Men in Kilts Aiming To Be More Than Just A Gimmick

Men in Kilts owner Sentwali Lewis (left) and his partner Darcy Longpre at work on a home in Scarborough.

Men in Kilts - Aiming to be more than just a gimmick: In a competitive business like window washing, skirt-wearing male technicians definitely attract attention. And Men In Kilts,which started in Vancouver more than 10 years ago, is banking on that curiosity to grow franchises across North America. A recent weekday morning found Toronto co-owner-operator Sentwali Lewis up on ladder buffing the windows of an east Scarborough home.

It was a typical sight, save the green tartan kilt he had on. “People are very surprised when we show up on site wearing our kilt, but that’s our name,” said Lewis. “You have to differentiate yourself from the competition. Everyone thinks the kilt is just a gimmick; yes, but once you experience our service, you’ll see what we have to offer; there’s a lot more going on than the kilt.” The rest of the uniform consists of black boots, black socks and a grey t-shirt that warns “No Peeking!” In winter, black running tights fend off the chill, said Lewis who actually traces great, great, great grandparents on both sides back to Scotland.

A little originality can boost brand awareness, but it won’t drive business long-term, said Queen’s University marketing professor Ceren Kolsarici. “Those little unique ideas definitely help establish the brand early on if a customer hasn’t heard of the brand name, but what keeps the company going is the satisfaction rating,” she said, drawing comparisons to movie trailers. “In the initial success of the movie, advertising is the big driver, but then word-of-mouth and ratings come into the picture. As long as the audience satisfaction is high, then the success will be strong on the upcoming weekend. This is the same idea.”

Kilts may be the calling card for Lewis, who launched the Toronto operation with Darcy Longpre in March, but customer service is their long game. “I say treat every homeowner like you’re going into your parent’s house or your grandparent’s house,” explained Lewis, 39. “Make sure that they see why they should choose us instead of one of our competitors.”

Founded in 2002 by B.C.-based Scotsman Nicholas Brand, Men In Kilts quickly gained traction, earning $1 million in revenue in 2009. That’s the year Tessa Wood, former VP of Operations at hyper successful start-up, 1-800-GOT-JUNK? took notice of their tartan embossed trucks tooling around Richmond, B.C. “They really stood out and would make me smile; and just seeing the emotion they would elicit from me, made me think ‘This is powerful,’ said Wood. “It stood out as such a cool brand. I reached out and said ‘Hey, do you guys want some help franchising?’ We partnered up and incorporated the franchising company.”

As CEO, she has heralded the establishment of nine franchises, system wide sales over 5 million, and the expansion of services to include, gutter, eavestrough and siding cleaning and pressure washing. Her goal is to have locations in every major city in Canada and the U.S. by 2017. “It’s a very fragmented industry,” said Wood. “I saw a lot of similarities between the market opportunities that JUNK had. Who you think of when you need to get windows cleaned? Well, no one. And we’re looking across North America and saying ‘This could be a really great brand and a service that people need.’”

The company will hire female technicians, but representatives say they rarely apply and none are currently are employed with the company, although the female Boston franchise owner is trained to clean windows. There seems to be no trouble finding men willing to clean in kilts, which are mandatory for the job, except on certain days in Alberta. “Because it’s really windy in Calgary which I didn’t realize,” explained Wood. “We had to put in sort of a safety caveat about not wearing the kilts if it’s windy to the point where the kilts are literally blowing up above their waists. But it’s only in that windy extreme weather; otherwise, it’s just a matter of layering.”

From left, Tyler Buchanan, Keenan Ndjiva, Ryan Light and Jonard Janolino of Men In Kilts are turning heads with their creative window-cleaning concept.

Men in Kilts more than clever gimmick - Window-cleaning company aims to expand to 50 markets: A window-cleaning service staffed by men in kilts that started in Metro Vancouver more than a decade ago is now focusing on expanding its unique brand throughout the U.S. From its start in 2002, Men In Kilts has expanded to Victoria, Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto as well as Seattle, Boston, New Jersey and Philadelphia. CEO Tressa Wood said her goal is to be in every major market in North America by 2017. "There are about 50 on the list we're targeting," she said. "We might look at smaller markets, as well."

Wood has experience with expanding a start-up, having formerly been vice-president of operations at 1-800-GOTJUNK. Before travelling extensively throughout the U.S. for that company, Wood said she might have been a little intimidated about expanding south of the 49th parallel. "Once you've spent a lot of time in all the different regions of the States, it's not that scary," she said. "I see it as a big opportunity. We've really had no hiccups whatsoever delivering the same service."

Wood is aiming to expand the types of services offered by Men In Kilts in the next seven to 10 years. "Once you establish that footprint across North America and have a database of happy residential and commercial customers who are loving us for window cleaning and gutter cleaning and exterior cleaning, it makes sense for us to say: 'If you love us for that, we can also do your carpets and your lawn.' The brand is generic enough to do that."

In Men In Kilts' first year of operation, revenue totalled $20,000. This year, the company is expected to hit $6 million. Nicholas Brand, the Scottish-Canadian who founded the company, said the business is definitely about more than marketing. "Gimmicks have become a four-letter word in business," he said. "You need to stick out from the crowd in this day and age. If I started Nick's Window Cleaning, you wouldn't be calling today. If you can't follow up with quality, then you are nothing but a gimmick."

Men in Kilts has its North American call centre in south Surrey, where customers can phone to get estimates and book jobs six days a week. Customers are also contacted afterward to make sure they're satisfied with the quality and service. All technical training for the new franchisees is done by Brand. "I don't think there's a window cleaning company in North America that has the quality control and customer service that we do," he said.

Men in Kilts window washers wear kilts with a Wallace hunting tartan. They're made from a cotton-polyester blend rather than the traditional wool. They're the kind used by athletes in the Highland Games. Cleaning the windows of a typical bungalow in Oakridge would likely be done for the minimum charge of $140. However, the company's average invoice is $350 because its workers are often doing additional jobs such as cleaning gutters or pressure washing.

More news on Men in Kilts can be found here. 

The New Sexy In Window Cleaning?

Business cards to go - photo for MIK stampede appeal in Calgary.

Toronto firms bring sexy back to cleaning with French maids and men in kilts: Scrubbing and cleaning in the right outfit can do wonders for even the most mundane chores. Whether it’s sexy girls sporting French maid costumes while cooking and dusting your home, or manly window cleaners flaunting their legs while up on ladders in traditional Scottish kilts, some new local businesses are bringing sexy back to cleaning, while catering to their clients’ needs, whims and fantasies. With Men in Kilts, Canada’s largest full-service window cleaning, gutter cleaning and pressure-washing company setting up shop in Toronto last month, local owners Sentwali Lewis and Darcy Longpre are hoping their unusual work attire will give them a leg-up in the local industry.

“All the other window cleaning companies out there, they all do a good job, but I think we could do a better job, while providing excellent customer service and putting a smile on all of our clients’ faces,” says Lewis. The reaction they’ve gotten so far has all been positive, says Lewis, who brought in new clients just by shopping dressed in his kilt. “I was walking through the store, the manager of the store couldn’t stop laughing and giggling,” says Lewis, who’s already used to being the centre of attention. “And we signed on to do their windows for them commercially.”

While Lewis’ business is about keeping the exterior clean, for the in-house chores, Maids and Valets, which opened up shop in Toronto last June, has the solution. Margo Belaya and her business partner Kaytee Normad say it’s good old practical housecleaning and visual entertainment all in one. “It’s better to have your house cleaned, someone cooking for you, if it’s a sexy person,” says Belaya. “Any service is better performed by ‘eye candy.’ ” Their cleanup crew is made up of 20 housekeepers, butlers and bartenders, who will wait on their clients wearing anything from professional attire, a French maid outfit, lingerie or just their underwear.

It’s a business idea that’s been growing in Europe and other parts of the world, but still fairly new ground for Toronto, says Belaya. After finding postings looking for similar services on sites like Craigslist and Kijiji, she knew it would be a hit here in the city. But it’s all strictly visual, says Belaya, who stresses that their crew do not provide any sexual favours. With a $500 fine attached to any sexual advances or harassment stated in their policy, that rule hasn’t been broken so far, according to Belaya.

Maids and Valets have been hired on for nude family gatherings and birthdays for seniors to spice up the party, but besides bringing the fun with them, they also help cure some lonely hearts. “It’s not only about cleaning or cooking, sometimes people are lonely, they just want company, they just book someone to sit there with them, eat lunch, have a drink and talk, and that’s it,” says Belaya. “So it’s all about communication sometimes.”

Sexy services online: Some U.S.-based websites offering up unique and sexy products and services.

Those who don’t have that special someone to snuggle up with can pay for private sessions with pro-snugglers at The Snuggery. Single men can purchase girlfriend-like services for just $5 at www.girlfriendhire.com and get their new fake online girlfriends to text them, comment on their Facebook walls, and more. For couples looking to spice things up in the bedroom, The Fantasy Box mails out fantasy kits which include toys, costumes, lingerie and a variety of other sexy items to get you started.

Men In Kilts Calgary introduced its newest clan member! Wallace the fire truck.

Kilt-wearing window washers have strict 'no peeking' rule: The window washers in Holliston, Mass., not only hang from buildings, they also hang loose. A new window-washing, pressure-washing and gutter-cleaning franchise, spun off from a business in Vancouver, British Columbia, features male workers with no pants on — because they're wearing kilts. Men in Kilts has been a hit with customers and onlookers. "I got a good thumbs up from everybody," said one employee who contends he's paying tribute to his Scottish heritage. While the company insists it has a strict "no peeking" rule, it's hard to imagine how they could enforce it. And, after all, women have all those years of being catcalled by construction workers to exact revenge for. Payback's a bitch, guys.

Sentwali Lewis (left) and Luke MacLeod are two of the Men In Kilts, a new window, eavestrough and siding cleaning business in Aurora.

Men In Kilts offer revealing look at business - (By Chris Simon) Go ahead, take a look up Sentwali Lewis' kilt — you won't be the first person this spring. He opened a Men In Kilts franchise in Aurora earlier this year and has been busy cleaning gutters, windows and siding outside Greater Toronto Area buildings since then. The company serves residential and commercial clients, he said, while setting up at a south-end Aurora work site. "People are surprised, but yes, we do show up in our kilts," he said. "You have to be a very outgoing person to do this work because you get a lot of attention. People are always smiling and pointing ... and trying to peek."

Men In Kilts was founded in 2002 and has expanded across Canada and the United States. Mr. Lewis said he and partner Darcy Longpre were excited to open the franchise. "We know business," Mr. Lewis said. "For us, it was just a matter of learning a new skill set." The season is young, but the business' schedule is filling quickly, he said. "We try to do our best to deliver excellent customer service and go above and beyond," he said.

The franchisees also hired window washer Luke MacLeod, who proudly dons a tartan kilt each work day. "It's a great ice breaker and helps you get to know the people who are doing your windows," Mr. MacLeod said. "Whether you're peeking in their windows or they're peeking up your kilt, it takes away the whole, 'Who are these people looking in my house?' And you've got the built-in air conditioner for the hot summer." The franchise has high employee safety standards, so staff cannot clean windows and eavestroughs on buildings higher than four storeys, Mr. Lewis said.

From Camo to Kilt: The transition from US Army Specialist as a Military Police Officer, to that of a kilt-wearing window and exterior cleaning technician might seem odd from an outsider’s perspective. But in all reality, it makes perfect sense!

Chris Murphy, Operations Manager at Men In Kilts Boston, served in the US Army for just under 11 years and during that time was deployed to Iraq twice. He spent a year in Baghdad where he provided personal security to Tier 1 government officials. After being back in Boston for 6 months, Murphy volunteered to go back and this time he travelled to Fallujah where he worked with Iraqi police on daily operations and helped them to develop procedures and protocols.  

Murphy’s time serving in the Army was nothing short of rewarding, but he was ready for a change. Deciding to become a part of a franchise was deeply rooted in the support systems that Murphy knows are in place for franchisees. “The brand and operational support that comes from the franchisor is definitely a bonus. From fellow employees, the franchisor, and even other franchisees, there is always someone there to help you. In the Army, it is the same way. There is an endless system of support and everyone works together as a team,” says Murphy.

The transition from military to civilian was pretty easy for Murphy. “In the military, I was used to long days of training and work, and not having a set schedule was pretty standard. Being a part of a franchise is very similar. I could have a job that requires me to work earlier than 8 am or later than 5 pm, and I just have to go with it. So, when I came back to work full-time in the franchising world, it was pretty smooth.”

Previous franchise experience came from Murphy’s 8 years spent with 1-800-Got-Junk? Murphy’s mother, Judy Briggs, owns both the 1-800-Got-Junk? and the Men In Kilts franchise in Boston. “With my mom being an expert franchisee, it all just made sense to me to become a part of this industry as well,” says Murphy.

Men In Kilts first caught Murphy’s attention when the company was featured in Entrepreneur Magazine. He said he could not help but smile. “The thought of anyone washing windows while wearing kilts was so cool!” says Murphy. It was not long after when his mother came to him and asked, “Have you ever thought about wearing a kilt?” Murphy did not hesitate.

The Men In Kilts mission is to “bring smiles into the world…one kilt at a time!” Just like the Army, Men In Kilts is fighting to make the world a better place. Even if it is something as simple as making someone smile, Murphy’s passion for caring for his country and all the people in it, carries on in his work at Men In Kilts.

Murphy recognizes how he has brought smiles to the world by recalling one particular moment. “One Monday morning, we were in the heart of Boston cleaning windows and everyone that walked by couldn’t help but smile. I remember thinking, ‘people are normally miserable first thing on a Monday morning, but we just brought smiles to all these faces by doing something as simple as wearing a kilt’. That is pretty powerful!”

Murphy’s hard work has made Men In Kilts recognize the amazing fit for veterans in the company, and the opportunities to work with veterans in the future. Men In Kilts prides itself on dedication and a high level of work ethic, which is a great fit for veterans who have the skills and attributes necessary to succeed in a franchise such as Men In Kilts.

Men in Kilts just opened up a franchise in the Boston area and owner Judy Briggs said the response has been tremendous. She and her two employees went to Vancouver to train how to do window washing, gutter cleaning, power washing and other services for homeowners.

Men In Kilts Opens In The U.S., Offers Window Washers Dressed In Scottish Garb: “No peeking,” read the uniforms worn by employees of Men in Kilts, a Canadian company that just in opened shop in Massachusetts, offering home cleaning services by men dressed in the traditional Scottish garb. “It just grabs people’s attention,” Chris Murphy, a Men In Kilts worker, told local news station WCVB Channel 5 on a brisk morning this week. “It’s really comfortable, lots of freedom with it.” Judy Briggs of Men In Kilts said the phone has been ringing off the hook since she launched the franchise in the Boston area. And hers isn’t the first business to shine a light on workers doing less-than-glamorous labor. College Hunks Hauling Junk, an 8-year-old moving and junk-hauling company that’s expanded to nearly 50 franchises in the U.S., dresses its sprightly employees in bright orange hats and green shirts.

More Men in Kilts blogs here.

Window Cleaning MIK In Boston

Christopher Murphy and his mother Judy Briggs opened the first Men in Kilts Window Washing franchise in the Boston area.

Men in Kilts: Coming to a Boston window near you: Starting next week, a stiff Boston breeze could mean disaster in more than one way. Men in Kilts, a Vancouver-based window washing company whose technicians wear kilts while they work, will open its Boston franchise on April 2. “When people book jobs, we always remind them – no peeking,” said Men in Kilts CEO Tressa Wood. “They always burst out laughing.” In addition to spit shining windows, the kilted technicians also clear gutters and pressure wash buildings, storefronts, homes and condos.

Boston franchise owner Judy Briggs said the unique brand could not set up shop in a better city, considering the depth of its residents’ Celtic pride. “I think it will be very well received in Boston, particularly because so many people here have Irish and Scottish roots,” Briggs said. She is one of the few females within the company to don the kilt,  she said, for the simple reason that “customers prefer to see men in kilts versus women in kilts.” Judy co-ordinated her nails & kilt for the grand opening.

Meet Judy, the first female Men In Kilts franchise owner! She'll be running her Boston Window Cleaning business with her two sons as Operations Managers.

Her son, Chris Murphy, is the company’s local operations manager, and the city’s first official kilted window washer. “We’ve had a chance to practice in the kilts. You get used to it pretty quickly. It’s actually nice not wearing pants,” said Murphy, adding that he’s already gotten his share of spectators. “We definitely get a lot of people staring at us, and comments. You can’t be shy. We tell them they’d have to hire us to find out what’s under our kilts,” he said.

The service is year-round, which means next year, Boston washers must brave the winter weather sans pants. “They wear leggings underneath when it’s cold, and big wool socks. Kilts are actually pretty warm,” said Wood. “We’re excited to start doing this in Boston. It’s a fun take on a mundane job, and it makes people smile.”

Judy Briggs, owner of the Boston-area franchise for the Men in Kilts window-washing chain, with son Christopher Murphy.

The company's newest franchise is opening in the Boston area. Other U.S. locations include markets north of Philadelphia and on the Jersey Shore. Wood hopes to open another 10 to 15 locations this year. She says entrepreneurs can sign up for a franchise with less than $50,000 for an initial investment. Wood doesn’t see the kilts as a gimmick, though the unusual uniform does help narrow down the job applicants to people who are a little more outgoing and personable. “The great thing is nobody applies for the job unless they’re comfortable with the kilt,” she says. New franchisee Judy Briggs, a Medway resident who also runs a 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise out of a Holliston office, says she jumped at the chance to work with Wood again.

Briggs says she has her first clients lined up for the Boston-area Men In Kilts franchise when she starts next week, and she expects some potential clients among the property owners who use her firm for trash removal. Briggs’ son, Christopher Murphy, will be the general manager, and she says she has hired an employee of Scottish descent who is apparently psyched to be paid to wear a kilt around town. Like most other Men In Kilts franchises, Briggs’ cleaning work will be limited to buildings that are no more than four stories in height. So we won’t be seeing guys in kilts swinging from the sides of the Hancock Tower anytime soon. Briggs says another one of her sons, Patrick, is also training to clean windows, although he’s busy with the debris-cleaning side of the business. “He does have a kilt, just in case,” Briggs says.

“We’ll be doing lots of fun promotions and meet-and-greets to get to know even more people.”

Tartan Window Cleaners Arrive in Philadelphia: Local owners, Herb and Kate Madara live in the Abington suburb, fifteen minutes outside of Philadelphia. Before exploring the world of franchising, Herb Madara worked as a high voltage power lineman. After injuring his knee as a lineman, he decided it was time for a change. His research led him to many business opportunities, and he and his wife ultimately decided on a Men In Kilts window and exterior cleaning franchise. “I wanted to be in business for myself, but not by myself. 

The team at the Men In Kilts corporate office and all their franchise owners were so supportive during our research. The further I looked into it, the more I realized the huge opportunity in the window cleaning industry and the whole concept of wearing the kilt is just awesome. Everywhere you go, people approach you with a smile on their face.

Everyone wants to know what the kilt is all about, and some even want to take pictures with you,” says Madara. When asked if the crews will still be wearing kilts in the frosty Philly winters, Madara replies, “Of course! We’ll make sure the guys have something warm under their kilts!”

With over 25 years experience serving customers in a wide array of businesses, the Madara’s were confident they wanted to work in the service industry within Philadelphia. “We’ve lived in this area for a long time and we know what kind of service our locals expect,” says Kate Madara. “We’ll be doing lots of fun promotions and meet-and-greets to get to know even more people.” With the Bucks and Montgomery Counties population continuing to grow and prosper, the Madara’s see tremendous potential for Men In Kilts in their area. “We’re determined and committed to delivering a fantastic experience and putting smiles in to the world… one Kilt at a time. Just remember… No Peeking!”

says Herb.

With the goal of having a, "kilt and technician in every major centre in North America by 2017," Men In Kilts could grow into an even bigger success story.

Men In Kilts Edmonton Underdressed For Biggest Snow Storm Of The Year: It was no weather for shorts, let alone skirts, as a violent spring blizzard struck Alberta's capital region and stranded hundreds along Alberta highways. With up to 20 centimetres of snow falling, and wind gusting at 40 kilometres an hour, washing windows in kilts would not sound appealing to most. Launching their Edmonton operations on Monday; Men In Kilts, braved the snow, and cold, in order to get down to business. They work, "in all conditions," and no amount of snow could prevent them from donning their kilts to clean homes, and businesses. Although they worked under the snowy weather, the co-owner of the Alberta operations is feeling a little lucky, after hearing about the huge accident on the QE-2 highway in Alberta. "I would have been in that pileup possibly, because I would have been leaving around 1-1:30," said Chris Carrier in a phone interview, as he drove past the scene of the 100 vehicle mash up on his way back to Calgary.

With up to 20 centimetres of snow falling, and wind gusting at 40 kilometres an hour, washing windows in kilts would not sound appealing to most.

Carrier was in Edmonton to help launch operations and was set to talk with media, but the interview was pushed back. He says he feels fortunate to have avoided the pileup. Although the conditions in Edmonton were bad, it was not the worst weather Men in Kilts have faced. "In Calgary there was a snowstorm on St. Patrick's Day four to five years ago... there was almost two feet of snow," Carrier said, "We closed operations that day." That was at a time when Men In Kilts did not do snow removal; now they shovel, plow, clean gutters, as well as clean windows. Carrier co-owns the Alberta operations with his wife Robyn. They joined up with the company, "because of the brand." Carrier says he doesn't know of, "any other brand that can bring a smile to the face of a customer... or anyone around us."

More blogs on Men in Kilts here.

Men In Kilts Window Cleaning Wins Top Award

Men In Kilts CEO, Tressa Wood, wins the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award for 2012.

Men In Kilts CEO, Tressa Wood, wins the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award for 2012: Men In Kilts, a franchised window and exterior cleaning company, officially announced that CEO Tressa Wood has been awarded the prestigious Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award. Men In Kilts is Canada’s largest window cleaning company and is expanding fast into the US, with plans to be in every major market by 2017.

The Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award is presented annually, and highlights the achievement of BC's outstanding entrepreneurs, executives, managers and professionals in public or private business and non-profit sectors. “It’s fantastic to be recognized by the local business community in any fashion, but to win the BIV Top 40 Under 40 award is an honor,” says Wood. Before becoming CEO of Men In Kilts, Wood was VP of Operations for the highly successful 1-800-GOT-JUNK? franchise. While part of the senior leadership team at 1-800-GOT-JUNK? revenue grew from $10 million to over $130 million in a five-year period.

“I can’t think of a more deserving recipient… I have the opportunity to witness her exemplary leadership on a daily basis. Tressa manages to keep her family top priority and maintain the diligence and focus needed to lead the Men In Kilts franchise system across North America,” says Brent Hohlweg, Co-Founder & Chief Brand Architect of Men In Kilts who nominated Wood, along with Brian Scudamore of 1-800-GOT-JUNK?.

While honored to win the 40 Under 40 Award, Wood says she is most proud of her family and finding balance between the two roles. Becoming a mother hasn’t lessened Wood’s drive and ambition. “I see even more potential at Men In Kilts. The opportunity and the vision for this brand are massive. We currently have ten franchises across Canada and the United States and plans to add 20 to 30 more in 2013,” says Wood.

About Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award - The Business In Vancouver 40 Under 40 Award is sponsored by Audi, CGA, EO Vancouver, Fasken Martineau, BCIT, CBC, Clark’s Audio Visual, and TEC Canada. The event consists of a panel of judges that first and foremost look at an individual's professional success. They are also interested in knowing about their education, community service, as well as participation in industry and business associations and other accolades and awards. They look for a cross-section of impressive people from a wide range of industries who are ahead of their time for their age. They’ve progressed up the ranks of their company or industry or have built their own company and demonstrated professional success and responsibility at a relatively young age.

About Men In Kilts: Men In Kilts was started in 2002 by Nicholas Brand with $500, a squeegee and a hand-sewn kilt. The company offers professional window cleaning, gutter cleaning, siding cleaning and pressure washing services to both commercial and residential customers. The first franchise was opened in 2010 in Vancouver, with Fraser Valley and Seattle soon to follow. Calgary, Victoria, Philadelphia and New Jersey opened in 2012, with Toronto and Edmonton scheduled to open shortly. The company expects a 300 percent increase in revenue in 2012. 

More blogs on Men in Kilts here.

Standing out from the rest of the pack isn’t easy, but for Nicholas Brand, the founder of window washing company Men in Kilts, the uniform does most of the work for him.

Window Cleaning Is Height Of Fashion

Peter Waterfield washes windows in his kilt on Oxford Street, near Cook Street Village, Wednesday.

Window cleaning is height of fashion - Victoria goes crazy for Men In Kilts: Peter Waterfield puts on his kilt just like everybody else in the morning - both legs at once. Then he pulls up his socks and laces his boots, straps on a tool belt bristling with little mops and squeegees, and climbs ladders all day. Waterfield isn't your typical window washer.

And Men In Kilts isn't your run-of-the-mill window-washing company. "The air-conditioning is great . . . but there's no peeking," jokes Waterfield, who runs the first Island franchise for Vancouver based Men In Kilts Window Cleaning. Since launching a week ago, Waterfield has been run off his feet.

His tartan-clad van has caught a lot of attention and so has his green kilt as he scrambles up and down ladders washing windows of houses in Fairfield. He's generating business by being out there and through referrals and flyer drops in neighbourhoods.

And he's in the process of hiring staff to take on the burgeoning work orders. "I knew it was a great idea when we first saw them working in Vancouver a few years ago," said Waterfield as he washed the windows of an Oxford Street home Wednesday. "People see a lot of tradition, history and work ethic associated with the kilt, and that's what the company represents. We do a good job and we guarantee customer satisfaction."

Men In Kilts was launched 10 years ago by second-generation Scot Nicholas Brand in Vancouver. With just $500, a squeegee and a rusted-out Honda, Brand adorned his hand-sewn kilt and started washing windows. He brought partner Brent Hohlweg aboard in 2006 and, three years later, added Tressa Wood, who was one of the top three executives who made 1-800 Got Junk into one of the fastest growing franchises in North America.

Over the past two years, Men In Kilts merged with Calgary-based Window Works and added franchises in Seattle, Edmonton and the Fraser Valley. Waterfield's franchise gives the group seven and Hohlweg says it is on track to add 30 more in 2013, with a longer-term goal of a presence in every major metro centre in North America by 2017. Hohlweg said the seven franchises so far are on track for $4 million in sales this year, a 300 per cent growth curve from 2011.

Much of the growth is predicted in Greater Victoria. "It's been an over-the-top response so far from Victoria - more than any other franchise so far," said Hohlweg. "The people have just really responded to it." "We are definitely not an overnight success story . . .

We've been at the franchising side of things for two and a half years, and started the original location 10 years ago. We persevered through all the challenges that come with starting a business, and, even more daunting, a franchising business. "But we built a franchise organization during a recession, while competitors were standing still."

Waterfield, 49, an army brat who grew up on bases on the East Coast and has Scottish roots on his mother's side, was a former technology professional specializing in medical security systems, but had been laid off due to cutbacks. He revels in his new business because it allows him to mingle with people every day. He says there is "great satisfaction" in doing good work. "I'm a people person, so this is perfect for me," said Waterfield.

His partner, Duff Gardner, a technology consultant, said the kilt image grabs attention, but the quality of the work will make the franchise a success. "There's more than enough people going around cleaning windows," said Gardner. "This is about quality first. And if you can be happy and fun while doing a good job, that's what helps us stand out."

The company also offers power washing for houses and decks, as well as gutter cleaning using environmentally friendly products. Jack deMacedo, who hired Waterfield to clean his windows, was impressed with the thorough job and the fact that the company is bonded with insurance.

A workman's kilt is nothing new. Steve Aston, who owns Freedom Kilts in Fernwood, has been manufacturing the Scottish garb for more than a decade and is one of the biggest suppliers of kilts in the country. The kilt is a symbol of work-ethic and trust that has spread from the battlefield to formal occasions and into the workforce, he said. His cargo kilts, made from heavy canvas, are some of his bestsellers as construction workers and others in the trades covet their image and mobility. Kilts not only attract attention but give the wearer a sense of pride and confidence, Aston said.

"It's the power of the kilt - swish plus swagger equals swoon," says Aston. "You walk taller, you feel confident and you do a better job. That's the kilt."

Window Cleaners, Men In Kilts Joins Forces With Window Works

Men In Kilts has announced today - on National Tartan Day – they’ve joined forces with Window Works, a multi-million dollar window-cleaning company. Click to enlarge.

Tartan Window-Cleaners Take Over Canada and Set Sights on US: Men In Kilts has announced today - on National Tartan Day – they’ve joined forces with Window Works, a multi-million dollar window-cleaning company. The new partnership solidifies Men In Kilts’ position as Canada’s largest window-cleaning company. Chris and Robyn Carrier started Alberta-based Window Works in 1992. In early 2011 they started researching growth opportunities, and reached out to Vancouver-based window cleaning franchise, Men In Kilts. In January 2012, with paperwork signed, they took the entire Alberta territory of the Men In Kilts franchise system.

“Our existing model was extremely successful,” says Chris Carrier, “but we were looking for the opportunity to seriously take our business to the next level. The Men In Kilts brand is so memorable and fun, we knew right away we wanted to be a part of it. I see a great opportunity here, and I’m excited to be part of building Men In Kilts into the next big brand.” Men In Kilts’ first franchise opened in 2010 and now operates in Vancouver, Fraser Valley, Seattle, Victoria, and the Calgary window cleaning franchise opened its doors on, April 2, with Edmonton to follow shortly.

Men In Kilts CEO, and former VP of North American Operations at 1-800-GOT-JUNK?, Tressa Wood is heading up franchise development. She is driving the tartan crew to be in every major US and Canadian metro by 2017. “We’re building a national brand that people are starting to recognize, it’s definitely a really fun and memorable business.” says Wood. “ I’m so proud of the solid business systems our team has built. We’ve got a fantastic business model, combined with an outstanding brand and professional customer service.” When asked if he minds wearing the kilt in the cooler weather, Carrier laughs, “Not at all. That’s what long socks are for. Just remember… No Peeking!”

About Men In Kilts: Men In Kilts was started in 2002 by Nicholas Brand with $500, a squeegee, and a hand-sewn kilt. The first franchise was opened in 2010 in Vancouver, B.C., with Fraser Valley, B.C., and Seattle, Wash., soon to follow. Men In Kilts’ commercial and residential services include:

•     window cleaning
•     gutter cleaning
•     pressure washing
•     exterior building cleaning
•     snow removal services will be available in colder markets later this year

Men In Kilts plans for fast expansion into all major cities across North America, including Toronto, San Francisco, LA, and Denver. The company projects a 300 percent increase in system-wide revenue in 2012. Also see here, here & here.

Window Cleaners Without Pants

Want to work for Tressa Wood? Get your kilt on.

A Window Washer Puts Workers in Kilts to Skirt Competition and Build Its Brand: A unique cleaning franchise recently expanded to the U.S. from Vancouver, British Columbia, via Scotland. It's a notion all of us have had at one time or another: Looking up at a window washer, the clean glass glinting in the sun, we've thought, "The only thing missing from this scene is a kilt." OK, so maybe that thought only crossed the mind of Nicholas Brand, a second-generation Scotsman in Richmond, British Columbia, who took the idea and ran with it.

In 2002, after a night of spitballing business concepts with friends (and perhaps downing a pint or two), Brand began cleaning windows in the Vancouver area clad in a black golf shirt, steel-toed boots, knee-high socks and the tartan of the Wallace clan, hand-stitched by his wife. The bizarre concept took hold, and by 2006 he had brought on board business partner Brent Hohlweg, who helped push the window cleaning, pressure washing and gutter cleaning service over the $1 million threshold.

But Brand wasn't content to limit the idea to the Vancouver area, so in 2009, Tressa Wood, a former executive with 1-800-Got-Junk? and 1-800-Plumber, joined the company as CEO and partner to get the kilted ones ready for franchising. Men In Kilts made its American debut in April, opening its first stateside franchise in Seattle. Next it will target Portland, Ore., San Francisco, Los Angeles and all other major cities in the U.S. and Canada. We caught up with Wood, who gave us a little peek at what's under the kilt. (For the record, it's usually shorts, or black leggings in cold weather.) 

We're guessing this isn't for everyone.

The kilt is mandatory, and the guys have to be comfortable with the amount of attention they get. They go to Starbucks in their kilts and people laugh. We're in growth mode, so we need people ready to dig in, who want to have fun but work hard. If you're really shy and don't want people laughing and pointing and staring, this isn't a good fit. You need to be able to rock the kilt.

Why window washing? Why not plumbers in kilts?

In Canada, there's no national window-cleaning brand. In the United States there are one or two others, but they don't have the same service offering. There's definitely an opportunity here on the business side. Some people see our kilts and it resonates. Other people are like, "What, is that for real?" Some can't get enough of it.

What do you do when it's cold out?

We have to look at regional opportunities in colder weather areas. We may look at snow removal or painting. One of the great things about our brand name is that it's sort of generic. We can add revenue streams as needed. There's definitely an opportunity to regionalize services as we grow.

How do you advertise?

We haven't done much advertising. Mainly, people have been approaching us. Our business is so funny and different, it makes people laugh. These days, it's hard to be a brand and not do anything and still make people smile. It's really unique, almost viral. We've gotten lots of franchising inquiries and haven't done anything.

Have you thought about international expansion?

We thought about the United Kingdom and Scotland, but wondered if it would be a big deal. I'm sure there are lots of people over there cleaning windows wearing kilts.

See previous blogs on Men in Kilts here, here & here.

Business Unusual: Work That Skirt! Steven Villegas fancied a man-skirt. Turns out he wasn't the only one. In the beginning, there was the notion of just a single washable kilt. A loose, comfortable garment that, Steven Villegas says, "I could walk around naked in." And because you couldn't just go out and buy a man-skirt in those days, Villegas made one. And when he saw how nicely it fit him, he wore the kilt to a Seattle nightclub. At the door a bouncer asked, "Where can I get one of those?" And before he even got into the party, it occurred to Villegas: It's a ballsy step, wearing a dress. Like Braveheart, only more so.

Next, Villegas--who likes to be called Krash--scavenged up $1,500 for an office, sewing machine, computer, internet service and fabric. He named his man-skirt the Utilikilt, and soon enough, there was a Utilikilts store in Seattle's Fremont Street Market, a Utilikilts website and Utilikilts across the West Coast and around the world. Incredibly, this year, Krash sold his 100,000th man-kilt since he introduced them in 2000. A fervent constituency has supported the brand's "Original" kilt (even now priced at $150, "the overlapping apron allows you to unsnap the waistband snaps without exposing any curious bits"). Krash's kilts win converts through an ingenious network of snaps that offer an adjustable comfort that Utilikilt fans swear has no parallel.

From the cotton "Original" have come models made of lightweight nylon, leather, duck cloth and black gabardine. And though the bulk of Utilikilt's orders come from warm-weather climes, the network of fans has fanned across all time zones, allowing the practical-minded "Workman" kilt ($230) and the upscale "Tuxedo" ($566) to brazenly coexist. Krash calls his venture equal parts business and social movement. Most famously, disgraced Survivor winner Richard Hatch has worn the brand, but one might also spot one of Krash's kilts among groomsmen at an offbeat wedding, or maybe on the streets of Prague--15 percent of all Utilikilts are sold in Europe. Men from all walks of life, it turns out, are itching to lose their trousers.