Thanks to the pandemic, the economy has suffered in many ways. A lot of people lost their jobs and businesses and are now having a hard time coming back and finding work. Some people don’t want to work because they don’t feel like working for corporations and companies that work them to the bone for a tiny paycheck that barely pays the bills. People also don’t want to work for companies that simply do not care for them.
But if you are a mom looking for ways to help provide for your family and have an income, what can you do in this current situation? One option you can look into is being your own boss by creating a small business.
If you’re here looking for guidance on starting a cleaning business, the tips below just might help!
Do Your Research
One of the easiest ways to fail in business is not doing enough research. A lack of research can lead to a ton of problems that, when compounded, can lead you down a path you don’t want to go.
It’s essential to do a feasibility study since this is important to growing your business. In fact, a feasibility study is vital to your decision to start the company at all. If your research finds that the likelihood of the business being profitable is low, you may want to adjust your plans.
It’s also important to do your market research. Here are a few things you can look at:
- Decide who your target market is and whether they are present or abundant in your chosen location(s)
- Check whether the industry has too much competition for you to grow
- Check who your competition is and what they are doing so you can differentiate yourself
- Figure out your price points
You can also think of the pros and cons and ask for advice or opinions from people you trust. It may also be good to ask other people, just to get varying opinions. And, of course, listen to advice, whether it is positive or negative!
Create a Simple Business Plan
Having no plan for anything can lead to disaster. You certainly want to have some sort of plan before you go in all gung-ho on a business. Creating a simple business plan can help you tremendously as you establish your company. Write down your business goals, personal goals, financial projections, and actionable steps you can take along your way to an upwards trajectory.
Get All Your Ducks in a Row Before You Begin
One of the worst things you can do is to start your business without all of the essentials. Every business has its vital components, so in a cleaning business, you may want to look into things like the below:
- Set your price. Remember to be competitive without undercharging!
- Get business cards printed out so you can hand them out at every chance you get. You can even hand out multiple to previous clients to allow them to spread the word.
- Acquire all the equipment you need.
- Hire employees, if any.
- Set up your online presence by at least having some social media pages. You can even create a website easily and affordably.
You may not need to do this if you’re starting small, but register your business if you’re ready to commit. Additionally, you may want to consider cleaning business insurance to protect yourself in case anything unexpected happens.
Start Marketing — Find Your First Clients!
Word of mouth is most likely how you’ll find clients when you’re just starting out. However, social media is also an excellent way to get started! Start getting the word out so you can find those first few gigs to put you on the map.
You can also start marketing online through your website or blog. You can run ads online, although this may be more difficult to do and might require hiring someone to help you out. You can also create flyers that you can hand out.
Maintain the Business
Starting your business is a big hurdle to overcome, but once you’ve established it, it’s time to keep it running. Learn how to do the books, update your website and social media frequently, continue advertising and marketing, upgrade your equipment, and hire employees if your growth supports it!
Wrapping Up: Final Tips
Before starting any business, it’s essential to prepare yourself mentally. Ensure that your family is taken care of and you have childcare options available since starting your cleaning company will take up your time! Make sure that you still have time for yourself and be flexible enough to accept the unexpected. Most of all, make sure you have insurance to protect yourself and your business, and just keep working to grow!