So you've decided you're ready to take the plunge and start your 
own janitorial cleaning business.  You can succeed and have a 
profitable cleaning business if you take the time to plan out 
your business strategy before signing that first client. 

The first step is to prepare a business plan.  This does not have 
to be a long document, but should be fairly comprehensive and 
address the following points:

* The company name, address, phone number, owners/corporate 
  officers and statement of purpose.

* Description of the business, products and services you intend 
  to sell.

* The legal structure, business management, employees, support 
  personnel, insurance and financial considerations.

* A look at your competition and your marketing plan.

* A three to five year financial plan with documentation 
  including a cash flow worksheet, balance sheet, and income 
  statement.

* Put together a support team including an accountant, attorney 
  and insurance agent.  If you are not comfortable doing bookwork 
  and administrative tasks you might want to also look for a 
  part-time bookkeeper or virtual assistant who can help with 
  these duties.


Other start up tasks include:

* After deciding on your business name do a trademark search and 
  assumed name search to make sure the name is available. Most 
  states have web sites that allow you to do an online search.

* Decide if you are going to work out of your home or lease 
  office space.

* Apply for any necessary licenses, get your federal tax ID and 
  file assumed name. 

* Contact your local small business center and get a copy of your 
  state's small business start up guide.  Each state has their 
  own individual requirements and will have fact sheets or 
  guidebooks that will indicate if there are specific licenses,
  permits or forms you need to file before starting your 
  business.

* Open bank accounts in the business name.

* Obtain the appropriate insurances.

* If necessary, secure financing. 

* Set up a system for accounting and payroll.

* Obtain business tools, computer, fax machine, and office 
  supplies.

* Purchase cleaning equipment and supplies.

* Obtain a logo. 

* Order or create your business stationary - business cards, 
  letterhead and brochures.

* Have signage created.

* Create an operations and employee manual.

* Hire employees.

* Set a start date.

* Send out press releases.

* Join trade associations, the local chamber of commerce and 
  local networking groups.

* Check on domain names and develop a website.


Begin marketing your business.  Your business plan includes a 
marketing plan so use this as your guide.  Your initial marketing 
may include direct mail pieces, ads in the local paper or radio, 
and perhaps a banner ad on a complimentary website.  Think about 
developing alliances with other local businesses.  Make sure that 
everyone you know realizes that you have a new business.  Send 
out postcards or letters announcing your new business to friends, 
family and business acquaintances. 

Have realistic goals for the first year of your business.  Do not 
expect that clients will come knocking at your door.  You have to 
convince prospective clients that you provide the services they 
need at an acceptable price.  Once you have a few clients on 
board, get testimonials from them that you can use to convince 
other prospective clients that they need your services.

Starting your own cleaning business is a path you must be patient 
with, but can be extremely rewarding and profitable.  Taking the 
time to plan, organize and understand your competition will help 
you to become aware of how your cleaning business can best serve 
the needs of businesses in the area.   Taking the time to do 
things right before getting the first client on board will help 
to make sure your business is successful.
 

Steve Hanson is co-founding member of The Janitorial Store (TM), 
an online community for owners and managers of cleaning 
companies who want to build a more profitable and successful 
cleaning business. Sign up for Trash Talk: Tip of the Week at 
http://www.TheJanitorialStore.com and receive a Free Gift! Read 
cleaning success stories from owners of cleaning companies at 
http://www.cleaning-success.com/ .