Q&A: Lia Barreto | Owner of Lia’s Cleaning Service
By Lissuannette Rivera-Mercado
Q: Can you tell us a little bit about your business, where you’re located, and how you got started?
A: Lia’s Cleaning Services is a woman-owned business that provides industrial, commercial, and residential cleaning services. We are located at 3110 East Market St, York, Pennsylvania 17402. I started in 2018 when I was 21 years old. I was introduced to this business through my fiancé, who has a home maintenance service business. I used to help him with cleaning the houses he maintained. One day, his mom came to us and encouraged me to open a home cleaning service business. She knew more about the industry because she used to clean houses in Beverly Hills.
Q: Who was your biggest motivator or supporter when starting your business or continuing to grow it?
A: My mother-in-law and fiancé. If my mother-in-law hadn’t given me the idea and motivated me that it was possible, I wouldn’t have succeeded. My fiancé also played an important role, as he opened my mind to the idea of continuing to grow the business, not just staying with 20 clients. He had the vision that the business could continue to expand.
Q: What does being a small business owner mean to you?
A: Being a small business owner is not easy. You face many challenges in growing and finding clients, and getting recognized can be difficult. When you compare yourself to bigger, more established companies, it’s hard to compete. You have to work twice or three times as hard to get known and gradually grow your business. There’s a lot to invest in, and sometimes you have to stop doing things you want to do in order to invest all your earnings back into the business.
Q: What services do you offer to residential clients? What sets your business apart from others?
A: Our services include, but are not limited to: regular residential cleaning, move-in/move-out cleaning, deep cleaning, customized cleaning, commercial window cleaning, post-construction cleaning, emergency cleaning services, and more. We work towards exceeding our clients’ expectations with every service. If we receive any unsatisfactory feedback, we act quickly to address the client’s concerns, ensuring our commitment to excellent customer service.
Q: What goals do you have for your business? What is your dream for your business?
A: Our goal for Lia’s Cleaning Services is to continue growing and expanding to other states. We are still unsure whether buying a franchise will be an option or if we will create a corporation where we can integrate other partners.
Q: What advice/tips can you share for someone considering hiring a cleaning service for their home?
A: Check reviews online or look at their social media, know what type of cleaning service you want to avoid being overcharged, don’t always go for the cheapest option. At the end, it might cost you more.
Q: Is there anything else you’d like to share about your business? Anything exciting you have coming up?
A: We are currently working more on the marketing of the business, with the goal of creating more awareness and social media and attracting more clients. Also, we are on the process to contract a sales person with the goal to attract more commercial and residential business to choose us as they cleaning service.
We are about to launch our mentorship program to start supporting others who want to start their own cleaning services business. We have already helped family members and close friends begin their businesses, and now we want to assist others. This course will be on English and Spanish and we are very excited about this new journey.
Q: How can someone get more info or schedule a service from your business?
A:
Phone: 717-825-3373
Email: customersupport@liascleaningservice.net
Website: liascleaningservice.net
Nextdoor: https://nextdoor.com/pages/lias-cleaning-service-llc-york-pa/
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