We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Katelynn Johnson . We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Katelynn below.
Alright, Katelynn thanks for taking the time to share your stories and insights with 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.
The biggest risk I took, was leaving my full-time job in order to start my cleaning business. I knew I had to leave my full-time job selling cars at a car dealership. At the time Covid was still causing many restrictions. I have two little girls that were in daycare at the time and it was shut down more than open. Plus, any time one of my kids were slightly sick they were not allowed to attend that school that day. With all the shut downs, and kids bring sent home, I could not go to work.
It was only a matter of time where I would’ve been laid off.
I loved my previous job and I respected the people I worked with, and it was not fair for me not to be at work. It also put stress on my personal life at home being worried if I would have a job or not the next day.
That is why I started my cleaning business! So I can still earn a living and have a flexible schedule to take care of my children and still have an income.
This was definitely the biggest risk I took, because I didn’t know if I would still earn the same income as I did at my sales job. But making the switch was definitely the best decision I could have ever made! My business is doing very well, and I have more time to be a mother to my children..
Katelynn , 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?
I have two little girls., Karsyn age 6 and Blair age 3. These girls are why I wake up everyday and do what I do. I served time in the Army Nation Guard during and after high school. Growing up, I always wanted to be a police officer, but my girls and life had other plans for me! I’m a firm believer that everything happens for a reason. My parents have always taught me nothing is going to get handed to you in life and have to work for everything you have. No one owes you anything. This is what I live by. Them teaching me at an early age is what fuels my drive and motivation as an adult, and I plan to pass those lessons to my own children. If my parents did not raise me to be a hard worker, and to always strive for more, I would not be where I am today.
I first got into doing house cleaning when I was 20 years old. At the time I was also in the Military. I was waiting to turn 21 so I can become a police officer for the City of Pittsburgh, so really Cleaning was just a way to get me by until I was of age.
And then not long after my 21st birthday I got the news that I was pregnant with my first child so going through the police academy at that time is not an option. Being a young mom I stuck with Cleaning on the side because it was flexible with my newborn.
With the expenses of having a child and being on my own as a single mother, I needed more income, so I started selling cars at a Chevrolet dealership here in Pittsburgh. I ended up pregnant with my second child, and then Covid hit. So here we are! I started my business with just myself and then I got so busy. I asked my mother to start cleaning with me! People liked what we did, and I kept on adding helpers from there! I learned a lot about myself working in sales, and I took all the lessons I learned at the dealership and applied it to my cleaning business. I plan on continuing to build so one day my daughters have something they can continue when they are adults. (If that is what they would like to do).
Maid in the Burgh is one of my Pride and Joys. We have been successful because we go above and beyond for out clients. Whether it’s helping out with the family pet or while we are cleaning the home just being there to listen, no matter what we are there to help. We offer more than average cleaning service because we know it takes more to run a home. We listen to our clients and their needs. The biggest part is that we actually care and we listen. We accept all feedback and we learn from it. I have built the best team of ladies for. Maid in the Burgh and I couldn’t do it without them!
Can you talk to us about how your funded your business?
I started it from square one with building Maid in the Burgh. No loans. Just me, myself and I. I took my last paycheck from the dealership bought myself some cleaning equipment and cleaning products and made a few post on Facebook and it’s history from there! If you do it right, depending on the business, you will not take any loans out just start it. start with what you have and any profit, put it back into the business. It will be hard in the beginning but don’t start off with debt if it can be avoided. Grow slowly and do what you can afford.
Any stories or insights that might help us understand how you’ve built such a strong reputation?
What helped us build our good name is we stand behind our values and work. Our clients have also spread the word about us. About 25% of our new clients are referrals. This is because we stand by our work. My team goes above and beyond to make sure our customers feel valued. Going the extra miles always pays off.
Contact Info:
- Facebook: Maid in the Burgh and Katelynn P Johnson