Q 1. Kindly give our readers an introduction to your business. Please include what your business is all about, in which city you are located and if you have offices in multiple locations/ cities.
Ans: Phoenix Cleaning Solutions was established in 2004 as a family-owned carpet cleaning company. We service Raleigh and the surrounding 40-mile area. I coined the phrase: “We will treat your home as if it were our own” Originally, I worked alone or with a helper. We have grown to a full-time staff of 6 with 4-part timers. We serve both residential and commercial clients with: Carpet and upholstery cleaning, oriental and area rug cleaning, tile and grout cleaning, hardwood floor cleaning.
Q 2. Kindly give us a brief description about yourself (it should include your brief educational or entrepreneurial background and list some of your major achievements).
Ans: I have a BSBA from West Virginia University. Prior to Phoenix I worked in the telecom electronics industry for 23 years. Phoenix has grown 6x in revenue and now have over 7000 clients.
Q 3. What inspired you to (start a new business venture) or (to make significant changes in an existing business)? How did the idea for your business come about?
Ans: I am a Christian business owner. Be careful what you pray for! In the fall of 2003, I prayed about changing careers and being home more. The previous owner of the business asked me to dinner and offered to sell me the business. I came home and shared this revelation with my wife who said, “Are you nuts”. After some research and a detailed business plan I quit my career of 23 years and changed paths and have never looked back.
Q 4. What three pieces of advice would you give to budding entrepreneurs?
Ans: Buy an existing business, if at all possible, particularly if you know nothing about it.
Minimize debt.
Don’t let the business take priority over what is really important. Faith and family.
Q 5. What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Best customer service experience.
Under sell – over deliver
Always do what you say you’re going to do.
Q 6. How many hours do you work a day on average?
Ans: 40-60
Q 7. To what do you most attribute your success?
Ans: Focus on customer service.
Q 8. How do you go about marketing your business? What has been your most successful form of marketing?
Ans: Toughest part of business for me. You must change with the times at every turn. Angie’s List was amazing 10 years ago. Today Google Local Services works well. Referral from the existing clients is best
Q 9. Where did your organizations funding/capital come from and how did you go about getting it? How did you obtain investors for your venture?
Ans: I self-funded the business.
Q 10. What is the best way to achieve long-term success?
Ans: Create goals for the business. Don’t burn your employees out.
Q 11. Where you see yourself and your business in 5 – 10 years?
Ans: I have an exit strategy with family that work for me.
Q 12. Excluding yours, what company or business do you admire the most?
Ans: Pettyjohns in Wake Forest
Q 13. How important have good employees been to your success?
Ans: One of the most important
Q 14. How long do you stick with an idea before giving up?
Ans: Depends upon issue. But don’t linger.
Q 15. What motivates you?
Ans: Faith and quality of everything we do.
Q 16. What are your ideals?
Ans: Treat all like how you would want to be treated.Honesty and integration
Q 17. How do you generate new ideas?
Ans: During the night when I can’t sleep
Q 18. How do you define success?
Ans: Serving the Lord – serving family. Enough resources to make my wife happy.
Q 19. How do you build a successful customer base?
Ans: Asking them to share their experience with family and friends.
Q 20. What is your favorite aspect of being an entrepreneur?
Ans: Flexibility and the joy of serving people and making their lives and home just a bit better
Q 21. What has been your most satisfying moment in business?
Ans: Providing flexible employment that allows me team to fulfill their goals.We currently have 2 seminary students and a pastor on staff.
Q 22. What do you feel is the major difference between entrepreneurs and those who work for someone else?
Ans: Undying commitment to customer services vs.getting the job done
Q 23. What kind of culture exists in your organization? How did you establish this tone and why did you institute this particular type of culture?
Ans: Care for each other.Always allow time off for family needs over needs of the business. Make each employee feel valued and appreciated.
Q 24. In one word, characterize your life as an entrepreneur.
Ans: Blessed
Q 25. If you had the chance to start your career over again, what would you do differently?
Ans: Start aggressively growing the business earlier. That should have been a priority sooner
Q 26. How has being an entrepreneur affected your family life?
Ans: Made it better in every way. Being home and available.
Q 27. What is your greatest fear, and how do you manage fear?
Ans: Customer dissatisfaction.Almost never allowing a client to be dissatisfied. Not happy full refund. Need to redo some work. Be there within hours.
Q 28. How did you decide on the location for your business?
Ans: I already lived here
Q 29. Do you believe there is some sort of pattern or formula to becoming a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Never quit and keep trying to find a path to fix whatever the issue is.
Q 30. If you could talk to one person from history, who would it be and why?
Ans: Besides Jesus. Any of the Shark Tank business leaders.They all have so many skills that would be a benefit
Q 31. Who has been your greatest inspiration?
Ans: My grandfather was the finest man I have ever known. I had a very strong faith, loved his family and dedicated his life to serving others in all he did.
Q 32. What book has inspired you the most? (OR what is your favorite book?)
Ans: Most resent read was. They Ask,You Answer by Marcus Sheridan
Q 33. What are some of the biggest mistakes you’ve made?
Ans: Adding some addition debt from Covid issues and hiring staff in anticipation of work coming.
Q 34. How can you prevent mistakes or do damage control?
Ans: Teach team to always do it right and take your time so client has an amazing experience.
Q 35. What are your hobbies? What do you do in your non-work time?
Ans: Faith work, family and friends time and Airstream Trailer travel with my wife.
Q 36. What makes you happy?
Ans: Seeing family be happy and following a Christian lifestyle.
Q 37. What sacrifices have you had to make to be a successful entrepreneur?
Ans: Really none.I feel very blessed.
Q 38. If you were conducting this interview, what question would you ask?
Ans: Why did you choose this industry?
Company Detail:
Company : Phoenix Cleaning Solutions
Address : 5103 Unicon Dr Ste D
City : Wake Forest
State : NC
Zip : 27587
Country : USA
Phone : 919-362-1054
Email : jim@phoenixcleaningsolutions.com
