Starting a Window-Cleaning Business: Experience, Equipment, and Costs
For an enterprising entrepreneur looking to start a business, a window-washing business may be just the ticket. Industry Reports on the topic show the U.S. market revenue was $1.9 billion by 2021, and the market is expected to grow for the next several years. If you want to get in on this potentially lucrative business opportunity, here’s a guide on what it takes to get started! The Tools and the Talent One of the upsides to starting a window-cleaning business is the low entry requirements. A window-cleaning business is generally inexpensive and doesn’t require extensive specialized education. Of course, there will be startup expenses, and there are some skills you should have to be successful. Being self-motivated is important, especially as a business owner. Since window cleaning is a physical job, it’s important to have the physical stamina for the work if you plan on being in the field. Windows are often high up on a building, so being comfortable with heights, such as being on a ladder, is a must. Good customer service skills will serve you well, as you’ll be interacting directly with clients. Finally, while not a requirement, having experience in the home services industry is a plus. Once you are sure you’ve got the skills needed you should start to consider the required tools and materials. If you have a van or truck you can use already, you can start a window-cleaning business with just $1,000-$5,000 in equipment. A good starting kit includes the following: Squeegees Microfiber cloths and towels Extension poles T-bar and sleeve Scrapers Cleaning solution (regular dish soap can be used) Buckets Ladder Bidding and invoice system The Work and the Pay To make sure you apply with your best foot forward, you want your application to reflect your best qualities. Make sure your application is fully filled out with accurate and up-to-date details. To help you stand out among other applicants, consider some of the most desired qualities in a franchise: Capital – Franchisors want franchisees who can plan ahead, and one of the best ways to show this is by having capital built up so your location can make it through its first few months of business, even if you get off to a slow start. It also demonstrates you’re ready to make a substantial investment in the franchise and you’re in it for the long haul. Personality – Being able to sell a product or service is only part of the job of a franchisee. A franchisor wants franchisees who enjoy their work and are enthusiastic about providing services or products to their customers. Displaying a can-do, self-starting, motivated, ambitious attitude will make you the kind of person a franchisor wants to work with. Experience – A franchisor provides their franchisees with the training to understand the basics of their brand and business model. But overall business experience is a valuable quality for someone who wants to own a franchise location. If you can demonstrate you’ve handled customer relations, staff management, bookkeeping, and local marketing; you’ll present yourself as a seasoned businessperson who will be a good fit for the company. Skills – Finally, while training is provided, it’s helpful to demonstrate that you’ve already got skills that can be used to both establish your new business and guide its growth. Some skills are ones that aren’t taught, but acquired, like motivating employees, working with a team, knowing how to organize a business, and finding the most efficient way of doing things. Franchisors like to see applicants who come to them with some know-how in running a business and an eagerness to apply those life lessons they’ve picked up. Start Out Strong with Window Hero Opening and running a new business can be a difficult task, especially if you’re on your own. You can make some of it easier on yourself by joining a franchise like Window Hero. We’re a window and exterior cleaning franchise looking for eager, motivated new franchisees like you. We’ll provide you with training and marketing support. Find out more about franchising with Window Hero by applying today!
4 Franchise Qualifications That Make Your Application Look Good
Applying to join a franchise is a lot like submitting a resume for a job. You are applying to own and operate your own business under the larger umbrella of a franchisor. You should know what the franchise qualifications are so you can understand what you need to have in order to land the franchise deal you want. From Hello to Handshake The franchise application process is designed to determine if a franchise is right for you and if you’re right for them. The first step is, naturally, the initial contact. This is usually done by submitting an application form or questionnaire, which many franchises offer on their websites. You might also initially get in touch with a franchise at an expo or trade show. Following this, a Franchise Development Officer will reach out to you to offer more insight into what owning the franchise will entail and answer any questions you may have. After this conversation, , the next step is often a discovery day. This is when you and the franchisor will meet at the franchisor’s company headquarters to further discuss your interest and what their franchise’s goals, business model, and structure are like. This is also an opportunity for the franchisor to learn more about you. They should ask you about your personal goals, values, your interest in the products/services the franchise offers, and your business experience. At the end, once you and the franchisor know more about each other, you and the franchisor will decide whether you’re a good fit for one another. Once a franchise agreement has been signed, the franchisor will provide the necessary training for you to start your own franchise location. Along with training, you are provided with site selection assistance if you require a physical store to operate as well as assistance in choosing vendors for other needs such as vehicles and the supplies necessary to operate. Other support that franchisors provide franchisees includes administrative services, staff hiring assistance, and marketing services. 4 Sought-After Franchise Qualifications To make sure you apply with your best foot forward, you want your application to reflect your best qualities. Make sure your application is fully filled out with accurate and up-to-date details. To help you stand out among other applicants, consider some of the most desired qualities in a franchise: Capital – Franchisors want franchisees who can plan ahead, and one of the best ways to show this is by having capital built up so your location can make it through its first few months of business, even if you get off to a slow start. It also demonstrates you’re ready to make a substantial investment in the franchise and you’re in it for the long haul. Personality – Being able to sell a product or service is only part of the job of being a franchisee. A franchisor wants franchisees who enjoy their work and are enthusiastic about providing services or products to their customers. Displaying a can-do, self-starting, motivated, ambitious attitude will make you the kind of person a franchisor wants to work with. Experience – A franchisor provides their franchisees with the training to understand the basics of their brand and business model. But overall business experience is a valuable quality for someone who wants to own a franchise location. If you can demonstrate you’ve handled customer relations, staff management, bookkeeping, and local marketing; you’ll present yourself as a seasoned businessperson who will be a good fit for the company. Skills – Finally, while training is provided, it’s helpful to demonstrate that you’ve already got skills that can be used to both establish your new business and guide its growth. Some skills are ones that aren’t taught, but acquired, like motivating employees, working with a team, knowing how to organize a business, and finding the most efficient way of doing things. Franchisors like to see applicants who come to them with some know-how in running a business and an eagerness to apply those life lessons they’ve picked up. Submit Your Application to Window Hero If you’re an eager entrepreneur looking to not only generate revenue but provide a good customer experience through your role in a business you enjoy, then you have some of the most important qualifications we’re looking for at Window Hero! We’re an exterior cleaning franchise with a low cost of entry and multiple revenue streams. We’re looking for franchisees ready to learn, lead and grow their business. If Window Hero sounds like the right franchise for you, contact us to request franchise information today!
Owning a Business with Recurring Revenue: Why Home Services Are a Great Option
When starting a new business, ensuring a long-term income is a main priority. Even if a business starts out strong, it may not last; one 2021 study from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows 65% of small businesses don’t last to the 10-year mark, 45% close within five years, and 20% go out of businesses within two years. A new business is a venture you should plan ahead for, and one of the best ways to do that is with a recurring revenue model. What is Recurring Revenue? Recurring Revenue is a business model where the business’ revenue is predictable, stable, and ongoing. While a business can be prone to change, this business model is designed to maximize your business’ regular cash flow. A key to starting a business with recurring revenue is offering a continual services payment option. Recurring revenue business ideas are based on customers paying for a regularly provided service or product. Examples of these payment options include: Service retainers Subscriptions Hard contracts Online memberships The Benefits of Recurring Revenue Running a business with recurring revenue helps ensure you have a loyal customer base and makes growing your business less risky. Because your existing business has a steady cash flow, you can recoup growth expenses and any losses simply by waiting them out and rebuilding your financial reserves. It also makes it easier to manage your finances, predict future earnings, and scale your business. Industry Examples To make the recurring revenue model work, you need to work in an industry with continual business. A business with recurring revenue has to have a consistent demand for the products or services being provided, so one-time purchase concepts, like car dealerships, don’t fit the model. However, service businesses are well suited for it, especially if regular maintenance is the service. For example, while a car dealership might not fit a recurring business model, a vehicle repair and maintenance service offers something its customers are guaranteed to need at some point during their time owning a vehicle. Home services is a great industry for a business with a recurring revenue model. Anybody who’s owned or maintained a home or other property knows there’s a wide range of regular maintenance and repairs that are needed, both indoors and out. Cleaning services are a prime example. Homes are tough to keep clean inside and out, and some people would rather pay to have somebody scrub and vacuum their homes than have to do it themselves on a regular basis. This recurring need makes home services well suited for regular payments in return for regular visits and services. If home services isn’t your preferred industry, there are other options, including: Healthcare Fitness Telecommunications SaaS Start Cleaning Up Regularly with Window Hero If you’re interested in starting your own home service business, then Window Hero may be the right fit for you. We’re a window and exterior cleaning franchise that helps franchisees like you manage your cash flow and build revenue. We also provide coaching, marketing services, and employee recruitment assistance. If you’re interested in learning more and have questions about franchising with us, download our eBook today.
3 Advantages of Franchising: What to Know Before Starting a Business
Many industries are open to new talent, including those with the talent and the skill to start a business. Market experts predict various industries, including the exterior cleaning industry, are going to see renewed profits and growth. Now is a good time for enterprising entrepreneurs to jump in. But starting a business, in any economy, is a risky endeavor, especially if you try to start an independent business. As you consider starting a business, you would do well to investigate franchising to get all the advantages you can. Advantage 1: Training The relationship between a franchisor and a franchisee has several aspects to it. One of which is a teacher and a student. One of the earliest advantages of franchising you will experience is comprehensive training in your chosen industry. A good franchisor will provide you with all the instruction you need to get started, as well as ongoing training opportunities. Training not only ensures you receive the knowledge and skills needed to run your business but helps you realize your full potential and stay motivated. In franchising, there are two primary types of training: headquarters/home office training, and ongoing training. HQ/home office training usually occurs during your onboarding process as a franchisee. You’ll be invited to the main office to meet the key team member and learn about the company’s primary business model. You may also be given a tour of the facilities. You’ll go through on-site training at HQ where you’ll be familiarized with the day-to-day operation of your business, including any tools and/or systems used. This stage in your training will last about a week to make sure you’re comfortable running the business. Finally, ongoing training is provided to keep you up to date on the company’s latest practices and developments. This can come in the form of online workshops, in-person seminars, and monthly franchise network support calls. Ongoing training is also a service that you, as a franchisee, can offer your employees. This will keep your employees motivated and informed (much like yourself), as well as promote a good work environment. Advantage 2: Support Services Another advantage of franchising is reflected in a popular phrase used to describe franchising: “in business for yourself, but not by yourself.” As a franchisee, you’ll receive support from your franchisor, which may include the following: Marketing and Advertising Technology services Site selection & development assistance Research and development for new products and/or services Brand name use Administrative support If an independent business owner wants to get any of these services, they’ll either have to hire someone to handle them in-house or pay a third-party provider. Advantage 3: Proven Concepts and Business Models One of the biggest advantages of franchising is you can be assured the business model and concept you’re using has a record of success. If you’ve done your homework on your chosen franchise, then you can see from the history of the company how its franchisees have established profitable businesses providing the company’s products and/or services, utilizing the company’s business plan. The proven success of a franchise is also beneficial for financing. Opening a business requires capital, and that can mean taking out a loan. Banks and third-party financiers are more inclined to grant loans to franchises with good track records. Important Tips to Franchise Selection Training, ownership support, and the backing of a reputable business are three major advantages of franchising. One key element to all of them is making sure you sign on with a quality franchise. Not every company has what it takes to succeed in the long run, so before you agree to join a franchise, it’s important to know what you’re getting into beforehand. When selecting a franchise, be sure to investigate its business model and concept to determine if they have longevity. Some businesses are started to cash in on a trend or fad but don’t have a solid foundation of a reliably in-demand product or service. Others may have inexperienced founders who have not been in the industry long. You should also consider the demand for a franchise’s goods or services in the area where you want to open a location. Some franchises have regional appeal, and interest is not present elsewhere. Demand sometimes comes and goes with seasons as well, so be sure either you or the franchise has a business plan that takes off-seasons into consideration. Make sure to ask for a company’s franchise disclosure document (FDD) so you can review it to determine if the company’s business plan has staying power. If you’re not financially minded, it might be a good idea to have an accountant review the FDD with you for financial weaknesses. Finally, check a company’s background before signing on to make sure it doesn’t have a history of legal problems or regulation violations. A good franchise stays in compliance with industry regulations and abides by all local, state, and federal laws that apply. See Why Franchising with Window Hero is a Smart Choice Window Hero is a company that offers you the advantages of a franchise system, has a solid reputation and is affordable. We’re an exterior cleaning service company with over 16 years of experience in the industry. We are well-established in North Carolina and are seeking to grow. We are looking for motivated entrepreneurs, who may be asking themselves “why franchise?”. Window Hero has multiple service offerings, and we have a history of customer retention in a seasonal industry. We will provide you with operational training, marketing support, employee hiring assistance, financial guidance, and more. To learn more about Window Hero, use the link below and apply today. Request Franchise Info
