The Benefits of Going Green

All the advantages of switching to an eco-friendly business model. 

By Joseph Berger, You’ve Got Maids

Today, the average consumer wants to live a more sustainable and environmentally conscious lifestyle. They may eat less meat, participate in ride-share services or, of course, avoid the plastic straw. They’re willing to swap products or services to adopt eco-friendly habits — even if that means an increase in cost — and are more trusting and committed to companies that implement green practices in their business model.

Similarly, franchise owners understand the effect environmental degradation has on business. It lessens access to natural resources, creates a negative stigma around a brand and minimizes the potential for growth. Additionally, while green concepts were previously thought to be a less lucrative investment, it is now widely understood that eco-friendly businesses often garner a larger profit. 

At You’ve Got Maids, we’ve always felt a responsibility to provide our clients and franchise owners with a set of systems and processes that not only benefits them, but also society at large. We do this by taking a conservational approach to cleaning and operations, which has proven extremely beneficial in the development of our concept. Below, we will talk through how going green impacts client satisfaction, franchise development and processes in your franchise.

Client Satisfaction

As previously mentioned, consumers are becoming increasingly interested in making smarter choices that positively impact the world around them. More than that, they recognize the personal benefit of using environmentally conscious products, especially in their homes. 

The modern home is built virtually airtight, so when you introduce a hazardous chemical like bleach to the space, volatile organic compounds are released and can linger in the air long after use. This can result in damage to the liver, kidneys and central nervous system. Similarly, if left on the skin, these chemicals can cause irritation, burning and can even affect skin pigment over long periods of time. Not only are these chemicals extremely harmful to humans, but they can also stay on your pet’s paws and fur, potentially resulting in fatal illnesses. 

Being environmentally conscious is now an aspect of a top-notch brand.”

At You’ve Got Maids, we started removing the things that are harmful to the families we serve. That means avoiding the use of potentially hazardous chemicals and swapping them for eco-friendly products in our clients’ homes. We refuse to compromise the health of our clients by taking the easy way out.  

Franchise Development

There are rising expectations of the more educated consumer, and being environmentally conscious is now an aspect of a top-notch brand. As more and more businesses begin to implement green practices, waiting to make the shift to an eco-friendly business model can end up costing you in the long run. 

Potential franchise owners recognize that there has been an increase towards a conservational lifestyle and, similar to the consumer, are more inclined to choose an eco-friendly brand to invest in — even if it means extra costs. Plus, as more people flock to environmentally friendly products and solutions, any additional expenses that going green incurs now are bound to see a decline in the future. 

Another attractive component for potential franchise owners is the effect a green business model has on employee satisfaction. At the local level, our employees know that their health is cared for. Due to the use of environmentally friendly products, it’s easier to find and retain blue-collar employees on the local level.

Benefits of Going Green

What compels most people to use harsh chemicals in the home is that they often make for a quick and easy cleanup. Admittedly, avoiding bleach means you may need to use a bit more elbow grease, causing your team to spend more time in the home, and ultimately costing the client more money. However, as previously mentioned, clients are often willing to pay top-dollar for a top-notch product, and being environmentally friendly is now an aspect of a high-quality brand.

The biggest benefit is knowing that you are contributing to a larger effort toward global sustainability.”

This shows that there is also a financial benefit to incorporating green practices into your business model. At You’ve Got Maids, to avoid waste, we use micro-fiber towels that are able to absorb a lot more than a traditional reusable towel. Because of this, we save on purchasing paper towels in bulk and slightly reduce the amount of laundry we produce due to the high absorption of the micro-fiber. Additionally, we encourage our franchise owners to purchase high mile-per-gallon vehicles for their teams. Not only does this lessen the amount of greenhouse gasses that are emitted from the vehicle, but it can also save our franchise owners money on gas. 

Overall, there are several advantages to adopting green practices in your business model including client satisfaction, higher interest from potential franchise owners and financial gain. However, the biggest benefit is knowing that you are contributing to a larger effort toward global sustainability. At You’ve Got Maids, we’re proud to offer eco-friendly services and look forward to continued growth as a green business. 

Joseph Berger is the President of You’ve Got Maids, an eco-friendly cleaning service franchise.