Miles Hirst is a young entrepreneur, running his own Launceston-based business.
From being a primary schooler starting a small business of selling crafted rubber bands on the school yard, to now, a 21-year-old with his own window cleaning business.
What’s your business called?
Refined Window Cleaning.
How old are you?
21.
How would you describe yourself as a person?
Well, I think I’m a compassionate person. I subconsciously look out for those that are around me.
Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur?
It’s not something I gave a whole lot of thought to when I was younger, but there were certain signs as I was growing up. The influence of my old man, having a business and stuff rubbed off somewhat. Having an independent nature is probably another contributing factor.
When I was in primary school, we had like these… Remember silly bands? Whatever they were, where you used the rubber bands to make stuff out of them. I tried to start a little business out of that, I can’t remember if it was too successful or not.
Can you explain what your business does?
So, we’re a specialised window cleaning company. We specialise in using telescopic water fed poles, and customers love that because we can reach hard to get places that might otherwise be impossible to get access or require a ladder. And, we use a water purification system so that the dry spot, streak and stain free.
I like to keep things simple. We’ll just do exterior windows most of the time, sometimes you’re subcontracting out the interior windows if it’s something the customer wants to get done.
Would you say you’re the best in the field?
I wouldn’t say that, no. I think different businesses bring different strengths and bring different things to the table. I wouldn’t label anyone the best.
What’s your biggest learning curve in business?
The hardest thing would have to be getting started. After that, it’s surprisingly easy if you’re consistent with what you’re doing.
But getting started is the thing that’s going to take time and effort, but after that, it’s a smooth and sailing ship. Then, it’s usually good.
I think the biggest lie a lot of people are told is that it’s not that simple. And your dreams aren’t that simple. You can’t just do this. You can’t do that. When in reality, a lot of the time, it is. You just need to get started.
What’s the best thing you’ve learned in business?
To put the customer’s need first and a lot of things will take care of themselves, if you make your main focus around the customer.
What’s your biggest regret in business, or mistake you’ve made?
Not getting started sooner.
In your business, what’s one of the most surprising unique quirks that you found while you’re building it?
I would say how easy it is to get started if you’re pushing a good product and good vision.
I had learned from my mistake with my previous business that I didn’t get fully up and running.
So, with the refined window cleaning, I think from the time my equipment had arrived I had a six-day turnaround or five-day turn around till I started advertising and got my first job.
I think if you have a great product and a great vision, you’ll be surprised how quickly people buy into it and see the value in the service you’re offering.
That would be the biggest surprise, or quirk that I found, was how willing people are to help a young start up.
What’s your plans for the future in business?
Definitely keeping an open mind about things. I’m studying property at the moment, so I’m interested in getting into the real estate side of field. But I guess my main objective at the moment is going somewhere. I mean, Launceston has its fair share of opportunities. There’s great opportunities here, if you know where to look for them. But I guess my main goal at the moment I’m focusing on is moving interstate. Kind of throwing myself in the deep end.
I’d like to be more attuned to my environment and less complacent, which means opening myself up to opportunities more.
Do you have any advice for those, young and old, looking into starting a business?
Get started and start small. You don’t want to worry about preparing your business, preparing to launch a business for six months to a year.
You want to ideally get up and running in a few weeks because sometimes you can procrastinate with wanting to get everything perfect off the bat that you end up not starting the business at all and that’s something I’ve seen in my experience firsthand with a business prior to Refined Window Cleaning.
I would say you’re going to get rejection and potentially get rejection from family members and those that you love, but you can’t take it to heart. You must execute your goal and believe in your own vision. Have persistence and courage and just whatever you do never give up because most people do, and that’s why they never I guess achieve what they started out to achieve.
Would you recommend people start making business more personal?
Yeah well, when you’re first starting up I would 100% recommend to utilise community groups, Facebook groups, family and friends, as they will be the ones that support you the most. So, yeah, Facebook can be a massive tool for you when you’re first getting started and yeah, just posting to some local groups. Explain what you’re doing and hope the people back your vision.
How can people support your business?
I encourage anyone interested in Refined Window Cleaning services to give us a call, if you mention this article we’ll give you a $50 discount. We’re a company that has the customer at heart and that’s something that we don’t compromise on.
