self destructive attitude won’t take you anywhere. look at all the rich people in this world. do you think they sit on a forum and whine about the economy?
do you think microsoft gave up when they were sued so many times? look at them now. they’re bigger and better than ever.
Kevin, you are always geniusly coming up with something to make more money. Please tell us more about these 5 markets, maybe I can use the idea to get more business. Do you sleep thinking about window business and get up with brand new ideas.
Is this best time to buy more equipments since prices are very low
An economic dowturn is the best time to gain a larger market share if you can tough it out… Yes there are alot of window cleaning companies going under which creates prime opportunity for those that wish to be succesfull… I have personally tripled my business this year and I am only going into my third year in business. We are one of the more expensive companies in our area as well. you just have to get creative and spend your marketing dollars wisely. A great book I would recomend to all of you newer marketers on here is “Guerilla Marketing” even for some of you guys that have been around awhile.
I am not in the window cleaning business, I am in the marketing business. Window cleaning is just how I create cash flow.
Nick
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Thanks for the kind words, Enviro, and the compliment. And yes I think about marketing all the time 
I also study from other experts and think very seriously about how I can use their insights to make more money more quickly and help my clients do the same.
To be honest, I’m playing this next business move close to my chest for the time being, but the point is, you are in control.
If what you’ve been trying doesn’t work, make sure you lear from it. Learning what doesn’t work is an excellent way to avoid future losses.
Now is the time for you to try something different.
If I may: You just complimented me on launching a new company with sky-high prices, on a thread that you started where you said that the industry is drying up.
Sounds like you just needed a little shot in the arm, and all the guys on this post just gave you one.
Take it, and make tomorrow the day that you take a fresh look at your business, and find a way to make it work.
Enviro, this is the most important thing you need to hear right now. Be like Nick and start obsessing over your marketing.
I am going to stay positive but the whole economic cycle is driving outside force crazy. Window Cleaning Business owners are losing it, for example lowering the standard of this business.Scavenging for more business.
Yup, keep at it…
There will always be trades or services lowballing their prices. Most are not even set up for business( no insurance, licensing ). It’s just the nature of the beast. Why even worry about that. Let them worry about having to go back to a day job and some other idiot coming along. Most of them only go after storefronts anyway. I would seriously look at what kind of people you want to market your services to. That’s the bottom line. Work hard and long hours at learning different business skills. (Marketing, time management, communication, etc.) Most importantly, apply what you learn. Yes, you may not get paid for developing these skills but it is one of the most important things you can invest in. You honestly have to ask yourself how bad you want this. You can make all the excuses up you want but it won’t get you nowhere in life.
I moved about a year and half ago to the westcoast. Was it uncomfortable and risky? You bet. somtimes you have to get out of your comfort zone. I’m not saying to pick up your stuff and move from Missouri. I’m just saying you have to be more positive. I had a list of reasons for giving up with this business. The more I looked at them, the more I could see how pathetic they were. It would take a bullet to the head or cancer for me to give up this business. (Hopefully, that doesn’t happen:D) And honestly people will always be spending money because people love to feel good. It’s a fact of life. Get to work and believe in yourself.
Thanks, It really came from your heart.
missouri can be a tough egg to crack for sure. do you live in the city?
Yes
I seen 3 different window cleaning companies out today. it hit about 50 and I guess the phone is ringing.
A freind email this link very positive YouTube - Art Williams JUST DO IT SPEECH motivational and inspirational
What research did you do? How many more went out of business in 2010 then in 2009?
Almost all start-up businesses fail, and that’s been for decades.
Where would you find information about window cleaning businesses going
out of business? I’d like to see it for myself.
80% of startup businesses fail within five years. Of course that number is slightly skewed by tax deductions of small businesses. But not everyone has what it takes to be a business owner. Some people whom I still have the utmost respect for still need the safety of a paycheck.
Personally and I’m guessing this may be similar for some of you, this is the fifth business I have owned. I owned first biz when I was 18 years old and have been self employed since. As I see it if i worked for another company I would most likely be on unemployment right now.
To keep my dream going, I am constantly researching, learning, and teaching. even while I was in the hospital after my accident in October I was researching and thinking about my winter and spring promotions. Thinking of how I would hire people to do the work now since I wont be able to do it myself anymore. Sitting on disability is just not good enough for me.
I think I’ve said too much…maybe too much pain meds this morning.
keep your chin up and your head in the game enviro. the customers are there. you just have to find them. don’t let the naysayers dictate your financial future.
I hear ya and agree, but I think maybe Paul is trying to prove a point with enviro. I don’t think enviro has really researched either, just feeling and seeing no light in a dark tunnel because of what he see’s around him.
None of us really see all of that because we know that they must have done something wrong to fail. Personally, I don’t even give it a second thought. When I hear of someone going out of business, I usually say “who?” never heard of them. Thats too bad.
Everyone I know are hustlers. By that I mean that everyone I know are always on the move and working (this is written for enviro). I surround myself with winners. We may not be millionaires (yet) but none of us have even thought of closing the doors. It just won’t happen.
Barter is a great way to get in. My wife and I worked yesterday, New Years Day. On Friday, we gave a CCU bid to a lady who was getting a restaurant ready to open next week. It is a family owned and operated place. They have very little money after purchasing all their equipment, fixtures and food contracts. They thought they could save some money so they pulled the tint off the windows and freaked when they discovered the glue was left behind and difficult it is to remove with 1" scrapers. She called in a panic and asked us to help.
We drove over and spent 2 hours scraping glue off the windows and giving them a thorough washing. She gave us a 50 dollar bill, and a promise to feed our family on Opening Day. We signed up her up for bi-weekly washing for meals. We will wash her 14 plate glass panels and the door in and out every 2 week and she will feed us.
She started telling the ladies in her church and before we left her place Saturday, we had two calls from her friends…and we got another call for a bid Saturday night.
We barely made expenses on her job but we made a new friend, got another account and will be very visible to the other businesses in the area.
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This is the dream post I’ve been waiting for. This is how many businesses view themselves when business is slow. This is why I’ve bought out 2 of the last window cleaners here - took their work & upped the prices. Join the WCRA & sign - if you want $10,000 of new work this year.
well that is not good news for me enviro. I am a window cleaner and a fat one. a double whammy! Guess i will go crawl under a rock, or…
