What is it that The Window Boyz offers? The Window Boyz is the superior window cleaning team from homes to commercial buildings. They make sure to brighten wherever they go be it cleaning of construction sites, solar panels, double volume glass, glass balustrades, glass bricks, showers, mirrors, shutters and signage. We can easily reach heights of up to 7 m from the ground without using a ladder, making work safer and easier. For work higher we use ladders or find a way. Our fully equipped vehicle brings everything that we need directly to you – including tanks filled with 100% pure water. The Water Fed Poles that we use allow us to reach and wash high windows safely from ground level – ensuring there is minimal disruption to you, and no damage to your garden or property. Your outside windows are then washed using pure water only – and then left to air dry to a sparkling and spot-free finish!
When was the business started and where did the idea come from? The business started as an idea I gave my brother one afternoon late while hitting golf balls for fun in the estate he lives in near Johannesburg. He said he wanted to start a new venture but was looking into a few ideas all good but not feasible at that moment. This was February 2020. He lives in Serengeti Estate, and I always had the idea of starting my own window cleaning business here in the West Coast as I saw the demand for it, but never had the funds to do so, neither the time as I was still working as an Online English Teacher from home but at times packing my bags for Asia. I remember trying to putt and I am profoundly terrible at it, but standing there trying to aim, I just looked up and pointed out there where so many windows, ‘and huge windows I might add’. That is the long and short of it, research started and it was feasible. After a few calls, we knew there is a market and a demand. I returned home and helped with designs concepts, names etc and he took it from there. But then Covid-19 happened right in the middle of launching and had to stop. However, by August things were better and he started the business, he had staff, the equipment, name, and so on. I agreed to help him out for a while until the business was running smoothly. But due to Covid-19 his work as auctioneer soared and became too busy for The Window Boyz. He made a choice to send it to me to run on the West Coast and this is where I am today! I run the business as my own, pay him back every month for the equipment and truck we use. I do everything from the quotes, invoices, marketing, design of flyers, the website and I even get my hands dirty and clean with the team.
Who are the Window Boyz team members? Currently we are four team members – Lawrence, Luyanda, Athi and I – cleaning the windows of many buildings. I occasionally help and oversee when I can on site. My team are loyal and hardworking and have passed their police clearances allowing us to give a trustworthy and safe environment for people. We really want to show people that we are a company that has great service and we follow up. Mistakes are made occasionally but we try our best to fix it as soon as possible as fast as possible.
How has the business adapted during the Covid-19 pandemic? It has been very hard but as a young growing business, we try to listen to our clients and give the service they need even if it is not cleaning windows. We adapted our prices and lowered them and still do if possible, a paying client is better than no client at all. The service we deliver and methods we use is unknown to many locally but we try our best to educate and show that we are here to deliver! Just ask. We try to be as adaptable as possible during this time and help where we can, everyone is suffering but by creating work we are able to give back.
What are the future plans for Window Boyz? We hope to grow in clients and offer more services such as gutter cleaning, cleaning of railings and walls, cleaning of signages on tall structures, we aim to clean more construction sites especially windows and frames. We see a lot of damaged windows and would like to show home owners that it is possible to clean windows without damaging it. We are open to anything and any homeowner is welcome to ask for specific services as long as it is safe and possible. We will also expand to Dwarskerbos and Hopefield as soon as demand picks up. We hope to soon have contracts available that will allow clients to commit but pay a much cheaper rate for that commitment.
What advice would you give to entrepreneurs on the West Coast? I have failed many times, but you get up and try again. Running a business is no easy task and failure will happen, people will be rude, shout at you, ignore you and say no more times than yes, but there is also hope and people who will help and share. There are kind and very friendly individuals willing to help by asking for help and it’s crucial. To try and fail is better than not trying at all, you learn everyday and you have to adapt to every situation. I have thought of quitting every day, but there are people, friends and family that are there for you. Thinking outside of the box is probably the key to every successful business out there. And hard work is key, for nothing comes easily. But keep going! And bargain all the way!
