starting out from ground zero

[workin4daman]

seriously sick of working 10-11 hour nights. i have buisness cards, pens, and i have had a few experiences in visiting a few buisnesses trying to drum up buisness. closest thing i received was landscaping a yard for a realtor that was showing a home. i dont have insurance, am not bonded, nor am i fully educated on how the buisness really works. i am a very personable person and will not have problems speaking with people. I am educated but working blue collar just for the paychecks. i have cash reserves and a very willing and helpful spouse that has my best interest at heart.

if you were to start from ground zero, what would be the first thing and most important thing to have before i set out into the wild again in order to secure buisness. i have the determination to do this but the first time out was put to a halt due to my second child being born and i have kept her for the past 16 months and she is now ready for daycare/preschool. i have done landscaping for 6 years while in college and i work currently 11 hour nights in the automobile industry while keeping the lil one during the day. now i have time to put toward really getting into some sort of self employment and time filler.

i have spent the past hour reading various threads and will continue to do so until i am ready to go gettum. i have the basic supplies needed and a vehicle in which to transport them. was very close to signing up with coverall but i didnt, and am now glad i didnt.

i am a worker and have always been that way. just need a point and push in the right direction.

any help would be greatly appreciated.

so close to taking the buy out from my job. really unsatisfying work and it takes away so much time from my family.

so if you guys and girls can give me a hand on what would be first and foremost important in the buisness i would greatly appreciate the help.

i have visited real estate offices, lawyers offices, dentist, etc in the past and i feel pretty confident on my presentation but i was not insured, bonded etc. i need info on getting an employee id etc .

hope you get the picture.

seriously, i landscape small yards, buisnesses etc and work is nothing to me. just tired of workin' for da man.

originally from j'ville,florida and now in motown u.s.a. for last 8 years.

thanks, and best to the forum.

[logan5127]

I believe that the very first thing you should do is to either be financially secure or have a regular paying job that you can do while you set off to start your business on your off hours. I believe that most start up cleaning businesses go out of business with in the first year because most need income to survive and they can't seem to wait around long enough to get their new business going.

In your case , you say you have cash reserve. If you have enough to last a year or two then perhaps you can make it without a part time job. I would still hang onto the job for a little bit. Then first I would try to learn about the trade that I was going to offer. Perhaps some classes, ijcsa, and even working with another cleaning company for a short time. You may not even like the cleaning business. I would also try to have some great ethics. If I did some work with another cleaning company I would let them know what my plans where and that I would not be going after their accounts. Then after I learned the trade a little I would ask myself if this is what I would like to do then if yes , I would go out and try to get some clients during the day. See what the market is in your area. There may be more than you think in your area.
You might consider also trying to incorporate the landscaping business into your cleaning business. It might get you in some doors to add on your cleaning service. If you form a relationship with clients and they like you and trust you than it opens up doors to many add on services.

Remember that what anyone tells you is opinions. What works for one may not another. Play the field a little and I hope the best for you.

[workin4daman]

thanks dan. i am pretty much secure with the finances. that's not the problem. i guess i'm like most when trying to figure the best approach to getting my foot in the door. my mother does this back home and i have been to help her on a few occassions. i have also helped a friend clean a home shopping network down in orlando once so i have an idea of what to expect.

now that the lil one will be out the door with her big sis i can concentrate more on trying to get things started. yes, i would like to jump on with a company to see how things work from the ground up and may try that avenue before i get into my own venture.

i see you're in southgate, do you have any suggestions on companies that may need some assistance here and there? if you ever need any extra help dont hesitate in contacting me, i would be more than thrilled to help if i can.

i'll continue the hunt and see where the road leads me.

appreciate the help bro, and if things jump off the way i hope i will let you know.

until then .............thanks a bunch.

if you ever need any help dont forget about me.