Clean Living Specialists Inc. Frequently Asked Franchise Questions

Housecleaning?! Get over it! Clean Living Specialists Inc. has the winning formula. We plan on cleaning up and cashing in on this 22 billion dollar North American growth 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 Inc. 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 could take a lot 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 Clean Living Specialists Inc. franchise. During the 3 year period, you would not be earning even half the level of income that you would with a Clean Living Specialists Inc. 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 Inc. has been operational since 1988. 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 franchise will provide an above average full time income on a part time basis. They 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. 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 Clean Living Specialists Inc., 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. We advertise for your new business clients, handle 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 Inc. 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 consistent and predictable.

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, and any career. The ongoing support and expertise available to all franchisees guarantees that problems are solved quickly. 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.