Building a business from the ground up is never a smooth ride, especially when it involves navigating the complexities of financial management, labor, and business growth. This was the case for Anna-Marie Ortiz, the founder of Cool Aunt Cleaners, a professional cleaning service based in Portland, Oregon. From living paycheck to paycheck to achieving financial stability and aspiring for a seven-figure business, Anna-Marie’s story exemplifies the resilience and determination it takes to transform a dream into reality. Let’s take a deeper dive into her entrepreneurial journey, the lessons she’s learned, and her long-term vision for the future.
A Humble Beginning: Overcoming Financial Struggles
Anna-Marie’s story begins like many others—she grew up in an environment where money was tight, and the concept of financial freedom seemed distant. Living paycheck to paycheck and seeing her parents struggle on the farm, she learned early on the value of hard work and the importance of financial discipline. It wasn’t until she moved to Portland, Oregon, that Anna-Marie realized just how much of an uphill battle it would be to escape the constraints of financial insecurity.
Portland, being one of the most expensive cities to live in, presented a new set of challenges for Anna-Marie. She had never spent so much on rent, utilities, and basic living expenses like food. But instead of allowing this to hold her back, she saw it as an opportunity to push forward, creating a bold vision for her future. “I came out here with a vision,” she said. The ultimate goal? To build a seven-figure business, one that would not only support her but also provide financial freedom for her family.
The Birth of Cool Aunt Cleaners: From Idea to Reality
Anna-Marie’s business, Cool Aunt Cleaners, didn’t start in the most glamorous way. She didn’t have investors backing her or a fancy office space. What she had was a passion for providing professional cleaning services and a deep understanding of the challenges that young professionals, real estate agents, and businesses face when maintaining clean spaces. After doing thorough research into the cleaning industry, Anna-Marie realized that starting a cleaning business had a relatively low barrier to entry, which was a huge advantage.
“The cost is so low,” Anna-Marie explains, reflecting on why she chose the cleaning industry. “If you can do the labor yourself, it makes starting a business much easier.” She didn’t need to invest in expensive equipment or hire employees right away. Instead, Anna-Marie started small with just herself as the sole cleaner, ensuring that she could keep costs low while focusing on building the business’s reputation.
To get the ball rolling, she invested in a professional logo, a website, insurance, cleaning supplies, and even magnets for her car to help market her business. These small but meaningful steps helped establish a professional image and gave her the credibility she needed to attract clients. Her first few months were spent working tirelessly, often taking on cleaning jobs after hours and on weekends, while still working a full-time tech job.
Finding Success: From Part-Time Hustle to Full-Time Income
One of the pivotal moments in Anna-Marie’s journey was when she realized that her side hustle was making more money than her full-time job. In just the first month of running her cleaning business, she replaced her tech job salary—a clear sign that her business had potential. “It was insane,” she recalled. “I was making $10,000 to $13,000 a month without doing any paid advertising or discounts.” The business was growing faster than she could have imagined, and the dream of financial independence was starting to feel like a reality.
But with growth came challenges. Anna-Marie soon discovered that not all jobs were equally profitable. For instance, working in high-income neighborhoods or larger homes didn’t always translate to higher profits. Through trial and error, she learned that smaller spaces like luxury condos were more profitable due to the amount of time they required. Additionally, she began to scale her operations, bringing on employees to help with the workload. This allowed her to take on bigger jobs without sacrificing quality or overextending herself.
The Importance of Financial Management in Business Growth
As Anna-Marie’s business expanded, so did her expenses. Managing finances became one of her biggest priorities. Running a successful cleaning business involves many hidden costs, such as payroll for employees, cleaning supplies, insurance, and overhead costs like renting storage space. Anna-Marie kept everything organized through job management software and worked with an accountant to ensure her finances were on track.
While cleaning supplies remain relatively inexpensive, managing payroll for employees and covering other overhead costs required careful budgeting. Anna-Marie made sure to schedule jobs based on her current capacity, hiring additional help when necessary. She also introduced a 20% deposit for clients, which helped cover initial costs and ensured a steady cash flow.
A Deeper Purpose: Building Generational Wealth and Leaving a Legacy
For Anna-Marie, the business is more than just a way to make a living—it’s a means of achieving something much bigger: creating generational wealth and leaving a legacy for her family. “I want to be the person in my family that creates generational wealth,” she said. This long-term vision is what fuels her drive and determination to succeed. She dreams of expanding Cool Aunt Cleaners to other major cities, offering the same opportunities to people who may not come from wealth but who have the ambition to succeed in business.
Her goal is to provide jobs for others, particularly for those who may not have had the opportunity to move to a new state and build a career. By scaling the business, she hopes to offer a sense of stability and empowerment to her employees, just as she has worked to create for herself.
Anna-Marie’s story is a testament to the power of perseverance, hard work, and strategic planning. From the early days of scraping by to running a successful business with employees and expanding into new markets, she has learned that the key to success isn’t just about financial growth—it’s about creating something that lasts.
Lessons Learned and the Road Ahead
As she reflects on her journey, Anna-Marie emphasizes a few key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs. First, she stresses the importance of staying focused on the bigger picture, even when things get tough. “There are going to be days when you feel like you’re not making any progress, but you have to keep going,” she advises. Second, she encourages business owners to be adaptable and open to learning from mistakes. The cleaning business, like any other, has its ups and downs, but Anna-Marie has used each challenge as an opportunity to learn and grow.
Looking to the future, Anna-Marie is committed to growing her business, not just for financial success, but for the impact it can have on others. She’s not just building a business—she’s building a legacy. And for anyone thinking of starting their own business, her journey proves that with determination, smart financial decisions, and a clear vision, anything is possible.
Conclusion
Anna-Marie Ortiz’s journey from struggling to make ends meet to running a successful cleaning business is a testament to the power of vision, hard work, and resilience. By focusing on her goals and making strategic decisions, she was able to turn her passion into a thriving business. As her company continues to grow and evolve, Anna-Marie remains focused on her long-term vision of creating a legacy and providing opportunities for others. For those looking to build their own successful businesses, her story serves as a powerful reminder that with the right mindset and persistence, anything is possible.
Anna-Marie Ortiz’s Journey
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