I Never Thought I'd Own a Cleaning Company
By Jasmin Heart, Co-Founder of Golden Hour Cleaning Co.
If you had told me five years ago that I'd own a cleaning company, I would have thought you were joking.
I spent most of my career behind a desk.
I worked in software engineering, building systems, writing code, and solving technical problems. I assumed I'd spend the rest of my working life in front of a computer.
Cleaning wasn't even on my radar.
Today, I spend my days talking with homeowners, helping build a business with my partner Kelsey, improving our systems behind the scenes, and oftentimes putting on gloves and cleaning homes myself.
I never expected this chapter of my life.
And honestly, I wouldn't trade it.
I Had No Idea How Meaningful Cleaning Could Be
Before starting Golden Hour Cleaning Co., I viewed cleaning as something people simply... did.
It was another chore.
Something to cross off a list.
I never realized how deeply connected a person's home can be to their mental and emotional well-being.
I've come to realize that when someone reaches out to us, they're rarely asking for "just a cleaning."
More often, they're looking for a fresh start, a little breathing room, or one less thing to worry about.
They're busy.
They're exhausted.
They're raising families, working long hours, navigating health challenges, or simply trying to catch up after life has become overwhelming.
I've learned that we're not just cleaning houses. We're helping people breathe a little easier.
The Client I'll Never Forget
There is one client I'll probably remember for the rest of my life.
She had been living in a hoarding situation while struggling with her mental health. There were piles of belongings, trash throughout the home, and it had become almost impossible for her to see a path forward.
When we first met her, she was in tears.
Not because she was embarrassed.
Because someone had finally shown up to help.
Over the next several hours, we worked to clear the space, clean the home, and give her a fresh start.
When we finished, she stood there looking around her home and said she felt like she could finally breathe again.
I don't think I'll ever forget that moment.
It completely changed the way I think about this work.
People Sometimes Look Down on Cleaning
I'll admit something.
Before this business, I probably carried some of those assumptions myself.
Society often treats cleaning like it's "less than."
Like it's work people settle for instead of aspire to.
I don't see it that way anymore.
Every day I get to help families come home to a clean space after a long week.
I get to help someone who's moving into a new home start with a clean slate.
Sometimes we help someone through one of the most stressful seasons of their life.
That's meaningful work.
There is real dignity in caring for other people's homes.
Every Day Is an Opportunity to Get Better
Owning a business has humbled me.
I'm learning every single day.
How to communicate better.
How to solve problems.
How to hire great people.
How to create an experience that leaves clients feeling genuinely cared for.
I don't believe customer service ends when the cleaning is finished.
It starts the moment someone visits our website or sends us a message.
Every email.
Every phone call.
Every quote.
Every follow-up.
Those moments matter just as much as sparkling countertops.
This Work Has Changed Me
I never thought I'd own a cleaning company.
Now I can't imagine doing anything else.
Not because I fell in love with mopping floors.
Because I fell in love with helping people.
Helping someone feel less overwhelmed.
Helping someone reclaim their home.
Helping our cleaners build meaningful work.
Helping our clients create more time for the people and things they love.
That's what Golden Hour has become for me.
And I feel incredibly grateful that I get to build it every day.