Doing Upholstery

Because some carpet pre-sprays have different surfactants in them than their upholstery counterparts some carpet prespray will can soak through upholstery and into backing and padding.

There are many ways to grow the business but advertising is key.  Kane 8 jobs a month hope they are big jobs, or you got something else going.  I look at it like this when you start you don't have sh*t, as far as customers or equipment.  So your first  three years are going to be though.  Most don't make it.  They get the loans for the equipment, and have little money for advertising.  Or they start with portables out of there cars with advertising but no one wants them.  I have always had the philosophy that if you are going to make, you have to do it right.  To me its not hard to find out what's right for your market.  Start off by calling you competition  to see what they offer and for what price.  If they offer TM cleaning  for prices that you would offer with a portable good luck.  People will also usually only turn a few pages in the YP so you will need to be up front  or do something else if you cant be.  With all this you should know know what your cost of advertising will be, how much you can charge, and what your customer will be.  You then should be able to calculate if this will be profitable, and if you can assume your loans.  If not wait save thats what I did.  I when in to carpet cleaning owning the equipment, and spend heavily on advertising.   The key is not as much the advertising that will keep you in business but you repeat customers.  So they should be your big focus not as much getting new one's.  In the US most the big company's have small adds ie COIT, Stanly Steamers because they are at the point they don't have to let people know who they are, but they market heavily to there existing customers.

Paul it sounds by what you've been telling me that you have a pretty good lifestyle. Don't kid yourself I'm very much struggling financially now but I think I know where I'm heading and why.

You on the other hand are very obviously over the hump and don't have any big risks or worries on the plate. I envy you - that is what I am working towards.

Wow. Sounds like you can adapt to just about anything. A great quality.

My life has been monotonous in comparison. Started cleaning part time in high school. Quit school in grade 11, started working full time, worked my way to general manager, bought the cleaning company. Added truck mount carpet cleaning in 1995, started changing the focus from janitorial to cc'ing(one of the smartest moves I ever made). I have no siblings, so no one to fight with. My parents owned a corner grocery store/butcher shop. They wanted me to take it over when they retired, but of course kids don't want to do what their parents did. So here I am

You've had quite the life with some very interesting jobs and some tough breaks
I hope you do well in this business

I love building and repairing systems. I'm strong on hardware and not so strong on software

NCIX is usually cheaper than TD on most things. Isn't Supercom a supplier to retailers only? I thought my friend said he bought stuff from them.

Some I buy from TD, some from NCIX or ATIC(both out your way), some from a local guy whose prices are slightly higher, but he is a friend of mine. I usually find the brand and model that I want and shop for the best price. ATIC has some very competitive prices and NCIX has some very reasonable shipping rates