It’s been more than 30 years since I took the leap and started my own oven cleaning business – an experience that has been as rewarding as it has been challenging.
There’s nothing quite like the thrill of watching your business grow, expanding into new areas and seeing your hard work pay off. And of course, the freedom and independence that come with being your own boss are a big part of what makes this journey so appealing. It’s no surprise that 60% of young people are aiming to be their own boss by the age of 30.
But let’s be honest – there are also plenty of tough moments. Changing customer expectations, new technologies, and the day-to-day responsibilities of running a business can throw more than a few curveballs your way. Take it from me – being your own boss isn’t always what you imagine from the outside looking in.
That’s why, after three decades of highs and lows, I want to share some of the key insights that have helped me build and sustain a successful oven cleaning business. In this post, I’ll break down the 6 key secrets that can help you thrive as your own boss.
6 Secrets to a Successful Oven Cleaning Business
1. Embrace collaboration at every stage
One of the biggest attractions of being your own boss is independence. As a business owner, you call the shots. There’s no one to answer to, no need to ask for permission, and you have the freedom to run things your way.Well, that’s how people imagine it, at least. And no doubt there’s a great deal of self-direction involved. But the reality is that going it alone can only take you so far. And that’s why my first secret to success is to learn how to collaborate.
When I started Ovenu, I knew I wanted to offer something truly unique – an oven-cleaning service that left your oven good as new without using caustic chemicals that might damage the components. No simple task, needless to say. And if I’d insisted on taking it on all by myself, I doubt the business would have ever got off the ground.
Instead, to help me get started I reached out to some colleagues of mine from the decade I spent in the carpet and upholstery cleaning business. They were able to offer invaluable advice on the impact of different chemicals and share the benefits of their specialist knowledge.
Then, of course, I needed to test out the process before I started working with customers. I reached out to a friend of mine who (as luck would have it!) was a driver for a skip company. He provided me with a large quantity of old ovens to practise on, allowing me to perfect the technique without risk. This collaboration allowed us to prove our concept and ensure that we could consistently deliver exceptional results.
Without these early collaborations, Ovenu might never have taken off. And even now, years later, I continue to seek advice from family, friends, colleagues, and employees. Whether it’s about refining our processes, learning new marketing strategies, or simply gaining a fresh perspective, collaboration remains a key ingredient to success.
2. Support your team
Like so many other things in life, running a business is about give and take. Seeking support from others is essential – but so is giving support to others in turn.
A key reason for this is that, as your business grows, you’ll have to be more than just your own boss: you’ll have to be other people’s boss, too. And with that comes the responsibility to guide, nurture, and support your team.
It’s not just about managing your direct employees effectively (as important as that is). It’s about cultivating a sense of belonging and ownership within the broader business. And this is where the power of the franchise model really shines.
In a franchise, every franchisee is more than just an employee. Not only are they their own boss, fully responsible for their individual location, but they’re also part of something bigger. They have a vested interest not just in the success of their own location but in the strength of the franchise as a whole. When each franchisee strengthens the national brand and builds a local customer base, it benefits everyone across the network. This interconnected support system is what helps a business like Ovenu thrive.
To ensure this network remains strong, it’s essential to offer clear, consistent, and targeted support for your franchisees. Training, in particular, is absolutely essential – which is why all our franchisees benefit from 5 days of induction training, including direct experience serving real Ovenu clients.
It doesn’t end there, of course. We continue to provide ongoing support across our entire network through our detailed operations manual and dedicated WhatsApp groups that allow franchisees to share knowledge and ask questions.
Put simply, the secret to business success isn’t just about developing your own knowledge and skills – it’s about how well you support those around you.
3. Build (or borrow) a powerful business plan
Starting your own business can feel like a leap in the dark – and there’s undoubtedly some element of risk involved. It’s why so many people dream about being their own boss and so few actually do it.But there are ways to minimise the risk you’re taking and tip the odds in your favour – and having a rock-solid business plan is foremost among them.A business plan is your blueprint for success. It sets out:
- Your service. Your business plan should clearly set out the service you’ll offer and its unique benefits. You should be clear about how your service stands out from what your competitors are offering.
- Your customers. You need to know who will benefit from your service, and define their needs and expectations as clearly as possible. Where do they live, how much do they earn, and how can you reach them?
- Your marketing strategy. As I’ll explain more fully below, you can’t rely on a quality service to attract new customers. You’ll need a strong marketing strategy to spread the word.
- Your financial projections. You’ll need to clearly map out your expected costs and your projected earnings. What price point will you choose, and how many customers will you need to recoup your costs and start to make a profit?
Needless to say, this can be quite an intimidating prospect if you’re new to running a business. That’s why we here at Ovenu take pains to provide any new franchisees with a proven business model that fills in many of the blanks on their behalf, from the clients they’ll target and the location they’ll focus on to how they can make the best use of our extensive marketing support.
4. Make sure you stand out from the crowd
Competition is a fact of life – especially in the world of business. If you want to run a successful business, then you have to offer something nobody else can.
This isn’t really a secret, I know. But what I want to stress is that you have to make sure you keep taking steps to stay ahead of the competition. You can’t rely on your business idea to stay unique forever.
When I started Ovenu, I had what I considered to be a truly standout business idea: a high-quality oven cleaning service that would keep your oven at its best. But I knew that I wasn’t going to be the only person who thought this was a strong concept with real commercial potential – and so I needed to maintain a distinct advantage as the market expanded.
That’s why I not only sought to patent and protect the innovative products and methods that underpin the Ovenu brand, but also to keep developing them over the years.
Take the dip tank that all Ovenu franchisees use as part of the oven cleaning process. I designed and developed the process tank myself, drawing on my training as a mechanical engineer. Once I had a design that worked the way I’d hoped, I applied for a Registered Design for our equipment at the Patents Office – something I’ve maintained ever since.
And I haven’t been content to rest on my laurels ever since. Times change, technologies advance, and complacency is a recipe for disaster. The dip tank has been modified or adjusted no fewer than 19 times since that first design, with the aim of improving the service we’re able to provide for our customers.
I could also point to our patented eco-friendly cleaning products – which have also undergone extensive development over the years – but you probably get the point already.
5. Spread the word
I’ve said it before, but it bears repeating: it’s not enough to deliver a quality service and hope that’s enough to get you noticed. The blunt truth is that it won’t be.
Unless you’re shouting from the rooftops about what you can do for people, you’re not going to see the success you deserve. And that means you need to master the art of marketing.
That’s no simple task, however. Your prospective customers will be continually bombarded by companies seeking their attention – and their money, of course. Cutting through the noise is far from easy, especially with the digital world changing by the minute.
One of the major benefits of the franchise model is that, when it comes to marketing, you don’t have to go it alone. You’re part of a national brand that is active across multiple markets and can build a much stronger identity that most independent businesses can manage.
Here at Ovenu, we take advantage of economies of scale with our national marketing efforts. In this approach, each franchisee contributes a small amount to the overall budget. While the amount that they contribute would likely not be sufficient on its own, once it’s pooled together, it creates a significant marketing budget that allows us to have a real impact.
This means more visibility for your business without you having to shoulder the full burden yourself. From national ad campaigns to targeted online marketing, Ovenu has the resources and expertise to ensure we stay on the radar of potential customers.
6. Celebrate your successes
One of the best ways to build trust and attract new customers is to let your happy clients do the talking. Positive reviews are incredibly powerful—they act as social proof that your service delivers on its promises. The truth is, people trust the experiences of others far more than any advertisement you could run, which is why customer reviews are one of your greatest assets.
The first secret to success here is simple: ask for reviews. After every job, make it a habit to follow up with clients and encourage them to leave feedback. Whether it’s through email, a text message, or a quick conversation, don’t shy away from requesting a review. Most customers are happy to share their positive experiences if you ask them directly.
Once you have these reviews, it’s time to promote them. Sharing your successes isn’t bragging – it’s smart marketing. Post glowing testimonials on your website and social media pages. Share before-and-after photos alongside customer quotes.
You can even create a dedicated section on your website for testimonials, showcasing the value you provide to your clients – which is exactly what we do here at Ovenu. Our remarkable 45,000+ five star reviews (as aggregated by Trustist) are highlighted on our homepage, showing prospective customers that they’re in the safest of hands.
Invest in Ovenu’s fast-growing oven cleaning franchise
It probably goes without saying that there are no guarantees when it comes to success in business. I’ve shared some of the secrets I’ve discovered over more than three decades running a fast-growing oven cleaning franchise.
But these aren’t formulas you can follow to ensure your business thrives – and anyone promising you that is not someone you should trust. They’re guidelines that can help point you in the right direction, but it’s up to you to get moving.
Of course, there is a way to give yourself a solid headstart – investing in a franchise. As I explained in a previous post, the franchise model mitigates some of the biggest risks of starting your own business. As an Ovenu franchisee, you’ll benefit from a proven business model, national marketing support, a comprehensive training program, and much more.
To learn more, get in touch today and speak with a member of our friendly team.
The initial investment varies depending on factors such as location and franchise package. Please contact our franchise development team for specific details.
Earnings potential can vary depending on factors such as market size, operational efficiency, and customer demand. However, many of our franchisees report achieving a healthy income.
Yes, Ovenu offers comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed. Our team of experts is available to assist you with marketing, operations, and customer service.
Yes, you can hire employees to assist with the cleaning and other business operations. Ovenu can provide guidance on hiring and managing staff.
Territory sizes can vary, but Ovenu will provide you with a suitable area based on market potential.
No, previous experience is not required. Ovenu provides comprehensive training to equip you with the necessary skills.
