All Good Things Must End

I have thoroughly enjoyed teaching Mister Squeegee University over the last couple years. But with the change in direction of our business and my increasing time commitment to educational events and training thru the UAMCC I feel it's time to end the school.
That being said those looking for window cleaning education still have many options. Doug Rucker offers some window cleaning training at his pressure cleaning school, Agent Clean University is offering a very comprehensive school, and I'll be doing quite a bit of free education at UAMCC events in the future. I'm still going to be available to help as I've always done as well.
In the end the school served it's purpose well. Students added a new service to their business, sponsors got new exposure, and I got a renewed zeal for educating others about what we do.
I want to offer a large THANK YOU to my students, sponsors, and all those who encouraged me to do this in the first place.

Mister Squeegee University on the Road

In September MSU went on the road for a student. Tyler Gibson in Davenport, Iowa asked if I'd consider doing a school on location to help him improve his technique on commercial jobs with a water fed pole. It meant a couple hour drive for me and a higher tuition for him to cover travel expenses but it was a day well spent.

We used my equipment as well as his which ensured that it was simply about developing a good technique to deal with specific problems as well as knowing when other tools were needed. 

For me it was another way to help fellow cleaners with Mister Squeegee University. It also made me realize that with some good planning the school can come to the student. So for those without the time to come to the school - maybe the school can come to you. 

 

 


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Latest Sponsor of Mister Squeegee University

I want to thank ABC Window Cleaning Supply for becoming the latest sponsor of Mister Squeegee University. They are donating a 18" swivel stripwasher and sleeve which will be a great compliment to the tools already being donated by our other generous sponsors. Part of what our sponsors do for the students is help them learn what tools work for them thru their donations. That's why I want to thank ABC for joining our great list of sponsors like Windows 101, Reach Higher Ground, and J Racenstein.
ABC is well known in the window cleaning industry and has actively supported events like the WCN picnic and IWCA trade shows for years and I'm grateful they have chosen to add Mister Squeegee University to the list of educational programs they support.

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New Sponsor for Mister Squeegee University

One thing I'm most grateful for is the generosity of the sponsors of the school. They have donated some very practical tools for the students. I still remember the first tools I got when I started. I've always been a bit of a tool hound so it was cool to learn how they all worked and then see which types worked better for me. That's part of what the sponsors do for the students - give them the opportunity to start that journey and begin to learn which types work for them. That's why I want to welcome Windows 101 to our great list of sponsors like J Racenstein and Reach Higher Ground.
Windows 101 will be donating a Tuff Belt to each student. I use the Tuff belt and in my opinion it's the best.
Thanks again to Manny at Windows 101 and all our sponsors who do so much for the industry.

Here's what the belt looks like -

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A Beautiful Day for Education

Spring has finally arrived and it was just in time for the latest class of Mister Squeegee University. I was privileged to spend the day with Ron Lepic who flew in from Saint Clairsville, Ohio. Ron had many questions and was an exceptional student. He had prepared some very interesting questions that he emailed my before he arrived and that allowed me to do a very customized curriculum. Couple that with a wonderful sunny day with good temps for our outside hands on portion of the school and it was truly a beautiful day for education.
Ron and I had talked on the phone a few times before he scheduled his time at MSU and it was finally nice to put a face with the name. I found our time and discussions to be as educational for me as I hope they were for him. I say this because unknown to me Ron has been in the window cleaning industry for over 20 years. That made his comments on his experience in the school all the more gratifying for me. Here's are his comments from his testimonial sheet as well as a text he sent after he arrived home -
From the testimonial sheet - "I was impressed with the level of knowledge Tony has. He is on your level. From one window cleaning to another, you feel comfortable with him. A wealth of tips and insight but not intimidating. Overall it went too fast."
And from the text - "I really enjoyed myself and it was educational. Alot of the things you shared with me were either something that I have just started to learn and your instruction enhanced or I knew nothing about."
With each new student I feel that I take more away than I can possibly give. I have gained so much from those that have attended. Whether that is a new respect for my profession or improved ways to think about some aspect of what we do. In Ron's case he showed me that I don't brand my business nearly enough. He is always thinking about how he can make everyone that comes in contact with him remember him. I know I won't soon forget our time. Thanks Ron.

 

 



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Opening Up New Services

In our latest class of Mister Squeegee University Wade Strait from Silvis, IL and owner of Strait Shot Exterior came to learn how to expand his pressure cleaning business by adding window cleaning.
This is a growing area for many pressure cleaning companies. By adding exterior window cleaning they can now offer a complete end product to their clients. By getting some training like Wade did they also have the opportunity to offer interior window cleaning as well which can open up even more add on services.
But the question arises - Why bother?
In some areas your service area may be relatively small as far as travel time. But for many cleaners here in the Midwest it's not uncommon to travel up to an hour or more to have an adequate customer base. When you figure the cost of fuel, wear and tear on the vehicle, and windshield downtime that can really begin to affect the bottom line. One easy solution is to do more for each customer on each stop. That's where adding extra services can really take your business to the next level.
Here's what Wade had to say about his experience -
"Making the hour and 45 minute drive form the Quad Cities to learn from Tony was one of the most valuable things I could do for my business. The knowledge Tony has in the window cleaning business and the tools that are used it second to none. I feel confident that I can successfully add window cleaning to the services I offer."
So if you are a pressure cleaner, roof cleaner, or other service industry professional think about adding window cleaning and think about how the education offered by Mr Squeegee U can speed up the learning curve to a better bottom line.

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Mister Squeegee University in the cold weather?

In this colder than average winter we've been having Mike Kramer from down around Lake of the Ozarks, MO traveled about 6 hrs one way to attend the school. Mike came prepared with questions and enthusiasm for learning about window cleaning.
One possible drawback to having a window cleaning school with hands on training in Iowa is the winter weather. That can be compounded by the fact that many are looking to get into the business before the spring weather breaks making winter one of the best times to get the training provided by Mr Squeegee U.
Last week we were able to do the school despite those possible drawbacks. How?
One way is by taking advantage of the classroom as an area for hands on training for the traditional methods. We have a variety of windows in the classroom to work on and do some short pole work demos with.
What about the pure water training? Since I have a versatile set up for pure water I was able to use my back pack delivery system, with some isopropyl alcohol in it, instead of hooking into the outside tap. So despite the high temps of about 25F we were able to do a few windows with the water fed pole.
So how did Mike feel about it? In short "very informative, very helpful".
Thanks Mike and we look forward to seeing you progress in the industry.

For more educational topics go to A New View Exterior Cleaning