My “Starting With One” Origin Story

As I’ve been reviewing our books for 2024 and realizing we’re on track to cross $1 million in sales in 2025—less than three years after launching—I can’t help but reminisce about the day I started my cleaning business.

Hearing the phone ring for the first time was terrifying. I was in my underwear, half-asleep, and had no clue how to handle that incoming call.

From the day my junior year of college ended until my senior year began, I worked nonstop on setting up this business. Funny enough, not only did I know nothing about running a cleaning company—I actually hate cleaning (and still do!).

Yet, it’s amazing what happens when you take a risk and refuse to quit: you figure things out. You learn on the fly. You make progress.

Like many of you reading this, I’m no expert in web development, sales, or marketing. However, I am an expert in betting on myself—in overpromising and then over delivering.

I remember pitching a prospective client about our “premium cleaning service.” I bragged about our second-to-none customer experience and how we offered a 36-point deep cleaning that zeroed in on the most important areas of their home. Little did they know I hadn’t even hired my first cleaning crew yet!

If business has taught me anything, it’s that when opportunity comes knocking, you should open the door and figure out the rest later.

Three Quick Lessons I Learned

1. There’s No Perfect Time to Start

Whether it’s a cleaning business, pressure washing, or dog walking, you’ll never feel 100% ready. Jump in and adjust as you go.

2. Overpromise, But Always Overdeliver

Talking a big game is okay—if you’re willing to put in the effort to make it real. This forces you to rise to the occasion.

3. Starting With One

One lead, one client, one cold call—it doesn’t take much to build momentum. Once you start rolling, your business grows like a snowball.

Finding My First Customers

My first bookings came from friends who let me clean their homes for free so I could get some experience under my belt. After that, I turned to “low-hanging fruit” like Google Local Service Ads (LSAs). Fast-forward to today, and we’re posting record month after record month, all while barely spending anything on customer acquisition.

Next Steps

If you want to learn exactly how I’ve built a nearly seven-figure business in under three years, starting in college, subscribe for free to get my weekly newsletters delivered straight to your inbox. You’ll get practical tips, behind-the-scenes insights, and the strategies I wish I’d known when I first started out in my underwear, answering my very first call.

Question for You: What’s holding you back from taking your first step to build (or grow) your own service business? Feel free to shoot me a message! I’d love to chat.

Remember: You only need one shot to get the ball rolling. Take it, run with it, and watch your business grow.

Thanks for reading! Stay tuned for more stories, strategies, and tips on building and scaling your service business.