Kolan Hairston: Operation Window Cleaning

Kolan Hairston was at the recent International Window Cleaning Association conference, teaching how to make your unconscious mind make you incredibly powerful!

Operation: Window Cleaning: You have seen the bumper sticker, “Once a Marine, Always a Marine”. The Marine Corps experience is so strong that it leaves a lasting imprint on people. This certainly rings true for Kolan Hairston, owner of Fish Window Cleaning in San Marcos.

Fish Window Cleaning's Owner - Kolan Hairston. While serving his country as an officer flying for the Marine Corps they trained Hairston to:

• Plan out successful missions.
• Make do with the minimum.
• Lead people from the front.
• Train staff to perform well.

And after meeting him, you can see how he has retained the lessons he learned in the service. He is still in control, leading his people and soaring above his competitors today much like he did in the Corps. Although now, Hairston leverages these skills while working as the owner of the local Fish Window Cleaning service along with his wife, Lupe.  They started their franchise back in August 2004 shortly after Kolan Hairston completed his military service.

Plan out successful missions: Like a good Marine, Hairston started doing his homework about 2 years before leaving the Corps.  He began planning out his search for the next step.  With a strong desire to run his own business, Hairston looked into several business opportunities. A while later Hairston agreed to work with a business broker who presented several existing businesses.  None meet Hairston’s standards and expectations to make a successful business. The broker suggested multiple franchise opportunties for his consideration.  At first, the broker didn’t expect Hairston to jump on the chance to run a local Fish Window Cleaning business. Yet this business best fit his business criteria.

Make do with the minimum: The Hairstons opened the San Marcos location of Fish Window Cleaning.  Hairston said that they spend their time in front of customers, so he looked for a workplace not a showroom. And it is. Their office is functional, without any money wasted on mahogany desks, fancy furnishings or other luxuries probably very similar conditions to what he experienced in the Marine Corps – function first with no need for expectation of excess.

Lead people from the front: From both headquarters and the field Hairston runs the sales and service part of the business.  He guides his crews to meet his customers’ needs in an efficient and effective manner. He also leads the push to capture more business. Hairston’s interactions with happy customers generate the referrals needed to grow the business.  At the same time he has recently placed a heightened focus on marketing his business through more current methods. Meanwhile, his wife, Lupe Hairston covers the office administration duties in her effort to supports all aspects of the business.

Train staff to perform well:  As an officer in the Marines, Hairston didn’t control who they ‘hired’. Now that he dictates the hiring practice they place a greater emphasis on attitude than aptitude.  Because they provide significant training on how to perform their services, he knows they can provide quality work. Yet, Fish Window Cleaning aims to go beyond just the service. They strive to perform their service in such a manner to not disturb the tenant or homeowner.  Hairston knows that his six front line employees represent his company and that’s why he places such a high importance on the character of those on site. Just like you can spot a Marine from afar, the same is true for Hairston’s staff.  Their vehicles are marked well with their company name and information – no camouflage here.  From those vehicles his staff jump out wearing clean uniforms, looking neat and presentable,  although Hairston stops short of making a military hair cut ‘standard issue’.

What you get with Fish -  They perform many other services than just window cleaning.  For businesses they will clean awnings, remove graffiti, power wash buildings and even perform construction site clean up. Residential customer service beyond window cleaning includes cleaning rain gutters, scrubbing skylights, shining up chandeliers or clearing out air ducts. Hairston knows that these services are offered through several other providers.  He stated that many in his industry fail to operate a professional, above board business. One area worth considering is that Fish Window Cleaning carries sufficient insurance to cover their business and their clients.

Hairston said an insured provider benefits both residential and commercial clients.  He stated that owners and their tenants incur risk whenever a service company works on site.  Although the frequency of incidents may be low, the cost can be significant when an accident occurs.  When unlicensed, uninsured service providers work on your site liability may go beyond the service provider if an injury or destruction of property occurs.