Commercial Cleaning Company

A husband and wife team came to the SBDC in 1999 with an idea to start a commercial cleaning business. They had been cleaning the office building where the wife worked for about two years in order to supplement the family income. When her husband’s job was downsized, starting a business sounded like a good idea.

They were given counseling as to what step to take in order to properly set up their business; interviewed and contracted with an accountant and went about looking for contracts. Their first contract was with the TGI Friday’s organization. The scope of the contract meant that they would have to hire additional personnel. Again, they sought out the SBDC for advice as to how to proceed, as having the responsibility of employees was something that either of them did not fully understand.

The entrepreneurs signed up and successfully completed the SBDC’s NxLeveL Entrepreneurial training course. They commented that this course give them the knowledge they needed to grow their business and manage not only the day-to-day operations, put also plan and manage for the future.

From their start with a TGI Friday’s restaurant, they expanded their client base to include a Chili’s restaurant and seven Chick-Fil-A establishments. They held these contracts for two years and then decided to branch out into commercial office cleaning. Their desire was to keep their customer base small so that they could maintain better control and have time for a family life. Today, their business has expanded to seventeen customers and gross receipts in excess of $100,000.

On an annual basis these clients come to the SBDC for outside analysis and a discussion on future projects. They are an example of success having begun their venture with both of them in their late 40’s and with limited capital. They attribute their success both to having a good work ethic and having the opportunity to gain their practical business knowledge before the fact rather than afterwards. Additionally, they credit the advice provided, on an ongoing basis, by the SBDC.