Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Charon King. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Charon, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. We’d love to hear how you think where to draw the line in terms of asking friends and family to support your business – what’s okay and what’s over the line?
Sometimes support doesn’t come from home. Asking friends and family to support my business has been one of the most eye opening and painful parts of entrepreneurship. When I started my first business in 2016, I didn’t have capital, connections, or a blueprint. I was building from the ground up with nothing but my faith and vision; that belief had to be strong, because the people I expected to support me the most were often the ones who didn’t. I’ve heard it all: “Just get a real job.” “You’re wasting your time.” At one point, people even assumed something was wrong with me, that I had lost my mind but in that rejection, I found resilience. Truth is, many people are uncomfortable watching someone they know break out of the mold, especially when they’re still stuck in it. Some folks won’t support you simply because they see in you what they haven’t yet found in themselves. That’s not bitterness. That’s just reality. It’s easier for them to root for strangers than for someone they grew up with.
One recent moment that really put the cherry on top? I just watched someone close to me enthusiastically share a post congratulating another family member on her brand new car, but that same person had never once shared a single flyer for my business or congratulations to me. That hurt, but it also reopened my eyes. Now, I really no longer look to family and friends for validation or support. I’m focusing on building authentic relationships with people who believe in what I do, whether they know me personally or not. Ironically, it’s been strangers who’ve helped push my business forward. People I didn’t grow up with. People who saw value, saw effort, and decided to support it. So, what’s appropriate? Ask once, share what you do but don’t beg, don’t guilt-trip and most importantly… don’t BEG. The right people, whether they know you or not, will show up when your vision is clear and your mission is undeniable.
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.
My name is Charon King, and I’m the co-founder of Maid 4 Business, a Black woman-led cleaning enterprise that has been developing since 2023. We specialize in residential, commercial, and specialty cleaning services—including move-in/move-out cleanings, dorm clean-outs, short-term rental turnovers, and more. Our mission is rooted in delivering not just cleanliness, but peace of mind, professionalism, and excellence with every service. I entered this industry not knowing a thing about cleaning, but with an amazing and experienced partner (Likishe Kelly), unwavering dedication, hands-on training, and a wonderful support system, I can honestly say, I’m finally competition. What started as a leap of faith has grown into a business I’m deeply proud of.
At Maid 4 Business, we don’t just clean spaces; we create environments that spark clarity, energy, and confidence. What sets us apart is our personal touch, reliability, and the genuine relationships we build with our clients. Our work speaks for itself, and we believe in going above and beyond… every time. Our services range from residential and commercial cleaning to AirBnb turnovers, move-in/move-out jobs, deep cleaning, and even student dorm clean outs. But what truly sets us apart is the *why* behind the work. We don’t just clean, we create pathways. We employ some individuals who may have faced challenges like incarceration, lack of work history, or housing instability and we help them rebuild. We’re proof that business can be both profitable and purposeful.
As a Black woman-led business, we understand the importance of representation, equity, and creating room at the table. I’m incredibly proud to be building something that reflects strength, creativity, and compassion while setting a new standard for what success looks like. I’m proud of the lives we’ve impacted, our clients who trust us with their spaces, and our staff who find not just a job but a second chance. One of the best feelings is seeing someone you hired go from struggling to thriving, because someone finally believed in them. We’ve built something from the ground up that not only serves clients with care, but also opens doors for others providing opportunities, training, and a sense of pride in the work we do. It’s about more than cleaning; it’s about creating an impact.
To anyone considering working with us: just know that when you choose Maid 4 Business, you’re supporting more than a clean home or office… you’re supporting empowerment, growth, and legacy. We show up with purpose, we clean with excellence, and we leave every space better than we found it, inside and out.
We’d appreciate any insights you can share with us about selling a business.
Yes, I’ve sold a business before. I sold my second chance staffing agency, King’s International Staffing, to a much larger company called StaffNow. At the time, I was a solo owner juggling everything; operations, development, finances, little guidance, limited funding, and no team to lean on. I was passionate, but stretched thin. I made the decision to sell in hopes of joining forces with an established agency that had the infrastructure, capital, and experience to help me take the mission further. The vision was for them to adopt my agency as their second chance staffing department.
I was thinking strategically… thinking chess, not checkers. The idea was solid: align with a bigger player who had the resources to scale what I started. But unfortunately, the deal didn’t go as planned because I trusted the wrong individual. That experience taught me a lot.
For anyone considering selling their business, my advice is simple: don’t be too quick to sell. If someone is interested in buying your business, that means they see its value and its potential to grow. That’s a sign you’re on to something. Instead of selling outright, consider other routes. Stay the course and build it out yourself, or offer a partnership deal, but make sure the contract terms are crystal clear and protect your vision. Now I take that lesson with me in every business move I make. Ownership matters!
We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.
Absolutely! My co-founder, Likishe Kelly, is actually my cousin-in-law. Our story isn’t just one of business partnership; it’s rooted in family, loyalty, and genuine support.
Back when I launched my second chance staffing agency, I was doing everything on my own and really struggling to keep things afloat. Likishe was one of the few people who showed up for me. She gave me solid advice, helped relieve pressure when I was overwhelmed, and even came to my office one day just to help out. All she asked for in return was lunch and that moment stuck with me because she didn’t have to do it, but she did.
Likishe already had a cleaning business at the time, although it hadn’t been active in a while. One day, I reached out and asked her if I could come on board and help bring it back to life and to the next level. With my business mind and her experience in cleaning, I knew we could build something meaningful. I saw major potential and growth in the company but I’ll be honest, I didn’t love the original name, so one of the first things I did was re-brand it.
That’s how Maid 4 Business was born, a Black woman-led cleaning company built on partnership, purpose, and a second chance at doing what we both love, better than ever.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/maid4business/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61562466865616
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/charon-king-21262b360/
- Yelp: https://biz.yelp.com/home/qvQlFcjxubmhxjBY5DLsEA/
