# Help me start cleaning business-with online references **URL:** \ **Category:** In My Humble Opinion\ **Created:** [October 1, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333 "2005-10-01T14:55:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 9\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 2:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/1 "2005-10-01T14:55:21Z")
I have a friend that has started his own industrial janitorial service (janitor in a large factory.) He is making money hand-over-fist, and I want to do the same. But, I am too cheap/thrifty/profit-oriented to pay cash to some anonymous start your own business URL since I don’t know any of them. So, my question is: Can anyone direct me to a FREE website that can tell me how to make bid/offers and any contract pitfalls? Also, some actual tips that will help in the actual service, although I have done the grunt work in long years past, so I have a fairly good hold on what is needed. thanks, hh ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/2 "2005-10-01T14:59:50Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I have a friend that has started his own industrial janitorial service (janitor in a large factory.) He is making money hand-over-fist, and I want to do the same. But, I am too cheap/thrifty/profit-oriented to pay cash to some anonymous start your own business URL since I don’t know any of them. > So, my question is: Can anyone direct me to a FREE website that can tell me how to make bid/offers and any contract pitfalls? Also, some actual tips that will help in the actual service, although I have done the grunt work in long years past, so I have a fairly good hold on what is needed. > thanks, > hh I forgot to ad: a current book recommendation would be equally suitable. Also, I can’t ask my friend: he would look off into the distance, speculate about whether I have the focus, and promise to get back to me…I think. thanks hh ---
**Author:** ![handsomeharry](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e9c0ed/32.png) [@handsomeharry](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/handsomeharry)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 3:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/3 "2005-10-01T15:18:01Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > I forgot to ad: a current book recommendation would be equally suitable. > Also, I can’t ask my friend: he would look off into the distance, speculate about whether I have the focus, and promise to get back to me…I think. > thanks > hh adD adD adD! ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 4:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/4 "2005-10-01T16:22:20Z")
The Mother Lode. Your Tax Dollars At Work. The starter pak. > **[Small Business Administration](https://www.sba.gov/)** > > We support America's small businesses. The SBA connects entrepreneurs with lenders and funding to help them plan, start and grow their business. For the more advanced user. [http://www.business.gov/](http://www.business.gov/) For the entrepreneur without a Y chromosome. [http://www.sba.gov/onlinewbc/](http://www.sba.gov/onlinewbc/) ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 4:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/5 "2005-10-01T16:27:37Z")
And if ya balk at paying long-distance phone fees to talk to a SBA wonk, there’s this. [http://www.sba.gov/ok/](http://www.sba.gov/ok/) Also, if ya wanna get a contract to mop the Gummint’s floors, there’s this. [http://www.ccr.gov/](http://www.ccr.gov/) And if you ever manage to get successful enough that you have actual employees, you’ll need this. [http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/](http://www.osha.gov/dcsp/smallbusiness/) ---
**Author:** ![John\_F](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/43a26b/32.png) [@John\_F](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_F)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/6 "2005-10-01T16:35:55Z")
> [@handsomeharry](#): > > He is making money hand-over-fist, and I want to do the same. This may come off as overly simplistic but it’s certainly where I would start. Copy whatever he is doing. There is a big difference in textbook case studies and a personal friend with first hand knowledge in the industry you are interested in. ---
**Author:** ![Joey\_P](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/919ad9/32.png) [@Joey\_P](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Joey_P)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 5:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/7 "2005-10-01T17:41:54Z")
I wrote up a whole book report (and then deleted it), but instead I’ll just give you the name of the book I give to anyone thinking about starting their own business. “The E-Myth Revisited,” If you don’t want to buy it, I would suggest you go to Barnes and Noble and at least flip thought it. It’s quick reading (even for a REALLY slow reader like myself), I believe they also have it on tape/CD. ---
**Author:** ![fluiddruid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/c2a13f/32.png) [@fluiddruid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/fluiddruid)\ **Post date:** [October 1, 2005, 8:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/8 "2005-10-01T20:17:41Z")
The [Oklahoma Small Business Development Center](http://www.osbdc.org/) has satellite offices throughout the state. They can help, also. ---
**Author:** ![xash](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/x/c6cbf5/32.png) [@xash](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/xash)\ **Post date:** [October 2, 2005, 12:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/help-me-start-cleaning-business-with-online-references/324333/9 "2005-10-02T00:37:18Z")
Moved to IMHO. - **xash** General Questions Moderator