Joining us today is Brian Winch, creator and founding father of Cleanlots – America’s Simplest Business.
Since 1981, Brian has built his side business right into a successful six-figure company that has operated for 40 years.
Key Statistics:
- Income: $53,000 per 30 days
- Founder: 1
- Employees: 1
- Subscriptions: 7
- Began: 1981
Meet Brian Winch
I’m Brian Winch, creator and founder Clean places – The best business in America. I grew my company from a straightforward side hustle in 1981 right into a six-figure business operating for over 40 years. I began with little money, no special skills and a highschool education.
My dad inspired me to begin an organization. He was a janitor who supplemented his income with several side gigs.
In the summertime he mowed the grass, within the winter he shoveled snow and cleaned up trash in front of the shopping mall near our house.
Once I was growing up, he would sometimes take me with him to assist him. I do not know if it helped much after I was younger, but I actually enjoyed the treats later!
I used to be about 12 or 13 years old when he asked me to accompany him to his car parking zone trash cleanup concert.
Within the morning before the companies opened, we walked around the skin property and cleaned up all of the trash from the sidewalks, car parking zone and surrounding landscape.
We used easy hand tools that made the job almost as easy as going for a walk.
It only took us a couple of minutes longer than it took to walk through the property. I could not consider he was being paid for this.
Once I was considering part-time work as a strategy to start my very own business, I remembered my dad’s job picking up trash.
I used to be 21 years old and dealing a dead-end job at a big sporting goods company. I will be the primary to confess that cleansing up trash is not glamorous.
But I actually enjoyed working outside within the early morning hours. I felt satisfied seeing the immediate results of my work and knowing that I had made a positive impact on the environment in my community. People’s garbage.
It all the time has been and all the time will probably be. Someone has to scrub up the mess, so I assumed, why not me? My dad unfortunately died unexpectedly on the age of 61, just as I used to be starting my profession.
What do you do to scrub up trash?
Trash cleanup is a year-round service that’s best done on foot before businesses open so that each one trash outside the property might be clearly seen and cleaned up.
We use unique hand tools that allow us to scrub more debris in less time than other tools. Our service is provided from a minimum of two or 3 days per week to 7 days per week, depending on the form of industrial investment.
No power equipment is required as this isn’t a sweeping service. We also replace garbage bags in all common area garbage bins situated on sidewalks near stores. Anyone can clean.
We go further by providing our clients with a free reporting service. They will probably be notified of any incidents of property damage, graffiti, burnt outdoor lighting or illegal storage. My business is home-based.
How did you switch your side hustle right into a six-figure business?
I intended to begin my business as a straightforward sole proprietorship for so long as possible.
The success forced me to rent more people to assist with the cleanup. I began receiving requests from my clients to take over more properties.
I made a decision the best strategy to take care of this problem can be to outsource the work to other small cleansing firms.
You would be surprised what number of cleansing contractors are searching for work. I consider they’re reliable and, most significantly, they understand that the work must all the time be done on time.
Each subcontractor must sign the contract I created before they begin working for me. It sets out their legal and repair obligations. This solution enabled development to be as big as anyone would really like.
What tools and equipment do you employ to scrub up trash?
All you really want is a garbage collection tool and a brush to brush the fabric into it. I like to recommend a selected one in my book that I even have used for over 40 years.
I suggest one other alternative that might be found at Home Depot. Through the use of these tools, my business model has proven to be largely successful.
I’ve seen many competitors struggle with grabbing tools where you grab one item at a time and small frying pans within the lobby. Either they are usually not thorough or they spend an excessive amount of time cleansing.
A reliable vehicle that may get you from one job site to a different is a must.
Methods to secure contracts with property management firms?
Finding prospects for what you are promoting is sort of easy. Search property management firms online and find the slight differences.
Once I even have an inventory of potential customers, I start calling them and asking who’s answerable for picking up trash off their property. You want to develop a brief elevator pitch.
Quickly introduce yourself, then describe one or two advantages your service can provide. Once you’ve the choice maker’s name and get in touch with information, send them an introductory email. You are not attempting to sell them anything.
Your goal is to acquire the address of 1 or two properties with the intention to estimate the price of your services. I cannot emphasize this enough; sell the advantages of your service. How will a possible client profit from my services?
Are you able to discuss the event of your organization during the last 40 years?
After determining the value (based on the estimated time) for the tour of the property, I send it by e-mail to the potential client.
In the event that they respond that my price is suitable, I send them a proper contract proposal. I never start constructing a brand new property until I receive a duplicate of my proposed contract.
Once I start providing services, I try to speak any problems and concerns with the client.
They will probably be grateful to listen to from you about any incidents of property damage, illegal storage or graffiti. That is an important strategy to develop a business relationship that builds trust and sometimes leads to more work from the identical client.
Once I began in 1981, there was no web. We had a Yellow Pages phone book. You possibly can seek for any form of company and it should more than likely be listed. Today you’ve to be where your potential customers are.
Start with a Google business profile and a LinkedIn company profile. It doesn’t cost you anything except a bit of time. What should come next is a straightforward website that uses relevant keywords.
You could possibly say that my company has grown organically during the last 40 years.
Due to the systems I even have introduced, it’s developing at a pace that suits me. I focused on providing exceptional customer support and was rewarded with many referrals.
I even have easy but very effective Google and LinkedIn profiles that drive traffic to my website. I’m not a seller.
I like what I do and may share how my services can profit my potential clients. I’m an introvert who likes to be a morning person and advantages from it.
Why did you choose to write down Cleanlots and offer free support?
I wrote Cleanlots – the simplest business in America as a strategy to share business opportunities with people who find themselves like me after I began.
Individuals with little money, no special skills and no highschool education, but who’ve passion, perseverance and patience, need such a likelihood. They more than likely couldn’t afford the high franchise fees, fixed royalties, or expensive coaching program.
I offer free support as a strategy to give back but in addition honor my dad. He can be happy with how I turned his easy garbage collection job right into a six-figure business that has been operating for over 40 years.
What’s your top tip for starting a low-cost, service-based business?
Deliver greater than you promise. Do something extra that can make you stand out in the shopper’s mind. It’s the perfect investment you may make.