Today we’d like to introduce you to Deonte Harris.
Hi Deonte, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
I’m an entrepreneur and creator from Chicago, IL who moved to Leesburg, FL at the age of 17.
I’m the Owner of Harris C&R Cleanings LLC and Co-Owner of three other businesses in Florida.
I have been working for other people almost my whole life and hated it. I always wondered why even when the job was going great, I found something I didn’t like about it. I personally think that’s because I was meant to be my own boss.
Before taking the leap of faith and launching my cleaning business in February of 2020, I was working for Comcast as a Cable Tech for a few years. Everything happens for a reason because that job actually helped me network around the city and build connections that I needed to build my customer base.
I also learned a great deal about customer service and how interact with different people. Which helped me out when it was time to market and promote my cleaning business. I used Facebook and other social sites to build up the business. I also did a lot of handing out of business cards and putting the cards where ever I could.
Now we work with different medical offices, business owners, and homeowners around Central Florida with their cleaning needs.
Long story short…Take that Leap of Faith… Follow Your Dreams…
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
There has definitely been a lot of bumps in the road. I started the business in February of 2020, right before the COVID-19 pandemic hit the world hard. This caused me to lose a lot of customers. I personally think because not only were a lot of people now un-employed, most people didn’t want anyone in their home at a time of so much uncertainty.
We lost all our customers during the COVID-19 shutdown and had to rebuild from square one.
Nevertheless, we continued to push forward by handing out cards in different areas and promoting the business on our social sites. We offered $50 cleaning specials for the community, so everyone could afford a clean during those crazy times.
Those cleaning specials actually kept us afloat during that time and built our name up around the communities we serve till this day.
Great, so let’s talk business. Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
We’re a Customer Service based Cleaning Company.
We take pride in offering first-class customer service with consistent professional cleans for all customers.
We specialize in Commercial and Residential Cleanings. We are known for our community specials and active online presence.
Our social media presence is actually what sets us apart from other cleaning companies in the area. We are active on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and have our own website as well.
We love being able to provide a service that truly impacts the lives of our customers. With us handling the cleaning process, this leaves valuable time for them to spend with family or handling some business of their own.
Do you have any advice for those looking to network or find a mentor?
Don’t be afraid to reach out to people who are already doing the things you want to do.
Networking is the key. The relationships you build with other business owners and decision-makers could be essential to your success.
I like to stay involved in different business owner Facebook groups and go to small business events around Florida.
Contact Info:
- Email: harriscandrcleanings@yahoo.com
- Website: https://www.harriscommercialcleanings.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/harriscandrcleanings/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Harris-CR-Cleanings-LLC-112126550358826/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/HCandRCleanings
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCgDXk4h_MctlrDVasSkXdaw
- Other: https://linktr.ee/HarrisCandRCleaningsLLC
Image Credits:
Lakefront TV (Cindy Peterson, Correspondent)
