We recently connected with Courtney Bryan and have shared our conversation below.

Courtney, appreciate you joining us today. Risk taking is something we’re really interested in and we’d love to hear the story of a risk you’ve taken.

Two years ago, my life was turned upside down. I was working for $10 an hour at a cleaning job, struggling to make ends meet as a single mom with a toddler, and trying to figure out how to pay all the bills on my own for the first time. Then, tragedy struck—my dad died in a sudden, devastating accident. Losing him was a wake-up call in so many ways. I realized, in the midst of my grief, that life is too short and precious to spend it working for someone else’s benefit while missing out on time with the people who matter most. I didn’t want to wake up one day and regret the memories I hadn’t made because I was tied to a job that didn’t value my time or my potential.

That loss gave me the courage to make a change. I took a massive risk and walked away from that cleaning job. It wasn’t easy, especially as a young mom with a toddler depending on me, but I knew I had to try something different. I started small—working in a kennel in an off-grid yard. It wasn’t glamorous, but it was a stepping stone. From there, I picked up dog walking jobs, began caring for the elderly, and did anything I could to piece together an income while staying true to my values.

Eventually, I decided to pursue cleaning full time—but this time, on my terms. I wanted to create a life and a business that allowed me the freedom to prioritize my family while helping others in their homes. Building my business from the ground up was intimidating and exhausting, but it was also deeply rewarding.

Now, as the owner of my own cleaning business, I’ve found something I’m truly proud of. I get to help families create beautiful, comfortable spaces while still being there for my child and making memories we’ll cherish forever. Losing my dad reminded me how fleeting life can be, and that reminder fuels everything I do. Taking that risk was one of the hardest decisions of my life, but it gave me the freedom to honor his memory and live life on my own terms.

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.

Hi, I’m Courtney, founder of The Home Guru, a cleaning business rooted in creating comfortable and joyful spaces for families. My journey started from necessity, balancing life as a single mom with a toddler and taking risks to build a life on my terms. Over time, I transitioned from odd jobs like kennel work and elder care to pursuing cleaning full-time—a decision that allowed me to combine my love for helping others with my desire for flexibility.

The Home Guru offers customized cleaning services, from deep cleans to budget-friendly packages for families who need an extra hand. What sets us apart is our personal touch—understanding each client’s needs and treating every home like it’s our own.

What I’m most proud of is building a business that aligns with my values of family, care, and respect. The Home Guru isn’t just about cleaning; it’s about making life easier and more enjoyable for the people we serve.

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

A hard lesson I had to unlearn was that time is more valuable than money. Realizing this pushed me to expand my business and share the experience with others who share the same passion. By building a team, I’ve been able to transform homes while also giving others the satisfaction and pride that comes from making a difference in someone’s space—just like I have. It’s about more than cleaning; it’s about creating meaningful connections and opportunities.

Have you ever had to pivot?

A pivotal moment in my business came when I was caring for an elderly client who had become a huge part of my daily life. I loved what I was doing—it wasn’t just about cleaning; it was about being a companion, a helper, and a source of comfort. He was my main source of income, but as much as I enjoyed the work, it consumed most of my time and kept me from growing my business the way I dreamed.

Then, life threw me a curveball. I broke my arm, and suddenly even the simplest tasks became a struggle. I was still cleaning solo, and my business’s survival was on the line. Despite my injury, I pushed through, knowing I couldn’t afford to let my business fail. It was during this time that I started to question if I could continue the level of care my client truly needed.

Not long after, he fell ill. While he was doing okay, I felt in my heart that he needed more specialized care than I could provide as a cleaning service. The hardest part wasn’t just letting go of a major source of income but walking away from someone who had become like family to me. Despite being offered the chance to stay on, I made the difficult decision to step away.

Letting go of that position was terrifying—I had no idea how I would rebuild my income or clientele, especially while recovering from my injury. But that moment forced me to focus on growth and expansion, and it taught me the importance of balancing my heart for helping others with the sustainability of my business. Looking back, it was one of the hardest yet most defining decisions of my career.

Contact Info:

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