By Jacky Costello, author of How Far I Have Risen: Coming Clean from Cancer, God, and My American Dream
When I first came to the U.S., I started cleaning homes on my own — just me, a few supplies, and a big dream. I didn’t have a business plan, investors, or a team. What I did have was determination, faith, and the willingness to start where I was.
And that’s really all you need. You can start a cleaning business with only one person — yourself.
At the beginning, you’ll wear every hat: owner, marketer, cleaner, scheduler, and customer-service rep. It can feel like a lot, but the beauty of being a one-person company is the freedom it gives you. You get to decide your hours, your clients, and how quickly you want to grow. I loved that I could attend my son’s school events, meet a friend for breakfast, or schedule doctor appointments without asking anyone’s permission. That flexibility is priceless.
Of course, it takes work — a lot of it. You’ll scrub, market, quote jobs, and sometimes doubt yourself. But if you stay consistent, communicate well, and serve every client like they’re your only one, success will follow.
Do You Have the Right Personality for a Cleaning Business?
Running a cleaning business isn’t for everyone. It requires independence, compassion, self-motivation, and trustworthiness. You’ll enter people’s homes — their most private spaces — and it’s your job to make them feel safe and cared for. You should genuinely enjoy cleaning, have an eye for detail, and take pride in seeing instant results.
Customer-service skills are just as important as cleaning skills. You’ll need to communicate clearly, manage expectations, and build relationships. As someone whose first language isn’t English, I had to push past my fears and keep improving every day. If I could do it, so can you.
From Cleaner to Coach
Today, I not only run Custom Cleanups, a thriving cleaning company in Florida, but I also coach aspiring entrepreneurs who want to start or scale their own service-based businesses. I’ve learned that what helps a one-person cleaning business grow is the same foundation that helps any entrepreneur succeed — discipline, consistency, and belief in yourself even on the tough days.
If you’re thinking about starting your own cleaning business (or any business!) and don’t know where to begin, I’d love to help. I offer hourly mentoring sessions to help you set realistic goals, build systems, and avoid costly mistakes — so you can skip the confusion and focus on growth.