When asked about the most important lesson he has learned as a new business owner, Sean Richards said that there is something more important than finances: emotional resilience. By Brianna Bohn
When asked about the most important lesson he has learned as a new business owner, Sean Richards said that there is something more important than finances: emotional resilience.
“As somebody coming out of the nine-to-five job arena, it is emotionally challenging to make that step into business ownership,” explained Richards, who had spent 10 years in the industrial supplies industry – most recently acting as a manager and production supervisor – before investing in a NEXClean franchise. “It’s a process where you have to really trust the people who you’re dealing with to be there for you and support you along the journey.”
For Richards, NEXClean, a specialty commercial cleaning company, has given him the freedom and greater sense of fulfillment he wanted for years. Fortunately, he also found a reliable, transparent support system.
“Being able to come into a franchise like NEXClean helped me ease into the process because they prepared me for their proven system and helped me with the emotional aspects that come with business ownership,” he said. Richards, along with his wife, Joanne, was able to get their Dover, Delaware, franchise up and running in six weeks thanks to NEXClean’s streamlined process and guidance.
Since opening their franchise in 2018, the husband-and-wife team has been so focused on working hard and managing the business that they weren’t aware of how successful they were. “My wife and I sat down one day with Dan Nestor [president of NEXClean], and we were amazed to find out that, with our expertise and a minimal crew in the field, we generated half a million dollars,” Richards shared.
The Richards’ next goal? To continue building their business as a legacy for their five children. “We are hoping to maintain operations as a family and grow something meaningful. We started with NEXClean, and it has opened a lot of doors for opportunities. We have big goals and will pursue those,” he said.
Brianna Bohn