Question that requires serious answer.

[bcp]

I am currently in negotiations with a large name carpet cleaning franchise for the St Mary's area.
nothing set in stone yet, we are still arguing over some of their prices.

Should this materialize, what do you think the chances of finding someone with a brain to fly out to Utah with me for a week, and then run the cleaning truck for a fair wage?

as luck would have it, St Marys is one of three locations left within an hour of my home that are still up for franchise.

Yes Vrai, I will be paying for advertising on here should it become reality. (also why I am not going to mention the name of the company until we come to terms with them)

Oh, and if anyone wants to donate a couple hundred grand It would not be taken without great appreciation. No money return for your donations, but I would promise to remember to say thanks. (just kidding, dont send money)

 

[Dougstermd]

what do you think the chances of finding someone with a brain to fly out to Utah with me for a week, and then run the cleaning truck for a fair wage?


Oh, and if anyone wants to donate a couple hundred grand

You and a serious question:

Someone with a brain??? good help is hard to find. That will be the toughest part of the whole project; finding someone dependable and affordable is about impossible down here. Do I get to take the truck home??? Oh wait my boss is looking for me a company truck now!

check is in the mail

 

[mrweb]

I am currently in negotiations with a large name carpet cleaning franchise for the St Mary's area.
nothing set in stone yet, we are still arguing over some of their prices.

Should this materialize, what do you think the chances of finding someone with a brain to fly out to Utah with me for a week, and then run the cleaning truck for a fair wage?

as luck would have it, St Marys is one of three locations left within an hour of my home that are still up for franchise.

Yes Vrai, I will be paying for advertising on here should it become reality. (also why I am not going to mention the name of the company until we come to terms with them)

Oh, and if anyone wants to donate a couple hundred grand It would not be taken without great appreciation. No money return for your donations, but I would promise to remember to say thanks. (just kidding, dont send money)

Been there with a franchise. If it works, great! When it doesn't, it really can be bad. A few questions you need to answer to yourself:

1. Do you have experience in a self owned business?
2. Have you had some legal review of the franchise proposal? What are they going to give you for your investment in terms of support? How much do you have to give them per month from your net profits?
3. Are you willing to work 24/7 to make it work? (with your own business you eat, sleep, and live with the business...it never gives you a days rest and never goes away).
4. If it doesn't work out, what are your options for further financial support?
5. Are you going it alone? With partners? Incorporating or LLC? What about family (kids, spouse) that will have to also live with the business?
6. Are you currently employeed and comfortable with your lifestyle? If not, could continuing education help you get there without taking the franchise step?

IMO a good contact to talk to before taking this step would be Vrai, outside of this forum of course and with her consent, or if you want some more direct experiences, PM me.

 

[onebdzee]

Originally Posted by bcp
what do you think the chances of finding someone with a brain to fly out to Utah with me for a week, and then run the cleaning truck for a fair wage?

*checking for frying pan lady*

I have a really good steam cleaner that I think I can put on a plane(have to check the new regulations on what you can and can't carry on a plane today) and I know how to run a cleaning truck

if you get the ticket, the seperate room(pan lady regulation), the food and alcohol I can consume for the week....I am SO there

Oh.....and I've never been to Utah(need a Harley locator)

 

[vraiblonde]

Yes Vrai, I will be paying for advertising on here should it become reality.

Yay! More beer for me!!!



I thought you already owned a business? Construction or something?

 

[bcp]

Been there with a franchise. If it works, great! When it doesn't, it really can be bad. A few questions you need to answer to yourself:

1. Do you have experience in a self owned business?

Yes, I currently own a business of like services.. sorta

2. Have you had some legal review of the franchise proposal? What are they going to give you for your investment in terms of support? How much do you have to give them per month from your net profits?

On paper it seems like great support, it also includes the week training to do it their way. the fees are based on a monthly rate (very reasonable) and not on gross reciepts

3. Are you willing to work 24/7 to make it work? (with your own business you eat, sleep, and live with the business...it never gives you a days rest and never goes away).

see above

4. If it doesn't work out, what are your options for further financial support?

My other business is not going away, it can almost run itself now and will continue to be part of my income

5. Are you going it alone? With partners? Incorporating or LLC? What about family (kids, spouse) that will have to also live with the business?

The other business is with a partner, this will be set up as a corp in my wifes name.. Hmm, Pan Lady Inc. ?

6. Are you currently employeed and comfortable with your lifestyle? If not, could continuing education help you get there without taking the franchise step?

not that one could guess from my spelling and grammer, but I do have an advanced degree already. I just want more money and hate working for others

IMO a good contact to talk to before taking this step would be Vrai, outside of this forum of course and with her consent, or if you want some more direct experiences, PM me.

as things progress and it looks like I might decide to go with this, I will gladly take you up on your offer as far as experience in dealing with the local populations of the area

 

[bcp]

Yay! More beer for me!!!



I thought you already owned a business? Construction or something?

I do but beer prices are going up. I will be needing to suppliment my income to continue my current drunken lifestyle.
Do you have any idea how much a pan would hurt if I was not numbed with my beverage of choice?

 

[vraiblonde]

I do but beer prices are going up.

Boy, don't I know it I might have to take a second job, too.

Hey! Maybe I could open a bar!

 

[mrweb]

Yes, I currently own a business of like services.. sorta

On paper it seems like great support, it also includes the week training to do it their way. the fees are based on a monthly rate (very reasonable) and not on gross reciepts

see above

My other business is not going away, it can almost run itself now and will continue to be part of my income

The other business is with a partner, this will be set up as a corp in my wifes name.. Hmm, Pan Lady Inc. ?
not that one could guess from my spelling and grammer, but I do have an advanced degree already. I just want more money and hate working for others

as things progress and it looks like I might decide to go with this, I will gladly take you up on your offer as far as experience in dealing with the local populations of the area

Just food for thought. Thanks for considering my questions. I hope all works well and let us know so we can throw business your way!!

 

[bcp]

Boy, don't I know it I might have to take a second job, too.

Hey! Maybe I could open a bar!

HEY! Maybe we could open a bar together?


oh wait, that would mean that someone would have to stay sober,,,,

oh well, sounded good for a brief moment.

Let me know when you open it, Ill make the trip down for opening night to help start you off right.

 

[bcp]

Just food for thought. Thanks for considering my questions. I hope all works well and let us know so we can throw business your way!!

Thanks for asking the questions.

 

[bcp]

if you get the ticket, the seperate room(pan lady regulation), the food and alcohol I can consume for the week....I am SO there

Well of course we would have seperate rooms.
couldnt have you getting in the way of me and my transvestite lover now could we?

 

[johnjrval424]

Not sure if you would be interested in this but, if the corp is going to be in your wife's name, you may want to check out getting MBE certified by the State. Delaware and Virginia reciprocate on MBE certification in MD. This is DOT certification so you can bid on state contracts and take advantage of MBE set asides.

I am MBE certified and have landed several contracts with both state and federal agencies as a result. I'd be glad to help if I can. You can PM me if you want more info.

The reason I think contracts are lucrative is because they are "guaranteed" money versus chasing someone down in the public arena to get paid.

Otherwise, make sure you have a very good liability insurance policy to cover those times when people are "not happy" with the end product and want to sue. You will be cleaning carpets and goods that can be considered damaged and/or replaceable.

Also, make sure you have an iron-clad LLC to protect your personal assets from attachment. I have quite a bit of experience in that arena working as a paralegal. I can point you in the right direction if you need help there.

Any questions, just ask! I'll do what I can.

 

[onebdzee]

Not sure if you would be interested in this but, if the corp is going to be in your wife's name, you may want to check out getting MBE certified by the State. Delaware and Virginia reciprocate on MBE certification in MD. This is DOT certification so you can bid on state contracts and take advantage of MBE set asides.

I am MBE certified and have landed several contracts with both state and federal agencies as a result. I'd be glad to help if I can. You can PM me if you want more info.

The reason I think contracts are lucrative is because they are "guaranteed" money versus chasing someone down in the public arena to get paid.

Otherwise, make sure you have a very good liability insurance policy to cover those times when people are "not happy" with the end product and want to sue. You will be cleaning carpets and goods that can be considered damaged and/or replaceable.

Also, make sure you have an iron-clad LLC to protect your personal assets from attachment. I have quite a bit of experience in that arena working as a paralegal. I can point you in the right direction if you need help there.

Any questions, just ask! I'll do what I can.

check your PM'er, please

 

[johnjrval424]

check your PM'er, please

Done - check yours!

 

[Richard Cranium]

There might be a couple of guys getting out of the military who might be interested. Good luck.

 

[buddy999]

Boy, don't I know it I might have to take a second job, too.

Hey! Maybe I could open a bar!

Great Vrai. Your own business and all the beer you can drink to boot. Would Larry be there to help?

 

[RadioPatrol]

Oooo Ooooo Oooo Pick Me .............

I am currently in negotiations with a large name carpet cleaning franchise for the St Mary's area.
nothing set in stone yet, we are still arguing over some of their prices.

Should this materialize, what do you think the chances of finding someone with a brain to fly out to Utah with me for a week, and then run the cleaning truck for a fair wage?

as luck would have it, St Marys is one of three locations left within an hour of my home that are still up for franchise.

How about a 40 something , out'a work ( 6 Months ) Network Engineer - with an un diagnosed form of Arthrites who barely gets out of bed somedays - especiall when raining - w/Drugs .......

But Seriously Good Luck, Your Takeing a Big Leap

 

[bcp]

How about a 40 something , out'a work ( 6 Months ) Network Engineer - with an un diagnosed form of Arthrites who barely gets out of bed somedays - especiall when raining - w/Drugs .......

But Seriously Good Luck, Your Takeing a Big Leap

you just described me more correctly than you could ever know.

 

[Lugnut]

you just described me more correctly than you could ever know.

Only thing he missed were the random flat spots on yer head from the frying pan!