[MancillChicago]

Hello all,

My name is Mancill, I am 28 and live in Westmont Il with my wife and 2 young kids. In 2005 I started and owned a real estate renovation company for 2 years until the market went south.

Since then I've been looking into opportunities in business that would best suit my goals and dreams. After a couple years of research while holding down a fulltime job, I found Commercial cleaning as the best fit for me. It was a service business that required more techique than skill and more sales and customer service then inventory.

In a chance happening I was able to move from a sales rep at my current job, into a shift lead position in housekeeping. After 2 years of learning and actually improving some aspects of the department. I feel now is the perfect time to explore starting my own mid-sized cleaning company

I have maganged to save about $5000 to get things going. I plan to do the work myself with 1 or 2 PT employees until things can grow and I can become more admin than labor.

Ive ordered my website and sent off my incorporation papers. I would love to hear some words of encouragement or some advice from someone who has started their own business (cleaning or not) that I may not have considered.

Also if anyone locally can recommend an insurance company with good rates, a janitoral company that might sub out work to a newbie and maybe give an opinion if showing up at the door or phone cold calling works best in obtaining new clients?

Thank you in advance,
Mancill

[Clough]

Hi, Mancill!

I find it to be admirable that you're striking out on your own! Especially with the economy being the way that it is.

I have a number of small businesses that I run. Most of my new business comes from free ads that I've placed on the Internet.

If you're interested in how to do that, please let me know on this thread.

Thanks!

[HBF]

Hi Mancill,

It looks like you have all your ducks in a row, know what you want and how to achieve it, have the experience and have the money to do so!!

You are off to a great start!!

I wish you much success!!

[MancillChicago]

@HBF

Thank you for the encouragement.