Prove it first

I like to talk. I especially like to talk about myself. And if I want to get motivated I like to talk about what I am doing, or what I am about to do. When I talk about my future plans, it feels like I am actually doing something, without ever having to lift a finger. All it takes is to yap my mouth. It is really that easy. So simple!

But I get to the end of every year, look back on all the stuff I have done, but mostly what I didn't after talking it all up. I've been planning on becoming a millionaire for the last few years. And I have told everyone that it is going to happen, thanks to my small plan to take over the world.

The long and short is that it hasn't happened.

So I am taking a new road. This new road means that I will shut up. It will take out a lot of pride in order to do that (we'll see how easy that is), and it will force me to talk about what I have done (past tense rather than future tense). These are my rules. And this is my declaration. If I talk about it again, it should only be to update, not project. I have to put my money where my mouth is.

Feel free to call me out on it.

[This post was inspired by Derek Sivers]

Secrecy or Transparency

I watched the movie Duplicity the other week and thought about it then, but I didn't realize until now that I am playing my own games in the same way, only it is much more destructive. The movie is about 2 double-agents in the corporate world of war. Between two main companies are millions of dollars at stake for minor percentages of market cap.

I am not at that level. At all.

But why am I fearing that someone will steal my ideas? Why do I keep a tight rein on the thoughts and ideas that I have when I start things in my business? I have this idea that my ideas are my money. And if I let out my ideas, I won't make money. This isn't true. What I have deduced is that ideas are free and easy. Everyone has them, and a lot of people have great ones [Seth Godin on ideas]. But it is the ability for the businessman, specifically the entrepreneur, to be able to capitalize on them.

That is why all the multi-level marketing schemes work (which I almost got into, but didn't). They work because they promise the world, and show the people that are doing amazing things with their package. And the package is available to anyone, but it takes a certain person to be able to really capitalize on it. And those people are few and far between. That is why this entrepreneurial wave will not last. But I think the next generation of kids who watched their parents will be successful. Why? Because they were able to watch subjectively and understand the problems and will fix them.

But back to my point, if you want people to trust you, you cannot keep things from them. If you want people to buy from you, you must have them trust you and trust what you are selling. So from here on out, I am going to be completely forthright with my business. Down to everything. Because I know that I can make money from it. I know how, and I have seen it done. My ideas might spark other entrepreneurs to crowd my market, but isn't that what I am doing now?

Down to the basics 2

Now this is the next part of the basics. The last post talked about the difference between washing and cleaning. I realize if I am now going to talk about window cleaning supplies, then I may be doing this backwards, but oh well.

Since you will need to know what you are doing, you must get your window cleaning supplies to practice with. I will get into cleaning tips and stuff like that later. This is all about the stuff you need. And you really don't need much. So don't worry. Even if you are not starting a window cleaning business, you are just wanting to do your own windows at home, these will be the same. I will show you what you when it will differ.

So, supplies. There are many different window cleaning supply stores that you can get your stuff. If you have a janitorial store close to you, you could buy it from there if that is what works for you. But since you are on my blog, I will assume that you are more internet savvy and will probably buy your window cleaning supplies from an online store. But you can find most of your basic, basic supplies at Home Depot or Fred Meyers or any store like that, just to let you know.

So easiest way? Just Google "window cleaning supplies" or "window cleaning supply" or "window cleaning kit" and see what pops up. Since I felt that I know everything because I've been cleaning windows my entire life, I went out and bought everything separately that I knew I needed. I wish I hadn't. The kits that are available are perfect for everything you really need. And if I had done that I wouldn't have to buy duplicates. But I plan on getting kits for all my employees from here on. They will cost about $115-$230.

Once you Google that, you have a bunch of different supply companies, but these are the top three: Detroit Sponge, J.Racenstein, and somewhere is ABC Window Cleaning Supply. There are others, and if you want, feel free to look around and price check, but these are the main ones. [Disclaimer: I am not getting any money for suggesting these. I wish I was.] But everything you want for you window cleaning business are right here. My advice is go straight to the window cleaning kits. Decide how much you want to spend, or if you are just cleaning your house windows, look at the sizes.

For super cheap, all you need is a pole, a T-bar and washer (also known as a wand), a squeegee, and a bucket. Any bucket will do. I got a bucket from ABC Window Cleaning Supply for about $15 but my friend with a $700,000 window cleaning company just buys his guys your typical, multi-purpose buckets for $6 from Fred Meyers.

The T-bar and washer sleeve you should get about 18 inches or 22 inches. It is up to you. Depending how much cleaning you'll be doing and how big your windows are. The bigger the size, the fewer strokes you will need to clean the window. Just make sure you get the same size for both.

The squeegee is the same: 18-22 inches, and check to see if the rubber comes with the squeegee. As for brands, it really doesn't matter. Everyone has their preferences, but you cannot be too picky right now. They all do the same thing. Personally I like the wide body Pulex brand channel with the Sorbo brand quick release swivel handle because it is much more versatile.

And you will also need a pole unless you happened to pay for college on a basketball scholarship. So the easiest is a quick-lock 8 foot pool. Most have just two sections so it'll stay at a very easy-to-use 4 foot size except when you need it.

This should end up at about $65-75 dollars. That is completely reasonable for a new business or a price (minus time) to clean your own house. Throw in another dollar for Joy Dish Soap and you're done.

(more on the dish soap later, ha ha)

Down to the basics 1

Now that things are starting to feel like a real business with me at the helm, I feel a need to list out a few things. Most are not that important, but maybe they are. These are a few things that I hope will help anyone who reads this who might be starting a window cleaning business, or any type of business. One of the things I have always wanted to do (business venture for a later date) is to have a business consulting firm. Whatever that might look like, I have always wanted to help other people grow their business because it is always easier to see subjectively. At least it is for me.

Anyway, window cleaning business. First, I mentioned "window washing business" a few posts ago. This may be a small thing, but for those who did not grow up around a window CLEANING business, you may not see a distinction, but let me tell you that there is.

Window CLEANING vs Window WASHING

How many times have you washed something that didn't come out clean? But how many times do you need to "clean" something until it is washed? Yup, that is right. Just one cleaning is necessary, but multiple washings may be required before the same result is achieved.

So as you go out in the world with your new found business, remember you are a window cleaner with a window cleaning business. You will sound much more professional without having to do anything.

Can I quit?

Right now is the brink. It is the point at which your opponent raises the pot and to call you must go all in. You have good cards. But are they good enough? More importantly, do you have the balls? That is the real question. Can you put it all out there to risk it. And honestly, what are you really risking?

Think through the positives/negatives. Think through the outcomes. Weigh the risks and alternatives. That is what entrepreneurs do. They figure if they have the soldiers to fight the battle. Can they fight it or not. Can you cut the cord from your other job or not? And right now, it is not even cutting the cord, but rather taking a step back. Or maybe a step up. A step closer to your goal. That is what you really want. That is what you are really in this race for, it is for the prize. It is to not accept the acceptable but life is about going all in with the cards you have been dealt. Thankfully, in life, in business especially, you can fight in spite of the cards. If you don't have the cards to win, you can arm wrestle for a rematch.

That's the beauty of business. The open possibility of success. Let's go to the mattresses.

How much til you quit

Maybe it's a fear thing. I'm sure it is actually. I have a huge fear of letting go of my old jobs before I really jump headlong into focusing on my window washing business. What would it take? How many jobs would I want before I could let go of my security blanket?

Today I bid a house job that would pay over $1,000 which is by far the biggest account I have ever had. The largest bid I have had previous was about $600, and my current largest actual job is $325. So I am not exactly rolling in the dough. With that in mind, plus all the bills that I already have, and the costs of my window washing business, I do not feel exactly safe quitting my other jobs. My goal is to quit my dad, but first I need to quit my delivery job (I only work 8 hrs per week anyway). But what would it take? What would give me the security to feel I could take that leap?

Maybe I am not ready to be an entrepreneur if I cannot handle these risks. Maybe I should not be taking these steps forward if I freak out at every step. Right? Something in me says yes, but I feel there is a voice, tiny voice that says that we all fear this. That we all have these doubts that tell us to stay safe. Maybe so. I hope so. Because if this is just like any mere window washing business, then what does it matter? It doesn't. But if this is my door out, if this can be my exit to a much bigger entrance, than I need to do this. I need to conquer this fear.

I have a few quotes that I have kept close for certain times. I will end on these. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do.

Death is nothing, but to live defeated and inglorious is to die daily - Napoleon Bonaparte

All courses of action are risky, so prudence is not in avoiding danger (it's impossible), but calculating risk and acting decisively. Make mistakes of ambition and not mistakes of sloth. Develop the strength to do bold things, not the strength to suffer. - Niccolo Machiaveli

Personal Branding

There has been a lot on my mind as I think about where my business will be going and how I will structure it and what I want to be doing. But with that, I think as owners especially we need to think about our part in the personal business part. Especially at the startup level, people are trusting you more than your product. It is the basis of selling. Just look at Jeffrey Gittomer, sign up for his Sales Caffeine and start thinking about selling. Because as you start, you must do everything. But as you do everything, how do people see you? What is your brand? Personally?

Here is a video I found on Dan Schawbel's website. Listen to his stuff because he has a lot of info that could propel you to the front of the line. And that is where we want to be.

Who You Are

In this business world, I have found that business is really just a relationship. There is no real guideline that can make you successful. With all the books on success available, in reality it is just a relationship between you and your customer. Each one is an individual dating relationship that you must court at each turn. And like dating, there are no real rules, just guidelines.

So when I started thinking about this earlier this week and trying to figure that out, along with the information I have been getting from my counselor on my own issues, it all came together when I started reading Penelope Trunk and her recent post about extroverted people in the workplace. And since I have always flirted with the line about being introverted or extroverted, this definitely struck a chord. It is not that it is good or bad. I have actually been reading a lot in the last few hours about my personality type (I believe INTJ but possibly it's extroverted opposite) and the people that have worked out well in both of those. So it does not matter which I am (although I relate better to the wikipedia entry about the introverts better. Thank you wikipedia), but it does matter that whatever it is I need to own it and use my personality type in my favor.

Everyone has these personality types that see things differently than the rest of the population. According to CareerPlanner.com, INTJ's make up about 2% of the worlds' population. How is that for rare specialties.

So whatever it is that makes you tick, identify, find the strengths in it, and utilize it. Because you must make sure that your companies biggest asset is yourself.

Without my computer for a week

I realized how much I work on my laptop because of the amount I spend at Peet's coffee where I work on most of my work stuff, but you don't realize how much of this is filled when you don't have that.

The screen on my MacBook Pro decided to go on the fritz the week before Thanksgiving, and I always use it to get loads of stuff done before the usual Thanksgiving dinner with the family. But this year I had to find something else to do. And it wasn't just that day either. Thanks to the long weekend, I had to lose my metaphorical right arm for an entire week. It was great in the sense that I had to stop working and actually hung out with friends who were in town without me thinking constantly about getting back to work or being productive. Instead, I tried to enjoy my weekend and enjoy my friends without my mind somewhere else.

But now I have my computer back, and I found some other tools to work more as well, and I also found some focus since I had to let up for an entire week.

So the major tool was iTunes U which is the free university side of iTunes that can be streamed or downloaded straight to your iPhone. Since none of my other podcasts were able to be synced with my phone through my laptop, this was a great way to fill some of my mindless work time while I listened to the Cambridge University Entrepreneurial podcasts and lectures. These were not only interesting and informative, but also a bit inspiring and motivational.

See if some of those can motivate and inspire you as well. I now have quite a bit more to think about for my window cleaning company. More to come.