Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Bryan Butas, Owner of B’s Carpet Cleaning, located in Washington, UT, USA.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
B’s Carpet Cleaning is a locally owned and veteran-operated business that serves Southern Utah and its surrounding areas. From Deep cleaning of carpet, grout, and tile to furniture, even stretching, repairing, and reinstalling carpet to make it look like new again! We have served this area’s residents and businesses since the mid-’90s!
Tell us about yourself
I am no stranger to hard work and attention to detail. I learned my diligence, "get it done right,” and “attention to detail” attitude while serving in the Marines. Those traits translate to my current vocation at B’s. I got my start with carpet cleaning while working for Kirby Vacuums. When I decided to open my own business, I held onto my carpet cleaning education — as well as my trusty vacuum. I’ve always had the work hard, play hard attitude which keeps me going every day. I work so I can play and take care of my family and our future!
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
I always tease people and say: “the fact that I am still in business after 17 years”! I mean, let’s face it, a lot of businesses fail within their first two-three years. I also tell them that I have achieved my sainthood by performing many miracles on carpets over the years - no easy task either!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
I would have to say just working with the public in general. People are hard to handle in a lot of situations. In this situation, everyone’s degree of cleanliness is different, and people's expectations are always different, so communication is the key! When someone expects miracles, that makes it a tough situation because they usually haven’t taken care of their carpet very well and want it to look new again.
The way I explain it is that it’s like taking care of your vehicle. Change the oil, rotate the tires have it in for routine maintenance so that it lasts longer and runs better. Your carpets are no different; if you perform regular maintenance and upkeep, they can last you a lot longer and cost you a lot less.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
- Knowledge. What you know, what you’ve learned, and what you take with you into your field is far more important than what you “think” you know. Information today is at our fingertips, and it’s so much easier to research than back in the day when we had to go to the library or interview somebody. You still want to interview people with experience, but information as a whole is a lot more obtainable!
- Network. Join a chamber group, a BNI group (business networking international); get with other business people and network and learn from each other to grow your business. What’s working, what’s not working, who do you know, who do they know? It is a very powerful way to grow and understand business!
- Be persistent, and never give up. Persistence beats resistance. Putting your head down and going to work those first five years and working the hardest you’ve ever worked will pay off in later years. Most people give up at some point. Most people will struggle or hit a difficult time and quit. You must persist - Anything is possible.
Is there anything else you'd like to share?
Constantly fill yourself with positive, motivational, inspirational, and growthful listening or reading. Again, there is a lot of great information out there. There are a lot of great professionals that would love to share their knowledge and information with you to achieve greatness.
The only difference between your dreams and your goals is “action.” Those who write down their dreams and goals are now putting them into action! Those who focus on those actions are moving towards them every day and are the ones that come closer to achieving them. Immerse yourself in your dreams and manifest them into your future. Greatness is closer than you think it is.
Where can people find you and your business?
Website: https://thecarpet-cleaner.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stgcarpetcleaner
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solo or small business entrepreneur that you'd like to share, then please answer these interview questions. We'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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