Editor’s Note: This is the first of a continuing series of columns about life as a carpet cleaning owner-operator.

I am in my sixth year as owner-operator of a small carpet cleaning business in central Ohio, and have been involved in various aspects of the industry for more than 35 years, and my family’s involvement dates to 1897.
 
Yes, that’s right. 1897. We were carpet cleaners before there was carpet — real trailblazers!

At one time, I was a big “muckity-muck”, a genuine VIP.

I founded Cleanfax magazine and served as publisher and managing editor until I sold it in 1997, and continued as editor until 2000.

I managed and later owned my family’s carpet cleaning business, one of the largest in Columbus, OH.

I helped found a trade association, the UCCI, and served on committees of the IICRC and CRI; you know, things a big muckity-muck do.

When I was a big muckity-muck, I thought I understood the plight of the owner-operator, the “little guy.” I felt bad for them and wanted to help them.

As editor of Cleanfax, I directed a significant number of articles in each issue to things I thought would help the owner-operator overcome the limitations that held him or her back from success.

When I got together with the other big muckity-mucks, we would discuss the little guys’ problems. We would compare “if-only-they” lists. What is an "if-only-they" list? It’s the list of things we big muckity-mucks know the struggling owner-operator needs to do to become successful. Here’s a sampling:

If only they would join an association...

If only they would attend IICRC certification classes...

If only they worked on their business not in their business...

If only they would get out and sell...

If only they would raise their prices...

The real world

Now that “they” is “me”, I look back embarrassed at my arrogance. I meant well, as do most all the big muckity-mucks — past, present and future. But I was so judgmental. I was inclined to judge the success or failure of a business by my measure of success, which was: Growth is good and big is best.

By my definition, I’m a failure.

My business is small and I intentionally limit its growth. I’m not an association member; I’m not IICRC certified; I’m the senior technician on every job; I fear rejection and am reluctant to sell; I am reluctant to raise my prices!

But I don’t feel like a failure.

In fact, I’ve never enjoyed a business as much as I do this one. I love my customers and the physical nature of the work (except at the end of a long day scrubbin’ rugs, when my back aches).
 
I don’t make nearly as much money as I did when I was a big muckity-muck, but I’m home a lot more. As long as my wife is good with that, so am I.

I’m not saying that what I am doing now is the right way and I was wrong before.

I’m saying there is no right or wrong way in this business. We each are free to fashion a business that works for us, and to the extent we accomplish that, we are a success.

And that’s what this series will be about: Fashioning a business that works for you. The goal is to understand better the many paths to success in the carpet cleaning world, so that you can better fashion yours.

John Downey is the owner-operator of Downey’s Carpet Care of Granville in Granville, OH. When he’s not scrubbin’ rugs, his wife, Cecilia, lets him help out his brother, Tiger, owner of Perceptionist, an appointment scheduling service for small service businesses (www.myperceptionist.com), or assist Dr. Michael Berry in his efforts to bring science-based environmental management practices to the cleaning industry (www.healthyhumanhabitat.org). John can be reached at jdowney@johndowneyco.com.