Starting a business, but no experience

[sam86ni]

Hello everyone. I am leaving the Royal Marines next year, and I am tantalizing on creating my own low risk business, with a professional business partner. I was going to go into I.T, but I think that working under someone for the rest of your life in a corporate environment isnt exactly living. I also want something were I can bring my dog in my van, instead of working 40 hours a week or more and never seeing her. I have a decent van and I am willing to put decent money into the business. I have no experience at all in this sector, but I am really keen to put in the hard work and make the business a success.

I live in Scotland at the moment, and I am willingly to move anywhere in Scotland where the business will thrive, just wondering if there is anyone that wants to team up when I leave my job, show me the ropes and we can have a successful professional service for our customers. I can even do weekends before I leave, to learn.

 

[laddergarder]

Where in Scotland are you from Sam?

 

[adamangler]

Ill be the first to say forget a partnership.

Its very simple, decide what you want to do then do it, do it alone, go through all the struggles and experiences and learn as you go along. By all means, research, read, read, read and plan the best you can but at the end of the day you just have to take the leap, be determined about what you want to achieve and just go for it 100%

good luck

 

[sam86ni]

Where in Scotland are you from Sam?

Hi, I am from Arbroath /emoticons/smile.png

 

[sam86ni]

Ill be the first to say forget a partnership.
Its very simple, decide what you want to do then do it, do it alone, go through all the struggles and experiences and learn as you go along. By all means, research, read, read, read and plan the best you can but at the end of the day you just have to take the leap, be determined about what you want to achieve and just go for it 100%

good luck

It is really good that this forum exists. What about the commercial side, or do big companies dominate that sector?

 

[sam86ni]

Welcome to The BWCA

There are courses such as this offered from training providers. I want to go in from day one and be professional and do a good job. Or even better, someone who could show me the ropes and I will work for free at weekends before I leave. I would make sure to go to a different location to start my own business afterwards.

 

[laddergarder]

Hi, I am from Arbroath /emoticons/smile.png

I am from Greenock. just wondering how far off you where. I agree with the previous post Sam, I wouldn't go down the partnership road. If its window cleaning you want to do, its not too complicated to start in this business. It can take a little time to establish a decent round, but not impossible. If you can work over the weekends now, start by practising with some trad gear.

You can buy and ladder and the basic tools for under £300. After that its just finding the work. Be aware you may need to get a licence from the council before you start. They are about £130 for three years where I am from, and plublic liability insurance for a sole trader should be about £150.

 

[Green Pro Clean Ltd]

Listen to @adamangler (this once) - forget partnerships. If you want to build something you're proud of why would you put your reputation in someone elses hands?

If you learnt anything in the about self discipline in the Marines then you wont fail.

You can build a sucessfull business any place as these types of business are built on reputation. We al have clients that stick to us for the quality of our reputation.

As for starting a business the first step is see if you need a licence (many areas of Scotland you need a licence now)

Next step call a small business accountant. Most do a free 30 minute consult and will advise you on all the basics.

As for courses take your pick and roll the dice.

As for learning to clean windows stop by anytime but you're buying the beers.

 

[sam86ni]

I am from Greenock. just wondering how far off you where. I agree with the previous post Sam, I wouldn't go down the partnership road. If its window cleaning you want to do, its not too complicated to start in this business. It can take a little time to establish a decent round, but not impossible. If you can work over the weekends now, start by practising with some trad gear.
You can buy and ladder and the basic tools for under £300. After that its just finding the work. Be aware you may need to get a licence from the council before you start. They are about £130 for three years where I am from, and plublic liability insurance for a sole trader should be about £150.

We are two hours away from each other. Seems like a lot to learn, marketing, professionalism and building up your customer base. I can see it being a happy job, because you are your own boss. How did you start out your own business?

 

[MikeNW]

You will get better info from much more knowledgeable people than me but... I started out clueless with £500 in the bank and only a few days a week to spare. 4 months on my round is worth 7k a year and growing every week. This time next year I will not be doing anything else. I'm still using my car and a trolley but it's going in the right direction. Read this forum, watch YouTube vids and do a good job. Had a partner in a different venture years ago - never again!

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[sam86ni]

Firstly mate. My thanks for your service. :thumbsup:
Secondly listen to @adamangler (this once) - forget partnerships. If you want to build something you're proud of why would you put your reputation in someone elses hands?

If you learnt anything in the about self discipline in the Marines then you wont fail.

You can build a sucessfull business any place as these types of business are built on reputation. We al have clients that stick to us for the quality of our reputation.

As for starting a business the first step is see if you need a licence (many areas of Scotland you need a licence now)

Next step call a small business accountant. Most do a free 30 minute consult and will advise you on all the basics.

As for courses take your pick and roll the dice.

As for learning to clean windows stop by anytime but you're buying the beers.

Thanks, I will definitely consider that offer. I have another year to go with my job. Planning a business model early and getting my own professional development started now. Your business looks very successful and professional. Can I ask what experience you had when you first started?

 

[sam86ni]

You will get better info from much more knowledgeable people than me but... I started out clueless with £500 in the bank and only a few days a week to spare. 4 months on my round is worth 7k a year and growing every week. This time next year I will not be doing anything else. I'm still using my car and a trolley but it's going in the right direction. Read this forum, watch YouTube vids and do a good job. Had a partner in a different venture years ago - never again!
Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

4 months earning 7k, that is amazing. I would be happy with 21k a year with a growing business. Congratulations. So educate yourself and make sure the customer is happy. Seems like business partners isnt a good thing for assured professionalism. Reputation is the key, and to ensure it, it is best to rely on yourself.

 

[Dave B]

Sod all the courses etc

Get on youtube

Get on here and have a trawl through old threads

Get out and do it

Remember the 6 p's and you can't go wrong in this game but you can learn all you need to know to get started off the net and pootube

Good luck bud

 

[adamangler]

If you are talking about a window cleaning business it can be as simple or as complicated as you want to make it ( I prefer complicated, simple is too easy)

Consider this

Simple version

1.Purchase ladders, trad gear and practice for a fee weeks

2. knock on doors, aquire customers tell them it's monthly and you will call back for cash on an evening.

3. clean windows them knock doors, repeat until you are full with work

The end. that's it, no marketing, no websites, logoed tops, sign writing, business cards, leaflets, vans, wfp gear, no add on services, no cleaner planner.

The complicated or "professional" version includes all of the above and will relieve you of thousands of pounds to essentially achieve the same thing.

I would choose complicated all day long.. funny eh

 

[sam86ni]

Thanks for the replies everyone. I will get to learning and take on all the advice. Will hover about around here and trawl through the threads. All the best with your businesses.

 

[High-tower]

This forum has covered just about every topic related to starting and running your own business... I personally would go with adamanglers simple version to begin with, minimal investment, and then develop the business to suit you. You might be perfectly happy working like that, and more than capable of making a good comfortable living too. you will learn so much about running the business and what you want from it. then you can start thinking about investing in reach and wash, or fancy marketing campaigns...

 

[laddergarder]

We are two hours away from each other. Seems like a lot to learn, marketing, professionalism and building up your customer base. I can see it being a happy job, because you are your own boss. How did you start out your own business?

I worked 32 hours a week stacking shelves early in the morning and late at night in a shop. After six years of working for the company, I wasn't being treated very well, and decided to start my window cleaning business. After doing both jobs for about a year in a half, working 12 hours a day, 6 days a week between the two. The shop (woolworths) went bust. Never looked back.

Having another income helped allot when I was just starting. But its not impossible to do it without one. If I spent the 32 hours I was working in the shop putting out flyers, I think I could have been earning a wage in a few months.

Sam if you are really serious and don't mind the two hour drive, I will happily make arrangements with you, and you can come down and spend a day with me out working. I couldn't have you work on any of my customers, but you can observe, and chat as I go, and I will give you what ever pointers I can. Let you see what your in for.

 

[sam86ni]

Thanks. I am definitely considering starting a business. I have another year left, I would definitely like someone to show me the ropes. Will contact you next year some time, can even pay you for the service.

 

[peter rogers]

@sam86ni If u want to learn u can work with me for a week and il put u up in accommodation etc. I'm in Belfast.

 

[sam86ni]

@sam86ni If u want to learn u can work with me for a week and il put u up in accommodation etc. I'm in Belfast.

Peter that is where I am from, raised in Newtownabbey /emoticons/smile.png

 

[peter rogers]

U fancy trip home pm me an u can work wit us for expwrience