My Dusty Dirty Side Hustle But Somebody’s Gotta Do It

Hey y’all! If you’ve been following me for a while, you know I’ve got my hands in a few different hustles. One of the most rewarding, and honestly most lucrative, side gigs I’ve got is my cleaning business. Now, before you roll your eyes and think it’s just about scrubbing toilets and mopping floors, let me tell you—it’s so much more than that.

Let’s take it back to where it all started—2002. I was working the third shift at General Electric in Schenectady, New York, as a custodian. Yep, that’s right. I was the one making sure the break rooms were spotless, the offices were pristine, and the lobby was shining like it was ready for a red carpet event. And while most folks would’ve just done their job, I took it a step further. I became obsessed with organization, efficiency, and cleanliness. It wasn’t even my job to make everything perfect, but I couldn’t help myself. I was that person who made sure everything was in its place.

Now here’s the kicker—after going above and beyond, I was reprimanded. Yep. For doing more than what was expected. And that’s when it hit me—why was I busting my behind to make someone else look good and get nothing in return? So I thought, “Forget this. I’m going to do this on my own.”

And just like that, my cleaning business was born.

But what really gets me going is how much I’ve learned about people and their homes. Cleaning isn’t just about scrubbing floors and wiping counters. When you walk into someone’s space, especially when things have gotten a little out of hand, you’re also walking into their emotions. Some clients have a hard time letting go of stuff, whether it’s cluttered closets or piles of papers—they’re holding onto memories, things that feel like part of who they are.

I’ve become more than just a cleaner. I’ve become a therapist, a life coach, and sometimes, a cheerleader.

You’d be surprised at how much emotional weight can be tied to a cluttered space. It’s not always just about mess—sometimes it’s about the memories people can’t let go of. And while I’m there helping them get their house back in order, I’m also helping them see that they don’t have to be tied down by stuff to feel good about themselves or their space. We talk through it. We sort through it. And at the end of the day, that house isn’t just clean—it’s liberated.

Now, don’t get me wrong, life gets busy. As a parent, as a business owner, as a human being, I know how easy it is for things to pile up. Trust me, I get it.

Sometimes, your house looks like a bomb went off. But here’s the thing—I don’t judge. We all have the same 24 hours, right? Life happens. And if you’ve ever felt embarrassed about how messy things are, trust me—you’re not alone. But that’s where I come in.

It’s all about having a plan, baby. When I work with my clients, I make sure we lay out a realistic action plan. That way, they can see their progress and get a real sense of accomplishment as they move through it. It’s not about perfection. It’s about progress. And that’s what really makes my clients feel good—when they see how far they’ve come.

Here’s the metaphor I always use: Think of yourself like a river. You’ve got all this stuff flowing through you—the memories, the emotions, the things you’ve held onto. But when a river meets the ocean, it doesn’t look back. It doesn’t try to hold onto being a river. It embraces becoming something bigger—an ocean. And that’s how we all need to look at this process. Cleanliness, organization, and order—it’s not about holding on to the past. It’s about embracing the future and giving yourself the freedom to evolve.

So if you’re out there thinking that your space is too far gone, or you don’t know where to start, hit me up. We can get you to your ocean, together. Because at the end of the day, it’s not about the dirt—it’s about creating a life that flows with ease.

That’s what I do, and I’m here for all of it. Time to clean up, level up, and move on to bigger things.