Member Profile: Larado Bulkley
Your Name: Larado Bulkley
Name of your business: Advantage Cleaning Services Inc
When did you open your business? July 2008
What services do you offer? Maid Services, Janitorial Services, Carpet Cleaning, Window Cleaning, Air-Duct Cleaning, Upholstery Cleaning, Post Construction Cleaning
Why did you start the business? We started the business on a bet. I bet my wife that she could pick any business she was interested in and it would be profitable the first year. It was the best bet I ever won. Looking back, I realize the size of my ego didn't match my skill set. I guess its the entrepreneur in me. LOL
How many people are in your company? 9
What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? The biggest surprise has been the incredible amount of regulations and laws we have had to learn. Had we known then what we know now, we may have hesitated. It seemed like New York State and the Federal Government were attempting to block our growth and success at times. Fortunately, that is not the case. However, there is an incredible amount of knowledge that you have to aquire to be compliant and successful.
What is the toughest part of running your business? The toughest part of running the business has been that for a while the business was running us. We have found that you must be committed to life long learning if you are to be a competent and fair leader. We have learned that we must "Become" prior to "Doing" and then we "Have". Be, Do Have, We thought we were equipped when we started...we now know different.
What is the best part of running your business? The best part of leading our company is the knowledge that we are directly aiding in our local economy. We pay employees, who support their families. We purchase products from suppliers, who support their families. We pay appropriate taxes that support our community and we support the "Cleaning For A Reason Foundation to provide cleaning services for women undergoing cancer treatment. It is a blessing to be in a position to affect so many.
Is there anything that you would have done differently? If we were to start a new service today, we would skip past the growth stage of being a "trunkslammer". This period wasn't necessary, though we believed it was... immediate implementation of foundational systems would be another.
What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? The most important thing we will be adding this year will be new operational staff. People who will add unique skillsets that we lack, so that we can create a "turn key" business.
Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? We envision our business to grow to four Western NY, locatiions within two years. Due to the foundational work we are doing we believe we will begin franchising in five years and retired, receiving dividend checks from our ten year old "turn key" bussines.
What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! The greatest suggestion I can offer anyone thinking about entering into business is to read the following books. The E-Myth Revisited by Michael Gerber, Rich Dad Poor Dad and, Cashflow Quadrant by Robert Kyosaki, and Think And Grow Rich by Napolean Hill. These books will challenge the way you think and see the world. We know we must change our minds and "Become" to be more effective while "Doing" in order to "Have". My limited thinking has always been, and will always be my greatest challenge.
How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? MyHouseCleaningBiz.com has been one of the factors for our success. Not only do we receive thousands of dollars worth of valuable education monthly, but we have access to an entire library full of time saving forms. We have used some of their affiliates, such as Webforce Pro and Dick Olleck, Sharon Cowen, and Debbie Sardone. These additional resources have aided in our , growth, systematizing, and philanthropy. We are eternally grateful for the value we receive from the Hansons. We also appreciate the committment they have made to the industry.
School - high school, college, technical school: I graduated High School from Addison Central School, located in Addison NY, went to Randolph Community College in Asheboro, NC for Machining Technology, and later went to Alfred State College, in Alfred NY, for Psychology.
What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? I have owned auto detailing bussinesses, travel agencies, and a property management company. None of which has been nearly as satisfying as ACS. I have several years experience in the Drug and Alcohol counseling field, several years in the machining industry and two years in car sales.
Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? My high school Business Dynamics teacher Mr. Sarvis, inspired me to persue my dreams of becoming an entrepreneur. I grew up in a very poor rural area with few options aside from working in the local factory. He would challenge the idea that we should "settle" for factory work or go to the local college. He always told us that anything was possible.
Website: www.
