Today we’d like to introduce you to Kathleen (Kiki) Swift.
Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’ve been a cleaner for some years – started in Florida as an Airbnb cleaner. When I moved to KC branched out into other types of cleaning – deep cleaning, move in/out, regular/maintenance cleans. In late 2024 my body began complaining (it’s getting older, what can I say). So in January 2025 I started my own company after being introduced to a very exciting business plan by Home Services Academy. I continued to clean for another company, ignoring the increasing yelling my body was doing, until May 2025 when I broke my wrist. As I was recovering I began really working on building my company using independent contractors to do the actual cleaning. In November 2025 I went to a convention in Dallas hosted by Home Services Academy. It was there I was introduced to Cleaning for a Reason. I signed up with them at the convention and have been doing things for them since.
As a note, I officially retired some years ago, but re-entered the work-a-day world in 2022 when a family member’s medical expenses built up and needed help.
I like working – feels like it keeps me young. I still occasionally go out and clean a house (I enjoy creating a bright clean space), but I have to make sure not to overdo it as if I do too much, my back let’s me know I need to cut back.
Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
At one point it was doing well, but the cleaning industry is actually very up and down. I am not experienced in the social media area, and therefore did not use Facebook and other social media groups to make my company known. I was paying for leads, but starting in November 2025 & December 2025 I wasn’t getting as many jobs from the leads I was getting and I wasn’t making enough over and above marketing costs to make it worthwhile.
I cut back paying for leads and began to create leads through things like referrals, personal visits and walk-throughs. My company is now starting to build back up again, and this time I don’t have the huge marketing costs I had before, so while my gross income is less, the profit is actually more.
Getting and keeping good cleaners is always problematic. I had one marvelous cleaner, but her mom went into the hospital and she stopped being able to work for me as she was caring for her mom full time. Another great cleaner moved to Texas.
I have tried out many cleaners who just don’t seem to have a work ethic. Agree to do a job and then just don’t show up … or agree to do a job and then cut it short and don’t finish it because of some other something they have to do. Every time I hire a cleaner I tell them I don’t ask much. I want them to 1) show up to the job on time, 2) make sure they always keep me updated on their availability (so I don’t assign them a job and then find out they can’t do it), 3) do the absolute best cleaning job that can be done, and 4) don’t steal my clients. I don’t think that is too much to ask – but somehow most people don’t seem to be able to do these things …. so that is an on-going challenge I have to deal with.
But, my business is definitely starting to build up again, so that is really good.
As you know, we’re big fans of Swift Cleaning Pros. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
I find clients who want their homes cleaned, get them booked for a cleaning, assign the clean to one of my independent contractors (who are totally responsible for doing the job), check with the client afterwards and ensure they are fully satisfied with the job done (if they aren’t, we go back in and fix it until they ARE satisfied), and try to sign them up for recurring cleans to maintain their home at a high level of cleanliness. Then I take the client’s payment, and pay the cleaners. Simple business model.
We are known for delivering high quality cleaning, living up to our word and ensuring customer satisfaction. (And yes, we go back in an fix things if a cleaner misses something) – and we don’t charge anything extra if we have to go back to fix things because we should have done it right the first time!
The other thing I am proud of is that we are partnered with Cleaning for a Reason and deliver two free cleans to cancer patients every month.
How do you think about happiness?
Cleaning a space so it sparkles.
A client telling me that their home hasn’t been that clean since they first moved in.
A client telling me how incredible my cleaner is.
A cleaner telling me how glad they are to work for me.
Helping a cancer patient put order into their home.
Getting my poetry published
Why? Because doing a good job and helping someone else is about the best thing one can do. And I love writing poetry
Pricing:
- Usually $60/estimate hour
Contact Info:
- Website: https://swiftcleaningpros.com
