We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Maria Blancas a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Maria, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. So, what do you think about family businesses? Would you want your children or other family members to one day join your business?

I believe family businesses can be incredibly rewarding, fostering a unique blend of shared values, trust, and commitment. What works well is the alignment of goals and a shared vision, often stemming from a deep familial connection. This cohesion can result in a strong work ethic, loyalty, and a collective sense of responsibility.

However, pitfalls can arise when family dynamics spill over into business decisions, leading to conflicts and emotional challenges. Striking the right balance between personal relationships and professional responsibilities can be a delicate task. Transparent communication and defined roles are crucial to navigating these potential pitfalls.

As for the prospect of my children joining my business, I believe it could be an excellent opportunity for them to learn valuable skills, share in the family legacy, and contribute to a shared vision. However, I would prioritize their individual aspirations and interests, encouraging them to explore their passions first. It’s essential that their involvement is a conscious choice rather than an expectation.

I’ve experienced both successful and challenging stories in my family businesses, emphasizing the importance of open communication, clear expectations, and a willingness to adapt. Every family business is unique, and learning from others’ experiences has certainly shaped my perspective on how to foster a thriving and harmonious family-owned enterprise.

Great, appreciate you sharing that with us. Before we ask you to share more of your insights, can you take a moment to introduce yourself and how you got to where you are today to our readers.

Well, first of all, thank you so much for the opportunity to share our story and passion! I’m Maria, or Angie, as my middle name is Angeles, the founder and owner of Angie’s Cleaning Services. Our journey began in 2005, sparking a deep love for creating clean spaces and providing relief for many who don’t have the time to clean their homes or businesses.

In our industry, we’re recognized for our attention to detail, excellent customer service, and consistency. We specialize in residential, commercial, post-construction, window, power washing, and professional carpet cleaning. Our mission is to provide the best and most reliable services, and what truly sets us apart is our commitment to tailoring each service to your specific needs.

I’m most proud of cultivating close business relationships with our clients and ensuring all our team members receive a dignified living wage. At Angie’s, we aim to deploy the best and brightest members to clean homes and businesses, ensuring our clients’ needs are met to the highest standards.

Ultimately, what we want potential clients to know about us is that they can trust their properties are in good hands, and we will go the extra mile to deliver professional and thorough cleaning each time. We’re dedicated to helping and believe in open communication, a desire for excellence, and building trust.

Any advice for managing a team?

I appreciate the opportunity to discuss my approach to managing a cleaning company. Fostering a positive work environment is crucial for team success. Here are some thoughtful tips I’ve found effective:

Establishing Open Communication:
Creating open and transparent communication channels within the team is crucial. Encouraging team members to share their thoughts, concerns, and innovative ideas builds trust and cohesion.

Regular Team Meetings:
Regular team meetings are key to discussing goals, celebrating achievements, and addressing challenges. Actively listening to team members and recognizing their hard work boosts morale and strengthens team bonds.

Recognition Programs:
Implementing an employee recognition program or rewards system acknowledges outstanding performance, motivates the team, and fosters a culture of appreciation.

Investing in Training:
Investing in training programs enhances the skills of the team, fostering confidence and job satisfaction. Providing opportunities for career development within the company demonstrates a commitment to their growth.

Fair Compensation:
Ensuring fair compensation, including competitive wages and benefits, contributes to overall job satisfaction. Performance-based bonuses or incentives can further motivate the team.

Providing the Right Tools:
Equipping the team with proper cleaning tools and regularly updating equipment ensures efficiency and job satisfaction.

Prioritizing Safety:
Prioritizing safety through regular training sessions and providing necessary protective gear demonstrates a commitment to the team’s well-being.

Empowerment and Autonomy:
Empowering the team by involving them in decision-making processes and providing opportunities for autonomy fosters ownership and innovation.

Regular Feedback:
Offering constructive feedback regularly, acknowledging strengths, and suggesting improvements in a supportive manner create a positive and growth-oriented atmosphere.

I believe that implementing these practices can create a positive and empowering environment for the cleaning team, resulting in enhanced teamwork and overall success.

Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?

Growing your clientele revolves around three key pillars.

First, establish a strong online presence. Our professional website, crafted by my computer engineer son, and our active social media engagement, led by my other son, showcase our services effectively.

Second, leverage reviews and referrals. Promptly expressing gratitude and encouraging clients to share their experiences has been vital. We offer discounts for referrals, fostering client loyalty.

Finally, prioritize quality service and loyalty. Our focus on exceptional service, a loyalty program, and fostering repeat business, with 90% of clients on a recurring basis, ensures a steady income flow.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.angie-cleaning.com/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/angies_cleaning/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/angiescleaningllc/

Image Credits
Angel Yerena-Blancas