From $60,000 Fintech Job to $100,000 Cleaning Business: How Anna-Marie Ortiz Built Her Empire
Anna-Marie Ortiz, a 20-something former fintech employee, traded a stable $60,000 salary for the uncertainties of entrepreneurship, launching a cleaning business, **Cool Aunt Cleaners**, that’s projected to hit six figures. With just $2,000 in savings and a belief in her vision, she navigated the challenges of scaling, pivoting, and ultimately finding fulfillment in building her own empire. Her story is a testament to the power of taking calculated risks and leveraging past experiences to achieve long-term success, even if it means a temporary pay cut.
Key Takeaways: From Fintech to Cleaning Mogul
- Dramatic career shift: Ortiz left a $60,000/year fintech job to pursue her own cleaning business.
- Bootstrap beginnings: Started with only $2,000 in savings and experienced early challenges in scaling her business.
- Significant pay cut, immense reward: Currently earns approximately $29,000 but prioritizes long-term independence and fulfillment.
- Strategic scaling and adaptation: Initially over-hired, then scaled back before employing a commission-based part-time employee, demonstrating adaptability crucial for success.
- Visionary growth plan: Aims to elevate Cool Aunt Cleaners into a seven-figure business, highlighting her long-term strategic vision.
Becoming an Entrepreneur in Her 20s: From Plant Store to Cleaning Empire
Ortiz’s entrepreneurial journey isn’t her first rodeo. Prior to Cool Aunt Cleaners, she ventured into retail, opening a plant store in Wichita, Kansas, in 2020. Although short-lived, closing in early 2021, this experience provided invaluable lessons in inventory management, customer service, and budgeting – crucial skills she expertly applied to her cleaning business. She chose the cleaning industry for its **low startup costs** and potential for **high return on investment (ROI)**. This low overhead allowed her to start solo, gradually expanding her operations as demand grew. The “tried and true” nature of the cleaning service industry also offered a sense of stability in the face of risk.
Early Successes and Scaling Challenges
Cool Aunt Cleaners’ first month generated approximately $2,600 in revenue, a figure that steadily climbed. By 2024, the business was generating around $10,000 per month. Emboldened by this success, Ortiz hired four employees after transitioning to full-time work in November 2023. However, rapid expansion proved challenging, leading to a strategic retreat, returning to solo operation during the summer of 2024. This experience underscores a crucial lesson for entrepreneurs: **scaling requires careful planning and adaptability.** “**When you start a business, you have no idea how it’s gonna go,**” Ortiz reflects, “**But you keep going because you believe in what you’re building.**”
The Future of Cool Aunt Cleaners: A Seven-Figure Vision
Cool Aunt Cleaners has since stabilized, boasting a steady clientele of 15 to 20 recurring clients. In August 2024, Ortiz hired a part-time employee on a commission-based structure, a testament to her evolving staffing strategy and ability to learn from previous challenges. Her current focus is on sustainable growth, aiming to transform Cool Aunt Cleaners into a **seven-figure business** within the foreseeable future. This reflects a clear long-term vision and a commitment to strategic, rather than rapid, expansion. “**When you have a vision for your business, it is a long-term investment, it’s not something that can be rushed,**” she emphasizes.
A Calculated Risk, a Rewarding Choice
Despite the significant pay cut from her previous role – earning approximately $29,000 in 2024 compared to $60,000 previously – Ortiz views this as a temporary sacrifice for long-term independence and fulfillment. She challenges the allure of perceived job security, stating, “**I think people have a false sense of security with their 9-to-5 jobs.** They can get ‘used to being told what to do every single day,’ which can be ‘dangerous’ and lead to staying in a place where ‘they’re no longer happy.'” This decision showcases her willingness to take calculated risks to build something lasting and personally meaningful. “**I’d rather put in the work now to build something that lasts,**” she declares, reflecting a value system that prioritizes autonomy and lasting impact.
Lessons From Ortiz’s Journey
Ortiz’s story offers several key lessons for aspiring entrepreneurs:
* **Embrace calculated risks:** While a pay cut is daunting, she prioritized long-term fulfillment and independence.
* **Learn from failures:** Her initial scaling missteps led to a more sustainable growth strategy.
* **Adapt and evolve:** Her shift from full-time employees to a commission-based model demonstrates adaptability.
* **Prioritize long-term vision:** Her aim for a seven-figure business reflects strategic planning and perseverance.
* **Believe in your vision:** Her unwavering commitment and dedication propelled her through challenges.
Anna-Marie Ortiz’s journey is an inspirational example of a young entrepreneur who dared to pursue her dreams, learning from mistakes and consistently adapting to build a thriving business. Her story inspires others to consider the rewards of entrepreneurial pursuits, the value of long-term planning, and the power of believing in one’s own capabilities.
