Anthony and Jhanilka Hartzog, co-owners of Maids2Match.com and Cleaning Business University, share their remarkable journey of eliminating $114k in debt in just 23 months. They discuss their diverse side hustles that boosted their income, particularly the success of their cleaning business, which now generates $20-25k monthly. The couple reveals their strategic marketing tactics, efficient operations management, and the importance of community engagement. Their insights inspire aspiring entrepreneurs to find innovative paths to financial freedom.
Anthony and Jhanilka Hartzog achieved financial freedom by strategically implementing various side hustles to increase their income significantly.
Their residential cleaning business, Maids2Match.com, thrived by hiring reliable contractors, allowing them to focus on management and customer satisfaction.
They effectively utilized a mix of free and paid marketing strategies, including social media and SEO, to attract clients and grow their business.
Deep dives
Eliminating Debt Through Side Hustles
Anthony and Janilka Hartzog successfully eliminated six figures of debt in less than two years by augmenting their income with various side hustles. Although they initially followed the Dave Ramsey debt snowball plan, they soon realized that cutting their budget alone wasn't enough. They decided to explore additional income streams, which involved taking second jobs at a local gym, dog sitting, and even renting out their car. Their most notable venture was starting a residential cleaning business called Maidstomatch.com, which ultimately generated impressive monthly sales of $20,000 to $25,000 by hiring cleaners and focusing on business management.
Navigating the Residential Cleaning Market
Anthony and Janilka navigated the residential cleaning market by recognizing the need to connect cleaning professionals with customers, rather than cleaning themselves. Inspired by a successful cleaning entrepreneur, they hired independent contractors to do the cleaning work while they managed the business. They emphasized the importance of building a reliable network of contractors, stating that successful recruitment is vital for their business model. This strategic approach allowed them to maximize their time and profits while ensuring customer satisfaction by providing quality service through vetted cleaners.
Effective Marketing Strategies for Growth
To attract clientele, Anthony and Janilka utilized various marketing tactics, balancing both free and paid options. They tapped into platforms like Facebook groups, Nextdoor, and Craigslist for free marketing opportunities to find reliable cleaners and potential customers. For paid advertising, they initially experimented with Thumbtack and Google Ads, where they learned the importance of customer reviews in establishing credibility. Their marketing strategy evolved as they recognized the power of search engine optimization and maintaining a strong online presence, allowing them to dominate local searches in an increasingly competitive marketplace.
Streamlining Operations with Automation
As the business grew, Anthony and Janilka began leveraging technology and automation to manage their operations more efficiently. They implemented a CRM platform called Launch 27 to handle bookings, payments, and customer communications, streamlining their workflow. They also emphasized having a virtual assistant to manage customer service inquiries, allowing them to focus on strategic planning and growth. This shift not only saved time but also facilitated rapid scaling of their business, expanding their operational capacity without sacrificing service quality.
Building a Community Through Education
Recognizing their success, Anthony and Janilka launched the Cleaning Business Masterclass, teaching others how to replicate their model in the cleaning industry. Their course gained traction, especially during the pandemic when cleaning services were in high demand, resulting in multiple income streams. They created a supportive community for aspiring cleaning business owners, providing resources and mentorship to help them achieve their goals. This initiative further solidified their reputation as leaders in the space, inspiring thousands of students and significantly contributing to their ongoing success.
Today, that business is doing $20-25k in sales a month, with other people doing the cleaning. Anthony and Jhanilka are fully in business-owner mode, dedicating just a few hours a week to it.
