Need Help / Ideas

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   Hello, my name is Kevin and I am trying to start a credible CC business the right way. I had carpet cleaned for about 2 years when I was in high school with a guy who owned a CC biz that used portable Ninjas. That was 12 years ago. Since then I have been in furniture retail management and running 10-15 mill. dollar showrooms etc. I have been burnt out and decided that I was tired of working for someone else and them dictating everything along with no time for the fam. I currently manage a furniture store while getting this up and running.
    I will let you know where I am at in my biz now...Please help me to get to the next level! I have purchased a Prochem Blazer Plus with 700 hours ($2,500) runs like a top and I had it serviced by the dealer. 300 ft of hose and solution line. 500 psi Ninja with heat ($1,000) few hours, works perfect and looks new. 2 carpet cleaning stair tools, 6 month supply of multiple chemicals, matrix spotting kit, carpet stretcher, carpet kicker, tack strip, 15 gallons of scotch guard, 700 bottles of spotting cleaner to hand out to customers with my logo, furniture protectors, booties to hand out, etc. Professional invoice slips, a website, a really nice full page color flier 5,000 qty., shirts, 2004 Chevy Panel Van logo'd out, low miles ($4500), 2009 10x6 ft trailer logo'd out with ramp door ( $1,800) I have the Prochem in it to keep the van clean and seems to make it nice. I have about $15,000 invested in everything....I paid cash for it all. Pieced it together while searching on line for all the great deals etc. I will get a better truck mount later. But, if serviced, this should last a couple of years. 

My question is this...How do I go about getting commercial accounts? I feel comfortable with residential...no problem. I will run a half page ad in the newspaper if I have to. I am pretty good with the marketing side to residential. But, trying to get in to meet people that matter at business's is tuff. I have tried working with cleaning companies to contract their carpet cleaning...but both companies just gave s**t work at low cost...I quit them. It is not worth cleaning a dingy restaurant for $300 bucks or a crappy apt. for 50-70. So please recommend how to get contracts, who should I be looking for? How do I get into hotels? Restaurants, retail stores, etc? 

I absolutely appreciate all your help...any suggestions on equipment...please let me know!

THANK-YOU!

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Makin Money Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23/August/2009 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Makin Money Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Topic: Need Help / Ideas Posted: 30/May/2010 at 9:04pm
	Hello, my name is Kevin and I am trying to start a credible CC business the right way. I had carpet cleaned for about 2 years when I was in high school with a guy who owned a CC biz that used portable Ninjas. That was 12 years ago. Since then I have been in furniture retail management and running 10-15 mill. dollar showrooms etc. I have been burnt out and decided that I was tired of working for someone else and them dictating everything along with no time for the fam. I currently manage a furniture store while getting this up and running. I will let you know where I am at in my biz now...Please help me to get to the next level! I have purchased a Prochem Blazer Plus with 700 hours ($2,500) runs like a top and I had it serviced by the dealer. 300 ft of hose and solution line. 500 psi Ninja with heat ($1,000) few hours, works perfect and looks new. 2 carpet cleaning stair tools, 6 month supply of multiple chemicals, matrix spotting kit, carpet stretcher, carpet kicker, tack strip, 15 gallons of scotch guard, 700 bottles of spotting cleaner to hand out to customers with my logo, furniture protectors, booties to hand out, etc. Professional invoice slips, a website, a really nice full page color flier 5,000 qty., shirts, 2004 Chevy Panel Van logo'd out, low miles ($4500), 2009 10x6 ft trailer logo'd out with ramp door ( $1,800) I have the Prochem in it to keep the van clean and seems to make it nice. I have about $15,000 invested in everything....I paid cash for it all. Pieced it together while searching on line for all the great deals etc. I will get a better truck mount later. But, if serviced, this should last a couple of years. My question is this...How do I go about getting commercial accounts? I feel comfortable with residential...no problem. I will run a half page ad in the newspaper if I have to. I am pretty good with the marketing side to residential. But, trying to get in to meet people that matter at business's is tuff. I have tried working with cleaning companies to contract their carpet cleaning...but both companies just gave s**t work at low cost...I quit them. It is not worth cleaning a dingy restaurant for $300 bucks or a crappy apt. for 50-70. So please recommend how to get contracts, who should I be looking for? How do I get into hotels? Restaurants, retail stores, etc? I absolutely appreciate all your help...any suggestions on equipment...please let me know! THANK-YOU!

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Makin Money Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23/August/2009 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Makin Money Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30/May/2010 at 9:07pm
	Again....Thank you to all who reply. I truly appreciate your help!

CarpetproKC Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Groupie Joined: 29/August/2009 Location: Kansas City, MO Status: Offline Points: 80	Post Options Post Reply Quote CarpetproKC Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 30/May/2010 at 11:29pm
	Hi there, Message me and I will give you some good advice.

Soil Lint Green Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Carpet Cleaning Specialist Joined: 30/December/2007 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Soil Lint Green Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31/May/2010 at 1:34am
	Plan on adding to the market by using marketing, not take from the market as a leech. I sure hope you understand marketing and can sell. Chimps can clean carpets. Plan on up to 18 months operating capital including your pay. 95% of all businesses fail within the first 3 years, largely due to under capitalization. For the rest, the failure is a matter of a serious lack of entrepreneurial skills meaning all the money in the world won't fix what ails them. So, unless you have the necessary business skills and money or somebody gave you magic beans for the cow your mom wanted you to take to market, get a job.
	It's ORY GUN, not OR A GONE. Learn to talk.

Makin Money Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23/August/2009 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Makin Money Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31/May/2010 at 8:04am
	Dont worry about me leaching on the market! I understand the importance of Branding and marketing. I have some money saved up, thats why I have not quit my day job! Once, I get commercial accounts...then I plan on quitting. I am taking it slowly. My days of during the week have been booked with appts. for carpet cleaning. I am going to make a nice cover letter, along with a flip open brochure and a few gift cert's to drop into realtors mailboxes, etc. Please keep the thoughts coming. I want to be succesfull!

Soil Lint Green Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Carpet Cleaning Specialist Joined: 30/December/2007 Location: Oregon Status: Offline Points: 551	Post Options Post Reply Quote Soil Lint Green Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31/May/2010 at 5:34pm
	When are you going to show these businesses that you are serious by going out and visiting them or does you day job interfere with your plans? Since these type A real estate agents get enough junk in their mailboxes are are at best interested in title companies and lenders, how well do you think you will stand up with the barrage of other janitorial services begging for business? Have you given thought to a donut shop franchise?
	It's ORY GUN, not OR A GONE. Learn to talk.

Makin Money Members Profile Send Private Message Find Members Posts Add to Buddy List Newbie Joined: 23/August/2009 Location: North Carolina Status: Offline Points: 11	Post Options Post Reply Quote Makin Money Report Post Thanks(0) Quote Reply Posted: 31/May/2010 at 10:45pm
	Nah...no donut shops. The idea of realtors has actually proven to be good. I have been averaging about 5 calls a month over the past 3 months between 3 realtors. I also stretch and repair carpet which is a BIG PLUS! Gets me in the door...I have been averaging 3-400 per ticket. Sometimes higher. Just depends. Shoot me on what to know about getting commercial accounts. Cold call? Don't think that would be best. Going to each location would be pretty time consuming and costly. Mail each purchasing manager or property manager a cover letter, etc? Let me know...I will try just about anything...I do not mind selling. I manage a showroom that sells 1.5 million dollars worth of furniture a month. I can bullsh*t the panties off a nun, I understand why the Indian is riding a buffalo on the nickel, I can sell sealant on a roofing shingle to a builder, I can save you a penny and ask for half of it, and so on and so on. Just want the wisdom that all the pro's have. Obviously...the best for me is trial and error. But, if I can save time...I'm all for it! Thanks Soil Lint Clean and to the others

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