Scouting, Volume 70, Number 4, September 1982 Page: 7
82, E1-E24, [16] p. : ill. ; 28 cm.View a full description of this periodical.
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when I planned to
retire before fifty
this is the business that made it possible
a true story by John B. Haikey
Starting with borrowed money Duraclean gave
me the opportunity for financial security...
In eight years I sold out at a profit and retired.
"Not until I was forty did I make up my
mind that I was going to retire before
ten years had passed. I knew I couldn't do
it on a salary, no matter how good.
I knew I couldn't do it working for
others. It was perfectly obvious to me
that I had to start a business of my own.
But that posed a problem. What kind of
business? Most of my money was tied
up. Temporarily I was broke. But, when
I found the business I wanted I was able
to start it for a small amount of bor-
rowed money.
"To pyramid this investment into re-
tirement in less than ten years seems
like magic, but in my opinion any man
in good health who has the same ambi-
tion and drive that motivated me, could
achieve such a goal. Let me give you a
little history.
"I finished high school at the age of 18
and got a job as a shipping clerk. My
next job was butchering at a plant that
processed boneless beef. Couldn't see
much future there. Next, I got a job as
a Greyhound Bus Driver. The money
was good. The work was pleasant, but
I couldn't see it as leading to retirement.
Finally I took the plunge and went into
business for myself.
"I managed to raise enough money
with my savings to invest in a combina-
tion motel, restaurant, grocery, and ser-
vice station. It didn't take long to get
my eyes opened. In order to keep that
business going my wife and I worked
from dawn to dusk, 20 hours a day,
seven days a week. Putting in all those
hours didn't match my idea of indepen-
dence and it gave me no time for my
favorite sport — golf! Finally we both
agreed that I should look for some-
thing else.
"I found it. Not right away. I inves-
tigated a lot of businesses offered as
franchises. I felt that I wanted the
guidance of an experienced company —
wanted to have the benefit of the plans
that had brought success to others, plus
the benefit of running my own business
under an established name that had
national recognition.
"Most of the franchises offered were
too costly for me. Temporarily all my
capital was frozen in the motel. But I
found that the Duraclean franchise
offered what I had been looking for.
"I could start for a small amount. (To-
day, only $3,488 starts a Duraclean deal-
ership. The full cash price is $11,588). I
could work it as a one-man business to
start, and operate from my home. No of-
fice or shop or other overhead, no salaries
to pay. Equipment would fit in my car
trunk. (I bought the truck later, out of
profits.) Best of all, there was no ceiling
on my earnings. I could build a business
as big as my ambition and energy dic-
tated. I could put on as many men as I
needed to cover my volume. And I could
build little by little, or as fast as I wished.
"So, I started. I took the wonderful
training furnished by the company.
When I was ready I followed the simple
plan outlined in the training. During the
first period I did all the service work
myself. By doing it myself, I could make
much more per hour than I had ever
made on a salary. Later, I would hire
men, train them, pay them well, and
still make an hourly profit on their time
that made my idea of retirement possible
— I had joined the country club and now
I could play golf whenever I wished.
"What is this won-
derful business? It's
Duraclean. And, what
is Duraclean? It's an
improved, space-age
process for cleaning up-
holstered furniture, rugs
and tacked down car-
pets. It not only cleans
but enlivens and
sparkles up the colors.
It does not wear down
the fiber or drive part of the dirt into
the base of the rug as machine scrub-
bing of carpeting does. Instead it lifts
out the dirt by means of an absorbent
dry foam.
"Furniture dealers and department
stores refer their customers to the Dura-
clean Specialist. Insurance men say
Duraclean can save them money on fire
claims. Hotels, motels, specialty shops
and big stores make annual contracts
for keeping their carpets and furniture
fresh and clean.
"Well, that's the business I was able
to start with such a small investment.
That's the business I built up over a
period of eight years. And, that's the
business I sold out at a substantial profit
before I was fifty."
Would you like to have the freedom
and independence enjoyed by Mr.
Haikey? You can. Let us send you the
facts. Mail the coupon, and you'll re-
ceive all the details, absolutely without
obligation. No salesman will ever call on
you. When you receive our illustrated
booklet, you'll learn how we show you
STEP BY STEP how to get customers;
and how to have your customers get
you more customers from their recom-
mendations.
This is an opportunity for a career you
will enjoy far more than a routine job. You
make many friends who appreciate your
quality services.
With no obligation, we'll mail you a
32-page booklet explaining the busi-
ness. Then you, and you alone, in the
privacy of your home, can decide. Don't
delay. Get the facts before your location
is taken by someone else. Mail the
coupon, now.
„ Duraclean
International
Duraclean
name to
DURACLEAN INTERNATIONAL
2-V99 Duraclean Building
Deerfield, Illinois 60015
WITHOUT OBLIGATION send the free booklet which shows me
how I can have a Duraclean business in my spare time
without risking my job. No salesman is to call.
(please print)
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Boy Scouts of America. Scouting, Volume 70, Number 4, September 1982, periodical, September 1982; Irving, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth353590/m1/7/: accessed July 17, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; crediting Boy Scouts of America National Scouting Museum.