Based on the current market need there are ample opportunities spread over various places for cleaners. Ask a few basic questions to yourself like how many hours are you planning to dedicate? Where do you want to work? What is your role in this business? How much are you willing to invest? What will be your business setup? Do you have the business skills or do you need to acquire them?
Do not panic! Let's answer these questions one by one.
How many hours are you planning to dedicate?
You do not have to quit your job to start a business
Starting a business is always a slow process and a test of patience. With the right skills, you will be able to establish it well in a short period of time. In the beginning, you will probably have to balance your time based on the number of clients you have. If you have a full-time job then you can focus on your business on a part-time basis. Your business will soon grow and there will be a point where you can only focus on your business rather than being employed.
If you are really lucky you will be able to build a strong client base within a short period of time though you are starting new. At this point a work and life balance are important and here is where time management comes into play. It is important that you do not take more than what you can handle, Otherwise, you will end up compromising your quality of work while you focus on the quantity. Quality of work is what matters in a business when you want to establish a long-term relationship.
Where do you want to work?
You have the liberty to choose!
Can you name an industry that does not need cleaning? Even a work-from-home office setup needs cleaning. Residential and commercial cleaning are the two major opportunities that are available in the market. Choose which ones will suit your situation the best.
Residential cleaning involves commitment as the needs of the houses can differ but this will give you an opportunity to build a client base. Some residential work is consistent but some are temporary. Most often people will need to hire a cleaning service when they move in or move out of their homes or when they need deep cleaning.
Commercial areas on the other hand will provide contracts, fixed times and will allow you to frame a schedule to work. It would seem more organized and consistent. It depends on your flexibility as to which work environment you would choose.
What is your role in your business?
You can be your own boss!
Think about it! What role do you wish to play, a worker or a Manager? Do you want a team or are you good on your own? Do you want to hire someone to work with you, a team to work for you, or are you willing to do this on your own? Let us take a closer look at it.
For starters, it is always advisable that you go on your own until you build a client base. This way you will be able to understand the work environment, expectations and build good relationships. When you have a good client base, it would be challenging to handle your hours on your own, especially if you have another job or commitment. At this time you will need an employee or a team.
Think about how much you wish to pay them and then fix a price for the service you offer keeping in mind that you need to be profited out of this. Some people start a business, hire employees and send the employees to complete the service. They simply manage the business without having to work on-site.
What will be your business setup?
Office? Home? Online?
If you have a huge investment you will be able to afford to rent or lease an office space, but is that what you want? Some people think that it is more approachable and professional. On a beginner level that may be too much to invest but it is something to think about when you have an established business.
You can either choose to have an office at home where people can come to talk to you the conventional way or go with the trend and have your entire business online. Create a website, social media, and start marketing. The investment can be controlled and would be minimal.
How much are you willing to invest?
How much is too much?
Once you have an understanding of your market you will be able to make an estimate of the basic tools and equipment needed to manage your business on a basic level. What will be hard to estimate are the registration costs, insurance, marketing, and so on.
As technology develops, the equipment and tools will develop too. The modernized tools will be more efficient than the traditional tools. The method of usage will change and so does the time is taken to complete the task. It will also enhance your work and make your service look professional. They can be expensive and at this point, you have to decide whether or not to invest in them.
When you have a complete business plan, you will be able to manage your costs, business, foresee your financial future, and will have an idea about the growth of your business. You will be able to make arrangements for loans if needed and also will be able to pay them back on time as a good plan will show you how much you can handle. Speaking of the business plan, do you have the skills to run your business?
Do you have the business skills or do you need to acquire them?
Try out our Cleaning Business Entrepreneurship Program today!
Business skills are not something that everyone will have but it is something that can be acquired. You will need to know the basics of business in order to start your business. You will get a clear understanding of where your business should start and how you will grow.
This includes registering your business, finding a name, knowing what you need as a startup, how you would approach your client, what market is right for you, how to handle the business aspects like finances and accounting, marketing, building a plan, planning for a team or being your own boss.
Our course provides the framework for your business and all you need to know. After you complete the course you will be more organized, productive and will be able to plan your business in a way you can foresee what your business will look like in the future.
You can start your business in confidence with us. All the best on this new journey!
