How Do You Get Your First Clients as a New Post-Construction Cleaning Business?
Hey there! I recently started a commercial post-construction cleaning company in North Texas. Just wanted to introduce myself, I'm excited to be part of this community. My background is in operations and project management which is where I feel like I could really blow this company up into a sought after business since systems and relationships are the name of the game, yes you have to clean well but in my opinion that's only half the battle. Right now I'm working on building relationships with commercial contractors and tradesmen. I recently bid on a bunch of work through the free version of Building Connected but I'm excited to get out in the field and meet face to face. If anyone has any other tried and true suggestions on marketing and business development (I also love guerilla marketing ideas) I'm all ears. Thanks and look forward to connecting!
If you had to start your business from scratch tomorrow with only $1,000, what would you do first?
Imagine you lost everything today except your experience and $1,000. What would be your first three moves to get your business back to where it is today? No right or wrong answers, I think this could help a lot of people who are just getting started.
Metal Relic: Welding, Business, and Building a Life in Steel
Hey everyone, my name is Jeremy Werkheiser and I’m the owner and artist behind Metal Relic. Metal Relic started in 2017 as a night and weekend side gig. At the time, it was a way for me to take welding, fabrication, salvaged steel, and industrial materials and turn them into something more creative. What started with smaller handmade metal pieces slowly grew into guitars, motorcycles, flowers, wall pieces, machines, creatures, and eventually larger sculptural work. My background is in industrial maintenance and management, so I have always approached my work from both the hands-on trade side and the problem-solving side. Nuts, bolts, washers, chain, sheet steel, pipe, tools, scrap, and raw steel all become part of the work. I like taking hard industrial materials and pushing them into organic forms while still letting the steel look like steel. A lot changed for me over the last few years. After a house fire, losing tools, losing my father, and having life pretty much force a reset, my perspective shifted. Metal Relic became more than just making things. It became a way to rebuild, refocus, and prove that skilled trades can become fine art when you keep pushing the craft. That shift eventually led me back to school for welding, where I treated the education side seriously. I wanted to sharpen the skills behind the art, not just rely on what I already knew. That path led into SkillsUSA, competition work, project documentation, galleries, exhibitions, media features, and national and international recognition for my sculpture work. My piece The Deep Sleep, a steel Kraken attacking a pirate ship, became a major turning point for me and helped show what Metal Relic could become. On the business side, Metal Relic has grown from a side project into a full-time small business. That has meant learning a lot beyond welding: pricing, shipping, customer communication, inventory, event planning, online sales, marketing, photography, branding, and figuring out how to balance smaller production work with larger custom and fine art pieces. Some days the business side is harder than the fabrication side, but it is all part of building something real. I’m not here to make a sales post. I wanted to introduce myself, share some of the history behind Metal Relic, and show the work that came out of that journey. Everything I make is built by hand, one piece at a time, with the goal of turning raw steel into something that feels alive. Glad to be here and looking forward to connecting with everyone. If anyone has questions about my process, the education side, the business side, or the journey from side gig to full-time work, feel free to ask me anything. Jeremy Werkheiser Metal Relic
How to Land Commercial Cleaning Contracts?
My name is Carla I am the owner of Kadosh Services LLC, we are located in Woodstock GA. We are struggling to get commercial contracts, does anyone has any advice? We offer, residential, commercial, carpet cleaning, pressure washing, strip & wax floor care and janitorial services.Let’s Support Each Other - Introduce Yourself Below!
We’re all working hard to grow our businesses, and one of the greatest strengths of this community is the opportunity to support one another. If you see a member who could benefit from a referral, make the connection. If someone asks a question and you have experience, share what you’ve learned. Celebrate each other’s wins, encourage one another through challenges, and help create opportunities whenever you can. A single referral, recommendation, or connection could make a real difference for someone’s business. Let’s build a community where we don’t just grow our own businesses—we help each other grow too. 👇 Introduce yourself below: Business name Service(s) you offer City & State (or Country) One way the community can support your businessHow Do Small Cleaning Companies Land Large Post-Construction Contracts?
I've been in the cleaning business for a while now. Most of our work has been residential, Airbnb turnovers, and the occasional janitorial or post-construction project. But one area I really want to grow into is large post-construction cleaning, new condos, apartment buildings, and commercial developments. Here's where I struggle mentally. Sometimes I visit active construction sites and ask to speak with the project manager. Most of the time, they politely tell me that I need to contact the developer or general contractor because they don't make those decisions. And honestly... that's where I hesitate. Part of me feels that companies building 50, 100, or even 200-unit developments already have relationships with large national cleaning companies. I find myself thinking, "Why would they even consider a smaller company like mine?" Maybe that's just a limiting belief, but it's something I'm trying to overcome. So I'd love to hear from those of you who've been in this industry longer: Did you start by approaching large developers directly? How did you land your first major post-construction contract? Is cold calling or emailing general contractors actually effective? Should I keep reaching out, even if I get rejected over and over? Or is there a smarter path into this market? I'm genuinely looking to learn from those who've done it. Thank you in advance for sharing your experience. I'll be reading every comment.Phase 3 Preparation Tips for Jobber Grant Applicants
To everyone who may be advancing to Phase 3 of the Jobber Grants competition, congratulations on making it this far. The work you put in now can help your business long after this competition. Here are a few things I’d recommend focusing on: Review your full application and be ready to speak confidently about everything you submitted. Practice explaining your business in 30–60 seconds. Keep it simple, clear, and memorable. Know exactly how you would use the grant and the impact it would have on your business. Update your website, LinkedIn, and social media so your online presence reflects your business professionally. Refresh your business plan and make sure it reflects your latest progress and goals. Know your numbers—customers, revenue (if applicable), milestones, growth, and future goals. Practice answering questions out loud. Confidence comes from preparation and repetition. Be ready to explain what makes your business unique and why now is the right time for it. Organize your financial information and important business documents in case they’re needed. Create a simple one-page overview of your business that clearly explains your mission and vision. Gather testimonials, reviews, or customer feedback if you have them. Social proof adds credibility. Stay informed about your industry so you can confidently discuss current trends and opportunities. Build relationships with other founders. Networking often creates opportunities beyond this competition. Don’t memorize answers. Know your story well enough that your passion comes through naturally. Take care of yourself. Get enough rest, stay focused, and walk into every opportunity with confidence. Most importantly, act like you’ve already made it to Phase 3. Use this time to strengthen your business, improve your brand, and prepare for every opportunity ahead. Wishing everyone the best of luck. No matter who moves forward, keep building, keep learning, and keep believing in what you’re creating. Your next breakthrough could be closer than you think.
