| Name |
Kimberly Montesinos |
| Name of your business: |
Crystal Klear Cleaning |
| When did you open your business? |
2004 |
| What services do you offer? |
We offer residential cleaning weekly, bi-monthly, monthly, seasonal or a customized schedule. My company specializes in deep cleaning services for the initial clean and in addition, I work with realtors and home builder to perform move out/move in cleanings as well as pre-construction cleaning. This year we added party before and after clean up, spot grout cleaning, garage cleaning and deep cleaning of appliances. |
| Why did you start the business? |
Initially because my 2 children were young and I worked in corporate the hours were long and demanding. My son unfortunately was hit by a car when he was 2 yrs old and he suffered traumatic brain injury which demanded a lot of my attention. The cleaning business opportunity came across my path and I took the chance for a more flexible life. Now 12 years later my reason's are different. I love building relationships with clients and providing excellent service. In addition, providing an autonomous work place for people who enjoy and take pride in the service industry. |
| How many people are in your company? |
5 |
| What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? |
The biggest surprise for me lets start with the good is once I started networking how open and receptive people were to help. Also since I am forcing myself to be more savvy with Facebook and LinkedIn that has been really opened up my client base. The bad could be not being able to have access to additional funding in order to grow my business. |
| What is the toughest part of running your business? |
My challenge like most companies is to find reliable, loyal people who have a work ethic equal to my own. Since an owner cannot be in all places at the same time duplication can be the hardest task. |
| What is the best part of running your business? |
Developing long lasting business relationships with clients and my current staff. My belief is keeping my staff happy is just as important as satisfied clients. The rewarding part of being a business owner for me is when I get the call of how amazing we work. I also encourage my clients to grade us on a seasonal basis and get their feedback this helps us stay on track. |
| Is there anything that you would have done differently? |
Start my business or a business when I was young because I always knew in my heart working for someone else was not my niche. |
| What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? |
My goals are to have office space in different locations. Currently I have customers on a wide geographical scales which is great but not cost effective. If I had offices in different locations this would enable me to solicit staff in those areas and keep driving cost low. |
| Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? |
2 yrs servicing 4 to 5 regions in and out of state 5 years service several large commercial properties 10 years franchise my own company and retire |
| What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! |
Take the chance to follow your DREAMS! surround yourself with positive people who are already where you want to go. Eliminate negative minded people they are dream killers. invest in yourself with programs such as MyHouseCleaning Biz.com, business coach, accountant, lawyer and NETWORKING, this allows you to get your name out there. Have faith and fun with your business and believe in yourself. |
| How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? |
This has been a remarkable site with excellent resources. The document library is phenomenal and the eBooks extremely resourceful. The pricing module for home or commercial estimates made my life entirely less stressful. Currently I am looking into developing an employee handbook. I highly recommend this site to anyone trying to build their business. My favorite part of the site is if you have questions you phone in and talk to a real live person. |
| School - high school, college, technical school: |
Triton college |
| What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? |
Worked in the hospitality industry for 15 yrs, Retail sales in cosmetic line for 10 yrs, Health care industry supervising 7 regions with setting up inspections for laboratories in hospitals and private labs, and finally opened a call center for the rehabilitation center in a major hospital in the northwest suburbs. |
| Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? |
My children are my inspiration and best blessing of my life. Because of them I strive to achieve more in life. Now that they are older I am able to put more time and effort into my business and every time I have a set back I have a picture of them and that's all it takes to get me back up. I know as parents we are suppose to be the motivators and role models however, if we open our eyes and hearts our children teach us many things. In my life is has been to have courage and believe in myself. I aspire to make them proud! |
| Email Address: |
[email protected] |
