Cleaning Spaces, Empowering Places
Angelica Gallardo, owner of Fresh House Cleaning. Photo by Tatiana Peña, JEFAS Magazine.
By Lily Allen-Dueñas, JEFAS Magazine
Angelica Gallardo’s Fresh House Cleaning, LLC does more than just scrub away the dirt. Her business is a sparkling symbol for her children and her community that elbow grease doesn’t just pay the bills, it builds a legacy of resilience.
Originally from Mexico, Gallardo moved to Waukee in 2004, a time when Hispanic families were few and far between in the area. “Moving to a new country and restarting my life motivated me to build something meaningful for myself and my family,” she recalls. “I decided to open my cleaning business in Iowa because I saw a need for reliable cleaning services in our community, and I wanted to contribute to it while providing for my family.” It was a brave leap into entrepreneurship, a path that wasn’t paved with ease but with hard work.
What drove Gallardo to start her business was more than economic opportunity; it was a chance to set an example about the rewards of resilience and perseverance. The knowledge and belief that investing in yourself pays off is invaluable and something that Gallardo ensured she modeled for her children.
One of Gallardo’s initial challenges was establishing trust within the local market. Overcoming this hurdle involved countless hours of delivering top-quality service that spoke for itself. Building a strong reputation isn’t easy, but it pays dividends. Trust paves the way for growth.
Hiring trustworthy employees was another significant challenge due to the nature of the service requiring access to clients’ private spaces. Gallardo developed a rigorous hiring process that includes background checks and comprehensive training, guaranteeing that every one of her team members meets her high standards. What truly sets Angelica apart is, in fact, her favorite aspect of the business: the personal connections. “There is something truly rewarding about walking into a space that needs care and transforming it into something fresh, clean, and revived,” she notes.
Angelica Gallardo, owner of Fresh House Cleaning. Photo by Tatiana Peña, JEFAS Magazine.
Gallardo’s business approach is rooted in her cultural values, which emphasize hard work, personal connections and genuine hospitality. These principles are not just ideals but active practices that shape the way Fresh House Cleaning LLC operates. Gallardo takes great pride in delivering top-notch service, all while infusing every interaction with her clients with personal touches that reflect her Latina heritage, like sharing homemade salsa and snippets of Mexican culture with them. This commitment to authenticity and quality enriches her client relationships and brings a personal touch to her services.
Networking with other Hispanic business owners has also been invaluable. “We believe in lifting each other up and regularly recommend each other’s services, creating a supportive network that helps all of us grow,” she highlights. To aspiring Latina entrepreneurs, Gallardo offers this advice: “Que sí se puede, mija! Believing in yourself and your abilities is vital. Embrace your heritage, leverage your unique perspective, and remember that you have the strength to succeed,” she encourages.
