We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Brittany Holland. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Brittany below.
Brittany, appreciate you joining us today. Talk to us about building your team? What was it like? What were some of the key challenges and what was your process like?
When MK Cleaning Service started in 2015, I did not have any teammates (I call my employees teammates because the word employee is a controlling word and there are many ways to display leadership without control). I did not hire my first teammate until 2018. I strategically did not hire anyone because I wanted to make sure I built my brand, a great rapport, and a trusting relationship with my clients. When I first started my cleaning business, I only serviced residential cleanings and air bnb’s. I knew I wanted to expand to commercial cleaning one day, but at the time, I was unaware of how to begin to look for commercial contracts or what type of commercial cleanings we would be able to service because equipment and tools were limited. Servicing my clients and being in their homes created a family based relationship amongst my clients and myself! When I I decided to hire people, I brought it to my clients attention and they all encouraged the expansion. If they trust me, they knew they could trust anyone I hire. When I began to expand my brand and hire a team, I created a hiring add on my social media accounts and Indeed and emails began to pour in. I made sure the requirements were to have a resume on file, experience in cleaning, transportation, a drug test, and a background check (that we paid for). Once those requirements were passed, effective training was taught. I did zoom interviews and thought I would never find the right teammate. Some people lied on their resumes, some did not have the personality that would fit my brand, and some did not answer the phone for their interview. Out of 75 interviews that were conducted, the 75th person was the perfect teammate! When I first hired my teammate, we worked together for 6 months until she felt comfortable enough to handle cleanings solo ( I take my cleanings serious and my teammates must clean to the company standards). My very first teammate was the perfect fit for MK Cleaning Service! They were on time, focused, trusting, displayed impeccable customer service skills, had a passion for cleaning, and truly loved by my clients! This reassured me that I made the right choice and did not rush into hiring a team. Some people who become entrepreneurs form an ego when they feel like they are a “boss” and create more issues in the end because they rushed into entrepreneurship for vain reasons. It really takes for YOU to build your brand by being hands on and seeing what works and what does not. I did not rush into hiring a team because I do not believe in throwing people into fire. I had to see the ups, downs, scale the business to pay my teammate, and all other business mishaps before I hired anyone. The last thing you want to happen as a business owner, is to allow anyone to take advantage of you or challenge you within in your company. I will never go for that! If I was starting MK Cleaning Service today, I would not change my hiring process. I now have 8 solid employees who have been with my company for over 4 years. They have helped MK Cleaning Service to be fully commercial and the contracts are unstoppable! I wouldn’t have been able to do it without them! They are the best team that anyone could ever ask for and I would not trade them for the world!
Brittany, before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Brittany Holland and I am the owner of MK Cleaning Service! We are a commercial cleaning company that also offers air bnb services, and contactless laundry services. We are based out of Atlanta, Georgia and service the Metro Atlanta area. When the company began, we started with servicing residential cleanings and built a household name for ourselves over the years. We are truly thankful for all of our clients that helped build this amazing brand!
When MK Cleaning Service started, we started in 2015 with a bucket, broom, and a mop! We did not have the funding but we did have people that believed in the company and supported it. It was not until 2018 that I walked away from cooperate America and fully committed to MK Cleaning Service. I was running the business as a side hustle and knew that if I wanted to be a successful entrepreneur, I would have to fully commit to my business! I told myself that when I started getting bookings during the week, that would be my sign to quit. Never quit without a plan! Once I began to get weekly bookings, I typed my resignation letter, left the cooperate world, and never looked back. I took my 401k and invested that into my business. I was able to pay for marketing, supplies, and platforms that sent clients to my business. From there, I stayed consistent and it was no turning back!
I always knew that cleaning was my passion. I worked in insurance as a business underwriter and I knew that was not the career path for me. I always knew I wanted to be a business owner and I always knew that I would create a service that can be used forever. I created a business that can last for the next 400 years because something will always need to be cleaned. I love cleaning because it is therapy and is beneficial for mental health. Creating this service allows me to help people have peace in their homes, work place, and in the community. It gives my clients a place of peace because I am there to help them get through issues or see happy progressions in their lives. They support all of my accomplishments and new endeavors as well! I also have an all natural chemical free cleaning product that sells on e commerce that my clients support as well. The love that my clients and I share has opened so many doors for MK Cleaning Service that still amazes me today! We went from fully residential to fully commercial with successful contracts with 4 years. This all came from staying consistent and being honest and genuine. Not letting the tough times and downfalls break you, helps you prevail as well!
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped build my reputation within my market is my honesty, how genuine I am, my loving spirit, positive energy, and being a people person. I am someone who has been through so many tribulations and they did not break me. I am doing a service to the community by helping people heal and overcome their battles because I am a walking testimony. Cleaning cleanses so much and it helps you think clearly. Having someone that provides that type of comfort and having someone that you can express yourself too is a true luxury. It is an honor for me and it helps me fulfill my purpose. If we did not have to pay for survival , I would do all of this for free!
How do you keep your team’s morale high?
When it comes to managing a team and maintaining a high morale, my motto is: “take care of the people that take care of you!” There is no way possible that anyone can be a successful business owner without a thriving team. People quit jobs because of management majority of the time and I would never want that within my company. Working in cooperate America taught what not to do as a business owner and I am thankful for the training while working in Corporate America. b
Maybe if management was different, I may have stayed a little longer, but timing is everything! My team is paid their worth, never over worked, and treated with respect. I provide gas, supplies, and lunch for my team so all they have to do is show up and show out! I support them in their entrepreneurial lives, events, children’s lives , or anything they have going on because my company would not have the success it does without them.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.majurklean.com
- Instagram: mkcleaningservice
- Facebook: MK Cleaning Service
- Youtube: MK Cleaning Service LLC
Image Credits
All images were taken by Brittany Holland