Frequently Asked Questions
by Friends and Family...
Housecleaning?! Get over it! It
is much more than a viable business in a huge growth industry. Clean
Living Specialists has the winning formula. We plan on cleaning up and
cashing in on this 22 billion dollar North American industry. The facts
speak for themselves. Come clean with us!
However, don't expect to find support among your friends and family.
They have not invested the amount of time, energy and dedication to
exploring this venture that you have. In response, we have developed the
following questions and answers which will assist them in understanding
your enthusiasm.
There exists a great myth that house cleaning is a menial, non-thinking
drudgery that anyone can do. Nothing could be further from the truth.
Clean Living Specialists knows that it takes an educated, organized, and
efficient person to make a successful entrepreneur, one who is able to
deal with clients and employees in a direct and professional manner. It
takes someone who can ensure that in the course of a day all houses are
cleaned properly, with extras done at each visit. It takes someone who can
set and keep to a time schedule, and still meet and exceed all the
requirements of each client at each visit. Someone who ensures that all
the small details (and there are many) are not being forgotten or
overlooked, that employees are happy and doing a great job, the team is
working together as one, and daily problems are dealt with on the spot. In
other words, our day is a challenge. Are you up to it?
Q. WHY BUY A FRANCHISE? WHY NOT START UP A BUSINESS ON YOUR OWN?
A. You can start a business on your own. The reality is that it would
take an inordinate amount of time (minimum 3 years) of concerted effort to
attain the level of business success and income that you would achieve
after six to eight weeks with a CLS franchise.
During the 3 year period, you would not be earning even half the level of
income that you would with a CLS
franchise, as you would not be able to access the support or accomplished
groundwork provided by a franchise operation. The actual sales realized by
the new business will easily pay back the cost of the franchise purchase
while concurrently providing a solid income to the franchisee.
Q. WHY NOT JUST PUT AN AD IN THE NEWSPAPER OR GROCERY STORE IF YOU
WANT TO CLEAN HOUSES?
A. Clean Living Specialists has been operational for 12 years. The
expertise and valuable reputation that we have accomplished in that time
would be impossible to duplicate individually. Cleaning houses
professionally is very different than cleaning your own house, and it is
not easy to provide the credibility required as a no-name business.
Advertising is expensive and not always successful; there are no
guarantees of the securities and bonding that the public demands of
service providers. Often, clients who use no-name services are seeking
bargains, and are unwilling to pay the true value for the work provided.
There is no backup or support network available to guide one through the
rough waters.
Q. WHY ARE YOU LEAVING YOUR GOOD JOB TO CLEAN HOUSES?
A. Job statistics show that most individuals will have two or more
careers during their working lifetime. According to the most recent (1996)
Statistics Canada Census figures, the average full time income for females
is $30,130. The average part time income for females is $12,727. Owning a
Clean Living Specialists franchise will provide an above average full time
income on a part time basis. Clean Living Specialists franchises are an
opportunity to own your own business and work part time hours for full
time pay. You are in charge of your own career. Not only will you earn an
excellent income while in the earliest stages of your business, you will
be simultaneously building equity in your business. You earn and learn at
the same time. When and if the time comes to make another change, you will
have a solid business worth a creditable sum to offer for sale.
Q. WHY DID YOU GO TO SCHOOL FOR ALL THOSE YEARS IF YOU ARE JUST
GOING TO CLEAN HOUSES?
A. Starting a business is never easy. And, obviously, going to school
is never a waste of time. You learned a huge amount of information at
school, all of which will help you develop your business. Just a few of
the challenges you will face are developing your own rhythms and expertise
in cleaning efficiently and professionally, how to obtain and maintain
clients, how to schedule and estimate work, and how to hire and supervise
employees. At CLS, all of that
information is taught, but is also dependent upon the franchisee's
abilities to utilize all their education, training and experience to make
an excellent lifestyle decision work for them.
Q. WHY PAY ALL THAT MONEY TO SOMEONE ELSE? AREN'T YOU JUST BUYING A
JOB?
A. A franchise is purchased for several reasons. It provides the
opportunity to go into business for oneself with a recognizable product. A
franchise operation does the groundwork for the franchisee. The business
is planned and set up for the purchaser. Complete training and ongoing
support are provided in all aspects: how to clean professionally and
efficiently, the system for each member of the team, business operations
such as bookkeeping and payroll, dealing with clients, different types of
cleaning tasks, providing estimates, scheduling and timing, and cleaning
products and tips which work best. Training of the first two employees is
handled by the Head Office as a strong team is an absolute must for a new
business. CLS advertises for your new
business clients, handles the initial incoming calls, accompanies you to
meet clients and provide estimates, plans the initial scheduling with you,
cleans all the new houses with you during the start up phase of
approximately 6 - 8 weeks. The company also ensures that the employees are
properly trained and doing an excellent job. You do not ever have to be
alone to deal with any issue or decision. THERE IS NO TIME LIMIT FOR
SUPPORT!
Q. YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A CLEANING LADY.
A. What does a cleaning lady look like? Clean Living Specialist
franchisees are educated, intelligent, and well organized women who have
chosen to purchase a franchise, own and operate their business, and take
control of their lives. Income is excellent, costs are low, and with an
almost 50% profit margin combined with the tax advantages of running a
home-based business, this is a part time opportunity with a full time,
steady income. Low stress equals higher quality of life. A franchise is
not only lucrative, it is very consistent and predictable, thereby
providing the greatest freedom of all: time. It is a nice life; show us
something better!
Q. WHY CLEAN HOUSES?
A. Housecleaning is one of the 10 fastest-growing industries in North
America at the present. There is a constant demand for high-quality,
reliable housecleaning services. "This is truly a rock-solid industry
with consumer demand estimated to continue increasing through the next
five years." (source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). "Most
recent research sponsored by the International Franchise Association
claims that 96.0% of the franchise units open nation-wide within the past
five years [were] still in operation (source: Arthur Anderson & Co.,
1992)
Q. WHAT ARE YOU GETTING?
A. You get a business! We set it up for you. Guaranteed, with full
income potential within 6 - 8 weeks. You will get a proven business
program with all the support and backup necessary to ensure your success.
Q. WHAT HAPPENS WHEN THERE ARE PROBLEMS?
A. There are problems in any business, any job, any career. The ongoing
support and expertise available to all franchisees guarantees that
problems are immediately solved. We are a unique group of supportive and
resourceful businesspeople with the principles and dedication needed to
successfully operate a business in the ever-growing service industry. We
could not be as successful as we are without dealing with problems
correctly.
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