by CONNIE TABBERT
Editor
WHITEWATER REGION — Jamie Schultz is a busy university student these days.
The 20-year-old Foresters Falls resident returns homes most weekends to work at his business, but during the week, he’s busy with his third-year studies in biology with specialization in health science at Trent University in Peterborough.
Mr. Schultz is a franchisee of College Pro Window Cleaning. In October, representatives from College Pro gave a presentation during a molecular biology class on becoming a franchisee owner. A month later he signed up.
“I figured I could gain business, communications and marketing skills,” he said.
Since becoming an owner, Mr. Schultz said it’s changed how he’s going to school. He’s also thinking of taking project management and relating it back to the sciences.
Mr. Schultz needs to hire three marketers and two people to help do the cleaning, although he will be working alongside them as well. The employees will have height and safety training, allowing them to go as high as 32 feet, equal to three stories.
“College Pro ensures we have proper insurance and proper safety training,” Mr. Schultz said.
In this area, College Pro has been established as painters, but not as window cleaners, so he’s building up a base of customers.
Along with contacting people he has met throughout the area while he was involved with 4H, Junior Farmers, volunteering and working, he is also marketing through Facebook.
“I’m really being supported by the community,” he said. “Through my community involvement, I have a great network. It’s amazing how word-of-mouth travels.”
When he’s home on weekends, Mr. Schultz is busy giving estimates to people who would like their windows washed and/or eaves/siding cleaned in late spring and throughout the summer. The options for the windows are all or some of them, inside, outside or both, he said.
He noted in February, College Pro had a competition for the number of estimates provided and he was in the top 5 in Ontario, providing 10 estimates in one day.
Mr. Schultz said the vision of College Pro is ‘promises – proudly delivered’ with four key values: deliver what you promise, respect the individual, have pride in what you do and be open-minded to possibilities. He also added that the promise of College Pro Window Cleaning is to do a really good job and provide a memorable experience.
“I will deliver on what I promise,” he said. “I want to over-exceed your expectations.”
He even has experience washing windows, not only at home, but when he worked as a maintenance worker for the school board.
Mr. Schultz has a large area to cover, from Deep River to Dunrobin/Carp (excluding Braeside) and west to Algonquin Park.
“I’ve learned more about Renfrew County than I thought I ever would,” he said with a laugh. “Renfrew County is amazingly large.”
Mr. Schultz has also learned that time is valuable.
“Travel time between jobs is much more than any other franchisee owner has to worry about,” he said. “Scheduling and making the best use of my time is something I’ve been working on.
“I’ve really come to the realization that organization and being prepared is something I should never take for granted.”
To contact Mr. Schultz to get a free estimate, call or text him at 613-401-8374, email him at [email protected] or reach him via facebook at Jamies Local Summer Window Cleaning.
