About Carla Hendes

My Story in Brief

Before starting Carlas Windows I worked in a number of jobs and different enviroments, from a Skiing Instructor and Outdoor Instructor to being a manager for a branch of Barclays bank.

When it comes to work, the main thing life has taught me up until now is I have a passion for working outside. Being out in the elements just feels ‘right’ and I am happy with sunshine or rain.

Growing up in beautiful Corfe Castle on the Isle of Purbeck has given me fond memories from an early age. We were always outside playing and making adventures so maybe it was this that left its mark.

It was around the age of 18 that I completed my first ski season and this was the start of a 5 year trend. Every year me and my sister Paula would venture back out onto the slopes, earning our keep as chalet hosts and spending as much time on the snow as possible.

This couldn’t go on forever and I decided I needed a ‘proper job’ to give a more stable living and to cut a long story short I ended up managing a branch of Barclays bank for few years.

The Outside Was Calling

The outdoors never leaves you…. Time for another change to try and scratch that itch.

Fully qualified as an outdoor instructor I can teach pretty much most things related to water sports and adventure activities like rock climbing and mountaineering.

What could be better than spending everyday outside in and around the Purbecks, on and off the water?

I’ll tell you. The only reason I am still not doing this job is the seasonality and lack of money potential. Yes I could of started a outdoor style business but there will also be big seasonal stresses to contend with.

So what do you do?

Start A Window Cleaning Business

So some of you are thinking…right ok!

It sounds like I made a quick flip from one to the other because i’m giving you the overview here, but this was not a 5 minute exercise.

Its was the pandemic that really focused my mind and made me realise I am only getting older and I need something that is going to deliver what I want and need in life.

After brainstorming many different business ideas over many weeks, I needed something that would fit into my tick list of ‘wants’ and this is one of the few that hits the majority. Here is 6 of my points that I was shopping for;

• Being outside – one of the main requirements
• Manage my own time and responsabilities
• Meet people and be socialable
• Job satisfaction
• Flexability
• Financially viable in both startup and earnings

The idea is this. If I can do something that I enjoy and hits most of the things on my list then I should be able to earn enough money to support myself but have options to go on the odd adventure from time to time. Even if thats just taking a morning out on the paddle board to explore more of the Jurrasic coast with a friend. But I am not ruling out a 2 month trip to Peru for example!

So Far So Good

As a new window cleaning company there are plenty of more established businesses then me out there but I must say I am ticking along just fine. The plan seems to be working.Yay

My customers are lovely, the weather doesn’t stop me and the volume of work has increased nicely. I have evolved to include gutter cleaning services as well as extending the window cleaning service to include other things like solar panel cleaning and doing windows for commercial businesses like Garages and small office blocks.

I really feel like I have found the solution!