Interested in starting your own entrepreneurial journey in maintenance services but unsure what to expect? Then read up on our interview with Sidrah Abood Hassan, co-founder, and CEO of Maid in T.O, located in Toronto, Canada.
What's your business, and who are your customers?
I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Maid in T.O, which is an on-demand cleaning service established in 2015 servicing the Toronto area. Our customers are busy professionals that want to get back their time to do the things they love while hiring a trusted professional like us to take care of their home.
Tell us about yourself
I was on maternity leave from my job in Supply-Chain Management when my husband and I realized what a difficult task it was to find a cleaning professional to come and clean our home. We had a couple of issues with companies that we later found out did not even work in Toronto and could not understand issues with our weather, traffic, and such things and we also found hiring someone direct meant we had no one to act as a middle person to send our complaints to. We realized this was a big dilemma within our social circle. We wondered what would happen if we tried to start a company that could act as a bridge between vetted cleaning professionals and customers seeking a cleaning through a trusted local company. A couple of months later, Maid in T.O was born, and I left my full-time job at a prestigious company to work on my own full time. I find what gives me purpose and drive each morning is knowing that I am providing jobs to real people. My team is absolutely wonderful and is the real reason behind our success! They work tirelessly and dedicate their hard work to our company along with their loyalty.
What's your biggest accomplishment as a business owner?
The cleaning industry has a very high turnover rate. There are many people that come and go within a few weeks to a few months' time. We are proud to say that we have been able to retain a few of our cleaning professionals and our office staff throughout the last few years. I consider this a big accomplishment!
What's one of the hardest things that come with being a business owner?
Being the decision-maker and knowing that every decision you make has a profound effect on the business's direction.
What are the top tips you'd give to anyone looking to start, run and grow a business today?
You don't need to reinvent the wheel to start a business. You can take something that already exists, and it will be different just because it is run by you. There is no right time to start a business. You can learn the business as you go along, and there will always be room for growth. No matter how big you get, don't forget where you started from.
Where can people find you and your business?
- Sherry F, Toronto
If you like what you've read here and have your own story as a solopreneur that you'd like to share, then email community@subkit.com; we'd love to feature your journey on these pages.
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