Today we’d like to introduce you to Heidy Hernandez.
Hi Heidy, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
The pandemic drastically hurt the hotel I was employed at, and as a result my hours were significantly reduced. My anxiety grew high as I was already living paycheck to paycheck. My oldest daughter-Berenice R. had to step in to help pay my rent and bills. She refused to allow me to go back to working two jobs, as I did for ten years. I felt terrible that my daughter had to pick up my “slack.” As a result, she pitched me the idea to starting my own business, even if only for the days the hotel did not give me hours. As an incentive, she committed herself into purchasing everything I needed to start. The idea of setting my own hours and potentially earning more than $100 a day seemed unimaginable.
I always thought that this was only possible for people with higher education-like my daughters, but definitely not for myself. The risk made me afraid. I was afraid of no one booking a cleaning or being dissatisfied with my work. But the day finally came when someone booked a cleaning service-worth over $200. I could not believe it. So I started cleaning homes on my days off while still working at the hotel. Sooner rather than later, I was laid off unexpectedly from my job at the hotel with less than a 24-hour notice. I had been working at this hotel for over 6 years and I had never been laid off any job. I was so sad I even considered returning to work at a factory with a smaller wage, but my daughters convinced me to just take my business full-time. With all the fear and uncertainty in the world, I finally decided to take the risk for myself.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Having a business is always scary and risky, you never know what will stick, you get overwhelm yourself with questions such as “Will people like my services” “Are clients satisfied with the service I am providing”. I think the aspect I have struggled was the construction of each service and package, even though I have been doing this for 15 years I did it in a way someone manages me, but when it came to my own business my daughter and I took many hours of research, time and resources to make sure to launch this business is the best way possible. Additionally, I have been trying to improve my English each day to dismantle the language barrier. At the end of the day, all I want is for my clients to be happy and satisfied with the service I provide for them. I enjoy seeing how happy and at peace, clients get when they see their clean homes.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Hernandez Cleans ATL is a Latinx-owned cleaning company serving Metro Atlanta and surrounding areas. We’re proud to provide safe and reliable professionally-grade cleaning supplies, products, and services. We offer multiple cleaning packages that are designed to meet the demands and needs of our clients. Whether you need your house serviced on a regular basis or just one time, we have a cleaning option that’s right for you. We have a seamless booking, fixed prices, offer over 15 cleaning packages/a la carte add-ons, pet-friendly, local, and soon will be adding organic, plant-based cleaning packages!
So maybe we end on discussing what matters most to you and why?
Family. Some of my loyal clients know my family and know the hard work they deserve credit and thankful for. Berenice (28) for pitching the idea, investing in materials and tools, and helping me navigate my day-to-day appointments. Shayla (19) does most of my marketing, advertising and handles client relations all the way from the University of San Diego. Lili (12) helps with unloading materials and conducts inventory each week. This would not be possible without all three of them, not to mentioned they do this while being a director at their full-time jobs, attending school, having internships, running a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization, running their own businesses, and playing competitive volleyball. They have motivated, guided, and pushed me to go above and beyond for my business and myself. Lastly, I would like to give everyone who has welcomed me into their home and commercial space a huge thank you. Thank you for booking, thank you for telling your neighbors about me, thank you for being the reason I am now my own boss.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://squareup.com/appointments/book/qqv4bg893ghz2e/LAQVR2E1GJPNG/services
- Instagram: https://instagram.com/hernandezcleansatl?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/HernandezCleaningServicesatl/?locale=ne_NP
Image Credits
Heidy Hernandez
