6 Tips for Starting a Cleaning Business Franchise
Everyone has their own dream they're working toward in their career. Some people want to spend their days making art, while others prefer making sales. Regardless, one aspect is common to most of us: we want to be our own bosses.When you sit down and start to research how to start a business, it’s easy to get overwhelmed with all the information, costs, paperwork, and risk. A franchise, however, is the best of both worlds. You're a business owner but with far less work and far lower risk. Starting a cleaning business franchise gives you the empowerment of being a business owner with the support of a larger organization. If that's the route you've chosen, these tips can help you get off to a great start.
Tips for Starting a Cleaning Business Franchise
Without a doubt, a franchise is a more structured way to start a business. Still, there are ways to make it a better success from the beginning.
1. Choose Your Franchise Wisely
Not all cleaning franchises are created equal. Some are more affordable than others. Some provide great support to franchisees while others leave you on your own. You want to find a franchise that views its franchisees as partners rather than employees or income sources. In doing so, you’ll be able to find a franchise that values you, and more closely aligns with your professional goals.Keep in mind that the franchise's name will also apply to your new business. Choose a franchise that already has a strong reputation among its customers.Don't forget about the future as well. Does your franchise have specific rules for franchisees to follow? Do they hold their franchisees to a high standard? This will protect your business's future reputation.
2. Use Existing Resources
Starting a business can come with a huge price tag. Owners usually need to pay for marketing services, print expensive handouts and forms, purchase or lease an office space, and more. In many cases, new business owners need to hire a consultant to help them get on their feet.With a franchise, though, that work is already done for you. It's likely that your franchise has the steps in place to guide you along the process to ensure that you’re trained, informed, and ready to go. Many also have branded marketing pieces, strategic plans, and more.These resources and materials are among the greatest benefits of buying a franchise. Start by finding out what's available so you don't duplicate it.
3. Set a Budget From the Start
Like any business owner, a franchise owner needs to know how to manage a budget. This should be one of the first steps you take as you plan your new cleaning business.Set your budget for expenses like staffing, supplies, transportation, and more. Arrange them in ways that are easy to track and help you run more efficiently. Too many business owners go through the work of creating a budget only to disregard it because they don't track their expenses.Remember that your franchise may have helpful resources for this purpose. They're experts in your industry, so they have experience and insight on how much you should spend on various aspects of the business. Making use of what's available is a great way to make sure you're prepared.
4. Start Small
When you start your franchise, it’s easy to picture where you see yourself down the road—lots of customers, a sizeable staff, and of course, making money. Although those goals are achievable, it’s important that you start small. Some franchisees try to jump in head-first by acquiring a large number of accounts from their franchise right off the bat.If you take on more than you can handle, it will hurt you in the long run. You may be unable to stay on schedule, eventually upsetting your customers and losing the accounts. When that happens, your reputation takes a hit too.Instead, understand that your new business is a learning process for you. Start small and allow yourself and your employees to learn the ins and outs of the business. As you gain experience and confidence, you can add more accounts for a revenue boost.
5. Keep Your Focus
One of the most common mistakes business owners and franchise owners make is trying to be all things to all people. Even within the cleaning business, it's important to have a specialty.As you start out, stick to commercial cleaning. Some people assume that they'll make more money if they add residential cleaning as an option.The truth is that having a single specialty makes you better able to serve your customers. There's a reason most cleaning franchises choose one specialty alone. Trust your franchise's business model and become the go-to commercial cleaning company in your area.
6. Make Customer Service a Priority
Every franchise is unique. With most commercial cleaning franchises, though, you'll purchase your accounts from the franchise. This means that you don't need to pound the pavement to find new customers or take on a sales role.Still, you do have the responsibility of keeping those customers. From day one, make customer service a top priority. Communicate with your customers and check up on them on a regular basis to make sure they're happy with the services you are providing to them.Great customer service needs to involve everyone in your business too. As you hire employees, explain your expectations for the ways they should interact with customers.
Making Your Cleaning Franchise a Success
In many ways, a franchise is an easier business to start than an independent business. It's not a turnkey operation, though. There are still steps you need to take to make your cleaning business a success.The tips above are a great start. If you're ready to take the first step in your new career, contact our commercial cleaning franchise to learn how to start your own franchise.
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