A reader asks: "Thanks for the tips on bidding on large buildings but I am just getting started. Any ideas of how I can grow my part time business to full time?"

Too many optimistic entrepreneurs tend to visualize going from point A to point Z without the baby steps (and sometimes giant leaps) to get there. Many motivational speakers will stress the importance of having a clear goal in mind such as "By January 1, 201X, I will have $1,000,000.00 in my possession, drive a new Bentley, live in an exclusive subdivision in a million dollar home and only work when I feel like it."

My advice to you is that if that is your vision you need to find another line of work such a investing in lottery tickets or building a real estate pyramid scheme. Operating a custodial business can certainly bring you financial security and meaningful employment but it may take a little longer than your motivational speaker indicated. We will continue with the cost of starting and operating a cleaning business:

What resources do you have available at the present time to start your own business? Most of us know of a very successful entrepreneur who started with a mop/bucket and dust mop 40 or 50 years ago and now is a multi-millionaire. Although that is still possible, he/she was the exception then and is the exception now. You might note that their biographies relate years of sacrifice and very careful stewardship of their monies to achieve that goal. A friend who has now passed on related that he would not allow oatmeal in his home once he achieved financial success since that was all his family ate during the startup phase of his business.

It is important you recognize that sacrifice may be required for you to succeed. Your comments and questions are important.

I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Your comments and questions are important. I hope to hear from you soon. Until then, keep it clean...

Mickey Crowe has been involved in the industry for over 35 years. He is a trainer, speaker and consultant. You can reach Mickey at 678-314-2171 or CTCG50@comcast.net.