[Ljublijana]

Hi everyone! After a natural disaster, My mom and I moved back to LV a couple years ago and started a cleaning business while waiting for her nursing license and for school to start. When her license transfered and school started, we let it go into hiatus for a while. We're both at CSN and she works full time.

Her work changed ownership and they kept her on (one of the few) but cut everyones pay drastically. So we're looking at running out own business again. We have a few ideas but the one we're thinking may be the best choice is converting our cleaning business into an organizing business.

We've done lots of decorating (my parents were professional decorators when I was little), organizing, and cleaning, we do allot of re-purposing (converting an old display case into a wine rack for example), we do vinyl decor, and we convert memorabilia to be displayed. For example, if someone keeps a loved ones clothes in boxes stored away for sentimental value, we can make them into quilts or wall hangings.

SO - with all that in mind, is there a market for us here? Most organizers charge $50 - $100 per hour, we're thinking $35 an hour to get started.

We were thinking that while things are tough and money is tight for lots of people, so not many would splurge on an organizer. But, CPS & code enforcement, and HOAs, all require people to clean up and get organized or face fines and penalties... this is a strong opportunity for clientele. Also, people who are recently disabled needing to make a home accessible. Or seniors moving into senior housing. Or someone with kids being ordered to clean up the home. But, how do we advertise to these people? Any ideas? We were told that we would have a huge clientele in Lake Las Vegas keeping vacation homes tidy (we go there often) but can't think how to advertise to the area. We're in Southern Highlands.

Any ideas?

[PinkString]

I'm sure Southern Highlands has a monthly newsletter they send out every month like they do here in Aliante. Try that. If you wanted to expand your area beyond that, consider putting it in other HOA newsletters or contact different sites to advertise on like summerlin.com.

Every few months we get local coupons in the mail, so contact whoever sends those out and get added. Give people a nice discount for the first visit.
You can also set up your own website with all the offerings and prices.
There is definitely a market here for that kind of service. You should do ok.

[Ljublijana]

Thanx! We do have a website, not sure if I can post it here for critique though. =) Yes, we want to advertise city wide, as we did excellent in the cleaning service that way. We have business cards to hand out and flyers. I'm thinking the Valpaks and inzipfo booklets would be pretty pricey though, but we can check. I'm trying to think of how to get our info to the people who are being ordered to clean up and comply with court orders of HOA orders though... since obviously these people have difficulty getting things clean and neat and have to get it done ASAP. I don't think we can give our cards to metro, but maybe to social services.

[jfkIII]

Just one suggestion...you can put pictures of you and mom...dressed very scantily...on cards with your organizing buisiness info listed...and make a deal with the Mexican porn card snappers that hang out by Denny's, on The Strip.

[fionababes]

I may be wrong but it sounds to me like the people you may be trying to target may not be in the position to afford for someone to do this for them. Maybe trying on a more specific audience who require the service you are providing yet can afford it also.

[Ljublijana]

Thanx Fionababes... I'd like to network but I'm having difficulty pinning down a target clientele. We both have PTSD and it makes it extremely difficult to focus, so we're have some problems trying to corner the right market. I can't quite pinpoint where to network and advertise.

[fionababes]

Have you tried anything like craigslist? Maybe you could put a little ad in the local paper, research which one circulates around the areas which you'd maybe like to target to ensure your targeting your chosen audience. I think its relatively cheap to place a small ad, I'm sorry I can't help out more as I don't know the media channels in Vegas. But if you need any PR advice I can try help, I'm in my last year at uni doing a BA Hons degree in PR.

[Ljublijana]

Thanx fionababes! yes, I do craigslist and facebook but it's SO crowded, it's hard to target. I might try a small ad. I have business cards I need to plaster around too.

Thanx, I could use any suggestions. I'll let you know if I think of something. I'm working on a Business degree =)

[13blackcats]

I don't have any marketing advice, but your pricing caught my eye and I wanted to comment. Consider keeping your pricing in line with the market, but giving coupons to entice rather than starting off with lower prices. When you are priced lower people might wonder WHY and come away with a negative reason (the real reason is irrelevant). Also, it's easier to control your pricing with coupons/discounts against a higher starting point. It's a better deal in the mind of the consumer, and you won't have to go back and raise prices to normal industry levels later.

[fionababes]

Yeah I'd agree, start with coupons for like 20% off as people get upset with rising costs and everyone loves the thought of getting a bargain, so would be more inclined to hire your service.