Bethany Jean, a seasoned cleaning business owner with over two decades of experience and a dedicated coach alongside her husband, Alex, presents a comprehensive, step-by-step guide aimed at helping aspiring entrepreneurs launch and scale profitable cleaning businesses. Her primary goal in this video is to demystify the initial stages of starting a cleaning venture, ensuring viewers can confidently get their businesses off the ground and begin generating revenue quickly.
Before diving into the eight core steps, Bethany addresses several prevalent questions that often surface when considering a cleaning business:
- Can you make good money as a cleaning business owner? Absolutely. Bethany emphasizes that a cleaning business can be highly lucrative, even for single-person operations, with the potential for six-figure annual incomes, sometimes even on a part-time basis, in various markets. This income refers to the business owner's take-home pay, not just gross sales. Businesses that expand with contractors or employees have unlimited growth potential.
- Does it cost a lot of money to get started? No. Bethany assures viewers that a cleaning business has very low overhead. Fancy equipment or expensive marketing is unnecessary; basic supplies and a focus on acquiring clients are sufficient.
- Can you be successful even with a lot of competition? Yes, without hesitation. The cleaning industry experiences high demand, creating ample opportunities even for new entrants. This robust demand means there's usually enough business to go around, irrespective of existing competition.
Here are the eight essential steps Bethany outlines for starting a cleaning business:
1. Goals 🎯 Bethany stresses the critical importance of defining and writing down your business goals, likening it to a foundational business plan. These goals act as a roadmap, shaping future decisions, minimizing wasted time, and reducing mistakes. Key questions to consider include: * Do you envision working alone, managing a small team, or building a large enterprise? * Do you plan to specialize in residential, commercial, vacation rental, or construction cleaning? * What are your weekly, monthly, and annual income targets? * What are your desired working hours? While having a clear direction is beneficial, Bethany encourages starting with known goals, even if the entire path isn't yet visible, and documenting them immediately.
2. Business Name 🏢 Choosing a business name doesn't need to be complex; Bethany asserts that success hinges more on professionalism and cleaning ability than the name itself. If the long-term goal is to sell the business, avoid using a personal name. The name should clearly communicate the services offered (e.g., "ABC Cleaning" or "ABC Cleaning and Home Organization"). If a specialization isn't yet determined, a more generic name is advisable, with the option to add a trade name later in jurisdictions like the US. The main point is to select a name to enable forward progress.
3. Register Business ✅ Once a business name is chosen, the next step is to check its availability and register it, a process that varies by location (e.g., by state in the US). This crucial step prevents issues like investing in marketing materials only to find the name is already taken. Part of registration involves selecting a business structure, with sole proprietorship and single-member LLC being common choices for new cleaning businesses. LLCs offer personal asset protection. In the US, obtaining an Employer Identification Number (EIN) online is also necessary. Bethany highlights Google as a valuable resource for navigating local requirements and strongly recommends investing in a good, affordable accountant to guide through the process, as they can save both time and money.
4. Marketing (Business Cards) 🪪 Initially, marketing efforts should be minimal and focused. Bethany advises against websites, social media, or elaborate flyers at the outset, recommending only high-quality business cards. These cards are essential for making a strong first impression; a card costing around 50 cents can lead to thousands of dollars in client income. She recommends providers like Moo for professional-looking cards. Simultaneously, establishing a professional email address (e.g., ABCcleaning@gmail.com) and recording a calm, simple, and professional voicemail message are crucial for projecting a credible image. Some cleaners may also include "licensed and insured" on their cards if applicable.
5. Licensing, Bonding, Insurance 🛡️ Bethany breaks down the necessities in this area: * Licensing: Requirements vary by city, municipality, or state and profession. For general cleaning, it's often not required in many areas (e.g., her own experience). Online research or an accountant can clarify local stipulations. * Bonding: Primarily protects clients against theft or fraud. While not usually expensive, Bethany generally doesn't recommend it unless specifically requested by a client. If requested, she suggests explaining the value of general liability insurance instead. A deeper explanation is available in her dedicated insurance video. * Insurance: General Liability Insurance is required for building a legitimate business. It protects both the cleaner and the client, is typically affordable (Bethany pays about $65/month for a $2 million policy), and can be quoted for free from various providers or local agents. She recommends well-known companies like Next Insurance (linked below for free quotes) for professionalism and client confidence. Workers' compensation might be needed later if hiring staff but isn't typically required initially. Bethany advises getting quotes but only purchasing policies when actively going on client interviews, as activation can be quick (around 24 hours). * Cleaning Certifications: Generally not necessary for standard cleaning services (like scrubbing toilets). Many online courses offer certificates, but clients prioritize actual cleaning skills and professionalism over such credentials.
6. Bank Accounts & Invoicing 🏦 Setting up dedicated business bank accounts is a pivotal step. Banks will require specific documentation, much of which should be available after business registration. Bethany notes that this step aligns with purchasing insurance, as premiums can be deducted from the business account. Following bank account setup, establishing an invoicing system is essential. Bethany highlights Project to Payment as her preferred tool for invoicing, praising its simple design, ease of use for both the business and clients, and comprehensive features like customer management, estimates, and project requests. It costs $20/month for unlimited users, and a special link offers three months free. Additionally, learning invoicing best practices is vital, a topic Bethany covers in another video.
7. Physical Products 🧼 Regarding physical products, Bethany emphasizes professionalism over branding initially. Work attire should be presentable, especially for high-paying clients, as it contributes to a professional image and attracts better accounts. For equipment and products, Bethany generally trains her residential and commercial clients to provide the bulk of supplies (e.g., glass cleaners, toilet bowl cleaners). This strategy saves the cleaner from transporting heavy kits between jobs. Exceptions include construction cleaning and move-in/move-out services, where properties are typically empty. A crucial point is training clients to provide their own vacuum cleaners to prevent cross-contamination of germs and allergens between properties. If clients lack a good vacuum, she suggests encouraging an upgrade. Her Amazon store (linked below) lists recommended cleaning kit essentials for various cleaning types.
8. Cleaning Knowledge 📚 The final step is to continually build and refine cleaning knowledge. Even if the owner isn't personally doing all the cleaning, expertise is crucial. A lack of cleaning knowledge will hinder success, lead to client dissatisfaction, and make staff training difficult. Clients expect owners to be knowledgeable experts, capable of answering questions and addressing specific situations. Bethany recounts client complaints about prior cleaners damaging surfaces due to inadequate knowledge. Investing time in developing comprehensive cleaning knowledge is paramount for long-term success. She also mentions an upcoming full cleaning course as part of her coaching program, available to viewers.
Conclusion: Bethany Jean concludes by reiterating that starting a cleaning business is far more accessible and less daunting than commonly perceived, offering immense potential for income and growth. She firmly believes that with the foundation laid by these eight steps, the primary focus shifts to client acquisition and service delivery. The video is sponsored by Project to Payment, which Bethany highly recommends for invoicing and business management, offering three months free via a special link.
While this guide provides a strong starting point, Bethany acknowledges that aspiring business owners will have further questions, such as strategies for finding the first client, effective client interviewing techniques, job bidding, pricing structures, knowing when to hire staff, and building a highly sought-after cleaning business. She encourages viewers to subscribe to her channel for more insights, explore her other videos, and consider her coaching program (linked below) for comprehensive guidance. Bethany's core message is one of encouragement, empowering individuals to confidently pursue and build the cleaning business of their dreams, with her continued support.
Final Takeaway: Starting a cleaning business is a highly viable and profitable endeavor, made accessible through a structured, step-by-step approach. Bethany Jean's guide emphasizes the importance of foundational planning, smart business setup (name, registration, banking), targeted initial marketing (business cards), essential legal and financial protections (general liability insurance), strategic product management, and continuous development of cleaning expertise. With these elements in place, aspiring entrepreneurs are well-equipped to navigate the initial challenges and build a successful, scalable cleaning enterprise.