Member Profile: Donnie Halbgewachs
| Name | Donnie Halbgewachs |
| Name of your business: | Smart Services-Home and Business |
| When did you open your business? | March 2014 |
| What services do you offer? | Commercial and Residential Cleaning, Handyman Services, Junk Removal |
| Why did you start the business? | I got laid off. This will be the fourth business I have started however. |
| How many people are in your company? | 3 |
| What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? | The biggest surprise is the fact that I am starting a cleaning business. |
| What is the toughest part of running your business? | We were bootstrapping it financially, planning to build it slowing on the side and then quit my day job to go full time. Then I got laid off and we are quickly re- working our strategy. |
| What is the best part of running your business? | It is how I like to provide a living. I enjoy business ownership. Also, I really love the service industry. |
| Is there anything that you would have done differently? | Yes stick with our origin plan I mentioned above. |
| What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? | Move from doing all the cleaning to hiring additional employees. |
| Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? | 2 years: Profitable with me very involved. 5 years: Profitable with me less involved. 10 years: Profitable with me in advisory role. |
| What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! | In my previous business we struggled to be profitable for 5 years. In the sixth year we paid off all debt and earned back the money we originally invested. The lesson I learned was 'don't quit.' |
| How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? | I just joined and I am already enjoying all the printed, audio and video materials. |
| School - high school, college, technical school: | Cozad Nebraska High School, University of Nebraska BS in Education, Resurgence Training Center Seattle WA Master of Arts (M.A.) Missional Leadership |
| What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? | Youth Pastor, Middle School Teacher, Owner of Tutoring Company, Roofer, |
| Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? | I come from a very entrepreneurial family. |
| Email Address: | smartserviceshomeandbiz@gmail. |
