Member Profile: Denise Ballings
Your Name: Denise Ballings
Name of your business: Down 'n Dirty Cleaning, LLC
When did you open your business? April, 2010
What services do you offer? Currently, I am focusing on one type of niche: move in/move outs, probate properties, rental turnovers, evictions, window washing and minor handyman repairs, painting, etc. that comes with cleaning these types of properties. As I learn the business and evaluate my employees, I plan to branch out into residential and commercial as well, knowing I have team leaders that I can put my trust in.
Why did you start the business? After 30 years in the corporate world (insurance claims), I decided to retire....then I realized I don't know how to. Therefore, I sat down and evaluated my skills and passions. Next thing you know, I decided to open a cleaning business. I have a business management background, in addition to estimating knowledge, and believe it or not, I do love major projects where there is a definite difference in the before and after. I am excited about this career change and passionate about making it a successful venture.
How many people are in your company? 1 full-time (me right now), 2 part-time cleaning help and am utilizing day labor to help with trashouts.
What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? The good: Doors have opened for me in many aspects of setting up and starting this business. This has been a surprise and a confirmation that I am heading in the right direction. I am happy with my decision and have a peace about it, but I am also surprised that I am not afraid making such a big life change.
The bad: Family and friends think I'm crazy to give up the big salary, benefits and company car to...as they say... "clean toilets" for a living. Maybe I am a little crazy, but I'm happy and have a zest for life that I haven't had in a long time. Just between you and me....if all goes as planned, I won't even be cleaning my own toilet a year from now unless I just want to. :-)
What is the toughest part of running your business? The toughest part of running this business, so far, has been taking my time and not jumping into things too quickly. I feel it is important to focus on one niche and get it working well before expanding. It is also tough not knowing what I'm ignorant of...the questions I don't know to ask.
What is the best part of running your business? The best part of running my business is knowing it is MY business. There is a freedom that comes from being in charge of your work and your life. Doing a job well and knowing your name is on that job, brings a sense of pride and accomplishment. Another great benefit is the networking aspect. I have met (online and off) many wonderful people who are very generous in sharing their years of experience to help me.
Is there anything that you would have done differently? It is really too soon to tell....unless maybe starting this 15 years ago. :)
What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? Adding employees and expanding service offerings.
Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? In two years I should be reading this and wondering why I had the idea owning my own business would bring "freedom." I hope to be busy, profitable and well-known and respected in my community.
In five years, I want to be running a successful business instead of being actively involved in the service work itself. I hope to have supervisors that I can trust, a solid name in the industry and community and some time to help mentor others starting out.
In ten years, I hope to look back and feel good about all that has occurred in the past ten years. I hope that one of my children or possibly grandchildren shows interest in continuing the business. If not, I may consider selling the business and retiring.....nah! By then, I will have my own line of green cleaning products.
What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! It is way too soon for me to give any advice to anyone specific to this industry.
How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? Gain knowledge and insight, utilize the resources to help be more productive....and the best resource of all is being active in the forums to exchange information and network with each other. What a wonderful advantage we have starting a business today rather than years ago when there was no Internet.
School - high school, college, technical school: Some college courses, technical training, business management, etc.
Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? I reached a time in my life where if I wanted to take a chance and do something that I wanted to do rather than what others thought I should do, I'd better do it. I didn't want to wake up one day, realize it was too late, and wonder "what if?"
Website: http://www.downndirtycleaning.com
Email address: [email protected]
Your Social Network links (LinkedIn, Facebook, Twitter, etc): Facebook
