I need some help.

[Texasgal]

My sister in law is starting a basic home cleaning service to make some extra money, she was recently laid off. She's done this kind of work over the years with some family and friends. She is looking to branch out and maybe do some neighborhood houses. Nothing big, she's lived in her same neighborhood for many years and many have asked her about her services.

She set up an e-mail and is ready to pursue a mission statement per my advice. I've been wracking my brain all day to come up with something that sounds professional and not corporate too sounding... this is a small endeavor and not anywhere near being a large business. We did set up a Tax ID however. I work in corporate hell and have no idea how to phrase.

I know you Women here have excellent language and communication skills! Anyone out there that can kinda help me write up something?

The crux of her statement is mainly basic housecleaning services by an honest hard working Woman. My SIL is is 63 and looking to help supplement her income. Mad respect for her!

I know this isn't HoF material but If I go out on the boards to ask for this kind of help I am sure I'll be ripped to shreds. If it's not cool I'll delete.

Anyhoo... any takers?

[seabeyond]

1. baines will kick ass. hey... want me to give it a shot, lol lol lol. nt

[Texasgal]

2. YES!!!

Any ideas would be greatly appreciated! No joke sister!

[ismnotwasm]

3. Does she have a name for her company?

That's were you start, then a logo, and then a small mission statement.

[Texasgal]

4. She does.

It's her first name with "cleaning service" on the end. I know, not real imaginitive... but it is what it is.

[ismnotwasm]

5. Simple- ok that's good

No logo?

I think logos are good because they identify the product. A logo followed by a short mission statement "come home to clean house bliss"

(my husband hired my house to be cleaned a couple times-- Suzy homemaker I'm not and "bliss" describes how I felt)

She can write out a list of services provided, populars ones- with words like "quick" "easy" "convenient" "safe" and "discreet"

[Texasgal]

8. I like the ideas of "quick" "easy" and "safe"

Very good! I think this is exactly what I am looking for! THANK YOU!

[BainsBane]

6. I feel like I need more information to be much help

Has she thought about the market niche she will fill? One thing that occurs to me is that house cleaners can insist on using certain types of products, but some people have concerns about toxic chemicals. For example, I always use Simple Green, which works amazingly well, is cost effective, and totally non-toxic.


Maybe something like: You work hard all day. Why not hire an honest, hard-working woman to take care of your house work.

Martha's Cleaning Service offers (name what she does) for (list the price structure). Then provide any information that distinguishes her services from the competition.

[Texasgal]

7. This is perfect so far!

I knew I could count on you guys!

I had not thought about products! Good questions! I'm calling her now to ask.

So far so good. I am getting a better idea here!

THANK YOU!

[Nay]

9. Don't forget that she should be bonded, in case someone accuses her of

stealing or damaging something....

[mercuryblues]

10. I am

anal about a clean house. Even though I have eased off a bit in the last few years. I am having my family over for Easter dinner, so I will start cleaning my nooks and crannies.

I would advertise for "holiday cleaning" to take one less stress away during a holiday.

My sister has a house cleaner come every other week, she pays him a flat rate and he will clean whatever she wants done, even wash walls, paint and windows. She books him almost every week (at my suggestion) between Thanksgiving and Christmas to help her with Holiday decorating. She puts up a lot of decorations and it would stress and tire her out to no end.

Her regular cleaner went on a long vacation one year. She broke down and hired Merry Maids to come in. She was pissed when they left. They will vacuum around a piece of paper instead of picking it up. They would not move any furniture to vac under. I am not talking about a huge entertainment center, it was a small occasional table.

I would suggest a FB page for her business. That way if any potential clients want to find out more for her, they can look her up and see where she is willing to go, services and pricing.

[Sheldon Cooper]

11. This will sound off the wall, but one of the reasons I've never hired a cleaning

service is because I'd feel like I need to clean up before the cleaning lady arrived. There are lots of times when I'd be very embarrassed for an outside to see the condition of my house. I know from talking to other women that I'm not the only person who feels this way.

So, maybe your friend could somehow address that bit of weirdness in her brochure or FB page?