We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Kodazia Wilson. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Kodazia below.

Kodazia, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?

One of the biggest risks I’ve taken was stepping away from driving semi trucks to start my own cleaning business. Trucking was steady, and I knew what to expect every day. I was used to long hours, being on the road, and just handling my responsibilities. It wasn’t easy, but it was predictable and it paid the bills.

At the same time, I had already gotten my real estate license, and that opened my eyes to how important clean, well-maintained spaces really are. I started paying more attention to the condition of homes and how much of a difference it made in how people felt walking into them. I also realized I wanted more control over my time and the direction of my work.

Starting Encore Cleans wasn’t something I had fully figured out. I didn’t have everything mapped out or guaranteed. I just knew I was willing to put in the work and figure it out as I went. Leaving something stable to build something from the ground up felt like a real risk, especially knowing it would take time to grow.

So far, it’s been a learning process more than anything. I’ve had to step out of my comfort zone, talk to people more, put myself out there, and stay consistent even when things are slow. But it’s also been worth it. I’m building something that’s mine, and I’m creating opportunities for myself instead of waiting on them. That alone makes the risk worth taking.

Kodazia, love having you share your insights with us. Before we ask you more questions, maybe you can take a moment to introduce yourself to our readers who might have missed our earlier conversations?

My name is Kodazia Wilson, and I’m the owner of Encore Cleans. I’m 25 and at the beginning of my entrepreneurial journey, building something that’s based on consistency, hard work, and doing things the right way.

Before starting my business, I worked as a semi-truck driver, which taught me discipline, time management, and how to stay consistent even on long, demanding days. I also became a licensed real estate agent, and that experience showed me how important clean, well-maintained spaces are. Seeing homes from that perspective made me realize how much cleanliness impacts not just appearance, but how people feel when they walk into a space.

That’s what led me to start Encore Cleans. I provide residential, commercial, vacation rental, and move-in/move-out cleaning services. My focus is on reliable, detail-focused cleaning that helps homeowners, property managers, and businesses keep their spaces in order without the stress of having to manage it themselves.

The main problem I solve is inconsistency. A lot of people struggle to find cleaning services that actually show up, communicate clearly, and deliver the same level of quality every time. That’s something I take seriously. I focus on being dependable, paying attention to the details, and making sure each job is done right.

What sets me apart is that I’m hands-on and I care about the outcome of the work. I’m not just running the business from a distance, I’m involved, making sure things are done properly and that clients can rely on the service they’re getting. I also understand the expectations from both a homeowner’s and a real estate perspective, which helps when it comes to preparing spaces for new occupants or guests.

What I’m most proud of is taking the step to build something for myself. Going from a structured job like trucking into running my own business wasn’t easy, but it’s something I committed to. I’m building this from the ground up, learning as I go, and staying consistent even when things aren’t perfect.

What I want people to know about me and my brand is simple: I take my work seriously, I value reliability, and I aim to provide a service people can trust. At the end of the day, I want clients to feel like they don’t have to worry about the condition of their space, that it’s handled.

What’s been the most effective strategy for growing your clientele?

The most effective strategy for growing my clientele has been staying consistent and actually putting myself out there. In the beginning, I realized that just having a business set up wasn’t enough I had to actively reach out, follow up, and have real conversations with potential clients.

Using platforms like Turno and connecting directly with property owners has helped me get in front of people who are already looking for cleaning services. At the same time, I’ve learned that communication is just as important as the service itself. Responding quickly, being clear, and following up has made a big difference in turning opportunities into actual jobs.

Another key factor has been reliability. Showing up on time, doing the job right, and being consistent builds trust, and that leads to repeat clients and referrals. Word of mouth and recommendations have started to play a bigger role as I continue to grow.

Overall, it hasn’t been one single thing it’s been a combination of consistency, communication, and making sure the quality of work speaks for itself.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

One of the biggest lessons I had to unlearn was the idea that things would come easy just because I had the motivation and the vision. In the beginning, I really believed that if I took a leap of faith and followed what felt right, everything would naturally fall into place.

When I decided to start my business, I went into it with that mindset. I felt confident, I trusted God, and I believed things would align and in some ways, they did. Opportunities showed up, and I was able to get started. But what I didn’t fully understand at the time was how much consistent effort it actually takes behind the scenes to build something and keep it going.

There were moments where things were slower than I expected, where I had to keep reaching out, keep following up, and keep putting myself out there even when I wasn’t seeing immediate results. That’s when it really hit me that faith alone isn’t enough you still have to do the work every day, even when it’s not easy or convenient.

I still believe in trusting God and taking that initial leap, because that’s what got me started. But now I understand that things don’t just happen you have to stay consistent, be patient, and keep pushing forward even when things aren’t lining up right away. That shift in mindset has made a big difference in how I approach my business now.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.goencorecleans.com
• Instagram: @kodaziawilson
• Youtube: @kodaziawilson