I'm using the hand that was dealt me and have gone all in...I'm not a poker player and I have a solid business plan but things haven't been going the way I thought they would. Here's my dillema (if you can help out then please respond):
Last fall I opened my commercial pressure washing and bird control company here in Central PA. My personal experiences have been in facilities management, operations management and the military. Contacts in each of these areas have given my company work, as well as those I've found through solicitation/sales calls/mail outs, etc. I thought that things were picking up and would only get better with the warmer months but thusfar, I've only signed two 3-yr contracts and have had a handful of jobs.
I bought decent equipment, have advertised, joined local chambers of commerce, and more but haven't had enough sales to hire help. As is the case with many of you, I've totally invested my time/energy, as well as most of my savings to make this work. 70-hr weeks, lots of driving, phone calls, mail outs and contacts with buyers/decision makers. Each one very interested in my service, 1 out of 5 wants to be added as an additional insured ($1M liab/$2M gen ag policy), every third wants a written quote BUT my sales ratio is around 1 in 20.
I've checked local pricing for similar services, read through posts and related websites, factored in a number of variables and currently believe my pricing isn't the issue. I was a successful military recruiter in the late 80's and know how to handle objections and make the sale. Each of my clients have commended the quality and follow-ups of the work performed and I'm getting some sales from referrals, however something still is amiss. Bottom line - I haven't been able to pay myself, let alone see how each of you is getting as much work as you claim.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in it for the long-haul and totally committed. I will make this work but am asking for advise and suggestions. I've got the college education, related industry experience and the drive to be successful so any help offered will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!
Last fall I opened my commercial pressure washing and bird control company here in Central PA. My personal experiences have been in facilities management, operations management and the military. Contacts in each of these areas have given my company work, as well as those I've found through solicitation/sales calls/mail outs, etc. I thought that things were picking up and would only get better with the warmer months but thusfar, I've only signed two 3-yr contracts and have had a handful of jobs.
I bought decent equipment, have advertised, joined local chambers of commerce, and more but haven't had enough sales to hire help. As is the case with many of you, I've totally invested my time/energy, as well as most of my savings to make this work. 70-hr weeks, lots of driving, phone calls, mail outs and contacts with buyers/decision makers. Each one very interested in my service, 1 out of 5 wants to be added as an additional insured ($1M liab/$2M gen ag policy), every third wants a written quote BUT my sales ratio is around 1 in 20.
I've checked local pricing for similar services, read through posts and related websites, factored in a number of variables and currently believe my pricing isn't the issue. I was a successful military recruiter in the late 80's and know how to handle objections and make the sale. Each of my clients have commended the quality and follow-ups of the work performed and I'm getting some sales from referrals, however something still is amiss. Bottom line - I haven't been able to pay myself, let alone see how each of you is getting as much work as you claim.
Don't get me wrong, I'm in it for the long-haul and totally committed. I will make this work but am asking for advise and suggestions. I've got the college education, related industry experience and the drive to be successful so any help offered will be greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance!!!