In January this year, I found myself in a situation many can relate to — I needed a side hustle. My salary wasn’t enough to meet my responsibilities, and with school fees and basic expenses pressing, I knew I had to start something. I settled on a cleaning business, but I had no idea how long it would take to land my first cleaning client — or how that moment would change everything.
If you’re thinking of starting your own venture, here’s a great guide on how to start a cleaning business. You can also explore how to register a small business in Kenya through the official eCitizen portal.
I chose to begin a cleaning and laundry service — simple, practical, and doable alongside my regular job. What followed was a journey that eventually brought me my first cleaning client, through a route I never expected: WhatsApp and a friendly plumber.
The Struggle to Get Started
I started with the basics: I designed a simple flyer, printed a few copies, and went around looking for places to pin them. I used regular office glue — a mistake in hindsight — and stuck one flyer on an electricity pole near a residential area. I passed by it almost daily, silently hoping someone would call. It stayed up for weeks, but no calls came in.
That effort went unanswered. I felt stuck — like many people do when their small business idea doesn’t take off immediately.
(Related Post: Sales Challenge)
A Surprise Referral That Changed Everything
Months passed. Then five months later, I tried again. This time, I turned to WhatsApp status. I created a digital flyer and added photos, and began posting it regularly.
Still, no responses came in the first few days. But I kept going. Then in the second week, I checked who was viewing my statuses — and spotted a familiar name. A plumber who had come to fix the toilet and sink at our office earlier that year. We had talked briefly then, and something told me to reach out.
“Hi, do you know anyone who might need cleaning or laundry services?”
To my surprise, he replied positively and said he’d let me know. That was Friday.
The Referral That Brought My First Cleaning Client
On Monday morning, he called. “Someone wants their house cleaned,” he said. My heart skipped. After all this time, I finally had a real lead — my first cleaning client.
Initially, I thought I’d send someone else. I had loosely agreed with a lady who could take on jobs for a two-thirds share. But the plumber said, “You should go yourself.” He was right. This was the perfect chance to see the space and meet the client directly.
I borrowed time from work, visited the client at lunch, and discovered she was moving into a new house and needed a thorough cleaning — plus laundry.
Lessons I Learned from My First Cleaning Client
That first visit wasn’t just about assessing the job. It was about building trust. The client saw me in person, and that helped us connect. We agreed on the price and scheduled cleaning for the next day.
Later, I shared the story with a friend who reminded me of important points to keep in mind:
- Always prioritize your personal safety when working in private homes.
- Respect the client’s property and space — even moving items should be done with permission.
- Be clear about pricing and expectations to avoid misunderstandings.
- Build referrals, not just transactions.
These are the foundations of a trustworthy cleaning service.
Why Your First Cleaning Client Is a Big Deal
That first job changed my mindset. Here’s why your first cleaning client matters:
- 🧽 It shows your business idea can work
- 💬 You get direct customer feedback
- 🤝 It’s the start of trust and referral building
- 📈 It motivates you to keep going
It wasn’t perfect. I was nervous. But I showed up. And that made all the difference.
If you’re thinking of starting your own cleaning side hustle, I recommend checking out this helpful resource on how to build a cleaning business from scratch— it breaks down everything from pricing to marketing in easy steps.
It wasn’t perfect. I was nervous. But I showed up. And that made all the difference.
Moving Forward After My First Cleaning Client
That single referral taught me more than I could imagine. I now post regularly, take small risks, and talk about my services openly. Every client is a door to growth — and my first cleaning client was the key that unlocked it all.
💬 Need cleaning or laundry help around Meru?
DM me on WhatsApp — reliable, neat, and done with heart.
#FirstCleaningClient #CleaningInKenya #SideHustleDiaries #LobbyReflections
Leave a Reply