A few years ago, I moved to a bigger apartment – just a few blocks away.
As anyone who’s ever moved knows, it’s not just about packing boxes.
It’s about dealing with endless logistics, unexpected expenses, and a whole lot of back-and-forth with suppliers and tradesmen.
In my case, there were small renovations to do – plastering, painting, minor fixes – and a deep clean just before the movers arrived with everything from my old place.
I’m a pretty tidy and organized person (or at least I like to think so…), so I had made a thorough checklist months in advance.
Naturally, that list grew longer by the day.
Some tasks I assumed would be tough – like changing my address and transferring bills – turned out to be surprisingly simple.
But others, the ones I thought would be a breeze?
Not so much.
Finding a reliable housekeeper, renovator, and mover proved to be unexpectedly complex.
I started calling around – people I knew, recommendations from friends, online forums.
That’s when I noticed something interesting:
- Not a single one of them would give me a price over the phone – not even the housekeeper!
- Some agreed to quote me only if I photographed the apartment from every possible angle and sent them pictures or videos first.
- Eventually, each one gave me a written price quote – but only after seeing the place in person.
- And then came the kicker: every quote was higher than what I expected, remembered, or budgeted for.
At first, I was frustrated.
Then I paused… thought about it.
And the more I reflected, the more I realized:
I was thrilled.
I was thrilled.
Yes, it took more time, energy, and money.
Yes, I had to hustle harder than I expected.
But here’s what I saw:
Yes, I had to hustle harder than I expected.
But here’s what I saw:
- These tradespeople – including the housekeeper – saw themselves as experts. They knew their value and priced accordingly.
- Every step was done professionally – written quotes, clear expectations, firm timelines.
- And most impressively? They weren’t willing to work with just anyone. They were auditioning me as a client, not the other way around.
And honestly? I loved that.
Because for years, I’ve been telling my clients the same thing.
If you want to succeed big time, over time, you need to treat your business like a business.
That means:
- Brand yourself as an expert
- Respect your work – and price it accordingly
- Be organized, clear, and systematic
- Choose your clients as carefully as they choose you
- And don’t be afraid to walk away from the wrong ones
In the moment, all that structure felt a bit heavy and expensive.
But looking back, it was better for me as a customer too.
No hidden fees, no last-minute changes, no surprises.
Everyone showed up on time, did the job right, and finished when they said they would.
When you brand yourself as an expert, everyone wins.
You. Your business. And your clients.
Win-win.
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