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CEOJay's avatar
CEOJay
Contributor 2
21 days ago

Share your stories here

I want to hear your stories - why’d you start your business? What goals were/are you aiming for? What have you achieved? What’s been the hardest part so far?

I’m 27 and have been running my cleaning company for 3 years now. I started because I always knew I wanted more out of life - I just didn’t know how I’d get there.

I tried a million jobs, launched a bunch of failed businesses… nothing stuck. I sorta stumbled into cleaning when my girlfriend (who is now my wife) worked for a cleaning company that had her buying her own supplies, driving her own car, and carrying her own insurance.

At the time, I was climbing cell towers for $20/hr, risking my life and we were still broke. That’s when it clicked: if I could just get her some of her own clients, we could cut out the middleman. That was the beginning.

I’ve always been good at branding, sales, customer service, and backend ops - so we went 50/50 and started our own company. It’s been a wild ride, but now we’ve hired a team, and opened multiple locations.

There’s nothing in my life I’m more proud of than the way me and her have pulled through every bit of it, built a company from absolutely nothing, and came out on the other side stronger than ever.

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1 Reply

  • judithvirag's avatar
    judithvirag
    Contributor 5
    20 days ago

    I started my business after burning out in the corporate world. What frustrated me most was the lack of accountability — I wanted the freedom to take ownership, to stand behind my word, and to be accountable on my own terms. Starting a cleaning business wasn’t meant to be a big thing; it was supposed to be something small and manageable. I never imagined it would turn into what it is today.

    Fast forward 16 years, and I now lead a team of 25 amazing individuals. We’re on track to hit $1.5 million this year. But more than the numbers, what I’m most proud of is the culture we've built — one where people feel valued, seen, and supported. We work incredibly hard to create a workplace where we all want to be, and that effort shows in everything we do.

    My “why” has evolved over the years. Today, it's about empowering newcomers to Canada. I know how tough it can be to start fresh in a new country, and I want my organization to be a launchpad for others to build their lives and achieve their goals.

    The journey hasn’t been easy. There were many hard days, and honestly, the people part has been the hardest. Cash flow can be managed, solutions can be found — but human drama can be incredibly draining. That’s why we’ve implemented a Zero Tolerance Gossip Policy. It’s been a game-changer in protecting our culture and energy.

    At the end of the day, I’m incredibly grateful for the freedom, the growth, and most importantly, the impact we’ve been able to make.