We were lucky to catch up with Sonia Alvarado recently and have shared our conversation below.

Sonia, looking forward to hearing all of your stories today. Getting that first client is always an exciting milestone. Can you talk to us about how you got your first customer who wasn’t a friend, family, or acquaintance?

I began spreading the word about my new cleaning company and my services within my subdivision. The fact that my neighbors knew me and trusted me helped me get the first job within a couple of weeks of starting my company..

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Sonia Alvarado, I was born and raised in Mexico City where I attended a British school and learned English from a very young age. After becoming an architect I decided I wanted to continue studying outside of Mexico and after 18 months of interviews, and tests I was awarded a Fulbright Scholarship with which I ended up at Clemson University for my Masters in Architecture. Life after grad school took its turns and brought me to Atlanta and it was not until after the recession that I decided to open Heaven Cleaning, a one of a kind cleaning company with extraordinary customer service.

At Heaven LLC, we take pride in our hard work, dedication, and attention to detail.

What sets my company apart from others is the care with which we work and the relationships we build with our clients. I personally meet with every client and train each one of my teams according to my client homes’ needs and preferences.

The past couple of years with Covid have taught me patience, endurance, resilience, appreciation, and empathy among many other things.
Several of our clients began cancelling their services out of fear since we didn’t know much about the virus, but most of them continued to pay for their services even when they were not letting us into their homes. We will forever appreciate their support.
Almost immediately after the first Covid shot down, I achieved a bio-disinfection certification offered through some of the cleaning organizations I belong to. I then notified my clients and was able to return to their homes. I am proud to say we have not stopped working for one single day since Covid hit. We feel very proud of our hard work and our commitment to our clients and our community, we follow very strict disinfection protocols. Heaven only hires and even only interviews people who have proof of covid vaccination.

I am a single mother with two college age sons and I am proud to be able to provide for my family while creating jobs, and helping my employees by treating them with kindness and appreciation.

Life is all about finding your mission and your passion. I am passionate about helping people which I get to do both on the customer and the employee side. As my company motto says: “enjoy life while we clean your home”.

Any advice for growing your clientele? What’s been most effective for you?

I am able to grow Heaven every single day through clients’ referrals. I am grateful to each one of my clients and to my employees, and to the trainings I have undergone and the systems I have set up with which we provide quality and consistent cleaning services.

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

I highly recommend to focus on the positive and not linger on the negative. Our line of work is tough and intensive labor. My teams are on their feet from beginning to end in every home, we stretch, bend, and reach all day long.
I remind my teams not every one can do what we do and not everyone does it well and with love.

Another way I keep the high morale and let them feel appreciated is by having special treats, gifts, and even special spa outings throughout the year.

Meeting with my teams in person when addressing praises and/or complaints has been quite successful in building a better relationship with each team member.

I also like to ask them about their goals in life and help them achieve them.

Contact Info:

• Website: www.heavencleaning.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heavencleaning/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/heavenllc
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/soniaalvaradoescoto/