It is a real Google search term: “How to start a carpet cleaning business with no money.” People actually search that term. Perhaps they heard that starting a carpet cleaning business can be accomplished with little or no money. And they are right!
In this post I will share how to start a business with no money out of pocket at all.
How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business with No Money: Leasing Equipment
This is what I did. Actually I had no money at all. I had been in the business before but personal issues required that I sell my equipment and start over from scratch. Today I enjoy a growing business and have scads of happy clients.
Here is what I did. I searched the internet for low-cost equipment (new or used). I found the equipment I wanted after days of searching. The total cost of everything I needed (excluding the van) was about $10,000. I called the company that had the equipment and asked them if they had any kind of “no down payment, company financing.” I was surprised when the operator transferred me to the owner of the company!
I told him what I was trying to do. He wanted to make a sale and I needed the equipment. I told him my credit was dinged up due to some poor decisions. He told me about a leasing company that worked with his company. He believed they would allow me to lease the equipment.
Within minutes I was on the phone with the representative that he referred me to. They agreed to lease the equipment to me even with my iffy credit. Within 10 days my equipment was delivered. AWESOMENESS!!!
I borrowed a pick-up truck from my dad and used it to carry my equipment to my jobs. A pick-up truck is not the best way to go but it was all I had, so I started with it. After a couple months of using the pick-up I saw the perfect van for my needs. I went to the dealership and told them I didn’t have any money for a down payment. I also told them my credit was not good.
2 hours later I drove that van off the lot with no down payment and a very good monthly payment.
If you want to know who I talked to at the equipment company then schedule a FREE consultation with me by CLICKING HERE.
How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business with No Money: Family or Friends
I know several people who started their carpet cleaning business with no money of their own. They simply got some family members or friends to front the initial investment or invest as a silent partner.
I would recommend approaching them with a well-worked-out business and marketing plan so as to assure them of the odds of being successful. Also, make sure to have all of your initial equipment and chemical costs well-calculated.
Oftentimes certain family members are eager to help a well-prepared family member follow his or her dreams. Unfortunately for me I didn’t have any family members I could ask. That is why I went with the leasing option mentioned above.
A Final Option: Borrow equipment from another source
One of the best realities of this business is that many other professional carpet cleaners are eager to help another person get started. Obviously if you are in the same town you don’t want to ask local competitors for an equipment loan. They will not welcome the competition.
But there are thousands of cleaners all over the country. Many of them have equipment they don’t use any longer just taking up space in their shop or garage. Many will let you use it for a limited time to help you get started. You can offer to buy it from them within a few months or make a monthly payment to them in sort of “rent to own” situation.
Always remember …
Where there’s a will there’s a way.
Napoleon Hill wrote a great book that I highly recommend called Think and Grow Rich. In it he teaches to write your goal on a card and read it several times a day. This will cause you to focus on that goal of How to Start a Carpet Cleaning Business with No Money.
If you have questions or need some advice then schedule a FREE phone consultation with me. CLICK HERE to schedule. I would really like to help you.
I hope this post has been helpful.