02/11/2026
Calling all small business owners!
Let your audience and potential clients get to know you!
AND THE SURVEY SAYS:
WHAT IS YOUR NAME?
Amy Stillwagner
WHAT AREAS DO YOU SERVICE?
Perquimans County (including Holiday Island), Pasquotank County, Camden County, Moyock (not all of Currituck), Gates County, Chesapeake Va, VA Beach VA, and Suffolk Va.
WHAT SERVICES DO YOU OFFER?
TAHS offers Residential Basic Cleaning, Pre and Post Construction Cleaning, Moving cleans, Deep Cleans, Hoarding clean outs, Mobile/Modular Home post set up cleans, Commercial/Janitorial Cleaning, Short term rental turnovers.
FLUFF N FOLD (my secondary business) offers a commercial and residential laundry service. We pick up your laundry, wash, fold, deliver back to your doorstep.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING ABOUT THE SERVICES YOU OFFER?
Other than hearing, "Oh my gosh! It smells so good in here," or "This place looks amazing. Thank you," It is seeing some of the grimiest areas and knowing I am about to kick it's butt. It is a wonderful challenge and a great sense of accomplishment.
WHAT IS THE LEAST FAVORITE PART ABOUT THE SERVICES YOU OFFER?
The paperwork. Being a business owner means everything is my responsibility. Filing invoices, writing invoices, inventory, tracking expenses, paying taxes, covering overhead, etc... All falls to me. But once you get into the groove it is almost second nature to get these tasks done. Most weeks it is like having a second job, tho.
DO YOU ALLOW MUSIC AT THE PLACES YOU SERVICE?
Depends. Most of my clients appreciate my extensive taste in music. I always ask if they mind, normally they don't, as long as it is kept at respectable volume.
I try to gage my audience and play music from their generation or I outright ask them what they prefer. I can vibe with almost anything.
What I do not allow, however, is headphones or earpods. You need to be able to hear the client and that's not always the case when head gear is involved.
Now if my clients aren't around? Oh, it is full blown concert time. My O'Cedar mop handle has the dance moves of Ricky Martin and catches my vocals like Adele.
IF YOU COULD GIVE SOMEONE JUST STARTING OUT IN YOUR INDUSTRY ANY ADIVCE, WHAT WOULD IT BE?
STOP 👏 WATCHING 👏 TIKTOK 👏 CLEANING 👏 VIDEOS. Seriously. Half the time, they have no clue what they're doing. You don't need 62 chemicals to clean a toilet bowl.
If you want to learn and perfect your craft- find reputable REAL cleaners and follow them. Not only can you possibly pick up on techniques, tools, and chemical knowledge, but you get the chance to network with other cleaners.
Don't be afraid to network with local cleaners. The market is flooded with clearners. Some quality. Some just out to make a quick buck. It isn't a competition, everyone deserves to eat. But you can learn from them, you can share clients with them, and if you're a solo cleaner and are in need of help, who better to call than someone who knows what they're doing?
Lastly, keep it simple. You don't need a trunk load of 473 chemicals and 92 different tools. Find chemicals you know that work. Know what they do. READ THE INSTRUCTIONS and don't assume you know what they do, because you saw it in an ad. Invest in a good vacuum and mop. The longer the handle on your mop, the more your back will thank you.
LAST QUESTION- WHAT IS ONE SECRET YOU DON'T THINK OTHERS IN YOUR INDUSTRY KNOW ABOUT?
I know I just preached about knowing your chemicals, but WD40, razor scraper, and a hard toothbrush can be a life saver when it comes to the pesky shower doors.
If you, show up to a clients home and notice that their shower doors have seen better days, start there. SPRAY NO OTHER CHEMICALS AND OPEN A WINDOW. Slather the doors down with WD40 and let set for 5 or more minutes. Hit it with the razor scraper, should peel the crud right off, and use the toothbrush to get in the corners and crevices. RINSE WELL. Carry about your normal bathroom cleaning routine. I usually finish my doors off with Sprayaway glass cleaner.
THERE'S A BLANK COPY IN THE COMMENT SECTION.
