Today we’d like to introduce you to Doug Payne.
Hi Doug, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
A 2nd generation carpet/floor cleaner. Started when I was 10. and now almost 42 years later, have branched out to almost any floor surface except wood flooring.
Have learned and along the way (with some God given talent) to be what I might call almost an expert in floorcare, even in what would work best in different situations when building new or remodeling (at least get the conversation started as to WHY they think they want what they want)
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
1st Being self employed is always a tough road. Depending on the business and the structure. You’re not making money if you aren’t out in the field.
2nd along those lines. It’s difficult to branch out when you are everything to the business. I saw polished concrete being A very big player in flooring needs. But trying to pound the pavement, doing the job, securing financing for those expensive machines. PLUS trying to be at home with a young family. It made it difficult.
Also in the cleaning industry, we always have a stigma of “bottom of the barrel” when it comes to securing the money you DESERVE for the work you’re doing.
1 of my biggest challenges, is having “control issues” Which makes it very hard to send someone out with thousands of dollar in equipment PLUS your reputation on the line.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
We have been in business for almost 32 yrs now, a 2nd generation cleaner.
We do & I would soya specialize in those tough floors, that other places might have trouble with. There are at times floors we simply can not save. Because some slick salesman came by and sold them on a coating of some kind, that is near impossible to remove.
I am brutally honest sometimes, when maybe I shouldn’t be. But after years in the business and people getting mad at you (or the guy they hired to do the job) To fix something THEY or say an architect screwed up on. Tends to get a bit old, and the frustration sometimes shines through
My brand encompasses 2 sayings I came up with. Both are pretty self explanatory I feel
High Tech Equipment & Old School Values
If you walk on it, we can clean it
Are there any important lessons you’ve learned that you can share with us?
Teaching the customer about the job, even at the chance of losing the money. Is far better on the soul, than just taking the money and running.
Or
Sometimes (ok most) the customer ISN”T always right in what they want. but it’s because of their lack of understanding about what is actually the best or will work BETTER for them.
It all leads back to educating the customer.
Contact Info:
- Website: Paynelessfloorcare.com or Layton-carpet-cleaning.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/paynelessfloorcare/
- Youtube: mrfloorguyz
- Yelp: Payneless Floor Care
- Other: https://search.google.com/local/writereview?placeid=ChIJ9TJWt0UCU4cRuy5s7TcXNLU
