Just as the windows they clean, this is crystal clear success: The inspiring story of two buddies’ window cleaning startup.
When Brandon Downer and Carter Smith were fired because of COVID-19, their world came tumbling down, or so they thought. Not knowing what to do, and not yet friends, they roamed their neighborhood in Austin, Texas as every unemployed young person does. Brandon had dedicated himself to C3 Presents, a live music booking company, while Carter worked for a Boots company.
Armed only with youthful angst, they roamed each day the streets of Austin, admiring those who continued working like the truck drivers. Later, the two met, and over time a bond developed between them that led to a tight friendship.
This friendship borne out of the adversity of COVID-19 and a layoff then birthed an idea, a simple idea that looked simple and silly at the time.
Brandon and Alex founded Pink’s Window Services, a window cleaning company that has taken Austin by storm and received several franchises across America. This is a story of determination, friendship, and audacity.
Join us as we unravel the story of Brandon and Carter, the dynamic duo whose camaraderie and devotion propelled them from obscurity to the limelight of corporate America.
Starting Pink’s Window Services
Pink’s Window Services began operations in 2020 and slowly went through the baby steps that led to the inspiring story of the two buddies’ window cleaning startup.
The two friends settled on window cleaning because they felt it was a simple idea that also required very little capital outlay to start. First, they looked inward at their strengths, and they could apply them to the budding business.
Brandon was math-minded while Carter was always fascinated and enjoyed the thrill of marketing, a perfect combination for business success. After a few planning meetings, they decided to take the plunge.
They collected resources between them and went to Home Depot, where they bought the most basic cleaning items they could afford with their meager resources.
Organizing the cleaning services and the first steps
Once they had bought all the few cleaning items they could afford, the question arose, where do we start?
First, they segmented their business model to offer window cleaning services to both commercial and residential properties. With thousands of windows in Austin alone, they saw an opportunity if only they could start.
Because they had no means to advertise and no website to drive leads, they started by cleaning windows for relatives. Free of charge. They cleaned their windows and cleaned for their friends, aunties, and neighbors. Then word started spreading by mouth.
To their surprise, the first orders started coming. They were in business.
“We clean anything that’s outside.”
One of the things that wowed neighbors and new clients was their passion and their mode of dress. They had clean uniforms with large collars and shoes that reminded most people of the era of the 50s and 60s. It struck a code immediately and helped people connect with them.
They knocked on doors and talked to people about their new venture. Other jobs they got through referrals. As they cleaned windows, one question they had asked themselves in the formative stages came up again.
If the Windows aren’t Clean, what else is Dirty?
As the two friends walked the neighborhoods, they saw dirty windows and wondered if there existed a company that did this. As is often said, entrepreneurs are those who see opportunities others don’t and work to address a need.
They then asked themselves the question, ‘If the windows aren’t clean, what else is dirty? This gave them the hope of future expansion even though their flagship service was window cleaning.
As they cleaned windows, clients would ask them if they could also clean their lawns, and gutters, among others. Interestingly, window cleaning services gave birth to other business opportunities.
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Menu of Services currently offered.
Pink’s Window Services now offers the following range of services in Austin, Texas;
- Window cleaning.
- Power washing.
- Deep cleaning of other fixtures like lights, skylights, gutters, and more.
In their own words. ‘We clean anything that’s outside.”
Cleaning rates
The cleaning company targets commercial and residential properties in Austin, Texas, and in their own words, there are thousands of windows. For commercial properties, they clean buildings that go up to 5 stories. They reason that skyscrapers account for only 5% of the buildings in Austin and can be handled by big companies. The most business they say is within the other 95%.
Their charges are as follows:
- Commercial properties minimum of $250 per visit and this still depends on the number of windows.
- For Residential property the cost averages $10 per window and is usually below the commercial rates.
- They clean open arenas like Stadia for $25,000. They have had the opportunity to clean the Moody Centre in Austin and Q2, the soccer stadium in Austin.
- Annual cost for cleaning a residential property is $1800.
The cleaning frequency varies;
- Some restaurants require deep cleaning weekly, some bi-weekly, and others monthly.
- Large arenas are cleaned 2-4 times a year.
- The more frequent the cleaning services the less you pay.
Business Strategies that keep them afloat
- The vans are their store or warehouse where they keep all their materials. They therefore incur no warehouse cost.
- They clean every window with the same dedication they would clean theirs.
- They use customer’s water whenever they are called to clean. No customer has ever complained about the use of water. Therefore, they have no direct water costs.
- So far, they have spent no money on advertising and no social media costs. Most of their business has come through word of mouth and referrals.
- They pay for lunch for all their cleaners. Wherever they go to work, they look for a good restaurant and have lunch together.
This has increased employee motivation, speed, and efficiency of work. In 2022, they spent $30,000 on employee lunch.
Revenues
They have opened the business to franchises and this they forecast will increase their revenue even further going forward. A few franchises are up and running like the one in Boulder, Colorado.
- In 2020, the year of their start, they had a revenue of $25,000.
- 2021 revenue was $400,000.
- In 2022, revenue rose to $750,000.
And it keeps going. They added to their portfolio, and they have also included an online store where they sell assorted merchandise.
Future Focus
Pink’s Window Services is venturing into Search Engine Optimization (SEO). Experts have advised them that their business model can easily be scaled up to 2 or 3 times growth with SEO.
The franchises and online store also continue to grow further placing the company into even more popularity and profitability.
Quotes from Brandon and Carter
“The window is the first thing one sees when you walk into a building and makes your guest feel comfortable if it is clean.”
“One thing we like about our business is the recurring model. You clean windows once, then in 1-3 months they are dirty again and people call you.”
“Being laid off is the best thing that happened to us.”
“There are thousands of windows out there.”
“If the windows aren’t clean, what else is dirty?’
Lessons in Business from The Inspiring Story of Two Buddies’ Window Cleaning Startup.
Use your setbacks as an opportunity, a springboard to success. Sacked from their jobs, Brandon and Carter didn’t spend months sulking. They looked around them and identified an opportunity.
- When starting a business or aiming to attract new customers, sometimes it is prudent to offer free services. Then afterward, satisfied people will pay for your services. When they started, they cleaned windows free of charge to attract customers.
- Just start and let the work teach you.
- A business can start with one idea and other ideas will spring up along the way or the customers will demand them.
- Blue-collar jobs that most people shy away from can be an avenue for great business success.
Conclusion on The Inspiring Story of Two Buddies’ Window Cleaning Startup.
In conclusion, the story of the window cleaning startup and the business acumen exhibited thereof, is a testament to the power of friendship, determination and innovation.
It is admirable that from very humble beginnings, armed only with a bucket, a squeegee, and an iron will, they have managed to succeed in business.
Through hard work, creativity, and exceptional service, they have transformed their vision into reality, creating jobs and changing their story.
As they continue to expand, theirs is a story of inspiration to budding entrepreneurs all over the world. It highlights the importance of believing in oneself, working together, and never underestimating the power of a simple idea to spark profound change.
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