How to Start an Office Cleaning Service
Here you are on the bus on the way to work. You work for an office cleaning company and you hate it. Oh, you love what you do for a living, you just can't stand the people you work for, the people that you work with or the time and neighborhood you work in. You and your husband have been tucking away money for a big rainy day. Ah, you can smell a storm coming.
- Learn the business. Until you actually are ready and able to step out and start a business on your own, remain with the housekeeping business that you work for. Learn everything. Ask the manager questions about record keeping. If you and your manager have a great relationship, tell her what you are considering doing. Ask her if you can help in any kind of way. If she asks you to come in on a day off, do it. Earn her trust so you can learn to be your own boss.
- Take a business management course. Learn the money aspect of running a business. Look up business management courses in a local college, university or online. Make the money; don't let the money make you, as the saying goes.
- Find potential clients. Attend in-person social networking events.
- Hang professional looking flyers and business cards on community boards in restaurants, apartment/condo buildings and supermarkets. Involve your family and friends by giving small fees for those who refer you to actual paying clients.
- Purchase equipment. To start off, get buckets, mops, brooms, dusters, gloves and cleaning products. Anything that can be used to get an office clean as a whistle, get it. When you become more established and financially solvent, look into investing in a buffer.
- Contact your local Department of Labor, Licensing, and Regulations about the licenses you might need. Don't even hang up the first flyer until all of your licensing needs are met. The same with insurance needs. Ask your agent about the best insurance for you to have for your business.