Have you ever been on a scary rollercoaster, racing along on tracks that didn't seem too sturdy or safe, with each second of the ride seeming like it could be your last?

If not, you no doubt have done something else very similar: You have started your own business. The thrill and excitement of life as an entrepreneur can feel much like a wild rollercoaster ride, where you are absolutely sure something unpredictable is just around the next corner.

Most business owners are constantly on a quest for new customers, marketing their core services — typically carpet cleaning or disaster restoration — as often as feasibly possible. They may offer "specials" and discounts in order to book jobs and increase revenue.

But many of the more successful business owners go beyond their core services. They realize that today's consumer wants more done than having their carpet cleaned. As the "baby boomer" generation ages — that group of people that typically has a little more money to spend than the average consumer — there is much more profit potential in each home you work in.

Many of you offer tile and grout cleaning, which is slowly plodding its way past the term "diversification" to a steady "normal service" of traditional carpet cleaning companies. And while some have shied away from upholstery cleaning because of fear of damage, many of you specialize in it and enjoy healthy profits.

There are many other diversification services you should consider, if it is your goal to build your business.

Rug cleaning is often treated as carpet cleaning, something that was especially true in my day, with cleaners taking a truckmount scrub wand and treating rug the same as they would carpet. But with a bit of an education, you quickly learn that an immersion cleaning is best for everyone involved. You might consider a rug plant, a facility that specializes in the proper cleaning of rugs. It's a very lucrative service, especially as more and more rugs are put down over those cold, hard floors.

Although to many it may be a bit gruesome, bio-cleaning (crime scene, death scene) cleaning is a very lucrative add-on service to consider. Depending on the area you work, there may be little or no formal training required. But there are many health and safety concerns to consider (OSHA has regulations, of course) and an education should be pursued before proceeding. I cleaned up many bio-hazards in my time, and the first few without knowing a pathogen from a halogen.

Another diversification is fine art restoration. In October, I attended the Restoration Journeys tour through Italy, learning from both public and private institutions some of the particulars of fine art restoration. No, this isn't a service where you will be wiping soot with a chemical sponge from the surface of a Picasso.

There are many valuables, including artwork and documents, that need someone to expertly handle, package and ship to the proper restoration facility.

There is isn't enough space to talk about all diversification opportunities, but start looking around in the homes and businesses you work in.

Pick your eyes up off the carpet, and you will quickly see a wide array of surfaces that may need your expert services.

Please send your comments, thoughts or article ideas to Jeff Cross, senior editor of Cleanfax magazine: jcross@ntpmedia.com.