She Turned to Side Hustles to Pay Off $114,000 in Student Loans. Now, Her Cleaning Business Is Worth $1 Million. Jhanilka Hartzog's journey from a side-hustling Brooklyn native to a million-dollar business owner is a testament to the power of strategic planning and hard work. Here's her five key strategies to help you achieve the same level of success.
By Nicaila Matthews Okome Edited by Mark Klekas
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In 2017, Jhanilka Hartzog and her husband, Anthony, were deep in student loan debt and determined to achieve financial freedom. The Brooklyn natives, now living in Dallas, Texas, set out on a journey to pay off $114,000 by working multiple side hustles, including renting out cars, pet-sitting and working at a gym after their 9 to 5 jobs. But it wasn't until they took a leap and started a cleaning business, Maids 2 Match, that they struck gold — all without ever having to clean a single home themselves.
As a first-time entrepreneur, Jhanilka has since scaled this business to a million-dollar enterprise, empowering her family and sharing her insights with others through Cleaning Business University. Here are Jhanilka's top five lessons for entrepreneurs looking to turn a side hustle into a sustainable, profitable business.
Related: This Simple Money Formula Helped Me Escape My 9-5 and Find Financial Freedom
1. Know your "why" and stick to it
For Jhanilka and Anthony, the journey started with a clear goal: to pay off debt. "We wanted to become debt-free and create financial freedom for our family," she shares. By having this specific motivation, they were able to stay resilient, even when juggling multiple jobs felt exhausting. Every entrepreneur faces tough times, and knowing your "why" can be the anchor that keeps you going.
2. Think beyond traditional structure
The Hartzogs didn't follow the typical path in the cleaning industry — they set up a remote model where they acted as coordinators, hiring contractors to perform cleaning jobs. Jhanilka emphasizes the importance of thinking strategically and not necessarily doing all the work yourself. "You don't need to clean houses to run a successful cleaning business," she explains. "Instead, focus on hiring reliable contractors and building strong client relationships."
Related: What You Need to Know Before Hiring Independent Contractors
3. Market like a major brand — even as a small business
When they first started Maids 2 Match, Jhanilka and Anthony invested time and money into digital marketing. They utilized platforms like Google Ads and Yelp to attract new clients, treating their business with the same professionalism as a major brand. By prioritizing their online presence, they quickly established credibility in their market. "Don't underestimate the power of marketing," says Jhanilka. "Consistent branding is key to building a loyal customer base."
4. Build strong relationships with your team
Creating a successful service-based business requires a reliable and motivated team. The Hartzogs knew they needed to attract quality contractors and worked to build relationships with them. "Our approach is to treat our contractors with respect and fairness," Jhanilka says. They also pay weekly and keep open lines of communication, ensuring a positive partnership. This attention to detail has enabled them to build a committed team, which ultimately contributes to a better client experience.
Related: 5 Proven Tools for Developing Strong Relationships as an Entrepreneur
5. Invest in education and reinvention
Today, Jhanilka runs Cleaning Business University, an online program that has helped her students collectively earn over $13.5 million. She underscores the importance of investing in ongoing education to expand your skills and adapt to market changes. "We took courses, learned from other entrepreneurs, and never stopped growing," she shares. Reinvention is essential, whether it's expanding into new services or refining business processes.
Final thoughts
Jhanilka Hartzog's journey from a side-hustling Brooklyn native to a million-dollar business owner is a testament to the power of strategic planning, hard work and continuous learning. Her story illustrates how, with the right mindset and approach, anyone can turn a side hustle into a thriving business.
To hear Jhanilka's full journey, including her transition from juggling side hustles to running Maids 2 Match, listen to her full interview on the Side Hustle Pro podcast here.
About the Author
Nicaila Matthews Okome is the host of Side Hustle Pro, a top-rated entrepreneurship podcast with over 10 million downloads. She empowers aspiring entrepreneurs to turn their side hustles into successful businesses through her podcast, programs, and social media. Connect with her at @sidehustlepro or visit SideHustlePro.co.
