Member Profile: Tracina Holder

Your Name: Tracina Holder

Name of your business: Lil' Details

When did you open your business? October 2010

What services do you offer? Residential housecleaning - move in /out

Why did you start the business?  Perfectionist by nature. Love to clean. Ironically my personality and perfectionism has led me to this line of work throughout my life, not by shooting for the "goal",..just fell into it. I am embarrassed to say I used to in a way be what's considered a "trunk slammer"...I didn't intend it that way, but people talk and next thing ya know the phone is ringing just on referrals and reasonable offers. I felt like I wasn't doing myself or the real cleaning business owners any favors, so I decided if this is where I'm meant to be, I want to do it right and grow successfully.

How many people are in your company? Currently just self

What has been the biggest surprise, good or bad, since you started? No surprises yet.

What is the toughest part of running your business? Myself. I am a true critic and a bit OCD. It's hard for me to NOT DEEP clean everything on maintenance visits (even if I just cleaned it last week and its still spotless, I tend to want to do it again...like I said OCD..but I am getting there)

What is the best part of running your business? I still have 3 children at home so I am able (for the most part) to work reasonable hours.

Is there anything that you would have done differently? Not yet.

What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? Always willing for positive changes, I chalk up things I would've done differently to an experienced learned so that I can grow. Everything changes, people, expectations, circumstances, times, technology, equipment, methods. Ten years from now things will be different again, so being willing to do/try things differently is a necessity in this line of work.

What is the most important thing you will be adding, doing, changing in the next year for your business? My hopes and excitement are for growth. I'm sure a lot will be changing.

Where do you see your business in 2 years, 5 years, and 10 years? My husband drives truck for a living and has for 20 + years, he makes a good living, but is hoping he can leave his industry and become my partner. Our goal is to grow, and eventually include commercial/janitorial cleaning .

What advice could you give others and please don't hold back! Don't be afraid of estimating/bidding. You have to have self confidence in your decisions.
Of course none of us want to lose clients, but you can easily find yourself not wanting to answer the phone if your second guessing your self worth. If you over/under bid, you can always adjust - leaving a clause in your initial paperwork, such as:... If I find upon actual cleaning of a task, it takes longer/lesser time to complete than estimated, your rate will be adjusted accordingly.....advance paperwork and open communication is key.

How do you use MyHouseCleaningBiz.com to help you with your business? Lots of reading, advice, tips, and its also very re-assuring to know that no-one is alone. If you look for something in particular, you'll most likely find it as we all have the same concerns and someone will have some advice or thoughts because they've been there already.

School - high school, college, technical school:  High school

What are some of your prior jobs or businesses? Ha ha ha....sorry guys "trunk slammer"...yeah I know, like I said - sorry!...I'm legit now though!
Nanny ( with house cleaning duties)
Move in/out house cleaning "Jewkes Apts"
Housekeeping Cody Hotel
Dental asst. tech 2
Customer service retail
Homemaker

Is there a specific person or event in your life that made you decide to go into business for yourself? My prior jobs. I guess I always felt like there was more to me than working for others. I like to be in control and always "took on more responsibilities" because I was such a perfectionist. Especially when it came to cleaning. When you have a "niche" for something, follow your gut. It's usually for a reason.