Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Greg Shepard. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Alright, Greg thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with us today. What’s the backstory behind how you came up with the idea for your business?
Thank you for this question as we are celebrating Dallas Maids’ 20th anniversary this year! The idea of starting a home cleaning service was initially meant for my girlfriend at the time and her friend. They were both uncertain about their future paths, so I suggested they start a maid service.
However, this wasn’t just a spur-of-the-moment idea. It was an something I was confident would succeed. Anyway, here’s how the idea of starting a professional house cleaning service came to be:
1. Focus on Starting a Business
Over the past year, the desire to start my own business had been growing stronger. It was a thought deeply embedded in my subconscious, guiding my mind toward a clear goal.
2. Write Down All Your Ideas
One day, I decided to write down every business idea that came to mind. This wasn’t a one-time exercise. Over the next year, whenever an idea popped into my head—whether I was driving, having dinner, or even on the toilet—I’d jot it down immediately in a little note pad I carried with me constantly..
These spontaneous ideas are often the best because they come straight from the subconscious, which has been working behind the scenes to solve the problem you’ve given it.
3. To Find a Good Idea, Have Many Ideas
After a year, I had compiled a long list of business ideas. I reviewed them and picked a few that seemed promising. The idea of a maid service stood out because I had a compelling gut feeling it would succeed. It’s crucial to have this feeling because if you believe you won’t fail, you won’t.
As Henry Ford famously said, “Whether you think you can or you think you can’t, you’re right.” If the perfect idea doesn’t appear right away, set the list aside and revisit it later. Keep adding to it until the right idea surfaces.
4. Jump in 100%
When you find your idea, as I did, act on it immediately. Quit your job and dive in 100%. Holding onto your current job can be a crutch that’s too easy to fall back on. Taking the plunge forces you to sink or swim, and you’ll find swimming easier than you thought. You will not fail.
My ex-girlfriend deciding not to start the cleaning business became the catalyst for me to act. I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t pass up. I knew it would succeed.
Succeeding With a Cleaning Business – This is how I succeeded with Dallas Maids. The method I used works because it leverages the power of your subconscious mind. By initially focusing on the problem (such as finding a business idea), you set a goal for your subconscious mind. As you go about your daily activities, your subconscious works on the details, and the solution will eventually “pop” into your mind.
Dallas Maids was launched in 2004 and the rest is history. Thank you for giving me a chance to share how I started the business!
Greg, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
Dallas Maids is a professional maid service in Dallas, Texas. We are known for our high-quality residential cleaning services. I founded this company with the goal of providing the best cleaning solutions in Dallas, tailored to the needs of our customers. We offer a range of services including standard, deep, move-out, apartment cleaning, and carpet cleaning, ensuring every client’s home is immaculately clean.
The journey of Dallas Maids began with a commitment to excellence and a passion for service. The key to my success is to prioritized putting people first, which includes both the employees and the clients. By treating employees with respect, providing them with benefits, and ensuring great pay, Dallas Maids ensures that they, in turn, deliver exceptional service for our clients. This focus on people has been a cornerstone of our success and has set us apart from competitors.
Dallas Maids solves a variety of problems for our clients, primarily by taking the burden of house cleaning off their shoulders, allowing them to enjoy more free time and a cleaner, healthier living environment. What sets us apart is our rigorous hiring process, commitment to not cutting corners, and continuous improvement of our services. We pride ourselves on integrity, quality, and an exceptional work ethic.
We have received numerous awards and recognition, including the Better Business Bureau’s A+ rating and the Consumer Choice Award for the highest quality in the industry. We have also been featured on various media outlets and received glowing accolades from platforms like Angi and Yelp.
I am most proud of our team and the consistent, high-quality service they provide. For potential clients, the main things to know are our dedication to excellence, the robust training and support of our staff, and our commitment to customer satisfaction. We aim to “WOW” our customers with every cleaning, which has built us a strong, loyal client base and an impeccable reputation in the Dallas area.
Can you talk to us about your experience with buying businesses?
Yes, I have bought a business. Over the years, I have considered acquiring 12 cleaning services and ultimately acquired two. The purpose of the acquisition was to leap frog the tough startup years for Emily’s Maids, my second maid service, by quickly acquiring customer accounts.
My approach involves analyzing the business, determining its value, and structuring the deal, usually focusing on asset purchases rather than stock purchases to mitigate liabilities. For example, I acquired customer accounts from “A Clean Sweep” and “Dial A Maid.” The acquisition process involves evaluating customer pricing, location, and the potential for integrating staff. Structuring deals based on customer retention is also crucial to minimize risks.
Wrote a “How To” for other owners who may find my experience useful: emilysmaids.com/how-to-buy-a-cleaning-business
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Certainly! During the pandemic, Dallas Maids faced a significant challenge when cancellations surged due to fear and uncertainty. Despite this, many customers continued to support the company by paying for services they had canceled or by offering generous tips to help the staff. This overwhelming support from customers showcased resilience and community spirit. We were blown away by their support!
Inspired by their kindness, Dallas Maids decided to give back by offering free cleaning services to first responders, illustrating the power of solidarity and the importance of supporting one another in difficult times.
For more about this amazing story and my heartfelt thoughts expressed to our customers, read this letter I wrote for our customers: dallasmaids.com/im-grateful-for-so-many-things-especially-you