We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Rafyah Lumb. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Rafyah below.

Rafyah, thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. The first dollar your business earns is always special and we’d love to hear how your brand made its first dollar of revenue.

Back in 2008, I invested $80 in a newspaper ad and it changed my life. On the very same day, I received a call from my first client and I remember cleaning her house for around 8 hours for $100. From there, I developed a relationship with Ms. Rachel and over the course of a year, she introduced me to the concept of bartering. This allowed me to continue placing ads in the newspaper in exchange for my services.

Rafyah, 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 founded NaturallyNeat, LLC in 2008 after realizing the harmful effects that both indoor and outdoor pollution can have on the human body. While cleaning my own home, I noticed the damage that pungent, artificial scents and chemicals had on my skin. Searching for plant-based, natural scents, I discovered that they were practically non-existent. This motivated me to create the NaturallyNeat Signature Scents air fresheners – non-toxic and plant-extracted aromatherapy fresheners that help to replenish the environment, protect the skin, and leave a pleasantly crisp aroma in the air. The Signature Scents include Sweet Orange Thyme, Lemongrass Sage, Lemongrass, and Lemongrass Lavender, each of which contributes to a healthier home and body.

I participated in Entrepreneur Works, a non-profit program designed to empower people to create their own successful businesses. This led me to start NaturallyNeat, a company dedicated to promoting the health of individuals and the planet. Our first community-centered initiative, the “Community Stewards Summer Youth Training Program,” aimed to provide teens and young adults with fundamental life skills to achieve their goals. In partnership with other organizations, our program held workshops on self-belief, competitive resume building, leadership development, college readiness, and career acceleration. By the end of the program, each student had the confidence to navigate their future with ease. Additionally, our program focused on uplifting underprivileged communities by encouraging participants to create service projects that involved cleaning and beautifying their neighborhoods. This initiative led to increased productivity in the area and improved the quality of life for community members.

Unfortunately, while scaling my business and hosting community clean-ups, the most devastating, life-changing event occurred. My son’s father passed away as a result of gun violence in the city of Philadelphia. Since my son’s father was committed to providing for our family, it was excruciating to tell our son that a careless person ended his hero’s life. However, I am grateful to have a strong, hands-on village that has helped me raise our son. Although this tragedy could have discouraged me from continuing to operate my business, I decided to use cleaning as a healthy grieving channel. It has not only been healthy for me but has also inspired others to remain consistent in their business after they experience casualties and calamities.

We’d love to hear about how you met your business partner.

I was introduced to Robin Mcglawn through a referral from Lisa. Robin runs an office space rental business and I was interested in leasing a space for my own business. During our first meeting, she expressed her pride in me and asked if my parents felt the same. At that point, Robin knew very little about me and my life. While I don’t have a close relationship with my parents, Robin and I have developed a close bond over the years. We have been working together since I was 29 and I am now 42. To me, Robin is like a “boss mom” who has provided invaluable guidance on my journey.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

My mom once told me to never leave a job on bad terms because that’s what people will remember most about you. I took that to heart in my business and it has helped me build a strong reputation in the market. Clients know they can count on me to leave their homes feeling refreshed and renewed after every cleaning. I strive to make a positive impression every time because you never know when you’ll get another opportunity to work with a client. As the saying goes, “People do business with people they like.” and I believe in the power of word-of-mouth. That’s why I always give my best effort.

I also believe in the importance of using non-toxic cleaning products. Many traditional cleaning products use harsh chemicals that can be harmful to both the environment and to people’s health. That’s why I have made it a priority to use eco-friendly and non-toxic products in my business. Not only is it better for the planet, but it also ensures that my clients’ homes are safe for their families and pets. I am proud to offer this option to my clients and it has helped me stand out in the market. Overall, I believe that my unique personality, commitment to excellent service, and use of non-toxic products has contributed to my success in the cleaning industry.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.naturallyneat.services/
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/naturallyneatcleaning/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/NaturallyNeatCleaningServices
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/rafyah-lumb-49796814/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@naturallyneatcleaningservices