When I first started out in window cleaning in 1986, the window cleaning scene was a very different place to what it is now. I remember my first day in November of that year. It was cold and wet and I had no idea what I was doing.
Many times I wondered just what I had got myself into especially when I "froze" at the top of the ladders that first few times. I didn't even have a "Bucket on a belt" to hold my tools. I would just balance the tools on the window ledge.
If I wanted any equipment, I would have to travel 15 miles into Middlesbrough town centre and twice arrived when it was half day closing on Wednesdays! It was all very basic.
With the advent of the internet, everything began to change and I could order stuff online. From being isolated and comparing notes with my window cleaning mate who really could not be bothered, it was suddenly a different world.
I began to get into window cleaning forums and began to get idea's on modifying bits and pieces but found it hard to explain what I was on about. Then came YouTube and things really took off after that. I began to post video's about my idea's and modifcations to things like the bucket on a belt, dogearing and eventually, water fed pole systems.
It wasn't long before I began to get noticed by other window cleaners. Many appreciated what I was doing and would kindly thank me for helping out. With the maufacturers, it was a little different since competition for new products and idea's were closely guarded. When I first set out to give of all my experience and idea's, it was never to make "money" out of it in that sense. I had a bit of a following and had gained some respect which I treasured over just trying to make money and I decided to keep it that way.
I did a few reviews on different types of equipment but quickly realised that to remain neutral was going to be impossible. Each manufacturer would be sensitive to a bad review or would think I was loyal to one or the other or even on their pay roll which incidentally was never true, not ever.
If I thought something was good and worth promoting, I would feature it in one of my video's but don't think for one moment I was able to get loads of free stuff to do this with. It actually never really happened and most of the stuff I feature on my YouTube channel, I had to buy myself. I never actually made enough money to be able to buy things just so I could review them and for various reasons, its remained that way up until now. It would be nice though!
I am grateful to those manufacturers for the bits and pieces that did actually arrive and I made good use of in the past. It actually helped me out but that wasn't the real reward; no the real reward is when someone contacts me and says "thanks for helping out". The other reward is when I see products out there that I know for sure that I had a hand in. I'm not going to say exactly what they are and some came about in a roundabout way. Take Reach-iT with their innovotive Constructor Brush, combined angle adapter and swivel head. Look at Moermans zero detailing squeegee system and think about it - just for a moment. I have had a long association with Wagtail and Willie Erken. I have used their tools since they were introduced in the early 2000's. Many a time you will see the applicator pad flipped over from the top on one of their squeegees instead of underneath for certain applicatons......
There are more things that its difficult to actually attribute directly to my influence but its nice to know just the same that even at the very least; great minds think alike. I'm not out to take all the glory either but you start to realise that there is some truth in the saying "there is more happiness in giving than there is in receiving".
