I have a close friend that has been very successful in the Janitorial cleaning business. So AskRecy actually asked him for advice on what did it take for him to get started---how did he do it? In his first year of operations, he claimed to have made over $100,000.00. He actually worked in the medical field for a hospital for twenty-five years before he retired. During that period of time he accumulated and actually purchased, five lease homes, three duplexes and additional property from income deprived his the janitorial business.

His comments to me were, why does this person need a loan or money? What he actually said was, "For Pete sakes, all you need is a good vacuum cleaner, a strong mop, a tough broom, a few cleaning supplies and a strong back." He also said, "I didn't build this business overnight, I started with a couple of small office buildings, working them by myself, until I had a good track record, solid references and accumulated enough money to bid on a much larger building."

You can start the business part-time and work at your own pace. You don't need much money to get started in this business. This type of business can be started with a few hundred dollars or less and a strong desire to succeed.

I don't understand why you have refused and turn down the additional new business. How in the heck do you expect to grow? If the jobs were too big for you to handle by yourself, have you thought about a partner or a joint venture with another striving person like yourself? The friend told me that the first big job he successfully bid on and won was a ten-story building. He had the contract, he worked out an arrangement with another person in the same line of work and together they were able to successfully hold onto the contract for the next five years Money is now the cure-all for success. Use common sense. There is more than one way to resolve a dilemma ```

There is one book title, The Janitorial Contractors Bible by Robert Jack Kravitz, which has more positive reviews that may help you. It provides the most complete, detailed and comprehensive source of information on the janitorial-cleaning industry to date. It is also designed towards helping the budding entrepreneur and the established contractor build, grow, prosper and enjoy their business.

From: Barbara in Chicago

I own a small business in the Chicago area, and I need to register my business as minority owned. Is this something you can help me with??

AskRecy Response:

The city of Chicago has a Minority and Women-owned Business (M/WBE) Procurement Program that demonstrates the City's continued commitment to the success of minority- and women-owned businesses. The program has played a key role in increasing the business opportunities for minorities and women in the City. Unless the M/WBE ordinance has changed, Chicago established a goal of awarding 25 % of the dollar value of all contracts of $10,000 or more to MBEs, and 5% to Women-owned business and purchases of less than $10,000 are targeted for MBE/WBEs.

Chicago has also met and exceeded its goals of awarding twenty-five percent of the dollar value of all contracts awarded annually to MBEs and five percent to WBEs, since the ordinance was passed in 1990.

The program is located within the Department of Purchases in the Division of Contract Monitoring and Certification and it is this department that certifies minority and women business enterprises and carries out the mandates of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action requirements. The rules are simple for minorities wishing to take advantage of the opportunities afforded to them under the M/WBE program. Your business and in most states must be at least 51 percent owned and controlled by a minority or woman and be City-certified. As it is in Texas, the City of Chicago certification is also accepted by other government agencies and some private agencies.

There is no cost for the certification or recertification process. The process is about the same in most states, which is normally 90 to 120 days. You can get a copy of the certification application in the Bid & Bond Room 401 of Chicago City Hall and also at the information counter located in the lobby of City Hall.

The program also offers a semi-annual "How to Do Business With the City" Vendor Fair. This open forum invites vendors to learn all they need to know about the City of Chicago contract award process, new project information and one-on-one interaction with City representatives.

Date: 02/09/2000 7:25:39 PM Pacific Standard Time

From: Lafrazia

I operate a non-profit organization in the Boston area that serves a predominantly African American and Latino population. Currently management is entirely white. At present there are two management level positions open (Director of Facilities and Director of Capital Campaign and Planned Giving). I have advertised in the major local paper for both positions but have had no response from any minority candidates. Any advise on how to better target our recruitment efforts in these fields? Are you aware of any trade associations, journals, and publications, in which to advertise that would be helpful?

Thank you in advance for any help you can provide.

AskRecy Response

Sometimes just merely advertising in the local media is not the answer. You have to have to do some targeted advertising. Have you tried advertising in some of the leading black newspapers? Here are some major black newspapers online:

• www.blacknewsonline.com
• www.blacknewspapers.com
• www.internationalguardian.com
• www.blacktexas.com

Perhaps your best source is to go to the African American Newspapers website. There are over 200 listed--Sorted By State. Their site address is www.aasm.com/pubs.html If that doesn't help, then go to various states African-American Chambers of Commerce, the one in Texas is www.taaacc.com.

Several years ago, a person told me that whenever his company has an opening for managerial positions, he believes that word of mouth works for him every single time. He also boasts of using this approach for peers in other companies. He simply mails the job description to all the major black churches in the city and surrounding counties. He claims it's cheaper, it's fast and it works.

Let me know if you were successful in your recruiting.

From: B. Spencer in Dallas
Subj: Changing Jobs in the 40's

I am a 47 year old, single parent. (Children: 1 Daughter age 8, and one a college sophomore at the Univ. of Houston 20) I have worked at the same major utility for 25 years. My B.A..is in Bus. Admin. I have taken two graduate level courses, one in Library Sci. the other an MBA course. I have worked as an accounting associate for the last 11 years. Prior to that I was a secretary. The last few years of downsizing has me in a constant fear of losing my job to one of the many 20 somethings walking in the door. I earn $36,000/yr but others around me (non-black and non-degreed) earn $40+. My last raise was $50 back in 1997. But I confess, I am too fearful of having no job at all to challenge the entrenched injustices where I work. The advantages are the freedom to get my little one to school and back on a flexible schedule. In cases of emergency, she can come to work with me. The medical benefits are decent, and sick days are paid.

I am an intelligent woman, with many interests who is easy to train, and loves to learn. I am considering taking some computer courses but I don't know which path it would lead me toward. I cannot work 12 - 16 hr days.

1. What kinds of businesses/companies would suit a woman with my profile that would provide an opportunity for greater pay?
2. Are there computer jobs that are compatible with a single mom's schedule?
3. I considered a career in Library Sci so I could join the school system, be on my daughter's schedule and thereby, eliminate child care fees. But I wonder if the school system is worse when it comes to 'politics' than major corporations.
   Do you have any info on fairness in pay practices in the school system?

AskRecy response:

I had to read your profile and questions several times to make sure I truly understand your situation. The fact that you have worked for the same company for twenty-five years and as an accounting associate for the last eleven years indicates that you are a candidate for job security and a person that takes little risk. To receive a $50.00 pay raise in three years is enough to send me packing and seeking another job, regardless, if I were a single parent.

You appear to be in a catch-22. You have the comforts of a flexible schedule that allows you to bring your child to work and a job with good benefits and sick pay. But, you are bored and not challenged! There are numerous other jobs that you can choose from that will suit your profile, but you will be back in the same boat.

The question I should ask - what do you want to do? Really, what is it? Is there a job or career that you think, believe and know that you would be great at doing? Let's forget about the two kids for a moment, and just think about it. Forget about taking the computer courses? I don't think it's for you. A programmer that writes a safe program without risks won't go far in this business. Also forget about a career in Library Science so that you can join the school system, just to be on your daughter's schedule. Unless that's what you really want to do, however, since money and higher pay seems to be a prerequisite, you may be barking up the wrong tree. Teachers are underpaid, but a great many of them love their jobs.

There is an important factor missing in everything you mentioned above. It's all about a job you don't like and what you are sacrificing for your children. What about you? It's not too late to make a career change, especially if the move will bring you success and happiness. Success can be measured as an attainment of wealth, a position of honor, an achievement or accomplishments. It is not always associated with money. I know several single parents with four and five little rascals and are having a whale of a time doing what makes them happy and they are not working a 12 to 16 hours job - I should say a paying job.

My best advice to you at this point in time is for you to think seriously about not just a job change, but position or business that you will find rewarding. Contact me again and let's see how we can make it happen.

You might want to read What Color is Your Parachute 2000 by Richard Nelson Bolles - many people have found it very useful for finding a new career that really works for them.