Small town operation 1st year in business

precisionpowerclean

precisionpowerclean

New member
I several areas I am looking for some direction in. I figured I would tell my story and listen to the input I recieve from you fine folks.

I have 20 years experience in pressure washing commercial, c-store, etc... properties. I have used cold and hot water units in the past. I have cleaned anything from flatwork to vinyl sided businesses.

This year I decided to go into business for myself. Our 2nd daughter arrived and my wife is staying home for a while. I am hoping to make enough pressure washing to help offset her lost income. I woud love to go full time at some point but want to build the business up in time. We live in a small farming community in Central Illinois population of 1,000. We are close to the state capitol of Springfield. Up until now I have solicited business from friends and local business owners. That has kept me busy until now. I am wanting to get into the Springfield area but I am not sure what would be the best bang for the buck as far as advertising. I would love to specialize in commercial properties or fleets etc... However with the limited population size and limited amount to businesses I believe it is in my best interest to offer all services due to the customer base limitations. As I write this I am running a 4000psi 4gpm cold water unit. I have had a wide array of work including fleet, residential, grain silos, gutters, etc.. Nothing so far that has required a hot water unit. As soon as I land a contract that requires it, I will purchase a hot water unit. So far I have had nothing but wonderful comments from customers and no complaints. I am a perfectionist but still remain profitable in my pricing.

Thats the bulk of my story. I guess my main questions are:

1. Does anyone operate in a small community like mine? Any good tips on working in a small community?

2. Any good ideas on the most cost effective way to break into a new and larger market?

Thank you all for any input you would share. I really love this business but am struggling finding work.
 
I would urge you to take a look at fleets, they are usually cleaned on weekends and sometimes in the evenings depending upon when they are sitting still. This would allow you to keep your day job and build the income rather quickly with fleets. I love flatwork and all but it takes time to compile a large income from flatwork unlike fleets. I would leave all marketing alone at this point and go directly to the horses mouth with fleets. See the Terminal Manager tuesday -thursday and just sell to them. Marketing in commercial is sketchy and hard to land work in a hurry from it.

take a few weekends and run over to springfield and see what you can come up with as far as fleet accounts go, call the TM directly and see what the interest it
 
"directly to the horses mouth" as Chris says. I would start compiling a list of the jobs you want and whos in charge of them and go after them - fax a bid, call, visit, demo ... good luck.
 
Thanks for the input, that is what i was going to make my next move. Guess i will be hitting the road and getting my name out there!!

I have a pretty good set up for my full time job. I usually work m-f from 5a-1p so that frees up a few hours in the afternoon for residental customers and overnight for any commercial jobs, and weekends are free for fleets.
 
precisionpowerclean said:
I several areas I am looking for some direction in. I figured I would tell my story and listen to the input I recieve from you fine folks.

I have 20 years experience in pressure washing commercial, c-store, etc... properties. I have used cold and hot water units in the past. I have cleaned anything from flatwork to vinyl sided businesses.

This year I decided to go into business for myself. Our 2nd daughter arrived and my wife is staying home for a while. I am hoping to make enough pressure washing to help offset her lost income. I woud love to go full time at some point but want to build the business up in time. We live in a small farming community in Central Illinois population of 1,000. We are close to the state capitol of Springfield. Up until now I have solicited business from friends and local business owners. That has kept me busy until now. I am wanting to get into the Springfield area but I am not sure what would be the best bang for the buck as far as advertising. I would love to specialize in commercial properties or fleets etc... However with the limited population size and limited amount to businesses I believe it is in my best interest to offer all services due to the customer base limitations. As I write this I am running a 4000psi 4gpm cold water unit. I have had a wide array of work including fleet, residential, grain silos, gutters, etc.. Nothing so far that has required a hot water unit. As soon as I land a contract that requires it, I will purchase a hot water unit. So far I have had nothing but wonderful comments from customers and no complaints. I am a perfectionist but still remain profitable in my pricing.

Thats the bulk of my story. I guess my main questions are:

1. Does anyone operate in a small community like mine? Any good tips on working in a small community?

2. Any good ideas on the most cost effective way to break into a new and larger market?

Thank you all for any input you would share. I really love this business but am struggling finding work.
Click to expand...

I live in a town of 5000. The key is to have a good reputation in town in whatever you say and do. Everyone is a referral. A good job the customer will tell 5 people and a bad job the customer will tell 10. You can't afford any bad jobs in a small community.

Mike
 
Good thread to bring back Ron.

Sales are down and I feel like I'm starting all over again.
 
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