Life On The Up + Window Cleaners Stories

Cheng Jian Wen, one of the window cleaners who keep the Shanghai World Financial Centre sparkling.

Life on the Up, short film about the window cleaners of the Shanghai World Financial Centre (SWFC) - Dangling from great heights, a Shanghai window cleaner's story. This short film by Stephen Wright captures the experiences of a window cleaner who works on tall buildings in Shanghai. 30 year-old Cheng Jian Wen has worked on tall buildings for four years since coming to Shanghai. He took this job as he wants his children to succeed and for his wife to not live a tough life. Since filming of 'Life on the Up', Cheng Jian Wen has returned to his hometown to pursue his dream of opening his own shop.

Bryan Matthews in the "StartUp Smart" awards for 2013.

Rope Pro High Access Services

Founders: Bryan Matthews (Above) and Greg Matthews

Revenue: $655,000

Started: 2009

Head Office: Victoria

Employees: 6

Industry: Property and business services

Few people would ever consider starting a high rise ropes business, let alone be able to brave the sheer heights faced daily, but Bryan Matthews was inspired by his own passion for rock climbing. “I enjoyed rock climbing as a hobby and became interested in completing difficult tasks in an unusual environment. The challenge drives my team as well as the variety of work we do,” Bryan says.

The company was only founded in 2009, but it offers 15 years of combined experience in a wide range of industries such as height safety and twin-rope access, aerial ropeway maintenance and rescue and high angle rescue. It offers a variety of services such as rigging work, structural inspection and maintenance of ropes and high rise window cleaning. The Rope Pro team can also abseil from buildings and bridges to access difficult environments.

The company cost $5,000 to start and the founders own 50% of the company. Bryan says Rope Pro is distinguished from the rest of the market because they do not rely on costly overheads such as eliminating scaffolding, cranes and elevated work platforms. Bryan says the greatest challenge in establishing the business was getting the name out to potential clients. From this experience he says he learnt the importance of hard work. “Work hard, do what you say you’re going to do, be honest and set a high standard of professionalism,” he says.

He says the name is now recognised throughout the rope access industry “for professionalism, safety, honesty and reliability”, but it’s the company’s growth rate which is most remarkable. “We have doubled our gross income every year since we have started and continue to be growing as a company in general,” Bryan says.

Rob Franks stopped a shoplifter at Pets at Home in Poole and was bitten on the ar.

Have-a-go hero bitten by shoplifter -twice: A have-a-go hero window cleaner who stepped in to help stunned staff at a Poole pet store was bitten twice... by a shoplifter. Brave Rob Franks and his wife, Carla, were visiting Pets at Home in Broadstone Way, when they noticed staff trying to detain a man.

As the thief bolted Rob sprang into action, giving chase on to the main road. Rob, aged 34, explained: “I managed to rugby tackle the guy to the ground and hold him there. “He was trying to throw punches but nothing connected. Then he bit me twice. “A shop assistant chased him with me. The shoplifter was threatening both of us and when he bit me he screamed ‘I’ve got hepatitis’.”

 Married dad-of-two Rob, of Rosemary Road, Poole, has since been given the all-clear from doctors. “After he bit me I let go,” he told the Daily Echo. “But I thought, ‘in for a penny, in for a pound’ got up and chased after him again.” With the help of the shop worker Rob cornered the suspect until police arrived. However, this isn’t the first time Rob has intervened against lawbreakers. Once, at another Poole pet shop in 2011, he ordered a shoplifter to put back his ill-gotten gains.

Another time, in July 2007, Rob confronted a pair of youths in Poole’s Dolphin Shopping Centre after spotting them stealing from Wilkinsons. “People can knock me all day long for stepping-in but I’d do it again,” he said. “We work so hard for the little bit we do get. “Why should somebody else be able to go into a shop, take something that isn’t theirs and think they can get away with it? “It is not right. It is not right at all. I would do what I did again in a heartbeat.”

After last Tuesday afternoon’s drama, Rob and Carla were given a free hamster cage – the item they’d originally gone to buy for their kids – by thankful Pets at Home bosses. l Anthony Cole, aged 32, from Poole, admitted theft from a shop, ABH and common assault at Bournemouth Magistrates’ Court on Thursday. He was remanded in custody until sentencing at crown court next month.