WESST Blog

On The Spot Cleaning is a full service carpet cleaning company servicing the Farmington, Bloomfield and Aztec community.  They believe that up-keeping your carpet is a requirement to protect your investment. The company’s goal is to ensure that every client is 100% satisfied with each and every visit. From carpets to upholstery, they strive to provide the best possible service and a maintenance program tailored to each customer’s specific needs or interests.

Where did the “big idea” for your business come from? What made you decide to move forward with it?

I’ve always known I wanted to be a business owner. As a teenager, I began grabbing and reading business journals anytime I was in an airport, library, waiting room., etc. This was the mid to late 90s. Everything I read suggested the service sector was going to explode. I always thought it’d be an interesting prospect to own a piece of the action.

What made me finally move forward was being unsatisfied with my then current employment and recognizing it was not getting me closer towards my goals. Also, we had our first child and I wanted the flexibility to be able to spend time with him.

What’s the most satisfying part of being an entrepreneur?

The most satisfying part of being an entrepreneur is the relationships I’ve created. From relationships with clients, our team members, and those we serve in the community, I feel my pallet of influence has greatly expanded along with my ability to glean insight, knowledge, ideas, and wisdom from those I’ve been fortunate to associate with.

The most challenging thing for me is consistently taking the time and being responsible enough to work “on” the business. There are so many distractions and I’m somewhat ADD. This adds to the difficulty. I struggle with finding that sweet spot of effectiveness and working on the most important things and giving them time they need. AVOIDING DISTRACTIONS… They’re everywhere in business and life.

What do you do when you’re not working?

When I’m not working, I try to spend as much time as possible with family. I also try to give community service through my church and to those who I know personally need help. I also strive to advance my talent and personal goals as a musician and recording artist. I’m always looking for opportunities to travel, explore and meet new people. If I can get a bike ride in somewhere in between all of this, that’s a bonus!

Would you do anything differently, if you could start your business over again? If so, what?

If I could do anything differently, I’d go back to the beginning and tell myself to relax. Not to worry so much. Not to let my worry and stress explode onto others. In my eight years of running this business, I’ve learned that my business is an investment and to effectively run it I need to possess an “investment mindset.”

To explore that a little further, what I mean is that whether dealing with people or business processes, one must approach the activity as though it is an investment. Don’t expect an immediate return, immediate change, or that people will magically arrive at the same mindset and commitment level I have as the business owner. Positive change and advancement is built on consistency and time and, if a business owner can get enough of this, he’ll reap the rewards of “compound interest.”

What advice do you have for other people who want to start their own business?

Many people wait for that “perceived moment of perfection” to launch a business – a moment where “all the ducks seem to line up” and everything makes sense. They put off taking the entrepreneurial “jump” until “this or that” sometime in the future.

I’d like to let people know that the idea they only get one chance is a complete farce. There’ll be many opportunities and, if you miss one, there’ll be others if you really have the entrepreneurial heart and spirit.

However, people call it a “jump” for a reason. When you jump off the rock into the lake or off a big diving board, you eventually must stop fretting about what’s below and behind you and embrace the leap. This doesn’t mean you shouldn’t, to the best of your ability, make sure you’re not diving onto a rock…. but there comes that moment when eventually you must jump. This may mean breaking free from some comfort zone things you’re used to – like the relative certainty of regular income associated with a job as an employee.

Also, I’d like to let potential entrepreneurs know that however much they may think it’s going to cost regarding finances or mental energy and work, their initial estimates will likely be overly conservative. No one truly has an idea. It takes a lot and the entrepreneur must be seriously committed if they’re going to succeed. Once they jump in, they must immediately start swimming as the current is usually stronger than we perceive and there’s an undertow. Bottom line: Make sure the current work and family situation, health, personal finances etc. will allow you to do quite a bit of “vigorous swimming.”

What was your biggest takeaway from your work with WESST?

At times, it can be very lonely owning a business. There are times when stress can seem to be insurmountable. Having an unbiased, highly educated business advisor who’s also in touch with the needs and challenges of the business community has been imperative for our success.
Furthermore, the help and support, knowledge and guidance I’ve received in working with WESST has helped me encourage other business owners as they go through similar challenges. I’ve referred many of our colleagues to this wonderful organization. Chris Hunter and WESST is our local “go-to” mentor and he’s been vital to our growth and continuing success.