Are you a corporate professional now interested in entrepreneurship? Does the idea of entrepreneurship seem appealing enough for you to want to experience it yourself, yet stressful enough to make you apprehensive about taking the plunge? Being a CEO mom isn’t just about what you do; it’s also about building a life and career that allow you to be the mother and business owner you desire to be.

If you want to start a business where you are certain to get things done, consider an entrepreneurial venture that makes a significant impact. Perhaps you’re not interested in B2C but find B2B more appealing. At CEOMOM, we want to share some ideas that will help you become an entrepreneur on your terms and according to your interests. One particularly lucrative option for starting your own business is commercial cleaning.

As a parent, you need flexibility, and unfortunately, too many employers don’t seem to offer flexibility as part of your employment package. So, what do you need to do to start your own commercial cleaning company? Is it as simple as just buying cleaning supplies? Far from it, actually! Here’s exactly what you need to know! Stay tuned for more business ideas that will help you become the entrepreneur you’ve always dreamed of being.

Family First, Business Second

Balancing family life with business is crucial—that’s pretty obvious. When setting up your cleaning business, you’ll want to consider how the business hours will align with your family time. This means you may want to opt for client jobs that can be scheduled during school hours or when you have childcare available. Your role as a parent doesn’t pause, so consider creating a business plan that allows you to be present when your family needs you the most.

So, it’s really going to come down to a couple of things: how flexible your clients will allow you to be (as some will only let you clean after hours or before the workday starts), and properly scheduling and allocating time for yourself, such as using a simple and easy cleaners software for organizing your day. Again, there’s going to need to be a balance, but in order for there to be balance, a lot of factors must be considered, such as the proximity of client locations to your home or your child’s school, which can affect your availability and travel time.

Legalities and Licenses

Before diving into sponges and sanitizers, ensure you’re fully aware of the legal requirements. Depending on where you live, you’ll need to look into business licenses, insurance, and perhaps bonding. Since you’re entering commercial spaces, liability insurance is a must to protect both your business and your clients. It sounds daunting, but a local small business association or a consultation with a lawyer can help clear the murky waters.

This might be a bit pricey and a lot of work, but it’s essential to look into this, as there are special permits required for commercial cleaning in some regions.

It’s Best to Start Small

Well, start small, but think BIG! It’s tempting to cover a large area immediately, but it’s often wiser to start with manageable chunks. This is understandable, especially if you’re brimming with many ideas. Perhaps begin with smaller offices or local stores, and as you find your footing, you can expand to larger facilities. This strategy allows you to manage your initial workload without overwhelming yourself, giving you room to grow your business without sacrificing family time.

Investing in Quality Tools

But it’s just sponges and cleaners, right? Well, if you’re cleaning houses, that might suffice, but this is for commercial properties and buildings! The way you clean a house and how you clean a commercial space are not the same in the slightest. The right tools can make a big difference in this industry. Invest in high-quality cleaning equipment and eco-friendly cleaning supplies. Not only will this appeal to environmentally conscious potential clients, but it also means you’ll be saving money in the long run. Consider this: buying a high-end vacuum like a Dyson or Hoover could save you a lot of money in the long term compared to purchasing the cheapest model you find on Amazon.

Flexibility and Patience

Like parenting, running a business requires flexibility and patience. There will be days when everything runs smoothly and others when nothing goes as planned. That’s the thing about working for yourself; it can become unpredictable, especially with clients—even if you have a tight-knit contract. Each problem solved is another lesson learned and a step towards growth.

Can You Keep This Passion Alive?

As a business owner, keep in mind that your business will be an extension of you. Therefore, it needs to be something that brings you fulfillment, love, joy—you name it! If the idea of running a commercial cleaning business, or any cleaning business for that matter, sounds dreadful, then this truly isn’t for you. So, ask yourself: are you passionate about this? Do you truly see yourself keeping this passion alive? Have you done enough research to determine if commercial cleaning is the right fit for you? If not, we have more business ideas for corporate moms who want to transition into entrepreneurship, so stay tuned.

This is a collaborative post.