Interview with Jackson Blackburn from Mount Baker Window Cleaning

Overview

• Host: Caleb
• Guest: Jackson Blackburn, owner of Mount Baker Window Cleaning
• Location: Bellingham, Washington

Background

• Founded: Fall 2017
• Reason: Necessity; tired of seasonal jobs, wanted stability and to be his own boss

Mentorship

• Mentor: David Moerman, owner of Home Service Business Coach
• Impact: Helped Jackson triple revenue (from $400,000 to $1 million)

Services Offered

• Full exterior cleaning: roof cleaning, gutter cleaning, window cleaning, siding, concrete/flat surfaces
• Most Popular: Window cleaning
• Most Profitable: Jobs where they can stay for an extended period (e.g., upselling multiple services)

Key Expenses & Equipment

• Basic window cleaning equipment: Squeegee ($30), T-bar and scrubber ($25), Razor ($30), Brillo pad ($2-3), Microfiber towels ($50), Bucket ($40-45)
• Additional equipment: Ladder, golf shirt (with logo), well-designed logo, marketing materials (door hangers)

Initial Investment & Revenue

• Initial Investment: Started with $1,000
• Projected Revenue for 2023: $1.1 million
• Profit Margin: Aiming for 20%

Business Strategy

• Focuses on customer service
• Office staff dedicated to answering phones and booking jobs
• Important to stay on job sites longer to increase profitability
• Common Jobs in Winter: Holiday light installation to keep employees busy

Hiring & Training

• Hired first employee when workload could support it
• First Clients: Acquired through door hangers
• Annual Plan: Creates a new three-year vision annually
• Employee Training: Two-week process involving video modules, live tasks, and shadowing
• Retention: Emphasis on company culture, competitive pay, four-day workweek

Company Culture

• Encourages work-life balance (e.g., time for outdoor activities)
• Donates to local charities involving outdoor activities

Coaching Experience

• Jackson works as a coach for Home Service Business Coach
• Benefits: Motivating community, sharing experiences, and growing together
• Advice for New Business Owners: Delegate tasks to the specialists, focus on strengths

Marketing

• Budget: Doesn't exceed 7% of revenue on marketing
• Effective Tactics: Organic marketing (boots on the ground, BNI groups, truck wraps), community involvement posts, and upselling clients
• Lead Management: Uses Jobber CRM for tracking, quoting, and following up with clients

Customer Interaction

• Prefers in-person quotes for higher value potential clients to increase trust and conversion rates
• Engaging Clients: Educates rather than pressuring them

Lessons & Challenges

• Biggest Mistake: Not having strong onboarding and training systems early on
• Wild Seasonal Revenue Fluctuations: Revenue from $120,000/mo in peak to $20,000/mo in off-season
• Importance of Training: Establishing organized systems for employee retention and job satisfaction

Equipment & Costs

• Soft Wash Pump: $400-$700
• Proportioner: ~$1,000
• Skid Setup: Can exceed $6,000; advice against starting with high-end equipment

Vision Planning

• Annual Vision: Updating a three-year plan, involving all team members

Social Media & Advertising

• Uses Facebook for client ads, Instagram for showcasing company culture to find employees
• Effective Ads: Highlighting company events and employee activities
• Pitfalls: Careful with Facebook ads to avoid losing money (lost $6,000 on one mistake)