I’m going to assume that a lot of you got into window cleaning because it is a low start-up cost business with great income potential.
This is a lot of the reason I’m considering it.
However, what other business ventures did you consider, and why did you choose window cleaning instead?
I apologize if this is a bit off topic, but I’m hoping your answers will really help me.
Thanks!
Brad
I started in lawn care and landscaping. I switched for a couple reasons. First, I’m in Texas so the migrant labor drives down prices and I refuse to use illegals as employees. Secondly, lawn care guys are grouchy old guys who have no idea how to help without criticizing. They constantly nag and pick at each other, pointing out what the other guys are doing wrong instead of helping each other on forms. This seems to be a much more laid back, fun group of people and it’s something I want to be a part of.
Another reason, I love catching people off guard and calling them out on their assumptions. What better way then window washing? Everyone assumes it’s a no skill required, low paying, easy job. Little do they know…and I love pointing that out 
I operate a business doing commercial property cleanups and grounds maintenance (no lawn mowing). A property manager asked me to do all exterior windows in a strip mall. I researched techniques, equipment, etc and did the job. The job went great…and I actually had FUN!!!
I think my business may eventually move towards window cleaning as the primary service. I will keep my other services active because its year round work…good to have that income during the winter when window cleaning slows some.
I did a variety of things in my life. I chose wcing not just for the income potential but the flexible schedule. Being my own boss allows me to take time off if I have the need. It’s a great job!
WCing can be rough in the winter months, so it’s best to have add-on’s or something to fall back on. If you enjoy something - it usually shows in your work. The variable schedule allows you free time when you want it, but it’s also more profitable when you are spending time on the glass opposed to other jobs. I still find it hard to believe the fact that window cleaning is a fascination for many who have the bug - me included 
I was going to start a computer consulting company. I hate that industry now and could not bring myself to stay in it. I wanted something with NO stress or very little stress with low start up. I was going to start a lawn care company but then remembered when I was younger I saw a window cleaner hit an entire street i was working on. I thought “man that guy must really need the money if he is cleaning windows”. I went inside and asked my boss what he charged us for the store I worked in. He told me $10 bucks. I went outside counted the stores and realized the window cleaner made more money then I did lol.
For me it was the thought of working outside. Ran a Moblie Detailing biz in Florida for a while. Deffinetly hot! Got back into fixin cars for quite some time and hated being cooped up in a shop when the weather is nice. Window cleaning, get a sun tan, outdoors, my own boss, and I like what I do…The End:D
Started because it was the best paying job in the newspaper, Started my own because of the freedom (and the money).
It’s branched off into more than window cleaning, but every branch has continued to stay “low overhead”, to me staying debt free is freedom.
Now it freaks me out when I talk to friends that have restaurants etc., I see an empty restaurant and immediately think of all that money being spent just waiting for some customers to come in, to me that would stress me out seeing employees standing around, electricity, building rent and having to cover those things while making money sporadically.
I started out got to college for Electrical Engineering and doing w/cing before and after class for a company. I realized the earning poetential and not dealing with the corporate b.s.
I wanted to be a hands on dad and not one that was working late or out of town. By owning my own w/c company I was able to coach my kids in baseball, softball, soccer and basket ball. I was there for them. That is priceless. Then, I could adjust my work schedule how I wanted it to go. Schedule a vacation or just wanted a couple days off just because I wanted to make a run up to Sedona or Prescott for the day with the wife. Now that I’ve been in the biz for 21 years and making more income and have more free time than most of my friends. Then there is the “I love doing this” factor. The residential work is what fits me the best. I can take my time to do a great detailed job and get immeditate satisfaction and the customers are so thrilled for the work and seeing me clean up their home nest.
Yep, I’m a window cleaner and I love what I do and have fun doing it.
With window cleaning I was able to fulfill my dream of owning a business by spending about 500 bucks. I was super broke! In this field if you put in the time and effort you will be successful. You dont wait for customers, you go out and get them. I love the window cleaning business.(sometimes I wish I was the pool guy though, that looks easy!)
Same here. Got into window cleaning because of my dream of owning a business. and it produces just a effing great profits. and i like the day to day challenges that it offers.
I got into the window cleaning business through being one of the first solar film installers. The results depended greatly on how clean you got the glass before application. About four years into it, I was doing some solar film for the horse track in Hot Springs, Arkansas, And needed a different film. As it turned out, the only local supplier was Hot Springs Janitorial. I called his home and his wife told me that he was on the roof of one of the local hotels. I went their and he and his crew were doing bolson drops off of this 14 story building to clean the windows. He let me do a drop and I was hooked. I finished my film job and was working for him three days later. I worked with them for about five years before striking out on my own. If he is still alive. I thank Tom Hayes for introducing me to the business in 1976.
[B]The Glass Machine[/B]
[I]“because glass looks it’s best when you can’t see it”[/I]
I got into window cleaning because my father bought a wc business and i worked for him during my summers in college. After two degrees an no job or figurinmg out what i wanted to do i became a window cleaner full time and now i have inherited the business after my father passed this winter.
