A WINDOW cleaner from Eldene has decided to go solo with his own business after receiving good feedback from customers.
Kelvin Snell provided pressure washing and window cleaning services for other companies for two-and-a-half years but decided to become his own boss three months ago.
The 32-year-old started out with second-hand equipment but has done so well already that he's managed to afford the latest expensive kit for his profession.
Word-of-mouth and a few well-received Facebook posts have helped Stand-Out Window Cleaning go from having 10 customers - all friends and family - to 115 regulars.
He said: "One company expected everyone to do 25 houses a day, and I was so exhausted by the time I got home that I felt I didn't have the energy to play with my two-year-old son.
"I couldn't work like that any longer, and some of my customers had told me I was good and should go out on my own, so I did.
"I really enjoy it, it's so satisfying to make something dirty look clean and pristine. Some people told me I was silly to try this but that just spurred me on even more.
"I say I'm not a caged hen but a free-range chicken. I can't stand still or sit in an office at a computer all day, I want to be out and about meeting people.
"My main rule is I don't rush, it's all about job satisfaction and consistency with my customers. I go back for another clean every six weeks.
"I don't let people down - if they find some dirt on their windows a day or two after I've been, they can give me a call and I'll come straight back.
"I get messages every day, I've turned 75 per cent of my Facebook enquiries into jobs, and I'm busier than I ever thought I would be.
"Now I do half the jobs each day that I used to do but earn more money, and can be fully attentive to my boy when I'm at home."
After this successful start, Kelvin is working on a contract to clean a care home, add the business logo to his van, and prepare for a difficult end to the year.
He added: "I'm really going for it and building up as many jobs as I can because this cost of living crisis is getting worse, and if I can get through that, I'll be alright."
Visit www.facebook.com/Standoutwindowcleaning
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