We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Jackie Hill a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Jackie, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Almost all entrepreneurs have had to decide whether to start now or later? There are always pros and cons for waiting and so we’d love to hear what you think about your decision in retrospect. If you could go back in time, would you have started your business sooner, later or at the exact time you started?
If I had the ability to go back in time I wish I had started my cleaning business sooner in life. I went to business management school and gained valuable knowledge and skills that could have been put to use earlier. Having served as a general manager and department manager in the past, I had already acquired the leadership and organizational abilities necessary to run a successful cleaning business. Starting earlier would have allowed me to capitalize on these experiences and build my business from a younger age, potentially leading to greater success and more significant achievements by now. I would say that I’m definitely happy with how everything has worked out and believe I started when it was the right time for me.
Jackie, 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 Jackie Hill and I run a Cleaning Service in Central Minnesota, Lakes Area Residential Cleaning. I started my journey by attending Alexandria Technical and Community College and pursuing Business Management. I then spent a few years doing Management for a few local companies. In 2020 , a lot changed within the world, there was a lot of uncertainty in many industries and many peoples outlook changed drastically. During that time I discovered that I valued flexibility in my schedule, being able to spend time with my children and that my true passion was helping others by making their spaces clean. In 2021 my idea came to full fruition. We started off doing strictly residential, but have now transitioned to both residential and commercial services. In the beginning I was doing the work 100% solo, in 2023 we are now at 5 employees. I think what sets my business apart from others is the fact we take the time to get to know our clients , some have become like family to us. I am most proud of the relationships we have developed within the community. We have become a trusted household name and aim to provide a professional and reliable service every time.
Can you share one of your favorite marketing or sales stories?
One significant instance I can think of where I took a risk to pull off a sale was for a large commercial client. I placed a bid and at that time I was still learning the ropes and unsure what to bid, I did a lot of research and used an online bid calculator. About a month went by and I was informed I had not won the bid. I was a little crushed because this would have been a life changing opportunity for me at the time. I decided to go out on a whim and send a follow up email even though I had not won the bid. Turns out that was a great idea because things were not working out with their current service. I ended up securing the job at an agreed upon rate, and the total process from walk through to starting was nearly 8 months. Sending the follow up was the catalyst for securing my largest project and it felt amazing..
Any thoughts, advice, or strategies you can share for fostering brand loyalty?
I foster brand loyalty for my cleaning business through effective communication via text, emails, and phone calls. By maintaining consistent and prompt communication with my clients, I am able to build a strong rapport and trust, which are essential for cultivating brand loyalty. I ensure that my messages are personalized, responsive, and professional, demonstrating a genuine interest in addressing my clients’ needs and concerns. Additionally, I use these communication channels to express gratitude, provide helpful tips, and offer exclusive promotions, further strengthening the bond with my clients and reinforcing their loyalty to my brand.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.lakesarearesidential.com
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Lakes-Area-Residential-Cleaning-103830825219551/