How to Start, Operate, and Grow a Commercial Cleaning Business
If you're here, it's because you are unsure how to take your love or talent for cleaning to the next level. Don't worry, you've come to the right place. You are trying to start a business–that's amazing and scary!
How to Start
Starting is often the hardest part. Where do you begin? How do you get clients? Supplies?
First, find out where you are starting from. Categorize yourself. Is this a brand new venture–something you've been doing on the side, or are you taking over someone's business?
Choose a name and a mission statement. You will need your name for your LLC, website, contact, taxes, and much more. Your mission statement will help you understand your goal and direct your growth.
Here's an example of a cleaning business name and mission statement:
Name: Speedy Cleany
Mission Statement: “Making messes disappear”
This name and mission statement conveys something to your potential clients. Your cleaning service offers a valuable service that people want.
Once you have a name and a mission, you've set up the foundation of your business.
Finally, consider the services you can initially offer. This will dictate staffing, supplies, and more.
There are 5 sectors in commercial cleaning:
- Professional Office Building
- Medical
- Educational
- Manufacturing
- Retail
Starting out, focus on one area. You'll build a reputation and be able to fine-tune your operations before expanding.
How to Operate:
Now that you've got a name, mission, and client focus for your cleaning business, it's time to get to the nitty-gritty. How are you going to operate it? Below are some main areas that can be tricky or overlooked when it comes to operating a cleaning business.
Processes:
Create core processes and systems for tasks you will repeat. For example: hiring and onboarding staff, new client walkthroughs, and invoicing.
Team:
Don't do it alone. If you try to be CEO, HR, Sales, Marketing, Onboarding, Manager, and Cleaner you will burn out. Your team is a vital part of your business and is worth considerable thought and investment.
Training:
Create a training program for your new hires. Go beyond shadowing and teach them skills they can use to build themselves and your business. Investing in your team to be strong representatives. People should be proud of what they do.
A happy, loyal, and well-trained staff is key to a healthy operating business, saving you time, money, and stress by knowing your team is crushing it and your customers are thrilled.
Third-Party Resources:
Consider online resources to also be an extension of your team in areas that you may not be an expert in to help keep things running smoothly. Here are a few areas where resources are readily available:
Marketing:
Many small businesses forget that they need to be marketing themselves always. Even when business is good. Hire a third party to build and manage your website, send emails, and run social media and ads. These experts will help you to gain and retain clients keeping your business more profitable.
Product Sourcing:
Every cleaning company needs what? Cleaning products! Use a wholesale account, they even have green products available if you're starting a Green Cleaning Company.
How to Scale:
Now you have a commercial cleaning business and you are ready to scale. Businesses can often suffer from a growth mindset. They want to do everything as much as they can and fail due to being spread too thin. Do a “wellness check” on your business. Are clients happy? Is money consistent? Staff growing?
When scaling, choose one service or sector you are going to add at a time. Reach out to current or past clients asking if there is a service they would like you to offer that you don't currently have, or why you lost their business.
Perhaps there is a current cleaning company for sale, or going out of business and there's a new market available for you.
Once you've decided that your company is ready to scale, you'll need to make a plan.
Make a plan:
You will need to make a revised version of the plan you made to start your business. Review the same questions, possibilities, and resources needed.
Work with your marketing team to announce your new service. Follow up with the clients who have requested it and get testimonials for your website.
Starting a Cleaning Business? Start with The Janitorial Store
Launching your commercial cleaning company is an exciting new challenge. Don't overthink or overextend yourself. Make a plan and stick to it. Utilize the resources available to you. Starting with this strategy and these resources you will be able to START, OPERATE and SCALE your commercial cleaning business successfully.
For more guidance on starting, operating, and scaling your business, contact The Janitorial Store today.
