Janitor’S Guide: A Step by Step Guide to Starting and Operating Your Own Janitorial Business, Quick and Easy, in Six Steps.

© 2011 by Bruce W. Petersen. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without the written permission of the author.

First published by AuthorHouse 12/05/2011

ISBN: 978-1-4670-3831-7 (sc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-3830-0 (hc)

ISBN: 978-1-4670-3829-4 (ebk)

Library of Congress Control Number: 2011916959

Printed in the United States of America

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Contents

Acknowledgments

Preface

Chapter One

Owning a Business

Chapter Two

Why Self-Employment?

Chapter Three

Myths and Fears

Chapter Four

The Decision to Self-Employ

Chapter Five

Where Do I Look for Business?

Chapter Six

How Much Do I Charge?

Chapter Seven

How Can I Keep My Customers?

Chapter Eight

What to Do When… ?

Chapter Nine

Conclusion

Chapter Ten

Appendix

Supplement

Let’s Get Started

The Cleaning Industry

Is Franchising the Answer?

This book is dedicated to all the hardworking janitors who, over the years, have had to make great efforts to earn a living. Often it is a job that goes unnoticed, but it is one that needs to be completed. Being a janitor myself for over twenty years, I had to overcome many obstacles. I would fight with my inner feelings to obtain a measure of satisfaction from my work only to realize that it was a means to an end, a way to pay my bills. Now that I possess my own janitorial business and see that it was not all that difficult to do, I’ve decided to share my knowledge and experience with my fellow janitors. I hope this book will be a touchstone in your success as an accomplished business owner in the janitorial field.

HAVE FUN!

Acknowledgments

I wish to express my deepest thanks and love to my wife, Linda, who over the years has greatly encouraged me. She has aided me in my success.

Thank you, my love.

Preface

People’s hope for a secure future is diminishing at an alarming rate. Their faith in big business is lessening. People’s lives are in serious jeopardy when they discover that their jobs are threatened. Many are now becoming more aware that they cannot count on anyone but themselves.

This book was designed to reroute your thinking and to get you started on another path, one that will lead you to a more fulfilling life. We do not want to lessen our faith in humanity. I have written this book to show you how you can own your own business and be successful at it. Please take a look and enjoy the ride that may never end; a ride that will lead you to success and a new beginning in your venture for secure employment by being your own boss.

Bruce W. Petersen

Stay Focused.

Don’t Get Lost!

Chapter One

Owning a Business

"There are two times in a man’s life when he should not speculate: when he can’t afford it,

and when he can."

—Mark Twain

In conversation, the topic of owning your own business often throws up a red flag. You might think: corporation, big, overhead, employees, money. Undertaking a task like that is monumental. I am not talking about a big corporate business; I am speaking about a small, home-based janitorial service.

This is something that everyone has thought about at one time or another. The American dream, which many people attain, is owning a home, but the ultimate would be to