Window Washing by Chris Wilson

I was riding my bike from Oak View to Ojai on the Ojai Valley Trail bike path. Saw actor Jeff Bridges and his wife Susan walking along near the Ojai Valley Inn. Past them at first with a nod of recognition. They knew it was me knowing it was them. And after a few more blocks I buckled, turned around and asked for a pic. He was cool. I gave him a card and asked him to give me a jingle if he needs his windows washed. I’m pretty sure he’ll call. Right?

Fun with photoshop. This will be super cool when it were true.

This is what I get when I go visit friends and offer to wash their windows as a birthday gift. As usual I get a big dose of creative inspiration from the darling Todd and Stephanie, Kai and Piper, dogs Franklin and Norman and cats Ivy and Meatball.

Todd does the robot

Thanks so much to you wonderful friends. I adore and admire you two so much. Todd and Stephanie rule!

I have had a wonderful week visiting the Carson Valley of Northern Nevada. In fact, I had so much fun that I created a t-shirt design just for their lovely little town of Minden, NV. Enjoy!

Just Minden My Own Business T-shirt by yours truly. Buy it today and be the first to own it.

The image above is just my design, text market mockup. I will be burning the screen for the Minden shirt and printing the first testers when I get back home to Ojai later this week. So, I am offering free shipping on all U.S. pre-orders of the Minden My Own Business Shirt. Be bold and order today and be the first. Get it before Wal*Mart picks it up and makes your original into the rightful hipster small town iconic t-shirt that it is. Do it.

Questions? Wanna buy your friend a birthday window washing? Call (805) 208-9254 or email chris@windowashing.com Right now Babe!

I screen print t-shirts. What can I say? I have an affinity for squeegees. Here’s a video that shows the process from start to finish. Design to completion. I came up with this design as a response to the revolutionary sentiments of our times. If you’re going to raise your fist in the air, be sure you’re ready to get to work. Enjoy!

You can order your very own shirt here or by simply scrolling down the blog a bit.

I got an email from a high school classmate of mine. I’ve been watching him talk about looking for work on his facebook profile. Norm was kind of shy in school. He was fairly quiet (though he let himself go on stage as an entertainer and actor), he always seemed humble and incredibly kind hearted.

I’ve bugged him a couple of times about getting his own gig going. Window Washing is such a great way to do that. It’s simple and straightforward and anyone with a modicum of strength and fortitude can do it. Recently he emailed me asking, “so you said about starting a business…”

Here’s my reply.

“yes!!! I’m so happy to hear from you. this reassures me that I have a market for my vision. I’m currently working on a series of articles that will become an e-book and kindle thing that will answer all your questions. its about soaking the neighbors by washing windows.
First I’d say get yourself online and find the nearest janitorial supply and buy yourself a short brass Ettore squeegee say 5″ and a longer one say 14″. And an 18″ t-bar mop. Total investment about $30.
Next find a five gallon bucket and a bunch of old towells. Fill that bucket with 3 gallons water and a healthy squirt of dish soap. Dunk your window mop then ring it out with your hands 3 or 4 times. now mop the window down (I assume you’re at home) over wash. again and again. then wait a minute and wash it again. the water and soap need time to break down the grime and negative thoughts that have built up over time.
Now with your finger and a dry towel draw a dry area all around the edge of the window. Then seat your big squeegee firmly at the edge of the window at the dry area and drag down firm and straight from top to bottom. Start by practicing on your own home windows first then wash moms, grandmas and friends next. practice and get good. the more you give, the more you’ll get. even if you cant wash windows very well, youwill make window look better then if they hadnt’ been washed at all. by practicing you’ll get better. by printing up some little flyers and postcards and business cards you’ll start to get your name out there and get some gigs. If you’re focused and determined and recognize the number game of sales then you’ll find the yesses through all the noes.
If you really wanna learn then go in the phone book and call all the window washers/cleaners in your area and try to get them to hire you. You’re trust worthy, strong, healthy and handy with tools. I bet with a little persistence and friendly banter you could land a job as a window cleaner and get some really good training.
I learned from Dave Beecher Quality Window Washing in Vancouver. He’s in the phone book. He’s an excellent window washer and a great teacher. Ultimately my inspiration to be a small town residential window washer at this point in my life.
Got any great sellable t-shirt ideas? I can teach you how to screen print too.
You can do it,
Chris”

So that’s what I told him. And that’s the message at the heart of the book I’m working on for fledgling window washers. It’s pretty simple. Just practice a bit then think about what you have to do to get someone to give you money for helping them.

I spent the past few days working on a Window Washing series of hand printed and tie dyed organic cotton tote bags. Inside each tote I printed my window washing by Chris Wilson logo with my phone number (805) 208-9254.

Everytime you look inside you'll remember who made this for you.

One coupon in the new Ojai Valley Directory offers a free tote bag or t-shirt to anyone who buys more than $200 in window cleaning services.

See a full gallery of images on my facebook page here.

here's the coupon from the OV Directory that could score you a free tote or t-shirt.