Today we’d like to introduce you to Rae Smith.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Rae. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
I started my business on September 1st of 2017. I had been working in the service industry for about 10 years and was feeling stagnant. I was desperately seeking a change in my life and the motivation was there physically to do so. I found out in February of 2017 that I had a tumor in my uterus and had to undergo a hysterectomy that put me out of commission for several months. During that time, I took advantage of my recovery/down time to draw up a business plan and move forward with starting my own eco-friendly/green cleaning company. I researched different ways/ingredients of how to make my own cleaning solutions and decided I was ready to give it a try. I wanted to do something that I felt proud of and build something that was my own. I’ve worked for a local farm in Georgia for about 7 years and felt that having green products was crucial, not only for myself and my clients but for the planet as well. I owe the success of my business to my growing client list. It was built the old grassroots way — word of mouth, which has been the most complimenting part of this whole journey and one that I am eternally grateful for. I’m planning to expand my business and have teams serving specific parts of Atlanta and the surrounding cities. My motto is “So clean it shines!”
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Honestly, with the exception of the “unknown”, it has been somewhat smooth for me. I thought about taking out a small business loan but decided to jump in and do/learn everything on my own so that I had an intimate knowledge of how I wanted things to be done. And being super OCD didn’t hurt, ha! I’ve been fortunate to know many different types of people from all pockets of Atlanta. I’ve been honored with support from many women in this city and will never forget how it’s helped me to sustain my business. If I could say anything to women out there who want something of their own, it would be this:
Don’t let the security blanket of what you perceive to comfort stand in your way of change. Don’t fear change. Listen to yourself, your needs and your desires and take a chance. All that can happen is that you realize your choices might not have been the right ones and then you move on to the next one until you feel yourself shining from within.
Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Radiant Cleaning – what should we know?
I own a local eco-friendly cleaning company based out of Atlanta. I make all of my products from scratch that is green and pet/baby safe. My ultimate goal is to have teams servicing different parts of Atlanta and the surrounding cities. My long-term goal is to bottle my products and sell them. I look at my business as a way to help others. I get great joy seeing that I’ve helped a new client feel better and more comfortable in their sanctuary. With Radiant Cleaning, you’re not only getting a sparkling clean home, you’re getting time in your life.
Finding a mentor and building a network are often cited in studies as a major factor impacting one’s success. Do you have any advice or lessons to share regarding finding a mentor or networking in general?
Reach out to women/friends who also run their own businesses. I’ve pulled from all my resources. Don’t be afraid to ask questions and make mistakes. I’ve literally been learning as I go.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.radiantcleaningatl.com
- Phone: 404-822-0317
- Email: radiantcleaningatl@yahoo.com
- Facebook: @RadiantCleaningATL
Image Credit:
Jamie Ladet, Alli Royce Soble
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