Member Profile: Heather Birr
| Name | Heather Birr |
| Name of your business: | Maid to Shine of Montana |
| When did you open your business? | JULY 1, 2015 |
| What services do you offer? | Residential Cleaning |
| Why did you start the business? | Because I enjoy being able to help people. I bought the business from the previous owner who moved away. |
| How many people are in your company? | Myself, I had 5 at one point. |
| What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? | Getting clients, figuring out pricing, best marketing and employees. |
| What is the toughest part of running your business? | Having Employees. That has been the biggest struggle as I have heard every excuse and them telling me I need to pay more. So I paid on the percentage the girls were making $17 TO $20 an hour when I paid on the percentage still not good enough. As I have never had to deal with employees this has been a challenge. |
| What is the best part of running your business? | I love going into clients homes and providing a service. Being Self Employed, making my own decisions. |
| Is there anything that you would have done differently? | When I bought the business I would have asked for the actual records. I was already working for her as a sub so I had an idea of the money but I should of asked for all financials. |
| What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? | Pricing, name change, discounts, referral gifts, learning new stuff. |
| Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? |
In 2 years I would like to have 10 employees and myself being able to network and focus on marketing. In 5 years I would like to have 25 TO 30 employees and an office manager. And in 10 years I would like to have 60 TO 100 employees 3 different branches. |
| What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! | Don't be afraid to go out and own your own business. Have a support team (I do not, wish I did). If you don't plan, you plan to fail. Don't be afraid to ask for help. Get a business coach and take some manager classes. Don't cut corners as it does not look good for the business you are trying to grow. Have a quality control person. Employees will try to cut corners so have someone who does a check on the job. Check in with customers. Be honest don't hold back from employees or clients. Keep your word, be dependable, detailed oriented, and be a good listener. |
| How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? | I am not sure as I just signed up. Kind of excited to see how all this stuff can help my business |
| What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? | Concessions. I love the summer as I do wood fired pizza at events cooks in 90 seconds. Helped run my husbands tile business |
| Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? | Divorce |
| Email Address: | [email protected] |
