Looking for buisness minds.?

Question

Ok Im a teen who wants to start her own buisness in cleaning. I'm trying to raise money for college and family. I speak spanish and english. Right now I'm just cleaning nighbors and friends houses and learning detail cleaning. I wan't to work up to having a small buisness working with the richer people in this city. Does anyone have any buisness sense on how this can be accomplished?

Answer 1

My advice is for you to read more of the business, so you can determine what you think you want and can given your present resources.

You can start by reading the article "Starting a Janitorial and Cleaning Service Business" at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/vol95/janitorial.htm The article contains information on startup strategies, operational considerations (prices, manpower, finding suppliers), and marketing the business.

From the article, here are some tips to help market your business:

1. The first step to marketing your business is deciding who your potential customers are and determining the types of services you could offer.

2. The best way to market this business is through cold calling. Drive through the area and put your flyers in their mailboxes. Or if you see the homeowner, approach them and introduce yourself. It may seem scary at first, but the worst thing they can do is to say No.

3. Draw up a better and more professional proposal by learning firsthand the needs of the potential customer, as well as the layout of the house (e.g. type of carpeting, etc.)

4. Networking is another effective strategy to get ahead in the cleaning business.

5. Word of mouth is another effective form of advertising a janitorial service. It can be generated through favorable feedback from your existing clients that will hopefully filter to other home owners in your area. Ask your existing clients to refer you to their friends or acquiantances who may need cleaning services.

6. If you decide to embark on advertising, you can try placing an ad in newspapers or trade journals in your area. Flyers in locations where many home owners congregate -- e.g. libraries (ask permission first), or even schools

7. You can also try direct mailing to potential customers, sending them information and brochures about your business.

For more in-depth information about the business, we have compiled a list of books on the topic and you can either purchase the book or borrow them from your library. The list of recommended books on starting a cleaning business can be found at http://www.powerhomebiz.com/bookstore/homecleaning.htm

- How to Start a Home-Based Housecleaning Business (Author: Melinda Morse)
- Start and Run a Home Cleaning Business (Author: Susan Bewsey)
- Start Your Own Cleaning Service (Entrepreneur Magazine's Start Ups) Author: Jacquelyn Lynn
- Start and Run a Profitable Home Cleaning Business
Author: Susan Bewsey

You may also want to check the following associations:
Association of Specialists in Cleaning & Restoration http://www.ascr.org/
Building Service Contractors Association International
http://www.bscai.org
International Sanitary Supply Association http://www.issa.com/

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

A few issues need to be clarified:

•Do you want to go to college and help your family; or
•Do you want to start your own business?

I ask this simply because; you can help your family (financially) by starting your own business and/or by going to college (if you make a success out of it!)

If you want to help your family, generally, you will be focused on short term financial needs – these will not help a teenager achieve (sensible) long term goals, neither will it help your family in the long term.

If you want to start your own business – cleaning other peoples residences – you obviously need to set a high benchmark for cleanliness! Moreover, you need to understand the reasons why a person would like your services.

Generally, a person wants their place clean because they don’t want/or have the time to clean it themselves. These people generally can afford to pay for your services and by implication fall into a higher income bracket; that is; either not married (fe)males with “good” jobs or couples were each has a demanding (supposedly “good”) job.

The general requirement for success in this type of business is quality of the service – level of cleanliness, speed of delivery, reliability and (regrettably) price. There is no need to try just households; you could also try companies (offices).

However, the best advice is always the same – follow your dreams, we all have families, all our relatives want the best for us (I presume) – in time, if you have entrepreneurial ambitions, you will find the right thing to do. Hopefully when you are ready, and you have the confidence to act (assuming you know all the risks), there will be little that can prevent you from achieving your dreams.

Adrianus

Answer 4

If you're in high school it's obviously a good idea to take some sort of business class. Whatever this may be from acounting to Intro to Business it doesn't matter; it'll all lead to an increased knowlegde of the business world. You may also want to look into going to college with a major in some business field whether it be marketing or another business practice. But the fact that you're learning the basics of your market will lead to a great advantage in the business world should you open a business of your own. For futher question contact me at [e-mail].

Answer 5

Basically you need to make contacts, meet people, get your name out there through word-of-mouth, news/magazine ads, fliers. It's all about marketing. If you can get your name known then you'll have a larger chance of getting clients.
If your goal is larger, more prosperous locations, be sure to focus on your advertising there. Maybe go around to local dry cleaners in rich neighborhoods asking to post fliers of your business. Offer references, of course, so that you have something to back up your skills.
Think like a rich person such as where they eat, shop, run errands; what do they look for in an employee. You need to present yourself as professional yet willing to do what they want.
Also, just 'cause you're going for rich people doesn't mean they're willing to spend lots of money. Keep your prices reasonable; then when they see what good work you do they'll add tips in for you, or even offer to raise your wages.
Basically, you have to advertise to your goal clientele and keep a focus on advertising!!!
Good luck!

Answer 6

many ways. put up posters at the places where the rich people shop and make like little pull tabs with your phone # on it. Also advertise in the newspaper. It may be a little expensive but you can get a lot of bussiness like that.