Member Profile: Dayna Perkins
Your Name: Dayna Perkins
Name of your business: Perks Preferred Cleaning Service
When did you open your business? January 2010
What services do you offer? Most of, what ever is needed
(with the exception of high outdoor windows, unless they open inward).
I do laundry, change linens, move outs/move in ready, basements, attics, the
works.
Why did you start the business? The independence, opportunity to grow, tired of making money for someone else. But I also like to clean other peoples homes.
How many people are in your company? Just me right now & friend periodic helps
What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? So far I haven't had any, good or bad.
What is the toughest part of running your business? The economy has slowed the progress. I was hoping to have the amount of accounts I have acquired so far about 6 months ago. But it is growing, slow but sure. Also there is still that twinge of fear of failure that creeps in when I think about the expense and responsibility of hiring.
What is the best part of running your business? The
satisfaction of the smile and appreciation I get when a new client is pleased
with the work I've done.
The independence of my own decision making, for what's best for me.
Is there anything that you would have done differently? In 2002 I started a cleaning biz & was in it for 5 years, juggling about 30 accounts with 2 girls helping. I started out as a typical uneducated starter, charged too little so I could get the account. Which made it impossible to afford insurance and proper employee expenses. Rather than restructuring what I had, and not having the knowledge to actually run a legitimate biz, I got out and went to my previous profession. I wish I'd never gotten out and figured out how to be more savvy and grow what I had. Now I'm starting out fresh again.
What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? Just acquiring new accounts and begin to bring on new help once I get busy enough to hire. At the moment I only have 15 accounts filling up 3 days a week.
Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? Ultimately I'd like to have at least 3 teams of 2, be able to do the office work, and not in the field as much. I will probably always want to do the first time in, because I really like that.
What advice could you give others and please don't hold back!
1) Study before you start up!!!!! I found this web site to be a huge advantage
before I started back up. (I let my membership laps until I built up to what I
have now so I'M BACK!)
2) Don't sell yourself short. If you do a good job and know it, you'll get the
reputation for that, and referrals will be your best advertisement. So charge
what the going rate is in your area. If you need to start out a LITTLE bit less
than what you want, do it and gradually raise your prices as you acquire new
accounts.
3) Buy a good vacuum cleaner! I use a Simplicity upright and love it. Don't let
the client talk you into using theirs.
4) Be prompt, organized and know what your product is so you can sell yourself
on the first meeting.
How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? Every aspect of it. I've downloaded forms, etc., used the forum & taken that advise and used it.
School - high school, college, technical school: High School diploma
What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? Optical lab management, restaurant work a long time ago.
Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? I was between jobs and helped a friend in her business. That's when I decided to try it on my own.
Website:
http://perkspreferred.vpweb.
Email Address: [email protected]
