About Mosaic Cleaning

Mosaic Cleaning is the product of a tough economy, plus a friend in need and my own personal paradigm shift.

April 1, 2011 is the two-year anniversary of my journey into layoff limbo. Read more to see how I went from “victim of the economy” to “proud entrepreneur” in that time.

Tough Economy: downsizing and layoffs. My corporate job was eliminated and getting another one in Columbus, Ohio where I have lived and worked for many years proved to be more difficult than I imagined.

A friend in need: back surgery sidelined a semi-retired friend. She had been cleaning houses for decades, but had gotten down to just a few regular customers as her retirement drew nearer. The back surgery meant she’d be out of commission for between 3 and 12 months. Not wanting to leave her remaining customers in a lurch, she sought help from anyone interested in learning the business.

Paradigm shift: I had never considered housecleaning as anything other than a personal, occasional activity. I had helped a friend with some cleaning of model homes years ago, but only when they were swamped. Suddenly, the idea of doing some part-time cleaning work while looking for other, full-time employment seemed like a good idea. It would get me out of the house, be a good workout, and add a new skill set. I volunteered.

What I learned: I really LIKED cleaning other peoples’ houses. The immediate gratification of the before and after was completely satisfying. And what’s more, I was doing things for others that they either couldn’t or didn’t want to do for themselves. Sure, it was physically tough at times (knees were killing me until I invested in protective pads) but as I trained my body to do the work, I became more capable of longer cleaning sessions, eventually working my way up to doing as much as 6 hours a day.

I also found that I like being my own boss and setting my own schedule. Suddenly, it seemed possible to work, read, do my art, have a garden and spend time with family and friends and fit it all in.

So now I am Mosaic Cleaning. Full-time. And happy to be so. I work hard and plan to grow this business. Call me for a clean!