Your responses and insights are very helpful-thanks to all who have responded! As you reflect on your careers, what are some things you would have done differently knowing what you now know/learned (e.g. concentrated more on residential vs. commercial; purchased a wfp sooner; offered some additional services but not others; spent more/less on maketing, etc.). I realize one often can’t know what they don’t know but in thinking about starting a service business when most my age are thinking about retirement in the next 3-5 years (that is not my desire) I want to go in with eyes wide open. Thanks again.
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Climbing ladders gets riskier as you age and begin to loose your sense of balance. Something to keep in mind.
Now THAT’S a really good question.
Where do begin?!
I would have taken a business management course at a local college. I would have spent lots of time with a mentor recommended by the SBA and absolutely would have built my credit. Dump the sole prop and went with whatever a CPA would tell me to make.
Never would’ve been so freaken gullible about things certain people say (I won’t expound because it ain’t worth rehashing)
Never would have hired some of the people I did.
Would have fired quicker than I did.
I would have been more humble instead of trying to be “that guy”.
I never would have been so open with how I got to where I was at any point with people who worked with me, or taught them certain aspects of things.
I would have listened to my freaken wife. Thats what it really comes down to. None of the above would have been there except the business management class, if I would’ve said “you know what? You are right. I’ll do that.”
Jeez. I hope she never reads this. I’ll never hear the end of it.
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I was 56 when I started my business, I’m 60 now. I plan on starting another WC/PW business later this year when I start snowbirding in Hawaii (I live in Alaska).
Employees are good to have when clients would prefer minimal disruption in their homes/businesses and when you are racing the weather. I have learned that recruiting employees pays off much more than open advertising. Good employees are retained with good pay, bonuses and benefits. Take care of your crew.
Experience: buy some basic gear, go clean some non-profits pro bono, then you will know if you like this work.
Looking back I wish I would have started PW sooner. Easy money and easy on the body.
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Thanks again to all for responding. @thorSG1, your frankness is greatly appreciated. You have a great website by the way with lots of impressive services and projects and have obviously built a solid business and team. I hear you on the universal truth “listen to wife” lesson - why does it take so long for us to learn (LOL)? Do any of your spouses work with you in the business and if so, in what roles?
@HBM, I’d be starting a little older than you are now. When I first started exploring WC as later in life business, I hadn’t thought about PW but reading on WCR it is a service a lot of you offer so I’ve been reading PWR site as well. Your PW comment is good food for thought as I hadn’t thought of it being less physically taxing on the body than WC. If you don’t mind sharing further, what % of your business is now PW vs. WC and do you see increasing PW as higher still?
Great suggestion too on getting some basic equipment and doing pro bono for some nonprofits to test it out - or as @DelirousDungo suggested, getting hired on by a company looking for more mature elder statesmen (being honest with them about the end goal of starting own business of course).
Again, thanks all for taking time to reply and sharing wisdom - greatly appreciated!
Why I don’t listen half the time is because of the crazy stuff she comes up with every now and then that make me second guess either her judgement or motives.
With me “wanna go see that star wars movie”
What she heard “oh I’m not getting any of that money you just got am I?”
THATS why. Their all nuts.
Thanks for the kudos on my site. Much appreciated. But solid? Meh…don’t know about that. Thanks tho.
started at 24 years old… ugh I’m getting old
Hey!!
I’m 35 years and my brother Tim, 41, was working with window cleaning services for the past 12 years. Now we are thinking of starting our own company as we can use his experience to our advantage. The company he worked before were professionals in this business. We are planning to split our work, as I’ll be taking care of the availability of the equipment and products, accounts and hiring workers, Tim will take care of the work front. We are planning to name it as Windows Cleaners, keeping it simple and sweet. All kinds of suggestions are welcomed.
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Dido to what @thorSG1 said. I started in 1982 am 62 now. Had to stop out in the field 4 years ago with knee replacements. I have 5 employees including myself both part and full time.
I got my first PW last fall so Ionly did 5 jobs. i expect to get quite a few more this season.
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I am 34, I started cleaning windows when I was 19 or so. I have worked for some guys who are in their late 50s or so… even currently 80s. I don’t see it as a young man’s game as you mentioned it-- I think if you can offer a quality service at a price that allows you to stay in business—age isn’t a concern.
One thing is for sure-- window cleaning is great exercise above anything else-- at ANY age. Keeps your mind fresh as well as your body. I am not sure if you are in FL (Looking at your username)-- but I will tell you Florida is a great place to have a window cleaning and/or pressure washing/roof cleaning business. There is plenty of glass to go around for everyone.
Sorry to hear that John. May I ask, do you feel that you had to have knee replacement because of working? Or, was it for another reason?
Yes because of climbing ladders
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