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Post by Crowz on Dec 8, 2005 23:40:38 GMT -5
Welcome to the Forum! Here is a helpful link to get you started: www.irs.gov/businesses/small/index.htmlThere are many posts here with lots of great information. Our offices are in the County ordinance, so we are not required to have a license, but we have one anyway for business and advertising purposes. License for sole proprietor or partnership here is only $20.00 yearly. It makes a company credible. To join our local chamber of commerce we have to have city license and bonding minimum. Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Dec 4, 2005 23:16:30 GMT -5
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Post by Crowz on Aug 30, 2005 16:15:10 GMT -5
For forms (estimates, bids, etc.) there are some posted here in Business Operations section. DBA comes with your business license. We are licensed through the City of Kingman as John & Natalie Crow doing business as (DBA) Crowz Cleaning & Maintenance. Took the license and opened a checking acct. then got the insurance bonds, all with our company name.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Nov 11, 2005 21:42:10 GMT -5
Here in Kingman Arizona, we applied for city license and that is how we got a DBA. Didn't "register" anywhere with anyone. Perhaps it is different in other states. With our license we were able to get necessary bonds, open a checking account, join the local chamber of commerce..... When you get to where you are large enough to play with the BIG BOYS, then buy. Insurance is quite costly...... at this point you will have to hire employees, pay in the payroll taxes, and buy workmans comp insurance too..... long way down the road!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 25, 2005 14:32:09 GMT -5
John & I are both 100% working at/on Crowz Cleaning. Neither of us have had to get outside jobs yet because we had some savings, a small inheritance, and large insurance settlement in 2004/2005 to keep us going and help build the business. My son is totally behind us as are all our friends. My dad was very doubtful of our success at first, but now is behind us all the way. He wanted us to buy an established business as he struggled with his own company, Excalibur Mfg., for years until he made his first dollar. My mom is neutral. John's mom is right there in support of Crowz. His dad is not only negative about it, but actually tries to sabotage us at every opportunity. Sad, but true I don't think he does it consciously. I believe he is jealous of his sons success. Oh well. I'd say we have a pretty good family & friend support system! Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 22, 2005 22:17:53 GMT -5
We do both residential and commercial, but more commercial. We do not do weekends, period. Commercial jobs are done between 2am and 8am, M-F. Residentials are 730am to noon mostly. Carpet is done whenever the customer wants, pretty much, M-F.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 25, 2005 14:14:07 GMT -5
Kevin.... maybe a WWF wrestler! What color spandex would you wear? LOL ;D
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 14, 2005 14:15:47 GMT -5
Oh, you are so modest Kevin How about "Guru"? LOL! Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 13, 2005 17:55:12 GMT -5
Anthony,
There is already so much information posted here, all you really have to do is read, read, read, and print, print, print! Seriously! There is everything from actual cleaning "how to's" to pricing and useful documents (estimate/bid sheets, etc.) contained on these pages....
Since your wife can't work (I am assuming it is a physical problem/illness) perhaps she can do research on the Internet, answer phones & make appointments, create advertisements (with the computer's word processor) like fliers & business cards, and do the books?
My biggest tip for you is to LISTEN TO KEVIN OUR COMMANDER IN CHIEF. I have learned more from him about this business than anyone else!
Welcome ;D to The Forum ;D and Good Luck to YOU!
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Aug 26, 2005 0:48:40 GMT -5
Yes, another post from ME! There is an outfit here in Kingman that does only strip/seal/wax. Their name is "Hot Gloss" and I really love the name!!!! The other morning, on the way from one job to another, about 5am, we stopped at Circle K (like 711 or AM/PM) for a java refill. In the parking lot was their van with the name and info on the side. For them, the name is their logo.... only I thought it was really WRONG! What does the name HOT GLOSS inspire to you? Me too...... the word "HOT" would be in orange/yellow or even cool color flames and "GLOSS" should definitely be in CAPITAL ITALICS all sleek in blue with white twinkles or highlights. It was "Hot Gloss" and the words were blood red with drops hanging off each letter!!!! I was grossed out! Bloody, sticky floors? Eeeewwww! Would you hire them on an ad like that alone if you had not seen there work? BTW, Johns very first attempt at strip/wax was better than there job at that Circle K! How do they stay in business? ? Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jul 27, 2005 18:59:13 GMT -5
We are thinking of changing our name end of the year when we re-license to: Crowz Cleaning Services or Crowz Custom Cleaning. Our name was not well thought out and we keep getting calls for gardening & handyman/maintenance man stuff.....
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Jun 11, 2005 16:07:53 GMT -5
Crowz started with $3000.00 owner contribution/equity. Bought our license & bonds @ about $122.00 for a year. Purchased b-ball style t-shirts and heat stamped our logo on front & back... 6 each at about $75.00 total. We bought 2 vacuums, white cotton bar towels, industrial size mop bucket, mop & 3 heads, dust mop & 3 heads, a push & regular angled broom, and assorted cleaners. Spent about $100.00 on QuickBooksPro off eBay and maybe $50.00 in office supplies. Wells Fargo messed up our check order, so we got checks, deposit slips and stamp FREE... ;D .... We made and printed postcard flyer's then sent out to 80 businesses in the area at a cost of about $40.00. We got only 1 residential client from that campaign, so it did pay off, but we won't do that again! We then spent $198.00 on membership in the local chamber of commerce, and business took off.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Nov 20, 2005 22:24:56 GMT -5
oops, did not see there was 4 pages here, thought it was one. it would probably be easer if some would state where they are from, some might not feel comfortable with helping somebody from there area, and for some it might be easer since the pricing would be around the same. I been looking to adopt somebody, but see no profiles filled out. I rather they where near my state, so the economy, laws, and pricing was similar. and I would also want to know who they are, so lets fill in those profiles.. I made a similar post on one of these 4 pages Rob! I explained how to send a PM and modify your profile too. Hey Newbee's and everyone else who hasn't done it, fill out you profile!!! Click on Profile at the top where Logout, Home, Help, etc., are then click on Modify Profile and fill in the blanks. We can all help each other better if we give a little more information. Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Nov 11, 2005 21:34:29 GMT -5
To PM someone to be your mentor, simply click on their screen/nickname in the left corner of the message frame then click "send personal message" on the header.... when the screen comes up, write your message and send. Or, from your message area, type in the screen/nickname (mine is crowzclean) and proceed. Also, PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE finish filling our your profile! Especially your service area. This is absolutely necessary if we are to help you! A real name would be nice too. No one is going to spam you or steal your identity... I promise! I have been a member here since the beginning (April 2005), put in all my info., and have never had a problem.
Natalie
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Post by Crowz on Nov 11, 2005 21:19:57 GMT -5
I think I adopted someone already without knowing it! rrccs, James Roman of Jacksonville Florida. Unfortunately, because he is so far away and the economy is so different there in FL, I can only help so much. Perhaps someone from the state, a boardering state, but not the same service area could be a second mentor to James? I saw a post here from someone from Phoenix AZ or was it Flagstaff? I am willing to mentor another from my state.... as long as you are not in my service area. Conflict of interest you know! Email me at info@crowzclean.com anytime and I will share my 11 whole months of experience with you!
Natalie
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