We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Sandy Gonzalez- Butanda a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.

Hi Sandy , thanks for joining us today. So, naming is such a challenge. How did you come up with the name of your brand?

SHINE! Honestly it came so easy to me, it was like if God had set it in my dreams. I was in between Star, Sky or Shine. Shine, I felt it fit more for like a cleaning business. I’m a lover of anything that has to do with the sky. I love using the phrases as… Don’t let anyone dull your sparkle…or Never dull your shine for somebody else. Didn’t think over it very much and used Shine. I had to set my name with it as well to represent myself. As for the logo I used some Stars/sparkles. I started with naming the business using Shine Cleaning Services by Sandy but after covid I renamed the business to Shine Services by Sandy. Reason I changed it  because during covid I was being more than just a cleaning service. I was selling cleaning supplies, mask, gloves, disinfectants, offer a fogging disinfectant service, and organization. That’s how the idea came to rename the business, felt that it fit more of how Shine was becoming.

As always, we appreciate you sharing your insights and we’ve got a few more questions for you, but before we get to all of that can you take a minute to introduce yourself and give our readers some of your back background and context?

Sandy, owner of Shine Services by Sandy. I own a cleaning business for commercial and residential. Been in business for 6 years. I run my business more in the north part of Houston. I’m known for the type of quality of work I offer my clients. Shine Service is a cleaning service not a maid service, or housekeeper service. I feel that there is a difference between all of them. What I offer is my detail into the cleaning service. I started this to just have some income to help while my kids were in school. I love the satisfaction I will get when I see the after and before results. I didn’t think I would need to hire a helper being 3-6 months in to the business. I started with a client every other day. Then booking three clients a day. Most of my clients have came from referrals. My clients see my work, dedication, and that I’m there all the time. I have committed clients, that want their homes clean, and they see the commitment I have as well. Being on time, following up with clients, being organized, showing up with a well representation, going an extra mile for my clients, and the details have made me set apart from others. I came into the business with an image of being well organized. As with my work uniform, work supplies, and to buying a van to promote my little business. All of that has made me reach great clients and I have been successful. I have had my downs in running my little business but it has been more good moments. I think the biggest struggle I have had is finding a good employee.

I want to be known for my commitment and hard work I have done in 6 years not that just Shine Services is just a regular cleaning service. Through my journey in being self employed, I know the struggle of it. I give my best at what I do because my clients help me move forward on to this little dream hopefully becoming a little bigger.

I’m proud of the path I have chosen because cleaning is my passion. To know I can help hard working families spend more time with their loved ones instead of cleaning on the weekends. The happiness I get when a client that works all day, walks into a freshly clean home, and then to receive that text to thank me. That there makes me very proud, is to know that I’m helping someone.

What’s been the best source of new clients for you?

Best source of new clients for me has been the amazing support that came from my Facebook neighborhood page, Google, client referrals, some few friends, and some few family members. The most supportive have been my clients. For that I’m blessed to have loyal clients. The clients who share my information on social media or just a referral, I see that and will be forever thankful. I have been trough happiness, and sadnesses with my clients. I creat a bond with them. I have not really invested in advertising. Only big investment in advertisement has been my van wrapped with my business logo. To that and many more reasons makes Shine Services different from other cleaning services. It’s all about the details .

I might not have 1,000 followers, creat content on social media, or thousands of reviews. What I do, I do it with love and with lots of passion.

Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?

My reputation has been built by my dedication of my hard work, the quality of work I offer. I’m very loyal and great communicator. The bond I create with clients, understanding clients, and I believe that has helped me as well. Overall the respect and the trust we offer to each other. As well you have to love what you do and have it in you to do this everyday. I don’t feel like this is work for me or that I’m working for someone. It’s like a calling for me that God has set me in to do. I’m very blessed to have a good and strong reputation.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: ShineServicesbysandy
• Facebook: ShineServicesnysandy
• Other: Goggle: Shine Services by Sandy

Image Credits
Maura Snap photography