. I spent a lot of time on the phone with some of the franchises too. I've read so many comments about "why would someone spend $40k on a franchise when you only get a $3k cleaning machine". And I agree that any of us can go buy a better machine and clean better than most franchises. But what I like about the franchises, is that they have dedicated customer service and scheduling, so I'd never have to worry about keeping up with scheduling or answering calls while I'm busy doing other tasks. I don't mind working and cleaning, but ultimately I'm more interested in running the business along with other businesses. My goal with the carpet business would be to have 2 or 3 trucks running. So if you were just starting out, would you go franchise or do your own thing and hire people to answer the phones? Thanks everyone.

 

[The Universe is a Donut]

Hey everyone I'm probably 6 months away from starting my own floor cleaning company. I'm good at business, marketing, etc but new to cleaning carpets. I've spent many hours reading the different ways of cleaning and wanted to see what you guys think. I spent a lot of time on the phone with some of the franchises too. I've read so many comments about "why would someone spend $40k on a franchise when you only get a $3k cleaning machine". And I agree that any of us can go buy a better machine and clean better than most franchises. But what I like about the franchises, is that they have dedicated customer service and scheduling, so I'd never have to worry about keeping up with scheduling or answering calls while I'm busy doing other tasks. I don't mind working and cleaning, but ultimately I'm more interested in running the business along with other businesses. My goal with the carpet business would be to have 2 or 3 trucks running. So if you were just starting out, would you go franchise or do your own thing and hire people to answer the phones? Thanks everyone.

Hey now. You don't have your first customer yet and you're talking about having 2 to 3 trucks!! Do you want to be a carpet cleaner or a Business Manager? The roles are different! Start small. Keep your costs and debt load low. Be willing to start humble. Make sure you really know how to clean. Don't get fooled by companies that want you to think you have to invest 50K to be legit. You don't. You might find, after six months of trying to make a go of it, that janitorial accounts keep dropping in your lap that provide a nice guaranteed weekly income. But you would have to reject those opportunities if you shackle yourself to a franchise and the debt service that comes with the loan. Be careful. Be smart.