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Business Voices is the Juneau Chamber of Commerce podcast focused on the people, ideas, and decisions shaping Juneau’s economy.
Each episode features thoughtful conversations with local business owners, civic leaders, entrepreneurs, and decision-makers who are working to build a stronger, more diverse, and more resilient business community.
This show reflects the Chamber’s larger mission: to support entrepreneurship, encourage responsible and sustainable development, improve the business climate, and help make Juneau a better place to work, live, shop, and invest.
Business Voices is a forum for insight, leadership, and shared perspective, connecting the people who care about Juneau’s economic future and the quality of life that makes this community worth building.
Welcome to Business Voices Juneau, the podcast of the Juneau Chamber of Commerce hosted by executive director Becca Parks. From entrepreneurship and leadership to growth, resilience, and innovation, this podcast shines a light on the businesses and voices helping define Juneau's economic future.
Speaker 2:All right. I am so excited to be back for another Business Voices podcast. And this week, I am excited to welcome Jessica Russell with Juneau Cleaning. Thanks for joining us.
Speaker 3:Thank you for having me.
Speaker 2:And, you know, I just wanna dive in right at the start and hear sort of your origin story. Where what how did you start Juneau Cleaning? Where did it come from?
Speaker 3:Yeah. So we moved to Juneau in the 2024. And upon moving here, we had just left Bali. We'd kind of traveled around a little bit, and I owned a short term rental management company. We were managing about 12 properties at the time.
Speaker 3:And when we moved here, we were thinking we would start the same company again. So we got started and, you know, we realized that here we would need a solid cleaning team. And I started calling around to all of the cleaning companies in the town and unfortunately didn't really get much of a response. And so I realized that to make the short term rental management work, we needed to be vertically integrated. And so I just got right to it, and printed out some flyers, made a website, got a logo, very simple, didn't spend too much time on those things and kind of got started.
Speaker 2:And it's not your first dive into entrepreneurship then. You owned a short term rental business before and we as you and your husband, and he's an entrepreneur as well. Can you talk a little bit about just how you got into the whole gig?
Speaker 3:In entrepreneurship? Yeah. Of course. So we met in 2022. He had a history of being an entrepreneur.
Speaker 3:And when we met, I was a nanny. And I loved doing it. I did it for a handful of years. I was making good money. But when I met him, we ended up deciding to travel a lot.
Speaker 3:And nannying is not something that you could do remotely. So I realized that I would need to pivot and kind of take the leap so that I could have a little bit more freedom with my life and join him. And when I met him, I saw that there was a lot to learn and I was very excited about that. And so along the way, you know, we've started different companies and just made some shifts. You know, we've learned a ton.
Speaker 3:We've gotten to real estate investing. We moved to Bali and bought and sold land there, worked on developing villas and things like that. And then when we came to Juneau, we kind of had a fresh start. He had just sold his company, and we weren't really sure exactly what was to come next. And we had just had our first kid.
Speaker 3:So we were thinking stability, which doesn't always go in line with entrepreneurship. And so we, you know, kind of applied for some jobs just to see if we could have something land in the beginning. And I guess the crazy thing is that when I first moved here, I actually applied for a job that was less than what I'm paying my team now. And that's beautiful.
Speaker 2:It sure is. And that just sounds like the dream life for so many people and then transitioning when you're ready, into something more stable.
Speaker 3:Yeah. And why Juneau? My husband's from here. He grew up here until he was I think the number always changes between eight and ten. He's got his parents here and so we thought it'd be nice to be close to grandma and grandpa having a young one, hunting, fishing.
Speaker 3:There's it's real life here. Juneau is amazing. And if I ever leave, I will always come back. It's just beautiful.
Speaker 2:Yeah. I'm a transplant as well and can't imagine living anywhere else from New Jersey. Oh. Yeah. So I
Speaker 3:don't think I've met anyone from New Jersey.
Speaker 2:No, we've got a little group here. They'll start popping up now that you know one.
Speaker 3:Yeah. It's a red car theory,
Speaker 2:right? Yes, it is. So you've been through more than one business. What was the early phase of a business that was that you did want to be at home for that was offering more stability? And what's it been like in this first year?
Speaker 2:Still in how long has the business been open?
Speaker 3:We've been open for about a year and a half. But do you mind repeating your question one
Speaker 2:more time? Just what's the first phase of the business been like? I mean, you said you kind of ran through those early did an unofficial and unintentional market study
Speaker 3:Yep.
Speaker 2:And then launched and went through a marketing plan pretty quickly. Yep. What do you think has made this first phase successful for you in getting clients?
Speaker 3:Oh, man. Just taking action. I would say that there's tons of research that you could do about service based businesses or any business that you kind of want things to be perfect before you go for it. But all businesses are very simple. Right?
Speaker 3:It's you're offering a product or service and you're gonna have customers who pay you for that. And so for us, it was like the sooner the better. Actually, my back was against the wall when I moved here because it does take a lot of effort to start a business, and I had already tried with vacation rental management. It was great until we moved, and then the moving lifestyle just didn't support that type of business. And one thing I learned doing that is that you can't always make everybody happy.
Speaker 3:So bringing it back to the cleaning company, starting that, I really wanted things to be simple. And I wanted things to be easy, not just for me, but for our customers and for any anyone involved with the company. And so I guess getting started in the very beginning, was just take action as soon as you possibly can imperfectly and then clean it up as you go.
Speaker 2:So with that, what have those what have you cleaned up? What have your lessons been?
Speaker 3:Well, we really didn't spend too much time, you know, messing with logos and getting our website as perfect as can possibly be. You know, our ads initially were just, you know, put the words on, print it out, go hang it up, and stuff like that. Now we've kind of developed a little bit more with our branding and, I guess, our online presence. We have reviews now, which is really important, but we've just really organized our system. Like back then, it was me doing the cleaning and also doing the admin.
Speaker 3:And when I started the company, the goal was always to remove myself from the day to day. That way I can improve our business offering, not just with the cleaning, but with the communication, which is our edge. And so I think that cleaning up the systems and staying organized along the way has been that differentiator.
Speaker 2:I've tried to build some of those concepts into my kiddos lessons now, the value of being organized and having systems set up. In terms of the actual service you're providing, were you already an expert in cleaning? How did you develop the systems Tell around us your secrets now.
Speaker 3:Well, actually I guess I had cleaned before I was in the military. I joined when I was 17 and the military standards for cleanliness, you know, you're mopping rain, so nothing's ever clean enough. And so I just kind of took that. And my husband's a veteran as well, and he actually did some cleanings with me early on. So when we started, it was really kind of coming from the experience of the military cleaning, I would say, is part of it.
Speaker 3:But really, it's just, you know, the mindset of excellence and wanting to make sure that those first couple cleanings are perfect even though that doesn't exist. That's what we were aiming for. And to this day, can tell you that I'm not a good cleaner. I'm not the best cleaner. That's why we hire the best cleaners so that the job gets done well and it's not relying on me.
Speaker 3:I think our team is amazing at what they do.
Speaker 2:That's exciting to hear because we do hear so often about workforce struggles and the difficulties in hiring and retaining folks here, but you've had good luck.
Speaker 3:I have probably yeah. I've had some luck. I think our team is amazing, but it does take a lot of repetitions. I mean, I think I've had 200 interviews, if not two fifty maybe to find our lucky 10. And I think that, you know, luck is a part of it.
Speaker 3:I mean, there's special people on our team that, you know, work really hard and have experience and have the skill and like to do it, think is a big one.
Speaker 2:Yeah. You've also had recent life changes. And how has being a mom and that balance of life and work, how does that play into your role in the company and as an entrepreneur in general?
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's a really good question. I think a lot of people are wondering the same thing. And there's a lot of talk on social media of how you should be mothering. I think that whatever works for you is what you need to do, and you probably should stay off of Instagram because it makes you compare how you're doing. But if you love your kids and you put them first, you know, they're gonna be in good hands.
Speaker 3:I take my kids where I go as much as I can. And yeah. I mean, I just make it work. Sometimes it's messy. Sometimes I'm on the phone with somebody and I'm like, sorry, my newborn's crying in the background.
Speaker 3:And a 100% of the time, they're like, you know, I don't I don't mind. I have young ones too. Or even if they don't, they're they're fine with it. You know, of course, try not to have your kids in the background for those important calls, but those are very far and few in between. But I would say, you know, day by day, you just kind of take care of yourself first, take care of your needs.
Speaker 3:That way when your kids do interrupt and they will, you will be able to handle that situation a little bit more calmly.
Speaker 2:Do they clean their own rooms? Not yet, they're too little. Is that in the plan?
Speaker 3:No. Yeah, it's definitely in the plan. They are going to be responsible. You know, I don't know if we'll pay them to do their chores or if we won't pay them to do their chores, but, my two year old, he's two and a half now and he's a clean guy. He says, I need to wash my hands.
Speaker 3:I need to wash my hands anytime he touches anything. And I think owning a cleaning company kind of helps him want to pick up a broom because I always see him playing with our stuff.
Speaker 2:I have to say, I think there's going to be an interesting pattern to watch in the kids that were in school during COVID because I've found that the level of cleanliness in that generation is different because they were so germ aware as little kids. Hopefully you'll have a better workforce coming through.
Speaker 3:Yeah, that's interesting.
Speaker 2:I'm curious about the military background and any other ways that being a veteran might have played into resources you had or just experiences and networks that you've brought into what you're doing now?
Speaker 3:Yeah. I would say the military especially going in so young and that really shaping who I am as a worker is one of the, I would say, the most important things in who I am today. Because although I'm not militant in my personality, I am in my habits. You know, you wake up early, you do you make your bed. Like, you take care of those things that you could easily not do.
Speaker 3:The sense of accomplishment with those small things really helps you focus on more important things because you're building confidence every day when you do those types of things. Working out, that really I think is one of the most important things that you could do because you need oxygen in your brain. You need to be able to think clearly. When I don't work out, I can tell when I'm trying to focus on my work, which is a lot of computer work. I just, you know, have brain fog and especially as a new mom, it's it can be challenging.
Speaker 3:Yeah. But I would say that being on time is one of the things that I've learned from the military and how important it is to respect people's time. That's a big one.
Speaker 2:You just mentioned you spend a lot of your time at the computer. Yep. I don't think it's something we normally think of associated with a cleaning company. No. But I also know that you've done some pretty innovative things to have really efficient systems and use technology in the business.
Speaker 2:Can you share a bit of what you've done?
Speaker 3:Yep, definitely. Automations are key and that's not to say that AI is key. I think they're two different things. You know, when you put together your systems that kind of run-in a sequence automatically, it really helps you free up your time, but there's always something to do when you're trying to reach that goal of excellence. With us, communication is something that we're always trying to fine tune and make sure that we could be better at.
Speaker 3:And in Juneau, being such a small town, I think the most innovative thing that we've done is putting up flyers on bulletin boards, to be honest with you.
Speaker 2:Yep.
Speaker 3:I think that they work. This town is connected and people read them. People stop and they they notice what's new on the bulletin board. I think I'd personally go to the bulletin boards to find out what's happening in town. Facebook groups is another big one.
Speaker 3:Think that people know that here. I don't think I'm telling anyone something they don't know, but that's something that's different from other places that I've lived in the past where there's a 100,000 people in your city and Google's the way to go. Here it's a little bit different.
Speaker 2:Yeah, recently had Sandy Hussain from the Small Business Development Center. I was just going to say, I know you've used her and that organization as a resource. What kind of supports was she able to provide?
Speaker 3:I didn't get too deep with her because I think I just was impatient with my business that I just went for it, But she really was there to kind of help me get set up with my goals and, you know, how to plan financially, what my options are in terms of resources. And she has a lot of connections. So it was really valuable to sit down and talk with her about my business specifically and not just that business, but anything I was interested in or, you know, we talked about potentially acquiring businesses when we first moved here. So we took a look at all of those things and she connected us to different people who were brokers for selling businesses and things like that.
Speaker 2:Yeah. It's so helpful to have those kinds of resources. We try to be that resource, but we know that JEDC, Small Business Development Center, Travel Juneau, there's this whole economic development landscape here that it's just great I think for businesses to have that many different people to go to. Were there other mentors or resources that were key for you?
Speaker 3:The biggest one I think of is my husband. He was a great asset and is and always will be a great asset. He's an entrepreneur himself and he's started, scaled, exited multiple companies. And he is the only person I've ever met that's actually fearless, which I think you need. And he helps me grow as a person.
Speaker 3:I think it's kind of a good relationship not just with business but in life. And I think those two go together.
Speaker 2:Yeah, it's interesting. Our last guest also had capital funding and startup encouragement from her partner who was in a similar situation. And it seems to be a family, often a family endeavor to take those kinds of risks. You need everybody to be on board.
Speaker 3:It's definitely more difficult if you're by yourself, I will say, but it's not impossible. I think that when you have a spouse that's just kind of on that same wavelength as you, it makes it a lot easier.
Speaker 2:Yeah.
Speaker 3:And it's more exciting. You're working on something with somebody.
Speaker 2:Yeah. So I have a detailed question about the business. Do you have a particular cleaning tip that you can offer people that you've learned as you're developing those systems of what people do when they go in? Is there something where like, oh, only all homeowners knew this.
Speaker 3:Okay. This might be controversial and I think that a lot of people will disagree with me.
Speaker 2:It's not a college show so you're okay.
Speaker 3:That's okay. And I think maybe if you asked my cleaners, they might all give something very valuable. But self cleaning on the oven, I think that it should not be built into ovens. Actually, the heat that the oven has to heat to is too hot, and it actually ruins the coating inside the oven. And so a lot of the times people will try to say that they don't want, you know, us to deep clean their oven because it has a self cleaning feature, but it actually damages the oven.
Speaker 2:Oh, that's I had no idea. I'll change my habits. That actually came from
Speaker 3:not me, but that came from someone who worked as an oven manufacturer. And they said that they just wish that that feature was not added.
Speaker 2:Like I said, I'm excited. I've learned something every time I've done one of these interviews
Speaker 3:Actually, that you're asking the question, I've personally asked my cleaners about certain things and more is coming to my head. We can Do you have another one
Speaker 2:to share? We can get another bonus.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So if you're cleaning windows and they're they're just streaky beyond repair, Lysol actually works. If you've already tried to clean the window but there's smudges and the windows generally clean, you just spray Lysol on a microfiber rag and wipe it off.
Speaker 2:Oh, it's a good season to be sharing that. So we'll see how many people try it. If the Lysol sold out at Fred Meyer, we know
Speaker 3:it was you. You can blame me for anything that's sold out at Fred Meyer or Home Depot.
Speaker 2:I know you guys have also gone through the whole life cycle of a business. And I'm curious what your thoughts are on that and people that might be thinking of taking something on, but kind of have that entrepreneurial spirit where maybe the stability of running a business day to day isn't as appealing. You talk about your experience in running through that full life cycle.
Speaker 3:Okay. So being like a lifestyle cycle being a year
Speaker 2:or so? Longer, but just going through starting and then selling a business or closing a business.
Speaker 3:Okay. I guess speaking of Juneau Cleaning specifically.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Or other experiences that you've seen. I know you said your husband sold his business before and that you guys transitioned out of a home rental business.
Speaker 3:Yes. I guess we would have to get his take on the life cycle of the business that he sold actually wasn't a part of that business. But with Juneau Cleaning, the life cycle what comes to mind is the seasonality of Juneau and it being, you know, very busy with tourism and the move in move outs being in the shoulder seasons. And so we've kind of gone through a year with the seasonality. Yeah.
Speaker 3:And so one of the patterns that I have noticed in a long term sense in that case is, you know, hiring and then, you know, going into the slower season having less staff, however that looks. And, you know, it's like it's a kind of challenging thing going from as many cleaners as you would possibly need at your max demand in the summertime and scaling down to the need in the wintertime. Because a lot of the businesses that we clean commercially are temporarily open for the summertime and closed during the winter. Same with vacation rentals, move in move out cleanings. I think they happen year round, but they really slow down at the end of the year.
Speaker 3:And getting the staff to match the demand and vice versa is one of the constants in the business, making sure that those two match. I hope that answers your question in some way.
Speaker 2:I think it's a slightly different question than I was intending, but it's a great answer and thing to think about in the seasonality of businesses. And also has me wondering, that's a really big scale up in services from you personally going in and doing cleaning to having a team that's offering commercial and residential cleaning. What was that scale up like?
Speaker 3:Yeah, I don't know how to answer that to be honest with you. And I'm thinking about the business cycle question. Guess maybe I didn't understand perfectly.
Speaker 2:Yeah and I think maybe we can skip over that one. I'm going to look at you. Okay. Because your answer was way more, it was a more interesting question to answer. No, that's okay.
Speaker 3:For the business cycle, do you mind explaining what that is?
Speaker 2:Or just that whole life of business of starting it, scaling it and then transitioning it whether it's a new owner or
Speaker 3:just closing it down? Well, for us
Speaker 2:Are we good to or should we just roll through? Okay.
Speaker 1:Do want pause real quick?
Speaker 2:No. I think we're good.
Speaker 3:Yeah. So for us, starting Juneau Cleaning, you know, we had no idea of how long we planned to keep the business for, whether it was a year, two years, ten. We still kind of don't. And I think one of the things that we are always having in the back of our mind is that we will exit one day. And what that looks like, I'm not exactly sure, but we started the company with the end in mind, which is an exit.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Well, we are really grateful to have you as part of the chamber and Juneau Cleaning in town because I can attest to the responsiveness. Thank you. You guys do pick up your phone and answer emails and it is just great service to have in town. I Thank appreciate that.
Speaker 2:I appreciate you coming in. And then I have a thought, your two kids in Juneau, what do you hope for them here? And are there any services that you hope to see for them? Gosh, I think that there's so many.
Speaker 3:When you have kids, you just want the best for them in every way, whether it's school and their social lives and parks and things like that. And I think Juneau is an amazing place. It's a safe community and there's a lot of young families here. And so, being landlocked and being Juneau, which is a very rainy, sometimes cold, snowy place, can But, be really yeah, I would say just having a really solid community that gathers around and getting outside to be honest with you no matter if it's raining or if it's sunny just being outside to experience just how beautiful Juneau is is what I hope for them.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Yeah, me too. And again, hope that can happen and they can bring all the dirt back inside and we'll have services Well, to keep our house again. We always do hand off one of our nice new chamber beanies
Speaker 3:Thank to our you so much. I'm gonna wear this right away.
Speaker 2:Yeah. Because it still is snowy out there.
Speaker 3:I could have used this in January.
Speaker 2:It'll come around again. Don't worry.
Speaker 3:Alright. Well, thank you so much for having me. I really appreciate it.
Speaker 2:Thank you. And if people do wanna look up the business and check out the services you offer, where should they go?
Speaker 3:Yep. So if you want to visit our website, it's just juneaucleaning.com. And our phone number is (907) 500-5533. And if you'd like to follow us on Instagram, our handle is Juneau Clean.
Speaker 2:Alright. And again, this is our guest Jessica Russell with Juneau Cleaning, and
Speaker 3:that's it for today. Awesome. Thank you so much, Becca. Thank you.
Speaker 1:You've been listening to Business Voices Juneau. Subscribe everywhere you listen to your favorite broadcast. Share the episode and learn more about the Juneau Chamber of Commerce at juneauchamber.com.