Launching a start-up business is no simple task and, as is often the case, we faced some challenges in the initial stages of our lives as business owners.
We launched our business 11 years ago after deciding to forgo our corporate careers in search of roles that brought more meaning and flexibility to our lives.
We focused on creating a family-owned cleaning business dedicated to ecofriendly cleaning and the importance of using chemical-free products in the home.
Of course, launching a start-up business is no simple task and, as is often the case, we faced some challenges in the initial stages of our lives as business owners.
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Here, we share what we’ve learned when it comes to building a successful company from the ground up:
- Choose something you love and are passionate about
Starting a business is hard work no matter what you’re attempting. This is why it’s imperative to choose
something that you’re absolutely passionate about and will continue to be for some time. Our business was born from a passion for educating people on the importance of eco-friendly cleaning and is still the driving factor in our love of their business.
In the beginning you will spend incredible amounts of time in building a business – if you’re not 200% committed to it, it’s certain to be an especially arduous and unpleasant task.
- Work/life balance is imperative
It’s easy to become immersed in the details and push everything else aside when building a new business. Of course, it’s important to do get it right from the beginning but don’t compromise your life and your relationships.
Although Family Clean is demanding and constantly busy, we put our family first, ensuring we collect our son Rocco from school every day and enjoying their family time. Making time for things you love on a regular basis will ensure you’re happier, less stressed and more successful in every facet of your life.
- Hire based on cultural fit
When it comes time to hire a team go with your instincts and ensure you take cultural fit into consideration.
Trusting people to work in your business is a huge step and one that isn’t to be taken lightly. We learnt the hard way that the key to growing your business effectively is using extremely strict selection criteria to ensure you’re hiring people with the same work ethic and integrity. Choose people that feel right from the get go and save yourself a world of pain going forward.
When it comes to starting a business, there is certainly no one-size-fits-all approach but these three steps are major things to consider along with enjoying the process and taking each day as it comes.
Jo and Rowena Jongejan, Founders, Family Clean
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