Hidden Gems: Meet Jerra Latrice Mitchell of Heart and Soul Cleaning

Today we’d like to introduce you to Jerra Latrice Mitchell.

Hi Jerra Latrice, thanks for sharing your story with us. To start, maybe you can tell our readers some of your backstory.
I’m originally from Gary, IN, but in 2016 I made the move to Atlanta, GA in search of growth, opportunity, and a different pace of life. Like many people, I followed the traditional path of working in Corporate America, building a career, and doing what I was “supposed” to do. On paper, things looked fine. In reality, something always felt missing.

Toward the end of 2021, I was offered a job in Phoenix, AZ, which felt like another chance to reset. I accepted the role and lived there until April 2024, but by then, the missing puzzle pieces in my life were becoming harder to ignore. Corporate life had become increasingly draining and restrictive, with no real time freedom, little room for creativity, and a constant feeling of being boxed in. Around the same time, life delivered a much deeper wake-up call…

In August 2022, my father passed away. His death changed everything.

He spent his life working hard, with plans to finally live once he retired. He wanted to travel, rest, and enjoy the freedom he had earned. But he passed away just one year before retirement. Watching that happen forced me to confront a hard truth: tomorrow is not promised, and waiting to live “one day” is a risk I was NOT willing to keep taking.

That loss, combined with the growing dissatisfaction I felt in Corporate America, led me to take a sabbatical. I didn’t have every detail mapped out. I just knew I needed space to breathe, to think, and to reconnect with myself. During that year, I traveled, slowed down, and allowed myself to exist outside of productivity and titles. I also deactivated my social media accounts.

Near the end of my sabbatical, I accepted a seasonal housekeeping job in Sitka, Alaska. On the surface, it seemed like a sharp left turn from my corporate background, but it ended up being exactly what I needed. That experience grounded me. It reminded me of the dignity in honest work, the importance of consistency, and the value of doing something well, even when no one is watching.

Working as a housekeeper taught me far more than how to clean. It taught me about systems, efficiency, time management, customer expectations, and pride in service. I learned how to walk into a space and see what others might overlook. I also learned how important trust is when someone allows you into their home or business. Most importantly, I learned that meaningful work doesn’t have to come with a corner office to be impactful.

That season in Alaska became the foundation for Heart and Soul Cleaning.

When I returned, I knew I didn’t want to go back to a life that drained me. I wanted to build something that aligned with who I am…something rooted in care, integrity, and purpose. Heart and Soul Cleaning was born from that clarity. I’ve always been very meticulous and took pride in cleaning and organizing. However, the business isn’t “just” about cleaning spaces; it’s about creating environments where people can breathe, reset, and feel taken care of.

In many ways, this work is also how I honor my father. He never got the chance to live the life he was planning for, but I carry that lesson with me every day. Choosing entrepreneurship, purpose, and FREEDOM is my way of ensuring that my story doesn’t end with “someday.”

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
From the outside looking in, it may appear that the road has been smooth. When I returned to Georgia from Alaska in March 2025, I booked my first cleaning within three days, and from there my calendar continued to grow. I’ve since secured commercial cleaning contracts, Airbnb clients, a steady stream of move-in/move-out cleanings, and many referrals.

That said, the journey has not been without challenges. I’ve had to navigate vendors who did not pay on time or honor contract terms, staff members who failed to show up to work, and last-minute cancellations on the residential side. While entrepreneurship offers time freedom, it also comes with revenue inconsistencies that require flexibility, patience, and UNWAVERING faith!

Those challenges are part of the reality of building a business, and I expected them. Overall, despite the setbacks, I’m genuinely happy in entrepreneurship. The growth, lessons, and freedom it provides far outweigh the difficulties.

Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
Heart and Soul Cleaning serves homeowners, renters, property managers, and small business owners who value reliability, consistency, and high standards. We specialize in move-in and move-out cleanings, turnover services, and commercial cleaning for small to mid-size offices, with a strong emphasis on professionalism and clear communication. Our clients often rely on us during periods of transition, and we take that responsibility seriously.

What sets Heart and Soul Cleaning apart is our commitment to quality, integrity, and respect, both for our clients and the people who work alongside us. We are dependable and ethical, and our work is rooted in genuine care. For added peace of mind, we are fully insured and bonded.

Where do you see things going in the next 5-10 years?
Over the next 5 to 10 years, I see Heart and Soul Cleaning continuing to grow in a steady, intentional way. My goal is to sustain a company that’s known for quality, integrity, and respect, both for our clients and for the people who work alongside me. I also see us expanding our services, including taking on more post-construction cleanings as the business grows. That’s something I’m excited about and could happen even sooner.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://heartandsoulcleaning.net
• Other: https://share.google/mpEhfQTH7m8xslv9F