Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Jess Farinha. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.

Jess , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Showing clients you appreciate them is something I think most folks want to do – but it’s not always clear how to do it in a meaningful way. What’s one of the best examples of client appreciation you can share with us?

One of the most heartfelt gestures that we have made at London House Cleaners to show appreciation to our clients happened around the holiday season. This season is a busy time for us. We had a long-standing client which was a lovely old widow who was one of our first clients. Over the years she became more than a client to us. Understanding her situation, and being alone during the holiday season made us realize how much she looks forward to our visits. After completing our usual cleaning service, we surprised her with a small holiday gathering. We brought a Christmas tree, some decorations, and homemade baked goods. The look of pure joy and surprise on her face is something we all will never forget.

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 Jess Farinha and I am the founder of London House Cleaners which is a cleaning company based in London. My journey in the cleaning industry started with my passion for keeping my spaces clean and organized. This realization made me realize how to bring such transformation into the lives of other individuals.

At London House Cleaners we work on providing high-quality cleaning services for both commercial and residential spaces. Our services range from housekeeping to deep cleaning, customized services for events and office spaces, as well as end-of-tenancy cleanings. One thing that sets us apart is our commitment to personalization- understanding that every space and client has unique needs, we personalize our services to meet these specific requirements ensuring satisfaction.

Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?

Managing a team and sustaining high morale are the main ingredients to ensure the success of any business. Over the years I have realized that leading a team requires more than dividing tasks, it is about creating a supportive, motivating, and inclusive environment. I always try to lead my time by setting an example. Behavior sets the tone for the entire team. Showcasing a positive attitude, a strong work ethic, and fairness in dealing has enabled me to inspire my team to do the same work.

At London House Cleaners we have started a “Skill Swap Program” to harness the diverse set of talents and interests in our teams. The Skill Swap Program allows team members to provide lessons and workshops in areas where they have expertise and special skills that may not be related to their daily responsibilities. This ranges from a team member skilled in a specific language to someone with a knack for DIY projects. This program has created a remarkable impact on our team dynamics. It has broadened the skill set of team and created a deep sense of community.

How did you put together the initial capital you needed to start your business?

At the beginning of starting London House Cleaners resources were tight and the challenge of funding a business was daunting. I managed to go through this phase by gathering capital from my own savings. I had set aside a portion of my income for years and it helped me to transform my dream into reality. I was also fortunate to have a supportive group of family and friends who were willing to provide small amounts as loans. I also adopted a bootstrap approach due to limited funds. This meant keeping the overhead costs as low as possible and only focusing on the essentials. I began my business with a small and skilled team and initially, we targeted local neighborhoods to reduce travel expenses. We also used free marketing channels such as social media and did word-of-mouth promotion to score our first clients. Securing the capital taught me an important lesson on resourcefulness and risk-taking. The journey of funding London House Cleaners solidifies the truth that starting a business is all about looking for creative solutions and securing the funds in the right way.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://londonhousecleaners.co.uk/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jess-farinha/?originalSubdomain=uk