If there’s one thing everyone has in common, it’s feeling like there’s not enough time in the day to get everything done. When pressed for time, personal tasks often fall to the bottom of the list, and cleaning the house is no exception. Yet having a clean home fosters a feeling of calm and allows you to enjoy being home during what little free time you have. Helping others achieve that is what led Zach Stephens to acquire Pink Shoe Cleaning Crew.
Stephens has been an entrepreneur since the early 2000s when he joined his family’s industrial recycling company. Within a year of joining, he had begun the work of building out a new service for the company, which became the prime focus of their work for the next decade. Unfortunately, when a family member became ill, Stephens initiated the idea of selling the company to allow him time to help the family member and as a way for him to move to a new industry he could call his own.
Because of Stephens’ love for homes—including the fact he designed and built two of his own homes—a service business focused on homes was the ideal choice and is what led to him contacting Pink Shoe in early 2017. Pink Shoe was founded in 2010, had grown quickly, and had the quality reputation Stephens had maintained with his last company. The company was not for sale at the time, but it proved to be ideal timing for both parties and a great opportunity for Pink Shoe to continue to grow.
Stephens spent the first two years focused on providing the highest level of customer service and building a strong culture within the company. “I wanted a solid, respectable company because we’re going into people’s private spaces, so we want to have the highest quality people cleaning their homes,” he said. That culture based on respect flows directly between employees too. “There’s more communication and connection between our employees, creating a level playing field,” he said. “It allows people to be themselves, contribute ideas, and have a sense of ownership.”
Pink Shoe has a crew of about 30 cleaners, and General Manager Michelle Hall said she looks for people who are “outgoing, friendly, and willing to learn.” Even if an applicant looks good on paper, they always go with their gut feeling to make sure they are the right fit for the company. The draw for the employees is that Stephens has not only achieved that culture of respect, but it’s also like a family. “It’s not just a job, it feels like a family and is very family oriented,” said Field Manager Sereena Shamblen.
That feeling of family extends into their clients’ homes, taking a team approach and backing each other’s work. “I’m a perfectionist, so I love to make people’s houses look perfect,” said Amy Gerwitz. “We work together to make it better.” Pink Shoe charges per room and uses a “top to bottom” approach, starting at the ceiling corners and cleaning all the way down to the baseboards, including ceiling fans, doorknobs, window frames, blinds, cabinet fronts, the inside of microwaves, making beds, and polishing stainless steel appliances. “We clean areas at no extra charge that customers didn’t even realize needed cleaning,” Hall said. Their main cleaning product is a green certified sanitizer and anti-viral product. “The safety of everyone in our homes is a top concern,” she added.
Pink Shoe currently focuses 100% on residential cleanings, offering recurring schedules as well as one-time cleanings for their customers’ varied needs. When calling to discuss service options Pink Shoe is able to go room-by-room with you, and offers pricing based on your specific needs. “The goal is to find a way to help each customer get a sense of calm back to their life, and ensuring the cleaning and budget both work is key to that outcome,” Stephens said.
So, is it worth it to have your home cleaned on a regular basis? Stephens said, “Having your house clean gives you back more than a few hours you didn’t have; it often gives you back an entire weekend of feeling like you have some control over things. We care greatly about our community and look forward to getting further involved with it as we grow. The opportunity to be a locally owned company in this area is a privilege that we do not take for granted, and we both appreciate and enjoy each opportunity we get to talk with people interested in freeing up some of their time by having their home cleaned.”
