Grandson loves to help, especially when he has the spray bottle and the cat is nearby
Liquid sunshine.
I’m excited because I was able to use my WFP on Nov. 28. It was only 12 windows but still refreshing. We had a couple of days with temps above freezing for a couple of hours so I timed the job right.
I realize that cleaning only 12 windows with a WFP doesn’t sound very efficient (16 minutes from the time I parked until starting the van) but for marketing purposes I like getting visibility for my equipment.
@HBM is experienced with a wfp.
The point is he’s in Alaska and very few days during the winter that you can use a Wfp.
You really don’t need practice once you “know” the technique…so…
But it great that you were being positive and nice and encouraging.
I am experienced with WFP but I am always trying to be more efficient: less footwork, quicker setup/loadup times, less wasted motion overall. Due to our limited WC season I push myself to constantly improve my efficiency.
Some of the coolest pictures are in this thread, thanks for sharing them Malcolm!
Did WC at the Chamber of Commerce two months ago. Two days ago while doing carpet cleaning there I was fortunate to get a pic with reflections.
Prep for a storefront at +20 F

Edit: I forgot to warm up my pole. when it wouldn’t extend I had to go nose-to-needles with a spruce tree that had the nerve to block a window
landscapers, like architects, don’t think about window cleaning in the future. At least you smelled good after!
Yogi had a good run in the surf today. I did a bit of running too when he wouldn’t come back after his usual hour on the beach.
I just finished hiring an 18 year old. My intent is to have him and possibly another employee do most/all of the janitorial work so that I can focus my worker bee hours on window cleaning and carpet cleaning from now until the end of the season, approximately early November.
One and done. Hired on Wednesday fired on Thursday.
The next week my next hire didn’t last two hours. Her tendinitis flared up.
The next day my third hire worked out. He is focused and has a good work ethic. Unfortunately he will go fishing in June but at least I will have a good worker for a while.
Malcolm at least that gives you a short time period to find and train his replacement.
Good luck.
Sea otters in the Small Boat Harbor. I was helping my friend check out a 20’ boat that he was considering buying.
Stars of ice clung to my van while making a long drive.
Edit: Sea anemone is the creature term I have been searching for.
Dude…if you don’t see the coolest stuff.
In response to posts that expect to have large gross revenues and steep increases in business in their first few years I have been looking at my first quarter grosses for the last few years.
After I bought the business I exceeded the initial projected first 1/4 gross in 2016 by 20%.
I exceeded the initial projected first 1/4 gross by 25% in 2017.
I exceeded the initial projected first 1/4 gross by 31% in 2018.
I have a steady growth of 5-6% for the first quarters of each year.
That rate of growth probably won’t propel me into becoming an internet business guru but it is a realistic portrayal of one small business that is surviving in a small town at the end of the road (my town is literally at the end of the only highway in Alaska). I realize that margin is more important than gross revenue but that is rarely discussed by the newcomers.