Although these days I mainly write informational articles like these and run an online business, for many years I ran a redbrick janitorial supply company. Some of the things I learned there made me think that maybe, just maybe, I’d made the wrong choice within the cleaning industry!

What made me think that? Well, my company supplied cleaning chemicals and equipment (it still does – I just don’t work there anymore!) to end-users and also to what, in the UK, are termed Contract Cleaners. These are firms who clean on a commercial and contractual basis for other businesses – hence the term Contract Cleaning.

Some of these companies specialise in heavy-duty, one-off cleans at industrial and catering sites. That’s a dirty, tough job. However, the ones I noticed who seemed to be making the money – and some of them made really serious money – were the ones who specialised in light office cleaning.

It took me a while to figure out why and, by this time, my own business was well established and I didn’t want to change it. Had I known the money to be made in cleaning offices a few years earlier, I would have put the wheel over and changed to cleaning services instead of supplies.

But that’s history. The thing I’d like to share with you in this article is WHY you should look at a cleaning business as your choice of employment. Here are a few reasons that might tempt you:

1. Low entry cost. You can start an office cleaning business with just a few hundred pounds or dollars plus a pickup truck, panel van or even an estate car. I’ve seen it done. Contrast this with starting up a janitorial supply business. In my experience I would say that if I started that type of business again – knowing what I know now – I’d want to have about £50K ($100K) in my pocket before I’d even consider it.

Why? One word – stock. OK, let’s make that two words – stock and premises. No, that doesn’t do it. Three words – stock, premises and transport. I think you might see where I’m going!

Yet I’ve seen many Contract Cleaning businesses start up with minimal equipment and succeed. Yes, some fail. In business this happens. But generally in the office cleaning industry those who work at it will succeed. That brings us to the next point.

2. Grow as slowly or as quickly as you like. This is one of the few types of business where a pretty good income can be had from the word go. If you’re happy with that, fine! Maybe you just want to work three or four days and spend the rest of your time on your leisure. On the other hand, I have seen these office cleaning businesses simply explode in terms of turnover for those that want it. One in particular that springs to mind went from zero turnover to just under £1M (about $1.9M) in SIX MONTHS.

If that doesn’t get your attention I don’t know what will! Now before you get too excited, that’s a turnover figure from a firm who was really trying hard. Profit margins are generally pretty good though, so although you might not be an overnight millionaire like some business ideas promise, you would be earning serious money at those sort of figures.

3. Swift transition into a management position. Sure, at the start you’ll be the one doing all the work. That’s the way things are – but office cleaning businesses have to employ workers to do the work. That leaves you – the boss – to manage the business. I have yet to see one successful owner of this kind of business get their hands (or anything else) dirty on a regular basis. Maybe sometimes you WILL have to do that – but the vast majority of the time you’ll be the one in the suit – out getting further contracts!

4. Good exit opportunities. It may seem strange to mention selling a cleaning business before you have even started one but consider this: most people never, ever think of the day when they may well want a change. Cleaning businesses with a good contracts portfolio and a healthy turnover to profit balance can literally be worth a fortune. Bigger outfits snap them up every day of the week. Could you see yourself retiring in ten years time? Or less? I’ve seen it done. Maybe you can do it too!

To conclude this short article I would point out that, although starting and running a cleaning business is pretty easy, only you will be able to make it work. It’s not an easy money option – but it’s a darned sight easier than many other business options I have seen. A last piece of advice. If you are serious about starting out down this road, go and work for a cleaning business for a while. Sure, it’s maybe not the greatest job you’ll ever have but consider it an investment for the future. Then go and set your own up!

Author: Steve Dempster
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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Every new entrepreneurs dreams to take his business to the Forbes 100 List but most of them fail to realize realistic goals. One of the largest contributing factors to this is a lack of startup capital or initial investment. Running your own business is expensive, something that is easy to miss-judge. For this reason, the Government offers free grants that are available to boost new business here in America.

So how can I get one of these small business grants? Simple, you need to search one of the many thousand offers available to find one that fits your needs and requirements. Some guidelines regarding that process as well as some tips on what to look for in a grant offer can be found online. Once you’ve found the offer that fits your company you then need to submit a business plan/grant application.

Some important things to keep in mind when applying to offers:

1. Presentation of the business plan -

The first important step is the presentation. Any small business grant distributor will be interested primarily in how you tend to use the money if they give it to you, and also how you plan on using the funds to make a profit. The difference between a bank loan and a federal grant is you don’t have to show them how you’ll repay it (grants are cash gifts), which means you should focus on the ultimate goal of your business rather than the small steps you plan on taking to generate revenue along the way.

2. The message conveyed in the business plan -

The business plan is the cornerstone of any grant application This plan give a clear idea of your goals and vision as well as a rough timetable for accomplishing these goals. The potential in your business is shown in your business plan and it is the plan itself, which increases the confidence that the grant distributers will have in you.

3. The Eligibility for small business grants sanction -

* Small business grants are readily extended to small business industries to help them grow, only if they have a potential.

* Small business grants bodies have their own objectives and give grants money to those satisfying them in the best possible manner.

* The location of the business is one big reason for sanction of small business grants. The government wants decentralization of industries in order to avoid migration toward cities. For example, you’d have an easier time securing a government small business grant if you planned on being headquartered in upstate New York rather than downtown New York City.

Author: Tom Conrad
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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This article is an extract from the Advanced Window Cleaning eBook. It will attempt to give the budding window cleaner a brief introduction to window cleaning based on experienced professional window cleaners.

You are about to embark on running your own business and being your own boss. You can be up and running within a week with very little capital or even experience. Business name:

Before you start your lucrative new business you’ve got to think of a good business name. You’ll need something you won’t hate a month later after your business cards, stationary, and advertisements are already printed! Been there got the t-shirt.

A lot of new business owners choose their name (i.e. John Smith Window Cleaning Services) which is absolutely fine. As long as it’s memorable and to the point.

Once you’ve chosen a name check with company house to find out if that name is still available at companies house. If it is available, make sure the domain name is also available too at a domain seller (I’ll explain why later).

If you’re based in the UK you’ll want the “.co.uk” as well as the “.com”. Whichever country you live in you’ll need the domain address that corresponds with your local area, i.e. Australia would be “.au”.

Once you’ve purchased your domain name it needs to be hosted.

What is hosting?

Once your website is completed the site must be placed on a web “Server” (a computer which is permanently connected to the Internet). This means that your site can be accessed anywhere around the world at any time.

My favourite company is 1&1, but feel free to use the company of your choice. You may even get hosting from 123 reg too!

There are several different factors that go into the decision making process when deciding on the right name for your business, and no one could ever tell you what’s right for you, that decision is yours only.

The name you eventually decide to use may impact other aspects of your business and your overall marketing plan. For example, where will you will be placed in alphabetical ad listings such as the yellow pages? Most prospective clients don’t call every listing in the book, just one, or two, maybe three, if comparing price quotes and services.

Registering Your Business with Mr Tax Man

Once you’ve found a name for your business and you’ve got the domain name registered it’s time to tell Mr Tax Man than you have now started a business. The reason why you do this straight away is the fact that there are a series of fines for not letting them know.

As a new business, you have the choice of being a sole trader, partnership or limited company. I’ll give you a brief example of the 3.

Sole Trader

Being a sole trader is the simplest and easiest way to get started in business. Once you have informed the government agencies of your intentions to go self-employed, you can start to trade right away (subject to any specific licenses or insurances you might require).

As a sole trader, you can quickly adapt to changes in your business with minimal bureaucratic changes required and you have complete control over your business and accounting affairs. However, a sole trader is also responsible for any liabilities should anything go wrong. This means that any debts that the business has can be seen as your own.

Partnership

A partnership is very similar to being a sole trader. This is the type of business entity in which partners share with each other the profits or losses of the business undertaking in which all have invested. Not only do both parties share the profits, they also share the liabilities too.

Limited Company

Aside from sole trader status, most small businesses set up as Limited Companies. The term ‘limited’ derives from the fact that the company’s finances are distinct from the personal finances of their owners (unlike the sole trader or partnership arrangement).

Shareholders in limited liability companies are not responsible for company debts, although if required, directors may be required to guarantee loans or credit granted to the company. In essence it is a separate entity.

At this point, I’d ask you to speak to an accountant (chapter 3) to see which direction is best for you. Everyone’s circumstances are different. For tax reasons I chose to be registered as “Limited Company”. This may or may not be the best course for you. I’ll let you decide!

Franchise

So what does a franchise give you? A franchise gives you an established name, cooperative marketing with other franchisees, bulk purchasing power, training and management expertise and much much more. There are some early advantages of buying a franchise rather than building your own business from scratch. They’re the types of advantages solo entrepreneurs might reap — if they’re lucky — after years of hard work in the trenches.

Naturally, franchising has its drawbacks, too. Agreements between franchisors and their franchisees can seem a little rigid, especially to eager, innovative self-starters who expect to grow their businesses as they see fit.

One of the other drawbacks is finance. Franchises can be very expensive to purchase ranging from 9,999 for a mama and papa type franchise to 250,000 (minimum) for a McDonald’s fast-food type franchise. Ouch!

Financing Your Business

If you don’t feel that confident venturing out on your own and want to choose either the Franchise or License model, there are few bodies and organisations you can try tapping for financing your new venture.

Listed below: -

Small Firm Loan Guarantee scheme

DTI Grant for Research and Development

Business Link Access to Finance service

Enterprise Grants

Prince’s Trust

Author: Joe Polanski-Smith
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
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