Hear the Children's Cry condemns treatment of Mona student 3:15 PM
Health of Jamaica's children improving — Ferguson 2:58 PM
Cops looking for Jody-Ann McNarrin 2:21 PM
'Ratty' killed in motor vehicle accident 2:05 PM
Woman left lying in her own urine in jail before she died 1:15 PM
Emergency repair work disrupts water supply in St James 1:12 PM
UN: Budget cuts causing cholera deaths in Haiti 11:35 AM
Modest growth for Caribbean countries in 2012 11:32 AM
Busy denied bail 10:59 AM
Man detained over New York boy's 1979 disappearance 10:43 AM
Business
Glad Helpers can find you the right helper for your home
Nominee number eight
BY PAUL ALLEN Business reporter allenp@jamaicaobserver.com
Friday, February 03, 2012
'It's hard to find good help these days'. At least that's what Angelica Barrett thought when she started Glad Helpers, a cleaning service, last October.
With a full-time job and a family to take care of, lousy domestic assistance was one frustration she couldn't tolerate.
"I started Glad Helpers out of dissatisfaction with the help that was available", Barrett said. "They (helpers) would iron what they pleased, not clean everywhere and spend a week doing what could be done in a day." Glad Helpers is the eighth nominee in the Observer's Mogul in the Making start-up programme.
At least two persons from Glad are sent to each client, a step taken to ensure that quality is maintained. They also come with their own cleaning agents so "all the clients have to do is provide the space."
And while people have a natural apprehension to strangers' entering their homes, Barrett said much is done to put clients at ease.
"We customise the package based on clients' needs. You don't have to worry, our helpers are trained and we do background checks."
"I made sure to formalise business. I got it registered, the copyright process is underway, they all wear uniforms to be recognised and a (clean) police record is a must. I have all that information which can be shown to clients so they know who is coming to them."
Four months in, business has been going well for Glad which now has over 20 residential and commercial customers. There are still some challenges however, that are being addressed.
Given the economy's state, people can't afford to have their homes cleaned as often as they would like, said Barrett. She works with her clients to create services, charge fees and even offer specials they can afford.
Since trust is a major factor in growing her business, word of mouth by her clients is one of the most useful marketing tools. She also relies on social media, and more 'old-fashioned' methods such as putting flyers in mailboxes, to get new clients.
 
|
POST A COMMENT
You must first register and then login to be able to post a comment.
HOUSE RULES
1. We welcome reader comments on the top stories of the day. Some comments may be republished on the website or in the newspaper – email addresses will not be published.
2. Please understand that comments are moderated and it is not always possible to publish all that have been submitted. We will, however, try to publish comments that are representative of all received.
3. We ask that comments are civil and free of libellous or hateful material. Also please stick to the topic under discussion.
4. Please do not write in block capitals since this makes your comment hard to read.
5. Please don't use the comments to advertise. However, our advertising department can be more than accommodating if emailed: advertising@jamaicaobserver.com.
6. If readers wish to report offensive comments, suggest a correction or share a story then please email: community@jamaicaobserver.com.
7. Lastly, read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy, and before commenting you need to register, conveniently, by clicking the link above.
2/3/2012
Every now and then I use a house cleaning service in North America and am telling you it is lacking in expertise. Good luck to you and your business.
Other Stories
0 comments
World Bank slates promotion agencies
0 comments
NCB to list in New York for US$225m
1 comments
Divestment team prepares Air J's response
1 comments
1 comments
Down 90% - JPS leads the way as corporate profits slide
2 comments
0 comments
Ditch LNG, go green — global think tank
0 comments
Current value opportunities in the market
0 comments
Organisers: Don't mess with the Olympic brand
0 comments
Where are Facebook's friends? Stock slide deepens
0 comments
IMF calls on UK to do more to boost economy
0 comments
The justice of interim payments
0 comments
Budget alone won't fix the tax system
0 comments
0 comments
Eurozone warned of 'severe recession'
0 comments
0 comments
What's your company's social media policy?
0 comments
0 comments
Argentina’s economic boom ends
0 comments
RSS Feeds
