I have a guy who is interested in starting his own window cleaning business. Currently he is a full time teacher and does lawn care in the summer, but really wants to get out of it. Keep in mind he probably has everything it takes to run a business and perform the work other than zero experience in actually cleaning windows. I think he has enough lawn clients that he could convert to window clients to get a business going. I have no problem helping him out, there is plenty of work out there for the kind of money he wants to make, and I could send the jobs I don’t want his way.
The real question is, how do I train him while trying to focus on my business and current employees? I don’t really have enough work to bring another employee into the picture, so his number of hours would be limited. I can’t reasonably pay him more than the $18/hr I pay an 18 year old who has 4 years of experience. This might become an issue as to what I could offer to pay him just to learn how to clean windows. I don’t think it’s reasonable to expect I can send an 18 year old kid out to train a 40 something year old guy either. Just looking for some ideas . . .
If he wants to learn why would he expect to make a window cleaners salary. When he isn’t one yet ?
He is giving you labor for learning. I would consider that a squash. he us benefiting by learning from your knowledge I would consider that pay in itself
Not many people would do what your considering . Training a guy in there perspective working area . Very noble of you so he should take that into consideration
Consider it like him going back to college, he would pay for that. So coming to work for you when you have the time to train him would be his pay. I would also see how I could leverage this training as a tax benefit to you.
Ditto the other responses. He comes when he can, and learns from a pro for no pay. He could even pay you for the training, Skippers Window Cleaning School.
What would a WC company in your market pay a new hire with zero experience? Give that you are providing experience and sharing valuable knowledge that he will turn around and use in his own business, there would be no reason to pay him anything above and beyond the going rate for a new guy.
Everyone will enjoy this text conversation with my 18 year old employee Keegan about bringing this guy into the picture. Keep in mind he is a senior in high school.
Me: Do you know if you are going to be around to help me this summer?
Keegan: Yes, I will be until I head to college in August. I can start earlier this spring too because I’m out of class at 10 every morning.
Me: Ok that will work out good. Rob _____ is interested in helping us, guess he is tired of mowing lawns.
Keegan: Haha okay sounds good!
Me: Maybe, we’ll see.
Keegan: Haha agreed
Me: You have him as a teacher? Haha
Keggan: Ya and I coached with him haha. We probably won’t get a lot of work done because he’ll just talk the whole time.
Me: Hmmm, you, Juan and I don’t talk a lot and bringing someone along who talks a lot???
Keegan: That’s what is was thinking
Me: Like being followed around by a yapping, ankle biting, dog!?
So you guys have made some very very valid points I never thought of as a business owner. It took me 20 years to get where am at. So does it really make sense for me to train somebody to clean windows and then show them everything I learned on my own just so they can have the benefit of running their own business? Absolutely not. Anyone can go purchase a lawn mower and start mowing lawns. We all know that not just anyone can go purchase window cleaning supplies and start cleaning windows.
I think it’s great to share what you’ve learned, although I wouldn’t pay him anything. I wouldn’t charge him anything either. It would be nice to have an ally in town so if you need help you had someone available.
I got started by a friend. He told me I could come work with him and he would show me what to do, but he wouldn’t pay me. He bought me lunch when I worked with them. Then he kicked a little work my way to get the ball rolling, but he certainly never promised me any work.
If would have to be a very special situation for me to be willing to both train and pay someone.
