Opportunities to sell high pressure washing services exist on every block in America and in most foreign countries. In the United States alone there are upward of 11 million businesses and over 100 million private homes that are potential customers for your services.

The portable high pressure washer has brought a new era to the cleaning industry. This technology allows for more thorough and less expensive cleaning of a wider variety of surfaces than ever before. New markets and profit opportunities are being developed daily by ambitious cleaning professionals everywhere. (more…)

Filed under: Self Employment, Technology by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM October 1999

How do the carpets look in your accounts? If they look clean and are free of spots, you’re obviously doing a good job. However, if they don’t look so good, those accounts are at risk of being cancelled. You’re leaving the door wide open for another contractor or a professional carpet cleaner to walk in and take that business away from you.

I’m sure that in your mind you have plenty of good reasons why, the carpets are dirty or spotted. But it doesn’t solve the customer’s problem. And it doesn’t do anything to keep a competitor from using those same dirty carpets as a selling point and as an opportunity to get in the door and put you out in the street. (more…)

Filed under: Carpet, Self Employment by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM September 1999

In The Beginning

When I began this business, I had little idea what was needed in the way of equipment, so I went to a large janitorial company in the city and asked for their recommendations. That initial purchase included a Pro squeegee handle, two lengths of metal channels (8″ and 12″) with rubber blades, a brush, a telescoping pole that extended 14 feet, a strip washer, and some generic window cleaning detergent. That initial investment was under $50 in 1978, and would cost under $100 today. I experimented with various equipment through the years and purchased new equipment as it became available. (more…)

Filed under: Self Employment, Window Cleaning by cbadmin
Originally Published: CBM September 1999

America, The Land Of Opportunity

A place where dreams come true and millionaires are made every day. A country with a free market system where hard work and a good product or service can make you rich. The opportunity for personal success and financial independence is alive and well in America. Every four minutes another person becomes a millionaire in America. As of 1996 over 3.5 million families had a net worth of one million dollars or more. And it’s not from winning the lotto. It’s from hard work, smart decisions, determination, a good idea, a little luck, a strong desire to succeed and a personal refusal to accept less than success. There is a good reason why 750,000 new businesses are started each year in the USA. (more…)

Filed under: Self Employment by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM August 1999

The use of effective cleaning procedures has a positive impact on improving the indoor air quality in a facility or area. Unfortunately, most cleaning procedures, equipment, and chemicals in use today actually have a negative impact on the indoor environment.

The goal of cleaning is to create and maintain an aesthetically pleasing, cost effective, clean, safe, healthy and comfortable environment for living, working, playing and travel. To accomplish this goal, we must consider, control and monitor as many of the possible variables that impact indoor environmental quality. This is no easy task. There are many factors and variables involved, including such things as lighting, humidity, noise, temperature and ergonomics. (more…)

Filed under: Indoor Air Quality, Safety, Self Employment by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM October 1998

When a floor covering, carpet or rug doesn’t turn out as expected or as specified one or more of the parties involved are going to be unhappy. And that’s when a certified carpet or floor covering inspector is called in. The inspector’s job is to sort out the facts, figure out what went wrong, file a written report, and in some cases correct the problem if possible.

Some companies still handle claims internally; however, the trend is toward more widespread use of independent third-party inspectors. When hired by a manufacturer, the inspector’s role is to be the on-site eyes and ears of the company–to look, test, take samples if needed, and write a report which may include opinions and possible solutions. (more…)

Filed under: Carpet, Floor Care, Self Employment, Training by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM February 1998

The mall is certainly the focal point of many communities both large and small. It is a place not only to shop but also to meet and socialize. The heavy traffic that most malls generate also generates another concern-how to keep it clean!

Obviously the area that gets the most abuse is the flooring. Many designers these days are using multiple types of flooring, including: (more…)

Filed under: Floor Care, Self Employment by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM June 1997

Opportunities to sell high pressure washing services exist on every block in America and in most foreign countries. In the United States alone there are upward of 11 million businesses and over 100 million private homes that are potential customers for your services. The market is huge and is growing every day.

If you know where to look and what you can do with a high pressure washer, it’s easy to identify an endless source of potential customers in your local area who are in need of the services you can provide. Your challenge is to convince them you’re the right person with the right price to do the job.

The portable high pressure washer has brought a new era to the cleaning industry. This technology allows for more thorough and less expensive cleaning of a wider variety of surfaces than ever before. New markets and profit opportunities are being developed daily by ambitious cleaning professionals everywhere. (more…)

Filed under: Self Employment by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM March 1997

When evaluating a new business opportunity, you want a product or service that has the following characteristics: (more…)

Filed under: Self Employment, Training by William Griffin
Originally Published: CBM February 1997