A Serious Question for you Humorous Guys

john zema said:
Dodonish,#1 I have never heard of anyone not being able to get insurance due to certification.
#2 Yes My company is uncertified,SO WHAT! So is everyone else here.
#3 Who trained you does not matter when soliciting business.It will not come up unless you bring it up.There are 2 factors people consider, price or reliability.No one ever asked or cares about who trained me.
#3 Certification doesn't "burn my rear".I am just giving Mr. Grogan the truth.I think that burns your rear!You got suckered in to thinking Rustys piece of paper is worth something in the real world and now you are bitter because others were not.
#4 yes you can run a one man business.I wouldn't call it successful.I have many accounts that could never be done with one man.Many others that could be cleaned with one man but the customers would not want it.They won't stay an extra hour or 2 because you have no helper.It is also unsafe.
I can't believe people that think certification is so critical would then say it is ok to have an unspotted ladder,or someone alone in the middle of the night(on an unspotted ladder),or would go on a roof and spraying down a duct with out someone in the kitchen watching,ect.
Rusty may be in business,but I bet 95% of his graduates have helpers including you.
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I will reply in the same sequence.

#1 So since you haven't heard the problem it doesn't exist.

#2 (second part) Wrong.

#3(the first one) Okay, I do bring up who trained me. I've found it a great selling point being certified and trained by ACS. So the fact that you have been in this busniness for 18 years never comes up during a solicitation. I would recommend using it if you don't, you might find it effective.

#3(the second one) I am so glad you figured me out. I hate Rusty and his stupid piece of paper. I actually have rolls of toilet paper printed with a copy of my certificate.

#4 Sounds to me like your problem is fear of ladders and lack of conficence in your wrapping ability. I'm fine with you working with a helper. If you need someone to hold your ladder and plastic that's fine. I do trust my judgement on ladder placement and hood wrapping though, and since I do I have no fear of working alone.
 
Dodonish, sorry for the 2 #3's it was the only incorrect thing in my post.I am usually 100% right.
#1 I haven't heard of this because it does not exist.
#2 I am not wrong!
#3 I don't need advice from a rookie like you!
#3 I am glad we agree on something!
#4 You are the one with the confidence problem that is why you needed Rusty to hold your hand to get started.You may have no fear of working alone,but you don't now do you?
 
I'll borrow this from Matt.

http://www.propowerwash.com/board/upload/showpost.php?p=45680&postcount=7

Since you are always right there is no need for me to comment anymore.

I'm glad we can all be professional here and not resort to poor attempts of personal insults.

Okay....John says don't get training, it is a rip off. Josh says training was the most valuable investment I made in my business start up. Anyone else care to input.
 
Training is invaluable. From what I understand Rusty's training is done in accordance with Phil Acklands manual and Josh seems to be doing pretty well for himself and I have talked to a couple other graduates that are doing very well. So saying his training is worthless is just false. I think that certification is worthless if you don't really know what you are doing.

Anybody can read a few safety manuals, look over NFPA 96 and score 70% on a test and become certified and still not know how to physically be able to clean an exhaust system.

My views on certification have changed over the years but I still think one should prove that they can actually clean an exhaust system before becoming certified.
 
dodonish,Read my post again! I never said the man should not get training.Training is invaluable.I even suggested a way he could go about it.I just made the point that he doesn't need to be certified.
 
Good we agree. Get trained. If you do choose to go to a training school, you will get certified as well. Not that it is necessary or anything....certification that is.

I recommend Advanced Cleaning System's hoodcleaningschool.com, which has an excellent record of making successful business people.

Or go to an existing company/future competitor, and ask to trade some free labor to see their cleaning process, account information, pricing, frequencies, and restaurant contacts. That sounds like an excellent way to get some training.

John, you seem like a super nice guy. Maybe you could hook the guy up with some free training.
 
I am a super nice guy, that is why I am going out of my way here to let him know what he needs and doen't need.Maybe I'll train and certify him here at the North Eastern Hood Cleaning Academy.Our tuition is only 1500.00 for 1 week training.You will learn hands on no books.At the end of the week, if you pass the test you will get a framed certificate saying you are a CERTIFIED hood cleaner.Then you can tell any prospective client that you are a graduate of the North Eastern Hood Cleaning Acadamey.
 
There you go, that tuition is kind of high though.;)

I'm wondering if you are clear of what Rusty's training involves. I did not pay his school for hood cleaning training only. I was taught how to run a successful service business, bookwork, scheduling, sales and marketing, equipment maintenance, and also how to clean a real life, greasy stinkin wok style past due kitchen exhaust system, from top to bottom, back to front, floor to roof. I had zero experience in business management. Rusty was also there to help support in any way if I was to have any questions, or problems with my business start up. I could have , and still can actually, go back and have additional training if I feel like I need more. I did not pay to just get certified, like some of the other training programs, I paid for training in business start up. The certificate I recieved is evidence of accomplishment, which I am very proud of. ACS has worked very hard and has put together an excellent training program. I think it is $9000 now, but 4 years ago it was $8000, and is still the best investment I could have made. I am confident that I would have wasted many more dollars and a lot more time trying to figure this business out on my own.

As far as the "rookie" statement goes. I would hope I have accomplished enough in my couple of years to at least be considered a novice. I can provide pictures. :)
 
Dod, again you need to read the posts.This guy is already in the powerwash business.So I would assume he doesn't need all those extras that you did.All he needs is a how to course on h&d cleaning.Here at the North Eastern Hood Cleaning Acadamey we tailor the course and tuition fee for each student.We believe 1500.00 is fair in this case.
I stand by the Rookie thing, as compared to me I feel you are one.
I was never anywhere near as critical of Rusty as most were here.Having a school to teach the business is a great idea.I'm sure you and many others had a positive experience there.There fee is small compared to the return if you are willing to work hard.I only disagreed with his examples of how much revenue can be done with one man,and that the need to be certified isn't there.
 
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Josh has participated in this bb for some time. He has gain the respect of myself and others, to call him a rookie in the deeming manner is simply out of line. I will grant you that his over the edge support of the Rams, has me wondering as to his true calling. That being said he and Rusty both have walked through the right of passage, the gantlet so to speak. We are happy to have Josh as a member of our bb and a rookie he is not.:)
 
David Saulque said:
I will grant you that his over the edge support of the Rams, has me wondering as to his true calling.
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It seems your hinting towards a cheerleader, but skirts and bloomers aren't my best uniform.:eek: Thank you for the kind words. I have always tried to show respect to the veterans in this industry....most of you deserve it.

Click here to listen ace-love
 
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And with 627 posts (most defending Rusty) I think Josh feels strongly that he got what he was expecting for his money if not more.
How many jobs do you finish each week Josh? and when did you start?
 
I believe strongly in association supported certification. We have all seen what happens when there is no standard in place....even the rookies.;)

Started cleaning hoods in Jan 2003. Personally I may service anywhere from 5 to 15, depends on if I fill in for one of my guys or if I lose one. Company average between 20 and 25.
 
I am happy to have Josh as well.
As far as what happens when there are no standards in place we are seeing that now.Certification is not mandatory.A system has to be clean weather the person who cleaned it has a certificate from Rusty or the North Eastern Hood Cleaning Academy,or none at all.
 
Josh if your numbers are true, that is 2800 cleanings. You are no longer a rookie or a novice. Welcome to the big leagues!
 
25 times 52 equals 1300. Where did you get 2800 from Grant? I don't believe anyones numbers that I Have seen on this board in any case.
 
Grant is so overcome with embarrasment, he asked me to reply for him. He used the same calculator he uses to price out his customers invoices.
 
5 - 15 per week himself, 20 - 25 per week for his company an average of about 16 or 17 a week on the low side. 17 times 4.3 (weeks per month) = 73 jobs a month, times 39 months (Jan 2003 - April 2006) actually comes out to about 2847 jobs, but I was just ballparkin it. No calculus here, just plain rithmatic.
 
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