Cleaning businesses generally target one of two markets: Either commercial or consumer. Commercial services target businesses. Consumer-based services target individual residences. You should decide which market you will focus on.  Cleaning services with consumer target markets usually involve window cleaners or maids who clean personal homes. Cleaning services with commercial target markets usually involve janitorial services. They sometimes offer more services than maid services, such as carpet cleaning.    Some cleaning businesses market to a niche clientele within a target market. You should carefully define what kind of customers you will seek. For example, commercial cleaning services need to decide whether they are serving smaller businesses or huge companies. Depending on your budget, it might be a good idea to start small so you can do the cleaning yourself and grow to larger projects as you can afford to add more staff. You need to pick whether you want to run your cleaning business independently or as part of a franchise. There are advantages and disadvantages to choosing either route.  Franchises will offer you some marketing support. They will provide guidance about starting the business, so they can be helpful on the front end if you’ve never run a business before. They will give you guidelines and support so you don’t have to do as much research about the market. You will already have a proven brand. Over time, though, you will invest more money in a franchise. If you are independent, you can choose your own services, name, and formula. You will need to get a state business license if your state requires one. You also might need other permits depending on the community where your business is located.   Contact the state business office in the state where your company would be headquartered to determine which state permits or licenses are needed.   You should also contact the business office at your local city, village, or town hall to ask which permits are needed and to make sure you are complying with all zoning regulations. You may need to obtain permits for things like signage. You need to submit some paperwork to start a business with the federal Internal Revenue Service.  Apply for an Employer Identification Number with the IRS. You can do so online. This is the number that will be used to identify your business.   Decide the structure of the business entity you are trying to create. For example, will your business be a sole proprietorship or a corporation? Sole proprietorships are businesses run solely by you. It's probably a good idea to consult a tax attorney for advice on the different kinds of business structures.   Make sure that you have all employees fill out the proper tax forms. One of the most important things you can do is choose the right name. This is how customers will know your brand.  It’s smarter to choose a name that is very literal, like “Professional Cleaning Service” with your last name or something like that. Choosing a vague or cute name probably will turn off professional customers. Make sure your business name is not too similar to other cleaning services in the area. It’s possible to run a cleaning service from your home. That’s because, unlike many businesses, with a cleaning service, customers won’t come to your home; you go to theirs (or their business).  Check zoning ordinances at your city, town or village hall to make sure you can have commercial activities in your home. Running the business out of your home might be banned by local ordinance or there just might be restrictions on issues associated with a business, like traffic and signage. If you choose a commercial location, it can help you brand your business with signage. However, it doesn’t make sense to pay for a prime location for a business with customers who won’t actually come to the business.  So focus more on having enough work space for things like repairing equipment.

Summary: Determine your target market. Decide whether to franchise. Get proper licenses and permits. Follow all IRS rules. Determine your business name. Choose whether to run your business out of your home.


You shouldn’t argue with your parents every time you disagree with them, if only because this strategy will make it harder for you to win when the argument is about something that is really important to you.   Weigh the benefits versus the costs. If the topic of the argument is significant to you, it might be worth the effort and the possible consequences of engaging in an argument with your parents. However, if there are minimal worthwhile results, it might be best to let this one go. For example, if your mom hates it when you play your music loudly, the only real benefit of having an argument about this is that you might get to play your music at a louder volume, and maybe only for a short period of time. It will also be perpetuating a behavior that your mom doesn’t like and will lead to more arguments in the future. But if your parents have a problem with your significant other and they don’t like you spending time with him/her, this might be an instance in which planning an argument is worth it because there are more possible benefits on the line for you. Causing a scene in public will only embarrass your parents and make them less likely to hear what you have to say. Make sure that your argument takes place at home or in a private space so that they are comfortable having the conversation with you.  If you start an argument with your parents in public, they will view it as a very immature thing to do and it will not be a good way to begin the argument. Some people get embarrassed when they think others know their business or are listening to them talk. This is not a good way get your parents to hear you out. Give your parents the courtesy of conducting your argument in private. They will probably not listen to you if they are upset. People are more likely to hear what you say to them and really consider your opinions when they are in a good mood. If you start an argument with your parents when they are already upset, they will probably brush you off or respond even more negatively.   Give yourself the best possible chance by starting your argument when your parents will be receptive to what you have to say. You might even try putting them in a good mood by doing things you know will make them happy – like cleaning your room, doing your homework, or spending time with them. Of course, don’t immediately bring up the argument after trying to get your parents in a good mood. That will be too obvious and they will think you only did the nice things for selfish reasons to get something that you want. Before you begin an argument, make sure that you have fully considered the entire situation. Try to think about it from your parents’ point of view so that you can predict what they will say in the argument. That way, you can prepare your side of the argument, but you can also think objectively about your position.  This can also help you see if you are being unreasonable. Try thinking about how you would feel if someone was treating you the way you are treating your parents. There are always two sides to every story and a good arguer knows that they need to consider both sides.
Summary: Pick your battles. Keep the argument private. Choose a moment when your parents are in a good mood. Put yourself in your parents’ shoes.