Episode 1191 – Stop the Hamster Wheel: Tips to Get Out of the Daily Grind in Your Cleaning Company
Get Out of the Daily Grind: What’s Really Holding You Back?
Ever feel like you’re stuck on a hamster wheel in your cleaning business? This week, Mike Campion and Lindsay Bjorklund dive into just that—how to break out of the daily grind and finally get back some freedom. From tricky niches to cash flow problems, they tackle common issues holding cleaning business owners back, plus share straightforward steps to reclaim your time. Let’s break down the big takeaways!
Pick the Right Clients, Not the Hardest Ones
Mike kicks things off by responding to a question from Amber, who’s looking to attract police officers as clients. While the idea of a niche is great, Mike suggests this one might be making things unnecessarily tough. Police officers aren’t easy to target for residential cleaning, and the decision-makers are often the wives, not the officers themselves. Instead, Mike recommends choosing clients who are easier to reach, like families in high-end neighborhoods. With a more accessible target, owners can use effective strategies like door hangers, postcards, and Facebook ads to grow their client base quickly.
Stop Drowning in Invoicing—Automate It!
Next, Lindsay brings up a common pain point: invoicing. It’s a task that feels never-ending for many business owners. Mike has a no-nonsense solution: set up a system and automate as much as possible. For instance, instead of invoicing clients after each clean, charge a flat monthly fee at the start of each month. This shift not only reduces the time spent on invoicing but also keeps cash flow steady. Plus, automated billing takes away the need to chase payments, freeing up more time for high-priority tasks.
Know When to Outsource Tasks
A quick reality check: some tasks are better handled by someone else. From invoicing to scheduling, many business owners keep these on their plates because training someone feels too time-consuming. Mike emphasizes that putting in the time to train someone once can save countless hours down the road. Think of it like teaching your kids to clean their own rooms—it’s frustrating at first, but the long-term payoff is worth it. As a rule, if something is taking up your time every single day, consider either outsourcing or creating a system to streamline it.
Is Cash Flow Really Your Problem?
Lindsay pulls up another question on cash flow, and Mike gives some straight talk: cash flow issues are usually symptoms of deeper problems. It could be that the business isn’t charging enough, or it may simply be too small to support the owner’s lifestyle. The first step to fixing cash flow is to ensure profitability by setting prices that make sense. For example, if you’re always cash-strapped despite steady work, it’s likely time to raise prices or focus on a client base with higher budgets.
Make System-Building Your Priority
In wrapping up, Mike encourages owners to shift from constant firefighting to building systems. He understands that it’s tempting to focus on immediate issues, but sustainable success comes from setting up systems that run on their own. If you’re putting out fires every day, ask yourself, “Is there a system I can put in place to stop this from happening again?” As Mike says, investing time in building systems might feel like a big commitment at first, but it’s the key to achieving the freedom every business owner dreams of.
So, ready to get out of the daily grind? Follow these steps, and you’ll be on the path to a more relaxed and profitable business life.