Richard Pearson has doubled the turnover of his Poppies cleaning business
Richard Pearson used to get his kicks from football, but now the former professional footballer is cleaning up in the world of business.
He said: “I thought my life was mapped out in football, but fate had other ideas.”
He explained: “I played for Bolton Wanderers youth team but failed to make the dizzy heights. In short, at the crucial selection time, I hadn’t grown tall enough to make it into the big league.”
So he returned to his education and from the age of 18 had jobs in sales and his family’s business: “I can see now that everything I’ve done has led me to this point. It’s the sum total of all my experience and even when there are knocks – they’re not wasted because you learn from them.”
Three years ago he took the plunge into self-employment and bought Heswall high quality cleaning franchise Poppies which had been operating on the Wirral Peninsula since 1991.
But Mr Pearson felt it was ready for a new strategy: “Yes, it has been hard at times but the successes have made it worth the effort. I followed every lead, even the ones that looked doubtful.
“I used all the positive feedback we had from customers and set out to transform the business, going beyond all thoughts of recession, and actually doubling the turnover.”
Poppies now has 140 regular clients and 29 staff providing the full range of domestic cleaning services on a weekly, fortnightly or four weekly basis, as well as temporary help, spring cleans, removal and insurance cleaning.
Mr Pearson said a ‘Poppie’ will dust, vacuum, mop, shine windows, brass and silver, paintwork, bathrooms, mirrors and clear the ironing and laundry.
“We take on everything from a mansion in millionaire’s row to doctors’ surgeries. Some of the most rewarding jobs are blitzes as a team and it’s great to see a house transformed and the occupant relax back into a clean, clear space.”
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