My Secret Weapon with Roland Downs

12/05/19 • 18 min

"You have to master your own lane." - Roland Downs

Roland knows that his wife Dina is extremely professional and understands the language of business. In his follow up with accounts that he's cleaned and helped grow, he gets feedback that the gym owner didn't think he was legit as a cleaner. Dina gave the image of a business person and secured the account. That'a Dina's lane. Roland knows he is the master of custodial arts (as he says in his Facebook intro) and he will be the best cleaner they ever had. This is how Roland uses his secret weapon.
However, as Roland states. "The problem is when either one of them tries to cross over. She tries to micromanage me or I try to micromanage her. That's when it falls apart. It just doesn't work." Our spouses have a significant role in our solo family cleaning business. Look at me. My wife started the company.
Roland dives into some cleaning science in this interview and gives us the takeaway that there are 3 parts to excellence in cleaning - 33% cleaning science, 33% right equipment, and 33% technician. Never overwork any one of these or you will LOSE time, quality, and in the case of the technician, you will injure and wear out the body. This is such a huge tip that it is worthy of it's own episode.
Finally, let's wrap this up with a Pro Tip from Roland on using Instagram. He records his cleaning excellence with before & after pics and live videos of him cleaning various areas of gyms. He starts to follow gyms (targeting) and posts these images and videos. The gyms that like his stuff multiple times, Roland will reach out to them in person, phone, or email. It's quite brilliant!

Previous Episode

The Funny Papers

This is the craziest time of the year for the solo cleaner as EVERYBODY wants their house cleaned after Thanksgiving and before Christmas! Please allow me to help you declutter your scattered brains with one of the best remedies... HUMOR! Do you remember the "Funny Papers" in the Sunday newspaper? I remember my grandfather reading his comics after church every Sunday. I didn't get it. I didn't think they were funny. But he would read & laugh as he sipped his coffee in his Sunday best. That's how I remember it.
I have decided to add an element of the Sunday "funnies" to many of my episodes and in this one, I am making the entire show to entertain you! That's it. Life is short. Laugh a little!

Next Episode

It Was Hard to Leave

Many have asked me, "Ken, how did you sell you're solo cleaning business." They want to hear the steps and the numbers. In this episode, I share the emotional rollercoaster of selling our business. If you are a solo cleaner and you've considered selling, make sure to listen. It wasn't about the steps or the numbers. That was a necessary part, but it wasn't the main part. The main part was the heart. Truly, it was so difficult to leave my New York cleaning families.
Mentions:

In the Handy Dan Funny Papers, I reference shopping at the discount racks and a former podcast episode, "The Jeans Don't Fit". I also would like to plug Dan LaVigne and his handyman services company, "Handy Dan", in Scotia, NY. Dan is a true craftsman and does it right with integrity.
I mention the man that I sold my NY solo cleaning company. If you're in the Capital Region of New York and need a house or office cleaner, reach out to Ian Traynor of Albany Pure Cleaning. He is also a craftsman and truly takes care of his families as I taught him.
Many have asked me about the mentorship program I have my boys in. It's amazing! Check out the Royal Rangers national website. They have an outpost finder to locate the closest church to you. If you'd like to attend as a guest, let me know and I'll be glad to call ahead and let them know you're coming.