Celebrating Dallas Maids’ 10^th year anniversary this month, I was thinking about how I got started. Starting a maid service was originally an idea I had for my girlfriend at the time and her friend. They were wondering what to do with their lives so I suggested a maid service.

Though it was not on a whim; it was an idea I KNEW would work because I had all the things within myself to make it succeed. A determination a year in the making. Here is how I arrived at the idea of starting a professional house cleaning service.

1) Focus on wanting to start a business

During the past year or so I REALLY wanted to do my own thing. It was a thought that was engraved in my subconscious, giving my mind a direction, a goal.

2) Write down all your ideas

One day I decided to write down every idea I could think of. Though this is not the end… over the next year ideas popped in my mind, I might be driving in my car or on the toilet, if an idea popped in my head I wrote it down immediately.

These ideas are the best because thoughts that “randomly” materialize are straight from the subconscious. You’ve given it a goal, now it’s working behind the scenes making numerous of calculations you would not normally be able to do consciously.

3) To find a good idea, have many ideas

After a year or so I had a long list of business ideas. I sat down and looked over them, picking a few that I felt had promise. Though the idea of a maid service appealed to me because I KNEW I would not fail. It’s this feeling you must have because if you know it won’t fail, it won’t.

As Henry Ford once said, “Whether you think you can or can’t, you’re right”. If one does not pop up immediately put the list down and take a look at it a few days later. If THE ONE appears, you will know. Though if it doesn’t, don’t worry, keep adding ideas over the weeks, months, until you find it.

4) Jump in 100%

When you find your idea, as I did, ACT! Quit your job and jump in 100% If you hold onto your current job you will have a crutch that will be too easy to fall back on. After you quit and take the plunge you will be forced to sink or swim… and you will find swimming easier than you had thought. You will not fail.

After my ex-girlfriend deciding not to start the cleaning business was the catalyst to get me to ACT because it was an idea I knew wouldn’t fail, an opportunity I could not pass up.

Succeeding With a Cleaning Business

This is how I succeeded with Dallas Maids. The method outlined here is a similar method I read in a book years (can’t recall the book) after I started. This method is successful because you are using your subconscious mind to do most of the work.

When you initially focused on the problem (such as finding a business idea) you are giving your subconscious mind a goal. So as you go about your daily cleaning business your subconscious works on the tedious details of making your goal happen while you enjoy your day. The solution that “spontaneously” “pops” in your mind is usually the correct one.

In summary, after a year you will have many ideas; to find THE idea, you need MANY ideas. The BEST idea surfaces in your thoughts, an idea you should FEEL it cannot fail. And there you go.

Then it’s only a matter of time, persistence, and fun for success.

I hope this helps aspiring business owners.

P.S. Check out What Set Us Apart, especially the “Note to the aspiring maid service entrepreneur” at the end.

P.S.S. A video we produced on how to start a house cleaning company:

P.S.S.S. You may also want to read a blog post on how to start a maid service:
 

The post How I Started a Cleaning Business appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.

Hello and welcome back to Dallas Maids! Today we’re giving you our tips on how to start a maid service. Every beginning is challenging. We’re here to help!

Today we are going to show some love for all of you up and coming cleaning industry tycoons. If you are thinking of starting a residential maid service or if you have launched one recently this video is for you! Here you will get business tips and trade secrets from Dallas Maids, the wildly successful, number one maid service in Dallas.  Ready to make some money? Let’s do it!

Tip #1: Think big or go home!

If your plan is to have a large, thriving cleaning service then you need to treat it that way from the beginning. Write an operations manual outlining company policies and procedures.

If you try to fly by the seat of your pants you could crash and burn once you start to expand. Put sustainable systems in place for your operation with your long term goal in mind.

Train you employees and enforce company policy from the get go.

Having a solid business structure will keep your business from imploding when your workload increases because the weakest part of your chain of operations is where the added pressure of more business can cause a breakdown.

If something doesn’t work, rethink it and try something else until you find what works for your company.

Tip #2: Surround yourself with good people

Have high standards and expectations when you choose someone to work for you. Look for honesty, loyalty, passion and principles. You want to form long term working relationships with the people on every level of your business.

This should include people that provide services like your attorney and your accountant. Treat your employees with dignity and respect; be fair because a good employee is worth more than a good customer.

Expect your customers to do the same, hold them to high standards of behavior as well and if you happen to run into a customer that treats your employees badly… fire that customer!

Your employees need to know that you care about their welfare; they will work harder and be loyal to you if you do this. Praise them for a job well done and they will provide consistently excellent service to you clients.

Tip #3: The 80/20 rule

You should know that 20% of your customers will provide you with 80% of your revenue, don’t take them for granted! Likewise 20% of your clients will cause 80% of your problems and you can give yourself permission to let those ones go.

Your service will be better for doing so. On the home front 20% of your employees are going to provide 80% of the value so make sure you take care of them and send them to your best top 20% customers.

Tip #4: Know your Customer

You might have hundreds of customers but each of them hopefully only has one maid service… yours! Find out everything you can about your customers, make notes in their record, they don’t want to feel like a number to you.

Customize their service and they will keep coming back for more. Tip #5: Reach out Form relationships with other cleaning businesses. The owners tend to be friendly and helpful! Take notes on what is working for them and implement it. Communicate. Exchange ideas. Help each other grow and become better businesses.

Tip #6: Stand Strong and Walk Tall

Don’t compromise your principles for anyone. Have integrity, your word should be golden so don’t give it lightly. Don’t cut corners. Lead your employees by example and they will follow you anywhere.

That’s it for this edition of Clean Freaks; hopefully you got some valuable insight on how to start a successful and profitable maid service! Congratulations and good luck on your new project from your friends here at Dallas Maids!

The post How to Start a Maid Service appeared first on Dallas Maids® | Maid Service & House Cleaning Services Voted #1 for a Reason.