Do you know what SDS sheets are?
Starting a small business can be daunting, there are so many things that we don't know right away. My business is a residential and commercial cleaning service and we have only been in business a year and about 6 months. I never heard of SDS sheets until I became a cleaner. I learned about this after I became IICRC certified. So what exactly are SDS sheets and why you should always have them with you while at a cleaning job, especially if you are using your own cleaning supplies? SDS sheets or Safety Data Sheets, previously known as a Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) are for hazardous chemicals used on the job. The SDS sheet will contain the manufacturer's name, the ingredients, is it toxic or not, what to do in case of emergency - first aid measures, how to handle and store the product, exposure controls, personal protection, transportation, disposal and more. SDS sheets must be on file at your office and on the job site. So as a residential cleaner, should I have SDS sheets? As a precaution, I always have a copy of the SDS sheets for all the cleaning products I use on a job, when I go to a client's home or office. Even for household cleaning supplies that I use, if it has an SDS sheet, I have a copy of it. I keep it in a plastic folder and put it in one of my caddies. Note this only applies, if I am supplying the cleaning products, on some jobs the client especially commercial clients will supply their own cleaning supplies and the client is then the one responsible for having the SDS sheets available. A good practice is to ask your commercial client if they have SDS sheets and where they are located in the event you have an accident on the job site and only you or your staff are on site. Note: that you may not be required to have a SDS sheet if the product has the same purpose, duration, and frequency as a consumer product. How can I find SDS sheets? Go to Google or any other search engine you use Type in the name of the chemical: SDS (type in the name of the chemical colon then SDS) Review and make sure it is the correct SDS sheet. Print and put in your folder. Did you know know about SDS sheets prior to this post? Do you update your SDS sheets folder frequently or annually? Do you have any other helpful suggestions for start-up cleaners that want to make sure they stay OSHA compliant?Why do most contractors copy what they see — and wonder why it doesn’t work?
Hey Everyone My names Will, Im an Electrical Contractor out in the New England area (Connecticut / Massachuseets) Last year and a half, I been traveling the US speaking and working with contractors, working with them in the field and hosting podcasts... And something surprised me and it's starting to become a pattern in our industry. The biggest mistake I see tradesmen-turned-business-owners make? They chase what someone else is doing, when It comes to pricing, life styles, how they even act — Instead of figuring out what they actually need. Before you start hiring, expanding, or throwing money at tools, you need to ask yourself: What am I really trying to fix? That’s why I built this visual — a Blueprint to Defining Success — so we stop copying other businesses and start building with purpose. Would love to expose myself now and ask what do you all think?Closed: HSC Exclusive Giveaway: Win a $500 Gift Card to Invest in Your Business
Have you checked your business's online performance? 👀 If not, now’s the time! Find out your Get Noticed Score to see how your business shows up online—and how to stand out from your competition. 🎁 How to Enter the Giveaway 🎁 Step 1: Comment below with your Get Noticed Score and answer the question Based on your Get Noticed Score results, what’s one improvement you’ll make this month? Step 2: Fill out this Google Form to enter the draw and claim your exclusive stickers. Everyone who completes both steps will receive a free sticker pack. One lucky winner will be randomly selected to win a $500 gift card. Our gift card winner is TomWhiteGlove 🎉 Congratulations! Terms & ConditionsHere’s a quick lesson I learned the hard way
I thought I’d save a few bucks by loading all the old lava rock from a landscape renovation onto my standard open-bed trailer instead of renting a dump trailer. Loading was a breeze—gravity did half the work. Unloading? Different story. Without a hydraulic lift, every single rock had to be shoveled out by hand. Four hours later, I finally rolled away—sore, sweaty, and wishing I’d spent the extra cash. Take it from me: the right equipment turns a back-breaking afternoon into a five-minute button-press. Think twice, rent once, and keep your profit (and your spine) intact.
Any solo cleaning business owners??
Hi everyone, Starting out with your solo commercial or residential cleaning business, what was the biggest mistake you were making or misunderstanding you had about running a business when seeking new clients? And what to you do to move forward and grow? Thank you in advance! I'm just starting out and I'm interested in blindspots I may have as new business owner.
Looking for a grant
Looking for a grant to fund my lawn care business I already have over 35 customers. Both my mowers have broke down and left me basically stranded having to borrow one from my dad to get jobs done . It's something I love to do help people give great prices it's not about the money it's about helping people for me . I hope to get this grant it would grow my business significantly.
Real Talk: The Ups and Downs of Running a Business
Let’s start a real conversation — no filters, no fluff. What’s it really been like running your business? I’m talking about the mistakes that taught you lessons, the wins that made it all feel worth it, the burnout you didn’t expect, and the goals that keep you going even on the tough days. Whether you’re just starting or deep in the game, your story can inspire someone else (and maybe theirs will help you too). Drop your honest take below 👇 Let’s build something real — together.
💡 Deep Discussion
What core belief about running a home-service business did you have when you started that has since been completely overturned—and how has that single mindset shift reshaped the way you lead, hire, or serve customers today? Ill start give you my answer first: When I launched Mr. Backflow I was convinced that “if you’re the best technician in town, the phone will ring.” I poured every waking hour into mastering test gauges, pressure zones, and relief-valve anatomy—but assumed marketing, storytelling, and team culture were secondary noise. Spoiler: being a backflow Jedi means nothing if homeowners don’t know what a backflow preventer is, why it fails, or who to trust when it leaks. My once-sacred belief—“skill sells itself”—got obliterated in year one. Here’s how flipping that mindset rewired the whole company: Lead with clarity, not jargon • We turned boring reports into photo-rich “device health cards” that read like a mechanic’s inspection sheet. • Instagram reels now explain “Why that brass thing by your hose bib matters” in 15 seconds. Result: service calls doubled and we collect a 5-star review on 4 out of every 5 jobs. Hire for empathy first, wrenches second • New techs must role-play explaining a failed check valve to a curious grandma before they ever pick up a tester. • I can train the plumbing; I can’t fake patience and good vibes. Result: callbacks dropped 30 %, morale skyrocketed, and customers ask for techs by name. Systemize the story • Automated email/SMS drip educates clients on backflow law, seasonal tips, and what to expect on-site. • Team tablets generate on-the-spot quotes with “good / better / best” options—zero mystery pricing. Result: average job value is up 18 % because clients actually understand the upsell. Bottom line: the skill is still non-negotiable, but *communication* is the real differentiator. Once I stopped assuming expertise was enough—and started speaking human, hiring empathetic pros, and packaging our knowledge in bite-size ways—Mr. Backflow went from a one-man wrench show to the go-to clean-water problem solver in Carlsbad.
