Category: Stories of Small Business Success

5 Tips for Starting A Successful Cleaning Business

Starting a cleaning business can generate a lot of money. It doesn’t matter whether you do it part-time or full-time. However, there are a few things that you need to do in order to start a successful cleaning business.

Create a Plan

Every successful business starts with a plan. Your business plan should be as detailed as possible. You should think about the goals that you want to accomplish. You should also write a vision for your business. Additionally, you should write down how many people you want to work for your company, the products that you want to have, and the market that you want to target.

Get Funding

Unless you are wealthy, you likely won’t be able to fund your business with your own money. There are several ways that you can get funding. You can get funding from a traditional bank. However, it is hard to get funding if you do not have excellent credit. They may also require that you be in business for at least one year.

It may be easier for you to get funding from a credit union. However, you have to be a member of the community or a certain organization. Credit unions are non-profit.

Additionally, you may want to crowdfund for your business. Websites like Gofundme make it easy for you to raise your funds. You can share your story and explain why you need the money.

Meet the Legal Requirements

You should speak with an attorney in order to ensure that you meet all of the legal requirements. You have to choose the right business structure. You also have to register your business name. Additionally, there may be zoning and licensing requirements that need to be met.

Attract the Clients

Your clients are what make your business a success. You can advertise online. Put up ads on Google. Promote your business on social media. You can also put up fliers around town. Some Redmond, OR carpet cleaners have a steady client base, and they give them incentives to refer their family members and friends.

Get Insurance

Because things can go wrong, you need to make sure that your business is insured. You need to have general liability insurance. General liability insurance will cover injuries that occur at your business. They can also cover you if someone happens to sue you. Keep in mind that there are many home and business owners that require you to present proof of insurance.

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Emergency Preparedness for Business

Businesses are often the most unprepared when it comes to emergencies. In a study conducted by Liberty Mutual, 73% of business owners reported no plan for responding to an emergency. If employees do not know what to do during a disaster, a company’s operations can be disrupted, or worse- its reputation can be undermined. On top of the resultant damage to public image, an emergency can result in significant financial liability, especially if it is not covered by insurance.

Whatever your business’s size and risk level, there are ways you can plan ahead for emergencies and ensure that they don’t become disasters:

1) Prepare a Business Emergency Plan and Training for Employees:
Businesses must have an emergency plan in place. A business emergency plan should outline the responsibilities of employees during an emergency, what supplies are needed, and where they can be found. The Electronic Emergency Plan Builder is a free online tool created by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that allows you to create a business emergency plan.
To ensure employees are familiar with the plan, hold regular training sessions where they can ask questions about the plan in detail.

Common questions might include:
-Who should come in during an emergency? Who should stay home if possible?
-What should we keep with us if we are evacuated?
-What should we do if there is a live shooter in the building?

2) Make Business Continuity Plans that Account for the Worst Case Scenario:
No business can expect to remain fully operational during an emergency. However, it is possible to ensure the disruption of work is minimized by planning ahead. Depending on the severity of the emergency, some businesses may carry on their usual operations remotely. Others might be forced to return to an alternate office temporarily or even evacuate entirely. The key is being aware of all possible outcomes and having a plan that accounts for each one.

3) Ensure Business Insurance is Updated to Cover Disaster-Related Damage:
Business insurance can also help protect against loss or damage that results from an emergency. Talk with your agent about updating your policy to include business interruption coverage, which offers money for lost income while you are closed due to an emergency. Make sure the policy covers any service that would be needed in case of emergency, such as a water extraction after a flood. Having a policy in place can soften the financial blow of an emergency and help keep your business running.

In conclusion, emergencies can happen at any time, and unpreparedness is not a viable option. Businesses that take the threat of an emergency seriously and prepare ahead will be better equipped to weather these events – preventing disasters from becoming catastrophes.

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