It is just one of the few jobs out there where it is just enjoyable to do. My worst day window cleaning is still far better than any other job I have had.
reminds me of that 80s movie “Loverboy” A pizza delivery kid who was referred to women, by women who would order a pizza with “everything on it”.
How would that translate to “cleaner” windows?
There is so many things that can be mentioned why I enjoyed window cleaning so much…Jobs well done, sitting back and looking at what you been doing all day and seeing a big difference, the self-employment angle, meeting new people, Freedom. They are all good, but the highlight of my short 5 year career came last week.
I was at my dad’s house rebuilding the motor in my wife’s car when my parents came home and told this story. They stopped at one of my customers place(storefront) and used his credit card. The clerk recognized the last name and asked if he was of any relations to me. The manager was standing there and told my dad how good I was at what I did. I always threat him fairly and go beyond what he considers a great job. My dad then told me how proud he was that I am doing something with my life.
To have my dad to admit that I was on the right path was huge. He had always wanted me to go after a high paying union job and follow in his footsteps. All my life I heard that if you not working a union job then you not doing too well. Not that I needed validation from him, but it sure does feel great.
Being 22 and paying for my college degree while building enough wealth to put away for a house. Helping my ageing parents live comfortable. Knowing ill have enough to send my brother and sister to college! But best of all, being there for family and friends. And yes, my customers i consider family and friends!
hey shnauzer, if i could like that multiple times i would. my favorite parts of the job are the freedom and working outside. but when my dad told me how proud he was of me, that meant more to me than almost anything that i can remember
All the nutballs iv’e met in the industry.
Made a few friends & learned a lot.
Looking forward to meeting some more ppl from the wc world @ Chris’s place this Aug.
For me, too, it’s the freedom to decide my own destiny.
I probably work harder than most who are in an employee situation, but it’s on my terms.
Funny how many of us care about that sort of thing.
I love the ups and downs of the business hustle, problem solving, and being my boss. As far as the actual window cleaning, i love that rewarding feeling when you transform filthy glass to a shine. And it truly is an art , a skill, a trade , not rocket science but deff takes skill!
The women, free drinks and VIP treatment.
Oh wait, thats my other career
It may just be me, but it seems the last 5 years or so, window cleaning has a new kind of respect. Anyone else thought this?
Having the ability to joke around with my guys all day on the work sites, we have a lot of fun and that is why owning my own window cleaning business is so enjoyable.
I enjoy my customers and the regulars that I have acquired are like friends when I show up on window day. They offer me coffee, breakfast, water, anything I need and engage me in friends conversation as I sparkle their windows the best that I can. A few of the women are so happy to see me that I get hugs when they open the door. Some of the husbands come out and grab my hand for a firm shake and express their appreciation for the quality that I put into my work. It makes my day to know that I am that appreciated! Then every so often I am given tips. I question myself on my prices, but get shut down when I raise them. So I do what works and if the occasional customer gives me more, then we are both winners as we are obviously both happy. Lately I work less hours for more pay then previous jobs I have had and it has taken me 4 years to get it that way. Window cleaning is rewarding, I enjoy it, I get to meet lots of people that I would never have otherwise, and many are famous that I have only read about. I LOVE MY JOB! Just being able to say that makes all the difference in the world.
I started out working for a competitor in my town. We’ll call him, Swimmer… yeah… that. Well the franchise owner of this “swimmer” was probably the biggest tool I’d ever met. He treated his employees like they were toilet paper for him to wipe and flush. He talked bad about them behind their backs, stole money out of their checks, forced them into unsafe situations, and then made fun of them. I worked my a$$ off trying to get respect and get a promotion. Then I realized that this way of behavior had to be put to an end from the outside. I opened my own thing and in 2 years have taken tens and tens of thousands of work away. Three weeks ago I hired a guy I went to high school with. He was fresh out of college with a marketing degree and wanted something in this town. Noone was hiring unless you had tons of experience, but I hired him, and enabled him and his wife and 4 mo. old daughter to stay here near family and not have to move to a bigger city. I also just hired a 19 year old kid for the summer with a great personality who is thrilled to work for me. He was unable to find any summer work elsewhere. Now he can save for college next semester.
For me the best thing about window cleaning is to be able to provide a few good jobs for a few good guys. And the added satisfaction that I am doing it by taking work away from the biggest A-hole I’ve ever met in my life is kind of icing on top of the cake.
Hands down, the customer praising
Makes my self worth swell.
Rick:
I started my business exactly the same way and I can tell you, you’re exactly the guy I became. We both learned after working for the “A-hole” that treating your employees with the utmost respect is one of the most valuable assets to our businesses. I probably pay my guys a lot more than most people in my line of work would, but as you know it really pays off in the end.
Very cool Ryan, yeah it’s nice that my family is taken care of, but unlike my former boss, now SO ARE OTHER families. Feels good.
Same basic business startup for me, except my boss was a decent guy that was getting screwed by the swimmy rules.
The Swimmers are going to catch on to the fact that they breed and train their own competitors. Too bad the no-compete they make you sign is as worthless as a hair on a dead dog’s backside.
Thats awesome…
The finished product, the praise from customers, being my own boss, working outside, and the income!! I couldnt name just one.
I would love to hear some more from you guys on what you really, really love about window cleaning… Great answers so far… There is no wrong answers its all about your personal preference and the things that make it easier for you to get out of bed in the morning.
