Hey, whatup Flowmies?!?! We can't believe that the year is almost over. That means we are way overdue for a Flowmie Roundtable! Listen in as the Mods talk about the things that have happened in their own businesses and lives as well as what has gone on in ITF in 2023. We share some plans that we have for the group in 2024, but most importantly of all.... *drum roll*.... We announce the winners of the 2023 Flowmie of the Year Awards!!! The anticipation! Take care Flowmies, and Flow on!
What up, Flowmies?!? This week we are talking with Jared Meese from Blue Bird Home Services in Nampa, ID. He is a long time Flowmie who always has great things to say in the group and is willing to help others out. I wanted to talk with him because in his over 20 years in the home service industry, he has seen many aspects of business growth. He has faced many challenges, such as starting up a new business after moving to a new area with a different climate and has had to learn on the job how to be an efficient owner. We talk about networking and why getting your name out in the community is so important. We cover so many topics that are perfect if you are wanting to grow your business. Listen in and Flow On!
What up Flowmies! This week we have a Gabe's Corner that I truly feel needs to be talked about. It is based on an article I wrote for the American Window Cleaner Magazine and it's about how we view our business. For many of us, we "fell" into this beautiful industry, and it has served us well. However, for how long are we going to need it to do so and what systems do we have in place to make it work for us for the long haul? What you need your business to be in the future should determine whether you view your business as an instrument or an asset. Have a great week and as always, flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies! This week's interview was just as much a treat for me as it is going to be for you! Terry "Turbo" Burrows, the World Record Holder for fastest time in International Speed Cleaning competitions, is here! He talks about his early days building his business when he discovered that there are few things more marketable than a great personality. He has a great story of parlaying his fearless social skills into a regular spot on a talk show in the UK. After a chance introduction to speed cleaning, his world has never been the same again! As a bonus, we have our own Flowmie Speed Cleaner, Jeremiah Hickey, join the chat to talk about the time he competed against Terry and won the World Title in 2019. Oh, but Terry explains that things were not all they seemed... It's a really fun episode and I know you will all enjoy. Flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies! Do you use text messages in your business communications? Well, we have a bonus episode that you will need to listen to. We are dropping this episode early because of the time sensitivity of the information. on July 5th, business texting must be compliant with new regulations that require you to register your phone number with The Campaign Registry (TRC) to avoid being blocked. What do you need to know and do to avoid having these new requirements affecting your business? Listen is as Sarah van der Meer interviews Amber Jones of protectmyphonerep.com as she guides you through this process. They will answer your most urgent questions and make sure you continue on without a hitch. Don't be left behind, Flowmies! Get your numbers registered ASAP.
Hey Flowmies! We have a unique episode for you today. We will be talking with Chris Hartley, a long time Flowmie and one of the winners of the Flowmie of the Year Award for 2022. I wanted to have Chris on the Flowcast to talk about his experience as a window cleaner with ADHD. He shares the ways that ADHD has been a benefit to his business growth and how he manages the areas where it presents a challenge. As someone who is not "neurodiverse" but has a daughter who is, it was very informative for me to hear Chris speak about how he views the world and the pain that he has experienced because of the lack of understanding & misperceptions that people have. I sincerely thank Chris for being so open and willing to talk about his experiences and I hope this interview can help those who navigate their business life through an ADHD lens.
Hey Flowmies! This week we sit down with Steve Williams, Managing Director of Solar O&M Consultancy in the UK and a member of the Solar Panel Committee of the IWCA. Listen in as he talks about his initial reluctant introduction and growth in the solar industry, eventually turning his years of experience into a passion for developing safe practices for solar panel cleaners. If you thought cleaning solar panels was no different than cleaning windows, think again! Don't clean another panel until you hear this interview! And as always, flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies? We have an action packed episode for you. If you are a small business owner, you know the struggles that come with SEO and online marketing. What are some tips to get in front of your customer's eyeballs without breaking the bank? Lewis Vandervalk is the man to talk to! He is an entrepreneur, podcast host, author, and just all around good dude. We talk about his interesting back story and how he got to where he is now. However, its his insights as owner of Blue Crocus Solutions, a digital marketing company, that really makes this interview valuable. He gives advice and tips that will make you ask, "Why am I not already doing this???" Enjoy and as always, Flow On!
Hey Flowmies, its time for another edition of Gabe's Corner! This time, we are talking about the importance of staying calm. We have to face so many stressful situations as a small business owner, it can be a challenge to not give into panic decision making that hurts our business, affects our health, and increases the chances of succumbing to burnout. What can we do to stay focused and keep the logical part of our brain in charge as go through the ups and downs of business? Listen in as Gabe gives practical advice on things to do and keep in mind as we all ride this roller coaster of small business ownership. Let us know in the comments what you do to keep you wits about you when your calmness is threatened. Flow on!
We all have those stories of struggle from when we were first starting out as window cleaners. Well, today we get to talk with Brian Hoyt of Poor Man WIndow Cleaning in Boise, ID who has one of the most inspiring stories of overcoming adversity and determination. From coming back after a life changing auto accident to almost losing his business just a few years ago, Brian has had many opportunities to give up on window cleaning. However, with a 1000-watt smile and positive energy, he turned his challenges into opportunities to not only grow his business but use his talents to help others. Listen in to hear his story and be motivated to keep going no matter what. And you might not look at Jet Dry the same way again. Flow on!
Welcome to Season 4 of the ITF Flowcast, Flowmies! We have a fun episode for you to start of the new season. We get to speak with Andrew Maclish, owner of Desert Moon Window Cleaning in Tucson, AZ. We talk about the methodical approach he took to growing his window cleaning business, the challenge of adjusting from employee to owner, and why he loves what he does. Oh, and he used to work for me and I have ton of respect and admiration for what he's done. That may come across in the interview, hee hee. ;-D Flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies?! This week we get to talk to a long-time Flowmie, Christopher James! He is one of those guys who just fell into window cleaning because of a combination of serendipitous meetings, determination, and family support. His scrappy attitude lead to him moving on from employee to business owner, but his decision to stay a single-owner/operator gives him an interesting perspective in what owning a business means to a family and how "growth" means different things to different people. You'll enjoy his story and be encouraged by his tenacity. Flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies! Man, another year has come and gone and that means that it's time to reflect on the year behind us. Listen in as the mods Kevin, Sarah, Phebe, Joel, Fernando, & Gabe all talk about the year in ITF, what's gone on in their own lives and businesses, what lessons they've learned, and things that they had to overcome. Of course, it would not be a "Year End" episode without the Flowmie of the Year Awards! We recognize the hard work and contributions of the Flowmies who make this group the paragon of positivity that it is! It's a fun, inspiring episode that gives us a chance to show appreciation for what you all do to make this industry great!
Whatup, Flowmies! Here is our second installment of the Best of 2022! In this episode we revisit our interview with Jordan Minor, who is both a window cleaner and a country music singer! listen in as he talks about how he makes his business work for his unique situation. Then, we will talk with Peter Cruz, who came into window cleaning late in the game, after spending many years as an accountant. He explains how that experience helped him get his company off to a great start. and Lastly, we will talk to Melody Edwards. She joined me on a "Gabe's Corner" to talk about the importance of having a "Growth Mindset" as a business owner. All great episodes to revisit. Enjoy!
What up, Flowmies! Can you believe that 2022 is almost over? We had a great year of interviews and here is your chance to relive some of the best moments of the Flowcast. First, we talk with James Smith about his unbelievable experience of having his first ever hire endure a truly traumatic experience. Its a beautiful story of kindness, compassion, and knowing when the business should take second place in the decisions you make as a business owner. Next, we talk with Dan Rinard, a long time Flowmie who has years of wisdom as a business owner. He talks about his business philosophy and why success is not always measured by the bottom line on a P&L. Lastly, we talk with Anthony Padlo, one of the founding members of Into the Flow, as he talks about what winning the Flowmie of the Year meant for him and how he has learned to trust the process, even when roadblocks seem to keep coming. Really encouraging episodes here so make some time to listen in. Flow on!
Hey Flowmies! We are coming at you with another awesome interview, this time with Amy Jo Johnson, Owner of A & B Window Cleaning in Fargo, ND. She talks about her coming up in the business with her brother & learning to adapt and succeed in a male-dominated industry. She also shares what it was like *spoiler alert* winning the female division of the IWCA Speed Cleaning Competiton this last convention! Amy is a kind soul who is a true asset to ITF. Flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies?!? How do you feel about people who offer free services to help other business owners? Yeah, I like them, too! That's why we have Cesar Bejar on the Flowcast this week. Not only has he had an interesting journey running his company, windowcleaners.pro, in San Antonio, he's also promoting his new consulting company, MC2 Synergya. As part of that promotion, he is offering the first 10 Flowmies who message me his consulting services to help you improve the visibility of your website. You have to listen to the interview to get the full details! If you need help getting your website to climb the Google Algorithm, you're not gonna want to miss this one! Flow on!
Hey Flowmies! We have a special episode of Gabe's Corner this week as we invite Melody Edwards back to chat with Gabe about the benefits of having a "Growth Mindset". Too many business owners limit themselves by being stuck in their ways and unwilling to embrace change and growth. We talk about what exactly it means to have a growth mindset and what you can do to make it work for you. Its a episode packed with a ton of great business nuggets for you to enjoy and benefit from! Flow on!
What up, Flowmies!! Starting a business can be such an overwhelming process, it can be hard to know where to even begin. This week on the Flowcast, we have a panel of several Flowmies with at least a decade of experience answering your burning questions! What are the biggest mistakes that new business owners make? What advice do you like to share with people interested in starting their own business? What was one area you struggled with when you first started? What did you wish you knew before you went out on your own? There are some really insightful and valuable nuggets for potential new business owners in this episode, so please watch, bookmark, and share with people you know who might need it. Hey, even you experienced owners might learn a thing or two! :) Flow on!
Whatup, Flowmies! We have a super important interview today. What you don't know about your insurance can cost you tens of thousands of dollars or more. But where can you go to find out what you don't even know you need to know? Meet Jeff Engel, COO of ICI Insurance! His agency specializes in helping window cleaners and other service industries get past the roadblocks that pop up when we try to go through traditional commercial coverage. Listen in while we discuss how to properly protect yourself and know what coverage you need, what you can do to lower your auto insurance, how to GL & WC survive audits (YUCK!), and why you may want to think about Key Person Insurance (what is that???) if you have crews. Make time to listen to this one, Flowmies, it could save you a ton of money!