Manush Ravi Prame is the founder and CEO of MRP Services. MRP Services is a New York-based commercial cleaning company that provides services to clients across the US and Eco-friendly building materials for green buildings. MRP provides its commercial cleaning services to over 100 locations including all types of business such as large corporations, mid-size companies, and small businesses, and also offers janitorial supplies online at discounted prices.
MRP Services has been recognized by several publications throughout the country including Green Building & Technology Magazine which featured MRPs as one of five green cleaning companies in 2012.
Aside from being an entrepreneur, he is a passionate philanthropist. He is dedicated to promoting healthcare and education for underprivileged children across the country. He also supports programs that aim to provide safe shelter, counseling, medical care, and more to those affected by domestic violence.
Please tell us a little bit about your business – what is MRP Services all about?
MRP Services is a leading provider of specialized commercial cleaning services to clients across the US. They are known for delivering sustainable solutions in janitorial, window, floor care, and furniture repair services. The company is headquartered in New York City with offices across the US. They are also a preferred service provider to over 100 hotels, including Hilton Hotels & Resorts, Sheraton Hotels & Resorts, Omni Hotels, and many more.
Tell us a little bit about your background and how you started your company?
I planned to start my own business after graduation, and there were no cleaning businesses in our neighborhood at the time. I thought it would be a good business because I won’t have any competitors. And so I started a business. MRP Services began with only a few workers in 2007. MRP now employs over 100 people, and we’re always looking for new methods to deliver services that are both cost and time-effective.
What would you say are the top 3 skills needed to be a successful entrepreneur, and why?
The top three skills I believe a successful entrepreneur needs are:
- The power of positive thinking. A majority of your work will be doing research, and when you’re having difficult times, you have to think positively for a good outcome.
- Being practical in nature. You need creativity in your business, but at the same time, you must take into account all the practical things that might stand in your way.
- Having a strong drive to succeed no matter what it takes. Working hard is never easy, so if you don’t enjoy the process or have a passion for success, then it can be challenging to keep up with the daily grind required in this field.
What are your plans for the future, how do you plan to grow this company?
MRP Services is steadily growing. I plan to grow our company by opening more branches across the US. We’re currently in New York, but I want MRP Services to be recognized as one of the most trusted commercial cleaning services brands nationwide. Also, we are looking at new methods to improve our services, and we’re always introducing new products/services for our customers, including online services that offer discounted prices on janitorial supplies. It’s really exciting times for us right now.
How have the pandemic and Lockdown affected you or your new business?
It’s been a very tough couple of months for everyone, as with any crisis situation. Many of our customers were affected as well. Fortunately, we have been able to keep up with the demand from those who weren’t affected by an influx in new business from those who have emerged from quarantine.
How do you separate yourself from your competitors?
Our services are our number one priority, but we also make sure that everyone in the company is properly trained to provide exceptional service. We also take into account all of our customer’s needs when providing a solution for them, whether it be through cost-effectiveness or time efficiency.
We also provide 24/7 service, so when our customers have an issue arise, they know there is someone to call no matter what time it is or day of the week.
What were the top three mistakes you made starting your business, and what did you learn from them?
- I think that the biggest mistake I made was taking on more than I could handle at the beginning. When you start, if you do too much too quickly, it becomes difficult to keep up with all your business needs.
- The second mistake was not having enough funds in reserve, and finally not knowing my legal responsibilities as a business owner. Through these mistakes, I learned that it is important to have proper fiscal management in place, to be aware of the legal responsibilities required when running a business and that being my own boss can be challenging.
Tell us a little bit about your marketing process, what has been the most successful form of marketing for you?
Marketing for us has become very much integrated into our services. We train all of our employees to promote the brand when they are in the field. Everyone is a walking billboard! Social media is also important, but it’s helpful to keep in mind that your customers want convenience when looking for products/services so being able to call someone or stop by in person has its benefits.
What are you learning now? Why is that important?
We’ve learned a lot about the cleaning business and all of its complexities. We’re always looking into new ways to streamline our services, from training to equipment. Being in this industry, you become better at problem solving through experience because every building presents its own unique challenges.
What’s a productivity tip you swear by?
Working smarter, not harder. That has been a really common phrase for me throughout my entire life, but it is particularly relevant when you’re in business. When presented with a problem, I try to find several different solutions instead of going with the first one that comes to mind.
If you only had $1000 dollars to start a new business, knowing everything you know now, how would you spend it?
I would invest in my business, I think! Of course, I wouldn’t pay myself because I am my own boss, but the money would be very wisely spent toward developing our services. This includes expanding our web presence to allow for online sales of supplies/services and equipment, marketing efforts to get the name out there, research on new cleaning techniques that are useful for different climates or seasons.
What helps you stay driven and motivated to keep going in your business?
I like to keep constant communication within the company so I know what’s going on. We have our daily stand-ups each morning, just to check in with one another about how we’re all doing and where there are any roadblocks. Having the support of my family is also very important to me because they’re always willing to help out when needed.
What is your favorite quote?
“If there is no struggle, there is no progress.”
I think this quote is very relevant to our society and what we value as a country; it’s the idea that sometimes you have to fight for something that you believe in. This can be applied to anything from politics to sports, but it also applies to small businesses like my own because they’re not all given the opportunity to succeed.
What valuable advice would you give new entrepreneurs starting out?
I would tell them to plan, plan, and then plan some more! The beginning of a business is a fragile time because it’s when you make a lot of mistakes. Don’t be too quick to expand or take on new clients if you aren’t prepared. There are going to be plenty of challenges along the way so having everything in place makes it that much easier.
Who should we interview next and why?
I would love to see more women entrepreneurs, particularly in small businesses. It’s important for society to recognize and value the role of women and what they contribute, and I think it would be great if we can show through this process that there are a lot of hard-working women who have inspired others around them.
What is your definition of success?
Success to me is having that drive and motivation toward achieving a goal, but being able to come up for air in the midst of it all. I think when you’re working so hard to reach something, it’s important to take time off and appreciate what you’ve accomplished; without periods of reflection we can get lost and not know which direction we should be headed next.
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