Starting from Scratch

Greetings cleaners!  I imagine I will read a lot more than I post until I've accumulated a thimble full of wisdom to spread around.  I'm getting ready to start a one-man carpet cleaning business, and would appreciate any advice I might get.  Between now and my start time (about six weeks) I intend to:

1.  Acquire financing
2.  Take the CCT course
3.  Spend a week working with an established carpet cleaner
4.  Acquire equipment

I'd like to hit the ground running as soon as I have my equipment.  I realize that marketing will probably be the hard part.  My initial marketing plan is to join a local leads group and deliver flyers to my entire development, then knock on the doors adjacent to and across from my customers as I clean their houses.

I'm leaning toward a new Butler System, but I'll listen carefully to any dissenters.  Given my lack of experience and my need to focus on marketing, I want something that is very simple to use and appropriate for a one-man, one wand operation.  I'm planning on getting a new rig because I am unqualified to determine the value of a used one and I would prefer to learn maintenance for a while before I start to perform repairs. 

I've been going through old posts for hours.  I appreciate the knowledge base you guys have built up.

Dan

http://www.i-boards.com/ics/

I just checked. It looks like North Carolina has no Letip chapter. The two big ones I'm personally aware of are Letip International and BNI. They work more or less the same. You're right, they cost money, but a good chapter will make it a smart investment. I checked the BNI website, and it just says they're currently forming chapters in your area, whatever that means.

http://www.trianglebni.net/index.php?customernumber=2805294844844&pr=Chapters&=SID

You could check it out again. The more relaxed and less demanding the leads organization, the fewer leads it will generate for you. Our profession works very well for these organizations. At the very least join your local Chamber of Commerce.