In an engaging interview led by Isabel, Marketing Coordinator for the Center for Inclusive Entrepreneurship (CIE), Amy Reed shares her story about starting Everclean State. Launched in September 2023, Everclean State is a janitorial cleaning business based on the Olympic Peninsula. Amy shares her experience working with CIE's business advisors, Rick and Micah, and how they played a pivotal role in supporting her business journey. Amy also shares exciting news about hiring her first employee and what's to come in the new year.
Isabel: Can you please introduce yourself and tell me about your business?
Amy: Yes, my name is Amy Reed, and I am the owner of the Everclean State. It is a janitorial cleaning business, a small business. We just started in September of this year, 2023. I have a DBA as the Everclean State. But I am licensed, bonded, and insured, have an LLC, and so on. We do housekeeping, offer janitorial services for commercial and residential, and we clean vacation rental properties. We work with property managers for long-term rentals, short-term rentals, and also vacation rentals. And also just regular residential houses.
Isabel: At what stage was your business at when you started working with CIE? What business support services did you receive?
Amy: So before I met CIE, I was working with the Tribal TVR Program with Jim Allen. I reached out to him to ask for help getting started as a business owner. I had already purchased my business license and things like that myself with my own money. He referred me to CIE. He said they could help me with my business. And so I went, and I met with Rick, and I met with Micah. They helped me create a business plan, and they helped me crunch numbers in terms of like, how much it's gonna cost to get started, how much revenue do I plan on making? Things like what it takes to run a business? What is the feasibility of it being successful? And who is my competition? What does that look like? They just helped me think of like all the other things that I wouldn't have normally thought of. And they helped me look at it from a real business owner’s perspective.
Isabel: What made you want to become a business owner?
Amy: So at my last job, I was a domestic violence, sexual assault advocate. It was kind of a mutual agreement in terms of leaving that position, because it was stressful. After that happened, I was looking for work and I couldn't find any employment that worked with my schedule. You know, because I have three small kids. I have a one-year-old, a three-year-old, and ten-year-old. So I needed something that was flexible, but also paid enough so that way I can pay my bills and keep a roof over our heads. All the jobs that I was applying for at the time did not work.
That's when I was like, ‘well, what about the tribe? Maybe I can listen to them for help.’ I met with Jim and got in the TVR program. I had heard that my cousin who was doing house cleaning and she was doing very well and there was a big need for it. I also thought about ‘well, when was the last time I was truly happy at work?’ and that was when I was working janitorial. I was a nighttime janitor working for the tribe cleaning federal buildings. And I was really happy, it's fun laid back, it was the last time I was happy while working. Ther was no stress, and I just enjoy cleaning. I really do enjoy cleaning because it's satisfying to see when you look at what you’ve cleaned and think ‘wow, I did that. I cleaned it and made it look so nice.’ So after piecing those thoughts together, I was like, well, maybe I can just do my own business as a cleaner.
Isabel: How do you feel about your business journey so far? What's on the horizon?
Amy: Yeah, so right now I feel really great about it. I'm on my way to a call right now. And I also just hired my first cleaner! We're still in the building portion and trying to get more clients so that soon the new cleaner can have a full-time schedule, and I can have a full-time schedule. But I did just hire my first person to back me up. I feel like my business is just gonna grow.
My goal right now is to have a set team of cleaners who are prepared and looking to start right now as soon as possible. At least two or three or four, maybe even more. That way, we can be well established, well trained and ready for spring and summer for the vacation rentals to happen. Because I know there's a lot of tourism and there are VRBO’s everywhere on the peninsula, and they're always needing good cleaners.
Isabel: Do you have any additional words to share with any other aspiring entrepreneurs?
Amy: Yeah, I would say, just go for it! If you're unsure [about starting a business], just call and ask around, because if you have dreams and aspirations to do something, what's holding you back? You just need to try and ask other for help. Doors will open.
Isabel: Are there any last things you would like to share?
Amy: No, but I would like to thank Rick and Micah because they really helped me. They were a piece of the building blocks of the whole business that I would be missing without them. So thank you for helping me.
Check out Amy’s website, www.evercleanstate.com, where you can browse her gallery to see the work she’s done, book cleaning services, and learn more about her different cleaning packages!