The AEM Exterior Cleaning Podcast is now on YouTube!

In this long awaited episode I catch you up with my story over the past couple of years or so. I've been busy starting and growing a training program which has received some great feedback and built almost 150 5 star Google reviews!

Then I've also had people trying to copy me, stealing my social media clips and trying their own hand at training as well.

Well I'm still fighting on, and I will keep doing what I'm doing to help and support others as they grow their own exterior cleaning businesses!

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Tom Wilson certainly has a lot going on, what with moving house and a new baby on the way! He is also juggling two jobs! Working for the fire service and growing his own exterior cleaning business. 

He is now developing his window cleaning round by adding other services, the latest being a comprehensive roof cleaning service.

So how does he keep a good work/life balance? In this episode Tom tells us how he has done it! How he juggles all these different aspects of his life, and how he plans to continue developing his plans as time goes on.

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Joe is just coming to the end of his first year in exterior cleaning, and he's done amazingly well! Not only has he turned over a decent profit in his first year, but his projected turnover for the year ahead is set to be around £80k!

So, how has he done it! What things did he put in place at the start of his business to give him this springboard to success? It was great to catch up with Joe and hear about his career change, his growing family, and his strategy for going self employed.

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You would find it pretty difficult to find someone with as much roof cleaning experience as me. So in this episode I share my roof cleaning story with you so that your business can benefit.

But it's not just about getting the right tools and equipment. I've learnt a lot about sales and marketing techniques from working with many different brands in the industry.

My experience can surely help you to push your exterior cleaning business to the next level in 2025!

I'm going to be attending the Business Expo at London Excel on the 12th & 13th of November as I help even more business owners to be the best version of themselves in the year ahead!

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Exterior cleaning is an unregulated industry, so how do you make your business stand out as one that provides a high standard of service? In this episode I discuss this topic, as well as many other things that can help you to improve your business approach.

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Setting targets and coming up with a strategy for growth can be a challenge in business, especially if you lack motivation. Well, with spring just ahead, this is the perfect time to start planning to grow your exterior cleaning business. So in this episode I am joined by my daughter Maesun Mackintosh who has just completed an A level in Business Studies. She achieved the highest possible grade and was given an award at her college. Now she joins me to talk about setting SMART targets and using this to come up with an effective growth strategy.

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The first AM Podcast of the year, and here are 5 top tips to help your business in 2024!
There are a lot of challenges to running your own business these days, so here's a few thing that have not only helped me over the years, but there are a few key things that have really made a difference for people i've helped along the way as well.

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It's always great to hear about how the A. E. Mackintosh Exterior Cleaning YouTube channel has helped others to start their own businesses. Josh and Phil both had good jobs as car salesmen when they decided to start their own business partnership as exterior cleaning professionals. It was great to have them on the AM Podcast to hear about how they made the transition, with a little help from my videos. But would their sales skills be transferable to their new business venture? Has the decision to go self employed really paid off, and have they achieved a new flexible lifestyle that they've always wanted?

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Welcome to series 4!
The podcast has accumulated over 50k downloads in total, so now i'm back with a new series and new episodes sharing great business tips, as well as interviews with other business owners in the industry.
We have loads to catch up on as well.

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With growing responsibilities and a wife taking maternity leave, Ross found that he was struggling to provide for his family with just one income. So after starting a window cleaning business for around £100 things have gone from strength to strength. Ross has lots of great tips on how he has grown his business over the last ten years and how he no juggles his family life along with his two jobs as a fireman and a self employed window cleaner.

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When does a sub-contractor become an employee, and is your business ready to take on staff? Going from a one man band to working as part of a team in your business can be a tough transition, so I discuss some of the pros and cons to help you make it work for your business.

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Andrew enjoyed running a thriving DJ business until COVID-19 came along and destroyed his income overnight. But that wasn’t the only thing that was about to change. Andrew joins me to tell me how his life got flipped upside down, and how he turned things around with a totally new approach to life!

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What an inspirational story! After achieving his dream of becoming a professional boxer, things didn’t turn out like you would expect for Michael Williams. His boxing career had taken a downward turn, was coming to an end, and after his father passed away things really hit rock bottom. So how did Michael manage to pick himself up and start his own business? Find out in this incredibly motivating interview.

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How are you planning to grow or develop your business in 2023? In this episode I catch up with your comments about the different ways you're planning to develop your exterior cleaning services in the year ahead. I will be making my suggestions as well as telling you about some exciting new developments that I've been working on that might also give you a little helping hand!

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What a year it’s been! Pauls business has grown and changed so much in just three years! So in this episode we chat about some of the things he has done over the past year to develop his business, developing new services and getting additional training for this. We will also be talking about some of the new things I’ve been working on this year, as well as discussing some of the exciting things we’re both planning for the year ahead!

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At just 15 years of age, Owen shows that it's possible to start a business even while you're still at school! In this special extended episode I ask Owen about the things he's done to establish a professional exterior cleaning service in his local area at such a young age.

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Squeeky Clean Dave Peden has more than 14 years experience using water fed pole for window cleaning! So I just had to meet up with him to get his tips for getting through the winter. As a popular YouTuber he has also tested lots of great bits of kit and even created some of his own DIY solutions too. We discussed everything from warm drinks to hot water systems, the best water proof gloves and staying motivated through the cold winter months. Don't forget to check out the discount code from Mstore!

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Lee is the sort of guy who doesn't like to sit still, he loves to be busy. Even so, motivation can be challenging even for him, especially during those difficult winter months! So I got together with Lee to discuss some great tips for staying motivated this winter. This episode is packed with tons of great tips to keep you going through these darker, colder days.

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Water usage can be a tricky thing when it comes to setting up your pure water window cleaning system. There are such a wide variety of tanks and systems available in different sizes! So how much water will you actually use in a day, and what things are going to effect the amount of water you get through? All of this will be answered, and of course we will be catching up with the latest news and doing the usual shout outs!

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Ever since he left school Ade has had a small window cleaning round. Well it makes more money than a paper round! Then he trained as an electrician but never quite enjoyed it as much. So, how did Ade take his window cleaning round from a small job that gave him some extra pocket money, to a proper career that makes him a good living? He tells me how in this week’s episode.

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Looking after a young family is never easy, but looking after your own business at the same time can be a huge challenge! Dom Evans and his wife already have a young daughter, and now with the recent arrival of twin boys, Dom is facing increasing demands on his time. But he is proving to be a master of managing his work/ life balance. Dom shares some fantastic business efficiency tips, and also explains how he makes sure to set aside time for his family as well.

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How long is your pole really? Having the right tools and equipment to help you work efficiently and reduce fatigue is so important! These are key factors I wanted to consider when making my own range of exterior cleaning tools. Whilst developing my own range of carbon fibre poles I recently found out that some poles aren't as long as they say they are! So in this episode I discuss some of the different types of high reach poles out there, and what makes a good window cleaning pole.

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Ian Parker has run his business, Conservatory Valet UK, for quite some time and has gained a wealth of experience over the years. He has run a number of teams working all over the country cleaning conservatory roofs inside and out. So It's great to have him on as a guest so we can all gain from his knowledge and his business approach. He also tells me about his new affiliate scheme where he is inviting other cleaners who want to expand their business to team up with him.

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Like many window cleaners before him, Pro-Shine Tom is a well respected pillar of his community. But he has been through quite a few different jobs before he landed on the one that he really enjoys. Tom Plant joins me to share his business journey, how he has built his reputation, and how he is now giving back to his community.

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ITS A YEAR SINCE I STARTED THE PODCAST! Where has the time gone? And it's Cleaning Expo time again. I am especially excited this year because I will actually be on a stand at the show! So in this episode I will be talking more about that, as well as discussing the question: Is the customer really always right? This episode is jam packed!

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Matt Hall is a window cleaner who only started his business a few years ago, but its been hard work to get things going on a small budget whilst still being employed. He joins me on the podcast to tell me about how he got his own business going, and then finally taking the daunting step to leave his job and go self employed!

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Fresh off the back of Amazing Cleans on Channel 5, I had to get Sean in to tell me his amazing business journey on the AM Podcast! From his wild younger days living a party and skateboard lifestyle, many of his friends and family said he couldn't do it! But Sean has worked hard to make his own business, Above and Beyond Cleaning Services a great success!
Now on the verge of setting up his second van, in this episode he tells me about how he's proved the doubters wrong.

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I have been very busy on some big projects recently! So in this first episode of series 3 I ditch the tea for a much needed can of beer to tell you all about the new things I’ve been planning. Yes! This series has got a whole new feel and I want you to get involved! So if you have been on a bit of a journey with your business, or you have got some tips and tricks to share, maybe you could be the next guest on the AM Exterior Cleaning Podcast!?

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How do you know which is the right method to clean any particular roof? Paul and I have worked closely together to pinpoint the right techniques to use in different situations when it comes to roof cleaning. In this episode we discuss through some of the different ways Paul has built up his experience, and how he chooses the right method for different roof cleaning situations.

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As professionals, many of us use a range of different cleaning chemicals. But how much do we really know about what we are using? Mark Cave has many years of  pressure washing experience, and now he sells a range of specialist cleaning chemicals for the industry. So of course I can't wait to pick his brains on some of the different chemicals we typically use in the pressure washing and softwashing industries. I find out about some of the different types of cleaning chemicals available, what they are used for, and their impact on the environment. This is a must listen for any cleaning professional!

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This month is all about roof cleaning. So in this episode I thought I would share my journey into roof cleaning. I will tell you about how I started, some of the different methods Ive tried, and why I do it the way I do it now. Of course there will also be your comments and emails too!

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Getting your marketing strategy right is much harder now than it was way back when I first started. So this week I speak to marketing expert Andrew Hart from Rev Clean Marketing to get some valuable tips and advice on the subject. Andrew has worked in marketing for 10 years across a variety of industries, but now he specialises in pressure washing marketing in the USA. He has some great advice for generating leads long term as well as on a short term basis and his advice is so valuable for a business here in the UK too!

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With over 136k subscribers, Artisan Electrics is the biggest YouTube channel for the electrical industry. So I couldn't wait to speak to the owner, Jordan Farley, to hear about his business journey and how he has grown his social media following! I find out how he has grown his business, which now employs a growing team of people, but also how he has turned his social media channels into a valuable money making endeavour as well. There are so many good business tips here! So I hope you enjoy our chat together and i'm sure you will find some tips that could benefit your business too! 

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I finally get to speak with the one and only Trad-Man on the podcast! It's been great spending time with Peter and Carley Mckay on the Unger stand at the Interclean show in Amsterdam.  We managed to take some time out to chat about how their window cleaning business has grown, and they have had quite a roller coaster ride running their window cleaning business together as a husband and wife team. I also find out about the highs and lows of running a YouTube channel, and there are some exciting plans for a new training program that the couple have been working on too!

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Unger tools have been an essential part of my kit since I first started my business, but running a global company like Unger definitely has its challenges. At the Interclean show in Amsterdam it has been incredible to experience first hand how the Unger stand has not only brought so many languages together, but is also reaching a new audience by bringing people together on social media as well! I talk to top Unger executive Dietmar Bernstein about the conscious effort Unger is making to reach new younger markets. I also find out about the process of developing a new tool like the new nLite water fed pole system, from concept to creation.

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I have been using social media to advertise and support my business for quite some time, and now I have been asked by Unger to attend the Interclean show in Amsterdam, all with the aim of creating as much social media as I can! Yes, it's a fantastic opportunity to be on the Unger stand to demonstrate their new nLite water fed pole window cleaning system, and its incredible to think that its the power of social media that's helped me get there! So don't underestimate what social media could do for your business too! In this special episode I will be talking more about the show and what I will be doing there, and of course I will also be catching up with your comments and emails too. 

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This week I have my younger brother Matthew Mackintosh as my guest. Matt has grown the Mackintosh Family Business from a handful of employees to a team of now over 30 staff which also includes a team of cleaning staff. I speak to Matt to find out what things he has done to grow his business and he shares lots of great tips that could apply to an exterior cleaning business too.

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Richard is not just the man behind the Ova8 brand of water fed pole window cleaning equipment, but he has gained much experience in different aspects of the cleaning industry. It is always a fascinating chat when Richard and I get together to discuss various aspects of cleaning tools and techniques, but this time I managed to get the AM Podcast mic turned on first! I hope you enjoy our conversation and maybe you will pick up some tips and tricks that have also helped me along the way too!

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Probably the question I am asked the most is; how much did you charge for that? Spring is so busy for picking up new customers and doing quotations, so I thought it would be the perfect time to discuss what goes into a quote. What things do you need to consider and what factors have a bearing on the price you charge? If you get it wrong how can you make sure you make the needed adjustments for the next one? I share some of my tips and experiences to help you to get your quotations right.

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Darren is a very popular guy in the external cleaning industry, and its easy to see why! He has over 20 years experience working for his family run window cleaning business. He has his own business, DA Components, selling some great tools and accessories to the exterior cleaning industry. And his stand is always extremely busy at the Cleaning Expo every year! But Darren also puts in a lot of effort to share his experience with some great hints and tips videos on his YouTube channel, and his website is quickly becoming the hub for all this knowledge with the new feature: DA Academy! I can't wait to find out more about all of this, including a new van meet up that Darren has been arranging!

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As a professional business coach Greg is no stranger to helping entrepreneurs grow their businesses. He has run many different companies over the years including a window cleaning business, construction business, and property development company. Greg has also written a number 1 best selling book on Amazon and has his own podcast, so I just had to get him on the AM Exterior Cleaning Podcast! Greg shares some of his invaluable experience and tells me his top three tips for business growth! 

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Its great to be back in the garage and to have a bit of a catch up! Ive got loads of news to share and Ive been saving some of my favourite emails to read out. I had loads of really inspirational stories sent to me from my recent YouTube competition, which I found so motivational. Exterior cleaning can be a lonely job sometimes, but listen in as I share your incredible stories and I also offer a few words of encouragement along the way.

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This week I am joined by James Neville who has run his cleaning business, PCS Exterior Cleaning, for 17 years. He has recently focused on growing his business in order to push through the VAT barrier. So, from trying to stay under the £85K threshold he is now looking set to exceed £250 this year. I speak to James to find out how he has done it, taking on additional staff, setting up the correct equipment, and handling his growing customer base. This is an essential listen for anyone looking to grow their exterior cleaning business!

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Choosing a brush that is well suited for your cleaning task can be a daunting prospect, especially if you are new to the industry. With such a wide range of brush types out there, how do you know you have got the best one? Well in this episode I have combined forces with Dave Peden aka: Squeaky Clean Dave to bring you a comprehensive guide to brushes for window cleaning and beyond! We discuss the many different types of bristles, shapes, and water jets available from a wide range of different brands. But what we really want to know is which ones might be best suited for different tasks to help you get the best results in the most effective way, with the ultimate goal of helping you make more money!? Dave and I will also be picking our favourites!

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At this time of year we have all been dealing with the headache of going through our accounts and working out how much we need to pay the taxman. So I invited professional accountant Tim Charles on to help us with some great advice on how to handle this kind of thing more efficiently. Not only does Tim have some great advice on how we can potentially reduce our tax bill, but very soon all accounts will have to be registered online! So I also find out how to handle this change in a way that could actually save time, meaning we will all have more time for the more important things!

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Getting new customers can be a daunting part of starting your new business, and getting the right approach to marketing is key. After helping Paul Hickmott to grow his business over the past 2 years, he has achieved rapid growth in such a short period of time! So with our combined experience,  we decide to put our heads together to come up with the cheapest and most effective advertising approach for a new start up business. We also discuss that having a methodical approach to marketing can have great value for lead generation as time goes on!

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The 17th January 2022 has been labelled as 'Blue Monday' and is apparently the saddest day of the year. Mental health charities are trying to change this and re-label it as 'Brew Monday' to help encourage open communication on the subject. So I have got together with Simon Coote from Coote's Window Cleaning to have a Brew Monday of our own! Simon started out his working life as a plasterer and only recently changed his career to start a window cleaning business instead. After mental health challenges of his own Simon set out to help others in a similar situation with a social event called Cooties Cuppa, where he shares his own experiences and encourages others to come along and talk about their own situation. In this episode of the podcast Simon tells us more about how he started his new business, and this social event he runs for men.

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Now is the time to think about adding a new service to your business! In this episode I talk about some of the wide variety of different jobs you could do and which ones have worked out well for me. I also talk about some of the things I've tried that haven't gone so well.  It is so important to try new things for the development of your business, so I also share some tips on how Ive used videos to help grow my services.  I also catch up with some of your emails and comments

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You work hard to run an honest business with high standards, but how do you show your customers that this is the case? As usual I will be discussing your comments on this subject, but in this epic season finale, I also share my own embarrassing experience that might change your perspective on the subject!

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In times past it has been the policy of many small business owners to do their best to avoid the  local health and safety officer! But having a good approach to health and safety has become more and more important in the work place. Is this something that we should pay more attention to as small independent business owners? Could a good health and safety policy actually help boost your earning potential? In this episode I speak to Ian Parkes, a health and safety professional from HS Direct, to get the official answer to how this can benefit our business approach.

You can get in touch with Ian directly if you would like more help and advice:
Ian Parkes: 0114 212 5390
ian@hsdirect.co.uk
https://www.hsdirect.co.uk/

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Managing your time can be difficult when you are your own boss, especially when there are so many different things demanding your attention. In this episode I discuss the different approaches available when scheduling a range of different exterior cleaning services, and how it can really give your business a boost if you can get your time management right!

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How can you grow your cleaning business more quickly? In this episode I discuss ideas on how you can increase your income. Whether you are just starting out or you already have a well established round, there are some simple things you can do to grow your business further! As always I will be reading out some of your suggestions too! I hope you find it useful.

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It wasn't easy, but I managed to catch up with the fastest window cleaner in the world, Terry 'The Turbo' Burrows! Terry has been the Guiness World Record holder since 1995. Listen in as he tells me his tips of the trade, as well as stories from his many TV appearances, and how he has perfected his technique in order to become the fastest in the world!

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Listener Ryan Mason wrote to me asking if it was reasonable to expect that he could double his income if he left his current employment to start a window cleaning round! I asked my social media followers what they would consider to be a reasonable days earnings and compared this with Ryans calculations. So, how much can a window cleaner really earn? There is a lot to consider!

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I invited my social media followers to ask me anything! So in this episode I end up discussing the best and worst bits about being in the exterior cleaning industry, my most favourite and least favourite tools, and I also talk about different approaches to cleaning roofs. Did I quote to clean Johnny Depps new paving? All this and more on the AM Exterior Cleaning podcast! I hope you enjoy!

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Gareth Salmon from Westridge Cleaning joins me to share his top tips from his 30 years of window cleaning business experience. Gareth has built his business in the West London area and has recently taken the big step to go VAT registered. We discuss how to pick up work, run your schedule efficiently, and how to deal with sub contractors. Gareth also tells me about how he once rescued a lady from a burning building and received recognition from the fire service!

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Reach and wash water fed pole has changed the window cleaning industry over the past few years. In this episode I discuss some of the pros and cons of each method and how introducing a pure water cleaning service has changed my own business. I also read out your emails and comments, including one from the fastest window cleaner in the world!

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I asked my social media followers what obstacles they have overcome to start or grow their businesses. Find out what response I received. I also talk about how to overcome the problem of customers that try to knock you down on price.

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In this episode I meet up with Ziggy from Streamline Systems to talk about how I'm getting on with my water fed pole van system and the long awaited Cleaning Expo 2021! We also catch up on what's on at the show and Ziggy also tells us how he got into window cleaning as well as what he loves about working in the industry to help others kit out their vans for business.

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Paul started working along side me two months before the COVID-19 pandemic lockdown first hit the UK. Was that a good time to start an exterior cleaning business? Actually Paul has managed to grow his business incredibly fast! 

Listen as he tells me how he has done it by investing his redundancy money in the right way to bring PH Exterior Cleaning Services through its first two years of trading with great success!

You can also find videos about Pauls van setups and tools in the 'Friends of A. E. Mackintosh' playlist, which is on the A. E. Mackintosh YouTube channel.

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Why are window cleaners always talking about how fast they are? In this episode we discuss how important it is to work quickly and whether there are other factors that you should consider in your work day routine. I also read out some of your comments on the things you do to help you work more quickly throughout the day.

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Hi Everyone! In this podcast I talk a bit about how I got started in my exterior cleaning business as well as my YouTube journey. Also, why did I start training others in exterior cleaning? I hope you enjoy following my journey as it continues into podcasting!

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