Member Profile: Hyacinth Smith
| Name | Hyacinth Smith |
| Name of your business: | H. Jenifer Smith Cleaning Consultant |
| When did you open your business? | 2013 |
| What services do you offer? | Specializing in residential cleaning, detailed move-in/move out cleans |
| Why did you start the business? | Initially I started my business to fund to start another business "Event Planning and Catering". I was in between jobs after being laid off and thought to myself I will never be laid off again in my life. I had skills that I could use to support myself and family. The cleaning was a short term goal as it required the least in start-up cost. I did not advertise but just mentioned to friends that I was planning on starting a cleaning company. My business took off when one friend referred me to clean a home and it turns out that the owner of the home was in property management who was very pleased with my work and so I landed my first contract. My second contract also came through a referral. I did get a full-time job within 4 months of being laid off but I decided that I would continue my cleaning business in addition to working full-time. It is hard work but the benefits are great. |
| How many people are in your company? | 2 Permanent and 3 contractors |
| What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? | What started out as an idea to survive has actually blossomed into a very successful venture. |
| What is the toughest part of running your business? | Finding workers who are dedicated and do a good job all the time. |
| What is the best part of running your business? | The ability to be a successful business while at the same time handling multiple tasks. The referrals that keeps my business growing and the appreciative customers. |
| Is there anything that you would have done differently? | I am not sure. I feel that this was a God-given business for me in the way it evolved once I set my heart to change my circumstances. |
| What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? | As the business expands I would like to be able to have competent people to continue the cleaning aspect so that I can concentrate more on building and administrative areas. |
| Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? | Goal is to increase clients and be able to provide employment to more people. Also sharing business skills with other upstart companies not only in the cleaning industry. I feel I have a lot to share with others. |
| What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! | Follow your heart. This is a great industry as long as you are willing to put in the time and effort to make it work. |
| How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? | I refer back to the site for ideas to grow business, handle employee issues, cleaning techniques, etc. |
| School - high school, college, technical school: | Associate Degree in Business |
| What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? | Management Assistant Senior Administrative Assistant Internal Audit Coordinator Full Charge Bookkeeper Independent Travel Agent |
| Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? | Yes, being laid off from my job after 11 years with the same company. I was determined not to become a statistic. |
| Email Address: | [email protected] |
