We caught up with the brilliant and insightful Katherine Flores a few weeks ago and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Katherine, thanks for joining us today. Can you talk to us about a risk you’ve taken – walk us through the story?
I would say the Biggest risk I have taken, would be to start my own cleaning business and take a chance to be my own boss. I am very good at quoting reasonable yet affordable Prices.I have very Great,determined, and compassionate hired cleaners who know we work Judgment free, and want the clients to come home and feel that fresh breath of fresh air to have one less thing to do. We also take pride in getting to know our clients on a personal level so they gain trust to have us in their home, or workspace. Before Starting my own business, I used to clean at a hospital, as much as I loved seeing all the sweet patients and making them feel special and heard, by engaging with them as I was cleaning their hospital rooms or lobby areas, the job just occupied a Lot of my time which left me to come home exhausted and not be able to spend as much time with my children as much as i would like, from working long hours and hardly any days off. As much as it hurt me to leave the hospital, having this new opportunity gave me the ability to make my own Availability. Making my own schedule so I can now have the Bonding moments to take and pick up my kids from school, be able to take them to doctor appointments and be home with them when they get sick, or eat lunch with them at school, and attend all school events and after school activities, is such a blessing that I am very grateful for.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am now on my 4th year of starting my own cleaning company, by the name of Pristine Cleaning Corporation. I have been cleaning prior to taking the leap of faith of starting my own business, for about 12+ years. Pristine Cleaning is a professional cleaning service committed to excellence, reliability, and attention to detail. Our work is grounded in discipline, consistency, and high standards, ensuring every space we service is not only spotless but also maintained with care and precision. We take pride in delivering results that reflect our strong work ethic and dedication to customer satisfaction.
Starting my cleaning business has been one of the most rewarding decisions of my life. What I’m most proud of is making my children, husband and Family Proud. Building my own business has been deeply rewarding, but nothing compares to the moment my Family told me they were proud of me. Their pride is my greatest success! Also, the discipline it took to build it from the ground up—turning a simple idea into a trusted, professional service. I’ve earned the confidence of my clients by consistently showing up, doing the job right, and holding myself to high standards even when no one is watching. Beyond the clean spaces, it’s the relationships, the trust, and the reputation for reliability that I’m truly proud of. This business reflects not just hard work, but a mindset of consistency, responsibility, and pride in every detail
What I Want You to Know About My Business:
At the heart of my cleaning business is a commitment to quality, trust, and consistency. I don’t just clean—I care about the spaces I work in and the people I serve. Every job is done with discipline, attention to detail, and respect for your time and property. Whether it’s a home or a business, I treat each space as if it were my own. My goal is simple: to give you peace of mind, knowing the job will be done right, every time.
We’d love to hear the story of how you turned a side-hustle into a something much bigger.
From Side Hustle to Full-Time Business
What started as a side hustle—just helping out a few clients on the weekends—quickly grew into something much bigger. As word spread about the quality of my work, I found more people reaching out, trusting me with their homes and businesses. I realized there was real value in what I was offering, and I made the decision to commit fully. With discipline, consistency, and pride in every job, I turned my passion for cleaning into a thriving full-time business. It’s not just about making spaces look good—it’s about building something meaningful and lasting.
Some key milestones since starting my cleaning business are
Getting my first paying client – the moment your side hustle became real.
Registering your business officially – a big step toward professionalism and growth.
Upgrading your equipment or supplies – showing reinvestment in quality and efficiency.
Landing your first commercial or large-scale contract – proving your capability on a larger scale.
Going full-time – making the leap from side hustle to main hustle.
Building a loyal client base or reaching a referral milestone – showing trust and satisfaction.
Hiring my first team members
– expanding beyond solo operations.
Receiving positive reviews or testimonials – gaining public validation of our hard work
Can you tell us about what’s worked well for you in terms of growing your clientele?
The most effective strategy I’ve used to grow my cleaning business has been delivering consistently high-quality work and letting that speak for itself. Word-of-mouth referrals from satisfied clients have been my strongest marketing tool. I focus on building trust, showing up reliably, and paying close attention to detail—because when clients feel their space is in good hands, they naturally recommend me to others. That personal connection and reputation for excellence has been the foundation of my growth.
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