how can i get my cleaning business started with no money? are there grants and loans for this type of business

Answer 1

You can read here the requirements of Small Business Administration for the small business loans that they guarantee http://www.sba.gov/financing/preparation...

1. Equity investment
2. Earnings Requirement
3. Working Capital
4. Collateral
5. Resource Management

Collateral can be personal and business assets such as house, receivables, stocks and bonds, furniture and fixtures, among others -- that can be sold to pay back the loan. Collateral provide banks with the assurance that they can get their money (or at least parts of it) back, even if you cannot pay. Even SBA-guaranteed loans as well as micro loan programs require some form of collateral to secure a loan.

If you do not have collateral, you will need to have a co-signer who has collateral and can pledge to cover your loan in case you default on payment.

Here is an excel spreadsheet of SBA's lending partners http://www.sba.gov/financing/lendinvest/plplend.xls

Forget about grants. It is hard to find grants to start a business. Unlike the myths that some perpetuate, federal government and even private foundations hardly give grant money for a for-profit business. And yes, grants mean PAPERWORK - lots and lots of it, that is why a cottage industry of grant writers was born.


Nonetheless, you can go to the Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance (CFDA) http://www.cfda.gov and Grants.gov http://www.grants.gov - these are two sites created by the federal government to provide transparency and information on grants. Browse through the listings and see if you can find any grant that would support a for-profit venture.

Even if you buy books on "how to get grants" or list that supposedly has information on grants -- all of them are mere rehash of what CFDA has, albeit packaged differently. But still the info is the same - hardly any grants for starting a for profit business.

Even SBA does NOT give out grants. From the SBA website http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html...

"The U.S. Small Business Administration does not offer grants to start or expand small businesses, although it does offer a wide variety of loan programs. (See http://www.sba.gov/financing for more information) While SBA does offer some grant programs, these are generally designed to expand and enhance organizations that provide small business management, technical, or financial assistance. These grants generally support non-profit organizations, intermediary lending institutions, and state and local governments."

Here is a listing of federal grants for small businesses. See if there is any available for individuals for starting a business -- THERE'S NONE.
http://12.46.245.173/pls/portal30/CATALOG.BROWSE_BENEF_RPT.show

Most of the federal grants are given to specific target groups with specific requirements (e.g. minority business owners involved in transportation related contracts emanating from DOT - Grant#20.905 Disadvantaged Business Enterprises Short Term Lending Program

Grants are also often given to non profit groups or organizations involved in training or other similar activities (grant 59.043 Women's Business Ownership Assistance that are given to those who will create women's business center that will train women entrepreneurs

For private grants, you may want to check the Foundation Center's Foundation Grants for Individuals Online. It's a subscription based website ($9.95 per month) but their opening blurb only says that the database is ideal for "students, artists, academic researchers, libraries and financial aid offices." Entrepreneurs are apparently not one of them, so I take it they also don't have listings of private foundations who give grants to would-be entrepreneurs.

http://www.cfda.gov
http://www.grants.gov
http://gtionline.fdncenter.org
http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol66/grants.htm
http://www.sba.gov/expanding/grants.html

Answer 2

The best routes to take are to research the process of starting a business as well as the industry you're interested in.

I recommend checking out the SBA, Entrepreneur, The Start Up Journal & Nolo. All 4 are great informational resources for the new/small business owner. I posted links for you in the source box.

Associations may be a good avenue to explore as well. These organizations will address many of the thoughts, questions and concerns you'll inevitably have as well as many you haven't anticipated yet. See the source box for some relevant links.

Research, research, research – this cannot be stressed enough. Read as much as you can about the industry. Here are some book titles that are relevant:

* Commercial and Residential Cleaning Services: A Resource Guide to Developing and Maintaining Your Own Janitorial or Home Cleaning Business by Walter Fenix
* Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business by Susan Bewsey
* Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) by Jacquelyn Lynn
* How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business, 2nd (Home-Based Business Series) by Laura Jorstad

There are plenty of free informational resources out there. Check the source box for links to articles.

Hope that helps! I wish you much success & happiness in all your ventures!

Answer 3

Just about 7 years ago I started a home cleaning business.
I printed off flyers and asked church secretary's if I could put them on their church bulletin boards.
I also put them on public bulletin boards at grocery stores, Laundromats, and any other public boards I could find. Within a few weeks I had to start turning clients away as my time was all booked up.

If you have access to a photo copier run off a couple of hundred flyers ( 2 to a page), take a walk around your neighborhood or affluent areas and place them in mail boxes.
I helped my daughters friend set up her housecleaning business this way and she is now bringing in close to $2,000 a month income. She charges $15.00 and hour with a minimum of 2 hours per client.

I charge $15 and hour with a 3 hour minimum, maximum of 4 hours.

Don't get discouraged if you don't get calls right away. With summer approaching many people are making plans to go away. Late August and early September are the best times to gain clients.

I wish you blessings on your endeavor.

Answer 4

There are pleanty of loans and grants out there in today's economical society. If you have a good history with paying taxes, bills, etc, you will have a better chance in the bank at recieving a grant. You should go to the bank and talk to someone about it. They will be sure to help you.

Answer 5

a cleaning business should require little or no capital investment,why would you want to be in debt when you first start your business?One of the other answers was a very good one.Start small and debt free and grow the business.Good Luck! also,I live in north-east Texas,can you clean my house?

Answer 6

It wouldn't take but more than $100.00 to start up. go to the Dollar Store where everything is a dollar they have tons of cleaning supplies. then advertise on the Craigslist.com it is free. and your ready to go

Answer 7

go around peoples houses asking them if they need any cleaning done and if they do and its a big house or wat ever your gonna clean make shure to start with a low reasonable price or ask how much they think they shall give and then share wat you think.