The Mop Cleaners – SMB Insurance small business of the month

Our September 2017 small business of the month is Chicago, IL-based cleaning company, The Mop Cleaners. This family owned business started in 2016 and provides both commercial and residential cleaning services in the greater Chicago area. We took a few minutes to catch up with The Mop Cleaners’ owner, Liliana Cuevas, and she provided an illuminating perspective on starting a small business and being one’s own boss. She also points out a really interesting differentiator between her company and its competitors regarding “dwell time”. Read the interview below for more details.

1. How long have you been in the cleaning industry and how/why did you get started in it?

I’ve been in the cleaning business for 5 years now. I started residential and commercial cleanings when I was in college as part-time job. The hours were flexible and I earn enough money for my college expenses.

2. What prompted you to start your own business?

After college, I work in my profession but still did cleaning services on the side and soon I realize I love it more than I thought. I took courses to further my knowledge and obtain my certifications and I finally decided to go for it. But one of my main reason I decided to start my own business is I am my own boss and there is no feeling better than that.

3. What’s the most rewarding part of being a small business owner?

Beside the fact that I am my own boss, I have more flexibility in my life then I’ve ever had. Also, I could be having a rough week and I have put in so much work for that week, at the end of the day it’s okay because no matter how many hours I’ve worked it only further my business and thus benefits me. As a small business owner, I have control as to how successful I want my business to be.

4. What’s the most challenging part of being a small business owner?

One of the most challenging part of being a small business owner is the beginning of establishing a business. You work long hours, including evenings, weekends, and vacations and at the beginning you may not even have vacations. As a small business owner at the beginning there is little or no break at all it’s a 24/7 job. You constantly must stay on top of your game to be able to compete with larger bussineses/coporations. All your time, energy, resources, go into keeping the business successful.

5. What’s one piece of advice you can offer to others considering starting their own business?

The best piece of advice I can give is to just go for it. The more you ponder upon the idea you usually wind up looking at the negative side as to why you shouldn’t. If you thought about the idea about opening your own business is because you know it’s something you can do. No business owner knows all the answers a lot of it you learn along the way. If you are afraid you will not know what to do in certain circumstances that are related to your business there are so many resources to help you achieve the correct answer/result. The hardest part is starting. Do not be afraid to take the first step.

6. What makes The Mop Cleaners unique among your competitors?

The Mop Cleaners specializes in dwell times of cleaning products. Most cleaning company just spray and wipe we don’t. We focus on providing the correct dwell time to properly clean, disinfect and sanitize our clients home or facility. Not every home/facility needs the same thing we customize our cleaning products accordingly to the home/facility needs. We have 12 clean check certifications that is recognized by the ISSA (The Worldwide Cleaning Industry Association) which allows us to truly provide a professional cleaning service to all our clients.

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This post was written by SMB Insurance