Transparent Enhancement Facilitator

Earlier today, I was giving a new customer's home windows a sparkling shine, and I received a voice mail from my father. He called to tell me that he heard on the radio that "they've" come up with a new name for window washers: "Transparent Enhancement Facilitator." It does have a nice ring to it, but it's a mouthful.

After listening to the voice mail, I put the phone back in my pocket and continued to work on giving the windows a sparkling shine. My business partner and I (Jacob), talked about how long the job was taking, and how we've got to become better at estimating. The majority of the windows we were cleaning were on the lower level of the house, and required very minimal use of a small step ladder. At first glance, they actually looked pretty clean. However, when we got up close, we realized that each window had paint on it, some windows had storm windows that weren't visible at first glance, and a few of them were very hard to pull up due to the house shifting. Originally, Jacob told the couple that it would take us approximately four and a half to five hours to complete the job. This particular job was nothing new to us and included interior/exterior window cleaning, screen removal and cleaning, and a touch-up on all tracks and sills on every window. It was the first time that my business partner, Jacob, had given someone an estimate without me being there, but I have full trust in his judgment. I stopped by the day after he gave the initial estimate to confirm the price, answer any questions, and we scheduled a cleaning.

Turns out, the job was under estimated by about two and a half hours. Luckily, our friendly new customer did not mind us staying longer than we had predicted. We did not charge one extra penny for the overtime that we put in because it was a learning lesson for us, and this job will help us get better at our estimates. Getting better at our estimates will be a gradual change, but one thing that will never change is our commitment to doing an unbelievable job on every single window that we clean. Jacob and I both strongly believe it is far more important to do a fantastic job, leave every single customer with a smile, and create lasting relationships with everyone that we service. We do not use the 'get in and get out' method when it comes to Streaking.

The 'get in and get out' method was taught to me by my father when I was young and he had to introduce me to shopping. Whenever he pulls up to the store, he is ready to go directly to the item he needs to purchase, pay for it, and then he is on his way. That term has stuck with me since I was young, and I'll probably continue to use that method when it comes to shopping. As far as the new term he taught me today, 'transparent enhancement facilitator'... well, if you like it, then go ahead. I'm going to continue to consider myself a Streaker - Fayetteville's friendly and meticulous window cleaner.

I hope everyone reading has an awesome day and I look forward to giving your home a streak-free shine in the near future.

AND...How about those Hogs? The baseball team is sitting in first place in the country right now with a big three game, at home, conference series against Vanderbilt this weekend. I'll see you at the ball park.

Happy Wednesday!

I hope everyone had a Happy St. Patty's Day. The weather was perfect and the Hogs defeated the Cornhuskers. I met two visitors at the ball game who were thinking about moving to Fayetteville, and it was so nice to hear the compliments they gave our town. 'It's got a cool feeling to it' and 'people are just NICE' were my favorite statements from them. We do live in a cool place where everyone goes out of their way to be very nice. I wake up every morning excited about getting out and about in Fayetteville, and I hope that I can contribute to making it a better place.

I've been thinking about the factors that have contributed to my motivation for operating Streakers. It started off as a way for me to explore the intriguing world of small business. I was sitting in a small business management class at the UofA and came across the idea of starting a window cleaning business. My favorite professor, Mark Zweig, had 'window cleaning business' on a list of things that he thought would be a successful business oportunity. I did a little research and realized that I could start one up. I bought the basic supplies and started going door to door. After a little bit of success, I got bored of learning the business side of it. I swtiched my goal of operating it to support my random adventures. I've traveled at least once a month now for about a year and a half. Sometimes I make a weekend visit to my parents house down in Doddridge, AR and other times I'll travel out of the country. This has probably been the best decision I've ever made. I like to think of it as a lot of mini-retirements.

Now, I have gotten to the point where I want to make Fayetteville the city with the cleanest residential windows in the USA. This may come across as odd for a twenty-five year old young man with his degree from one of the nicest business schools available, but I love showing people what a difference really clean windows will make for your home. So this Spring, expect to see Streakers all over town giving everyone a clear view of Fayetteville. I'm going to focus on residential window cleaning, but I will be doing some store-fronts. If you see us out working feel free to stop and chat. We work hard and focus on being as efficient as possible, but we've always got an ear for a good story.

Also, I've usually got some promotion going on, so if you have found my site by searching for a local window cleaner... go ahead and give us a call for a free estimate (I'm sure I've got some local treat to give you). The telephone number is (903) 280-1378.

This is YOU cleaning your windows on Saturday

Sure, you'd probably like to clean your windows yourself, but you just don't have the time. The truth is, your weeks at work are getting more and more stressful, and by the time you get home, and the weekend finally comes, you just want to relax with the most important people in your life: your family. We get it.

Which is why it's now easier than ever to save your precious free time for the most important things in life... like snuggling on the couch. Or watching thing game. Or enjoying a relaxing afternoon down at the lake...

With value-packed window cleaning packages now available from Streakers, Inc., it's never been more affordable and made more sense to trust the professionals at Streakers to make your home feel and look amazing with a custom-designed cleaning service schedule that meets your family's unique needs.

CALL before April 5th, 2009 and use the coupon code "weekend" to receive a complimentary upgrade from a standard Exterior & Interior Window Cleaning package to a Premium Package, including all of your sills, frames, and tracks, at no extra charge ($113 value)!

Call 903.280.1378 right now or email streakersfayetteville@gmail.com for your free estimate!

Sunshine on my shoulders makes me happy

Freezing cold winds, dead plants outside, ice storms....... all of that is over. Today we've got blue skies, seventy-five degree weather, and another weekend of fun events in Fayetteville.

I'd like to recommend two great websites that promote all things Fayetteville:

1. www.fayettevilleflyer.com - The folks running this site are on top of news, events, and it's all local. They have a comment section at the bottom of everything they share, and opinions are welcome from anyone. The site is usually not edited, so beware, some visitors share strong opinions that may not be suitable for every one's eyes, but I love it.

2. www.local540.com - The same creators of fayettevilleflyer have recently opened another website that serves as a local business directory. This site trumps yellow pages and google both because it is powered by local folks for local folks. Currently, if you refer someone to their site you are automatically signed up to win a brand new Nintendo Wii. You can refer as many people as you want and you will be signed up for everyone (unlimited).

THE WEEKEND:
Fayetteville has a little bit of something for everyone to enjoy this weekend. I've already planned out what I'll be doing, and I'm excited to get going with it.

Tonight and tomorrow night I will be working at the 36 Club on Dickson street. I've been working at the 36 for about two and a half years. We have some of the coolest customers in town that continue to come back on a weekly basis. Peter and Jason will be cooking up some very tasty treats tonight for those looking for something small (CRAB AND SHRIMP SPAGHETTI) or big (CAST IRON SKILLET FRIED 16 OZ. RIBEYE CHOP). They change the menu up every Friday, and I'm always impressed with their selections. Visit www.36clubfayetteville.com to see the complete menu for this weekend. You can even sign up for a weekly e-mail update sent directly to your mailbox.

Tomorrow I'll be participating in the Fayetteville Disc Association's Winter League Tournament. I'm on the Team Phun (green shirts) and look forward to a full day of ultimate style competition. The games kick off at 11 a.m. at the Gary Hampton Softball Fields. There is an after-party at Hog's Breath's Eatery, but I'll be working at the 36 club again tomorrow.

Sunday: Ah. By far my favorite day of the week. I like to wake up, have a nice breakfast and then I attend the 8:30 service at Central UMC on Dickson Street. You can always find me front row. Their are less distractions on the front row, and my singing voice is no bueno. I let my vocals flow without bothering anyone else with my scratchy tones (haven't seen any bad looks from the preacher or choir yet, so the front row is where I'll stay until I get a magic singing coach). After church, I'm going to eat some of the best soul food in town at Mama Deans. Mama Dean and her family are from Hope. They have been cooking up some yummy soul food for a long time, and it's my favorite Sunday spot if I'm not cooking at the house. It's located on south school and I highly recommend it. Say hello to Mama Dean and little Moomoo if you stop by (they're both sweet southern ladies). After Mama Dean's I'm going to watch the Hogs play some baseball. California is in town for the weekend, and hopefully we'll come out on top. Finally, I'll get to end my weekend by watching my favorite local band, The Smithstonians, play at Georges Majestic Lounge. Sunday night at George's is also referred to many as 'church' so I'll get a double dose.

Again, check out the FF website, make some plans, and get out and play. Have a great weekend everyone!

First Day of Baseball Season

Happy Friday everyone! Today is opening day for the 2009 Arkansas Razorback Baseball season. We're swingin' the bats and putting some mustard on the hot dogs starting at 3:05 today - here in Fayetteville. We're so lucky to have such a beautiful ballpark to go out and watch the Hogs play, plus we should have one heck of a team this year. Come join me and cheer on this Hogs as we battle Washington State.

I hope most of the visitors to this site from NWArkansas have gotten everything cleaned up from the latest ice storm. We've got a couple of more weeks, and the squeegees will be sliding across the glass all over town. Call me at 903-280-1378 and have us come out and give you a free estimate for your home or business. We're going to be very busy this season, so please call and reserve your spot to have STREAKERS friendly window cleaners come by and give your home a beautiful clear view of Fayetteville.

STREAKERS

Welcome to the new site for STREAKERS. It is time for us to provide Fayetteville with a full-time superior window cleaning service that exceeds customers expectations. Get ready to look out of your windows with a clear view provided by some very friendly window cleaners.

During the last two and a half years, I have been balancing my jobs as; a waiter at the 36 Club (on Dickson St. in Fayetteville), a volunteer for all things live music, a traveler/volunteer with TOMs Shoes, and a provider of streak-free window cleaning services to those who are interested.

I have decided that it is time to focus on my window cleaning operation, and help out as many people as I'm able to along the way.

My promise while I'm operating STREAKERS is to stay committed to my business, share my profits, celebrate success, listen, exceed my customer's expectations, control my expenses better than my competition, and swim upstream. I'd like to thank Sam for these fine business principles, and I promise to stick with them.

One day I am going to start a company that uses the same business model as TOMS shoes, but for now, I am going to focus on my window cleaning operation.

Give us a call right now at (903) 280-1378.

Entrepreneurial Giving: My Farm

Trevor has a passion for farming, and he decided to turn his passion into a business. MyFarm is the curent king of urban farming. Urban Farming might not be a term that you are familiar with yet, but it is certainly worth taking a look at. If you live in the Bay Area, MyFarm can create and maintain a garden full of vegetables in your backyard (about 55 veggies to choose from). The company works with neighborhoods to create diverse food systems which they are encouraged to share with one another. If you have zero desire to work in the garden, but love fresh food, myFarm has you covered. Trevor's experienced team of backyard farmers will maintain your garden at least once a week, and they will leave a basket full of fresh food at your doorstep when it's ready. Take a look at http://www.myfarmsf.com/ and eat local.

Founder:

Trevor Paque

Mission:

Grow delicious vegetables locally in cities, Connect people with their food, Make food production secure and sustainable.