Entrepreneur Traits for Success

After many decades in the business world, and several years as a business owner, the qualities that make for a successful entrepreneur are becoming increasingly obvious. Here are 10 that come to mind:

People Person - Entrepreneurs love to interact with people. This does not necessarily mean they are extroverts. It may simply mean they are willing to listen, pay attention to the little details that separate them from the pack, and create a relationship with the customer that keeps them coming back for the entrepreneur’s product or service over and over.

Genuine - Entrepreneurs are clear on what their strengths and weaknesses are and recognize what talents they need from others. They are not afraid to surround themselves with people who are better than they are in certain skillsets.

Initiator - Entrepreneurs are ready, willing, and able to take the lead on projects and assemble all the elements needed to move forward with any project. They can share their vision or strategy clearly with team members, and inspire others to get things done.

Supportive - Successful entrepreneurs encourage a positive environment that allows their teams to excel. They recognize they are not able to ‘do it all’. They acknowledge other’s strengths and create a reward system that best motivates their teams and produce results.

Risk Taker - Entrepreneurs understand that in order to make a profit, they will need to assume a certain level of financial risk. Wise entrepreneurs mitigate risks with careful planning. Still, they will often push themselves beyond what most people find comfortable.

Focused - Great entrepreneurs know where they’re going, are passionate about their purpose, have strong focus and stay the course. They are intense about what they want and what they seek to achieve. Some entrepreneurs fail when they try to become all things to all people, or try to do too much out of their area of excellence. Focus helps you say “yes” to the right things – and “no” to others.

Confident - Entrepreneurs often see opportunities long before most people. They have confidence in themselves and in their vision. They can show people what they know – and be willing to articulate what they don’t. They are unafraid to take the next step and learn the ‘unknown’.

Self Starter - Entrepreneurs understand that if something is going to be done right they need to be the one to do it. They are easily motivated and often have to ‘narrow down’ the many choices they see before them.

Constantly Curious - Entrepreneurs have an active mind and recognize as the business owner/manager they have to have a firm understanding of many aspects of the business from finance to marketing to business development. They are constantly learning, subscribing to business magazines, podcasts, blogs, etc.

Marketing Expert - Entrepreneurs are capable of understanding and implementing marketing strategies. In today’s world this calls for being resourceful, capitalizing on opportunities to sell a product or service.

How do you rate? Not everyone is born with these traits; all can be learned. What do you think are other ‘characteristics’ to be successful in business?

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Advertising to Start a Cleaning Service Today

 There are many ways to market your office cleaning business; some are more effective than others.  The following is a list of the many things you can do to market a commercial cleaning business.

• Flyers / Mailings / Cold Calling
• Phone Book
• Newspaper
• Magazine
• Car Magnets
• Business Card Distribution
• Word of Mouth

Mailings:  Make up a nice, simple brochure introducing your business and mail it to businesses.  Follow up with a phone call asking if you could come in for a free estimate.

Phone Books: Phone books are becoming a thing of the past and are being replaced with the internet. Phone book advertising remains very expensive. At most, a simple 1 or 2 line listing under Janitorial or Office cleaning.


Newspapers and Magazines: Newspapers might be a good option to try You can advertise in the community papers. Try a small ad for six months or so. Shop for the best rates.

Car Magnets: Car magnets are a great advertising option. They are a cheap, one time cost, so it doesn't hurt to try it out. You can get a car magnet at VistaPrint.

Business Card Distribution: Always have your cards available should you see an opportunity to hand one out or display it. You can get your business cards at VistaPrint. They have some nice cleaning related ones and have some great deals such as 250 free cards.


Word of Mouth: This will be your best form of advertising once your business gets going. If you have happy customers, they will tell all their friends and family about you. Always be sure to conduct your business and yourself professionally in order to get those referrals.

These are the most common types of advertising methods people use for their commercial cleaning business. Try things to see what works and what does not for you.

For more FREE information check out http://makemoneycleaningoffices.com

1st Steps to Start Office Cleaning Today #1 Ideas

Start Office Cleaning  in Small Easy Steps

Step 1:  What Type of Buildings to Clean:

Decide what you want to do with your commercial office cleaning service.  Do you want to clean smaller or larger buildings?  Do you want to keep this business small or do you want to hire employees?  These things will determine what sort of buildings you are going to approach. 

You have many choices.  You can clean small buildings such as banks, gyms, day care facilities or convenience stores.  You can clean several small office buildings or large office 'parks'. You have  many options with an office cleaning service.

If it is just you or just you and a partner, you may want to start with a small office cleaning business.  Focus on smaller buildings that you can do by yourself.  Learn the ropes. Then, when you get the feel for your business and want to hire help, select larger buildings.

Step 2:  Your Business Name:
You need to decide on a business name.  You will want to pick something professional since you are dealing with business people.  Choose something that shows what you are made of.  For example, St. Paul’s Best Cleaning Service or Minneapolis  Contract Office Cleaning.  Adding your service area to your business name can be a big plus because your clients will be able to relate to you.

Step 3:  Business License and Bank Account:
Now that you have a name, it is time to get your office cleaning business license and bank account. Contact a county clerk to see what sort of license is required for commercial cleaners.  Most times you will only have to file for a DBA (doing business as), but this will vary from state to state. Once you have a business license, you can then get a commercial cleaning business checking account.

Step 4:  Commercial Cleaning Insurance and Bonding:

Now that you have a license and bank account, it is time to get liability insurance.  Liability insurance will be a requirement for a commercial cleaning service.  They will want to see your insurance certificate and some businesses may even want you to carry a certain limit on your insurance policy.  The most any small office cleaning business should need would be a $1Million policy, but usually $500k would suffice.

You can find commercial liability insurance through your local insurance agent. The average cost is around $500/year.  Be sure to shop around to get the best coverage and quote.

If you are going to hire employees or you have a partner, it would be a good idea to get bonded.  A bond will protect your business against employee theft. 

For more information check out http://makemoneycleaningoffices.com for great FREE resources.

Secure Retirement with an Office Cleaning Business

Should you Start a Commercial Office Cleaning Service for Financial Security today? Here's why an Office Cleaning Service can get you through the 'retirement blues':

Retirement planning relies heavily on beliefs, starting with an assumed rate of return. This  is commonly expressed as some number between six percent and ten percent, and is based on the historical rate of return on a portfolio invested in the stock market over several years.

But somewhere along the line, the idea that this assumption is anything more than an average has fallen by the wayside and been replaced by a presumed guarantee as to how much you can expect to earn on your investments. We KNOW what the stock market has done in the past—the problem is in assuming that it will behave in the same way in the future. Millions of Americans had trusted that real estate values would constantly rise – they didn’t.

That is why I suggest starting a small commercial office cleaning service as a safety ‘net’.  An office cleaning service offers  a great part-time income. Start your own office cleaning service today to:

•  fund retirement,
• pay for insurance,
• travel,
• build up an asset for your family.

Owning your own office cleaning business offers great tax advantages: Travel to office cleaning business conventions in Mexico, the Caribbean, Hawaii, etc. Write off that home office and utilities.

Sometimes we can become so caught up in planning the perfect future that we forget the present. While we’re preparing for a distant retirement all kinds of things are playing out today. Higher taxes, higher inflation, and higher interest will be the result of massive government deficits. You’ll NEED an additional income source! An office cleaning service allows your income to keep up with inflation.

If you follow the financial media,  in order to have the kind of retirement you should desire, you’ll need to have X millions of dollars by the time you retire. Statistically—barring a runaway inflation—the vast majority of people won’t be millionaires, even by retirement. I think most of us know this. But, too many people have become trapped into believing that they have to wait for someone   (pension funds, Social Security,  Medicare)  to provide for them.

Not True.  An office cleaning business offers a low-cost start up: sometime just with the cleaning supplies you have at home. Take advantage of the possibilities.  Check out http://makemoneycleaningoffices.com for free startup advice.

I retired with financial security from my office cleaning business. Let me show you how.