No one said running a business was easy. Beginning a franchise business is hard work no matter what type of product or service is being sold. Yet with planning, focus, a solid network and the right training and support tools, business owners can position their company for continued growth and success.

Below are five tips from Bart Puett, president and CEO of Maid Brigade, the leading maid service franchise, to help today’s franchisees flourish.

1. Have a plan and stick to it
Setting goals and having a plan to achieve them is crucial for the development of the business. Make it a priority to meet with key team members on a regular schedule to discuss business objectives, results, new programs, and promotions.

2. Focus on customer service and satisfaction
Repeat customers and referrals are vitally important to business growth, especially in the beginning when brand awareness within the local community may be weak. Listen to customers when they have suggestions and provide pricing incentives for repeat customers to show appreciation toward the most valued customers.

3. Use all the of the tools and support offered by franchisors
Utilize all of the resources provided by franchisors such as financing, training, sales, marketing, technology, and web support.

4. Get involved in the community
Consider donating time and services to help support local charities, schools, libraries, hospitals, churches, veterans and women’s groups to build local awareness and relations within the community.

5. Network, network, network
Join a local chamber of commerce, industry association(s), professional organization, small business owners, and entrepreneur groups to meet with other business leaders, to share ideas, and to discuss success strategies.

About Maid Brigade Inc.
Maid Brigade Inc. is the only Green Clean Certified® cleaning services franchise with more than 400 locations throughout the United States and Canada. Ranked a “Top 100” franchise by Entrepreneur magazine and a “Top 50” Franchise opportunity for both Minorities and Veterans by USA Today, Maid Brigade is a low investment, high return, and recession resistant business opportunity that offers a great lifestyle. For more information visit maidbrigadefranchise.com or call 1-800-722-MAID.

ATLANTA—Seventy-two percent of women feel they work a “second shift” when it comes to the number of hours they spend cleaning their homes, according to an April 2011 survey conducted by Maid Brigade and Mom Corps.

Thirty-three percent of survey respondents say they use outside house cleaning services, an increase from 25 percent in 2009, to provide a better sense of balance and to improve their quality of life. Most of the women surveyed who have cleaning help feel that the service is a necessity rather than an indulgence, using the free time to complete other tasks rather than relaxing.

More than twice as many respondents who have outside professional house cleaning help (35.7 percent) say they are better able to manage the details of their lives well and have a good work/life balance, as compared to the DIY group (17.2 percent). Still, three out of four women feel they do not have a proper work/life balance and 85 percent of respondents who clean their own homes say cleaning help would give them better work/life balance.

The survey also asked women about their motivations for home cleanliness and found that more women clean for appearance rather than to reduce germs or asthma and allergy triggers. Interestingly, this does not correspond to the significant amount of concern the respondents have regarding infectious diseases, even though improperly cleaned home environments are linked to causing allergies, asthma, and infectious diseases.

The apparent disconnect between home cleaning and illness may be a result of women not seeing their personal living space as a source for exposure to health risks. There is little awareness among women about the effects of transporting germs from one area of the home to another. There is also a lack of understanding regarding the effect many chemical-based cleaning supplies and ordinary cleaning equipment can have on allergies and asthma and little awareness for cleaning as a strategy to reduce risks of exposure.

Green cleaning services offer the dual advantage of alleviating the logistical burden of cleaning and reducing many of the hidden health risks found in an indoor environment. The survey findings suggest that outside cleaning help improves overall work/life balance by addressing the notion that women have to work a “second shift” when they come home from the office.
Maid Brigade and Mom Corps formed an alliance in 2009 to help women improve their quality of life. To view the companies’ 2011 study findings, as well as survey methodology, visit maidbrigade.com/momcorps.

About Maid Brigade
With more than 25 years of experience, Maid Brigade is the national leader in green cleaning practices and has a longstanding legacy of offering the latest in maid services and technologies. The company is the first and only Green Clean Certified® cleaning services franchise that implements a certification program for green house cleaning so customers know that they’re getting a green cleaning that is safe and truly green. For more information visit maidbrigade.com.

About Mom Corps
Mom Corps is a leading, rapidly growing national staffing and search firm with 15 franchise offices located throughout major cities in the United States. Mom Corps matches companies that value the use of flexible talent in their overall staffing mix with top-tier, experienced professionals -- many of whom are working mothers -- not found through traditional employment channels. Mom Corps works with many of the nation's leading Fortune 500 companies, small to mid-size businesses, academic institutions, and non-profits to find qualified candidates for flexible positions that include part-time, full-time flex, contract and temporary work arrangements. For more information visit momcorps.com.
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