Hello, my friends, excited for you to listen to this fantastic conversation with Leah.
I really, really enjoyed it.
I think that there is a lot of wisdom and insight, pain, and overcoming it.
Really, was quite the conversation.
I do want to give a content advisory warning, just on swearing.
I do curse a decent amount in this, so if you have little ones and you would like to cover their ears, put in those earbuds, or save this one for later.
Just want to give you that warning.
Enjoy.
This is Filthy Rich Cleaners, presented by ZenMaid, the podcast where real cleaning business owners share what works so you can earn more, stress less, and make your business filthy rich.
Hello, everyone, welcome, or welcome back to the Filthy Rich Cleaners podcast.
I am your host, Stephanie, from Serene Clean, and today's fabulous guest is one of my consulting clients, Leah Izadi, and she has quite the incredible story.
And today, we're going to focus a lot on the topic of mental health.
October does have World Mental Health Day in it, and it is a topic that is near and dear to my heart.
And I know to many of our listeners, and Leah has so many stories and lessons to be shared about this topic and just her life in general.
And I am super appreciative of her joining me, being vulnerable, and sharing, sharing her life with us.
So thank you so much, Leah, for joining us.
Hi, thanks, Stephanie.
I'm so excited to finally talk with you, and this podcast has helped me tons.
I feel like it was a saving grace in my life.
Thank you, and everyone, all the guests, and everyone in it.
So I just want to share my knowledge with everyone else in case it helps, helps someone going through the same thing for sure.
And especially, I think entrepreneurship and just like the physicality of this work can really wear us down.
There is just...
There is a lot to balance.
So I want to know: how did you get into cleaning?
How did this all start for you?
So I was in college and about to get married and had a child on the way.
So I ended up dropping out of school, which I was wanting to be an interior designer, probably since sixth grade, because my husband was in school as well, and so he continued, and his mother had a cleaning business.
I think she had been in it, Bless This Mess, for ten years, and they pretty much just said, "You're doing this, yeah."
And now that I think back to it, I'm like, "Did I sign up for this?"
So they were like, "Yeah, how about this?"
And my mother in law wanted to get out of the business because she worked heavily with the church and wanted to take another path, and so I was just like, "Okay, let's get on it."
And I just built it.
I had my son, and I would say end of July, and then end of September, I was like, "Almost fully in the field."
Wow, with a brand new baby.
Yeah, yes, I was.
So that's how the cleaning business started.
But I've always loved cleaning.
It was like just like a proud thing that I did.
Like, at every company that I worked for since I was 15, I was always the one cleaning.
I couldn't stand to just be sitting in between, so I would just clean all the time.
Everyone was happy, even my babysitting.
Since I was 12, I would clean the kitchens as the kids were sleeping.
So, I'm like, "No wonder they had me back for 10 years."
So, I would just, yeah, so in the, yeah, when the kids would go to bed, I would clean, like, the, I don't know, living room and kitchen, and it was just always very comforting for me.
I felt like I was prided on it at home.
It was just like my useful job.
So, just, I've always loved it, you know.
It's interesting because on your intake form you use that word "usefulness," and that a lot of your identity and self worth was coming from how useful you are to others.
And then when you ran into health issues—which we can talk more about—that, you know, that is an identity loss that has occurred.
I feel like once I was with my new husband and we, like, share the money and we share everything, it's just like an amazing relationship that I just kept, like, even though it wasn't about money.
I just kept pushing myself for whatever reason that I thought if I didn't do this type of physical work, I, like, wasn't worthy of anything else.
And I, and actually, I just didn't even know what else I, like, was good at because I had done it for, you know, twenty three years.
So I just didn't even understand, like, what my strengths were, like, I couldn't see them clearly, clearly enough, which I've worked through pretty much all summer, and now I'm just like, "Okay, I get it."
So I can get out of the field, and now I'm like, "Super excited about everything."
And, like, back to my how I was as a child.
So I've learned, like, so much about how I used to be, and it's just like, "All coming back."
Like, "Oh, okay, maybe, yeah, I'm not supposed to be like physically cleaning."
I did my part, and I just want to build, yeah, business that reflects all my other strengths as well.
I'd love to, if you're comfortable sharing, talk me through that process because you just said, "I've been working through this, meaning getting out of the field," and that if I'm not doing that physical work, like, I'm still valuable.
Discovering your strengths.
What kind of tools did you use to figure these things out and to work through that?
The first step I took, I actually, so, I have like nerve entrapments.
It took about four years to figure it was actually on the four-year anniversary.
I pretty much had a breakdown because I had been pushing through pain for so long.
I had had a surgery for infertility about four and a half years ago, and of course I wasn't supposed to work for a whole month.
And I had a, what did you do?
I had a big account, one account.
It was a PT, PT place, and I went to it, but my husband did all the cleaning.
But I was walking around, and I was like plugging in, you know, the vacuum and things.
And so I bent over, a, like, a utility ladder.
It had those spikes.
It was like a fifteen foot ladder.
And I did this for eight years.
I would like you know maneuver my body through and plug in, you know, the plug there, and I, since it was after surgery, I kind of just fell on it because I didn't have the strength.
And it poked me, and I didn't even think about it until much later that it poked, you know, my surgery area.
And so it left nerve entrapments.
And so when I would go to work, it was like I was trying to protect that area and my whole stomach, from, like, here to here, bundled up with, like, nerve entrapments.
So they just couldn't figure out.
I kept going to the doctor for probably two years, different specialists, and the surgeon, and they just couldn't figure it out.
So, at four years, I was building this cleaning company.
I was very excited about building a medical and wellness cleaning company.
So, after listening to you for probably about a month, maybe three weeks, I was like, "I'm doing this.
I'm going to do this."
So, so I started like doing all the research for maybe, like, I don't know, six weeks.
Went on a vacation.
I was sitting on vacation for a whole week, super boring.
I was dying.
I was like, "Oh my gosh."
It was like a beach vacation.
So I came home and, like, started to do some more, you know, research.
And my nerve was hurting just sitting, and so I just was like, "How am I supposed to run a business while I'm hurting, like, sitting?"
Even so, that's when I decided to look more into, like, myself and healing.
And that's when I found the doctors that have been, like, healing me.
And I would say I'm 80% better.
Wow.
Yeah, that's incredible.
Yeah, yeah, because when we met at the end of last year, the last time, and you were in a lot of pain, you were really struggling.
And you know, our conversation was around, you know, like, how to get out of the field, all of that.
So I love to hear that you are feeling—I mean, 80% better from daily pain.
I can't imagine what that's like now.
Yeah, so I just, so after that, I was just like, "Okay, I need to take a break."
I was in treatment, probably three weeks, three times a week, even, so I just, like, couldn't even fit residential work in.
So I slowly let people go, which was the hardest part of everything.
Oh, I bet it was, especially as, like, a—as a, you know, overworked or people pleaser, as you know, attested to.
Like, that must have been absolutely brutal.
So, coming out the other side of that, what did you discover about yourself having to do that?
I discovered that, well, for one thing, people will understand if they care about you.
I would say, I had, I think, I had fifteen clients, and maybe only one gave me pushback, and I just had to, like, set, finally, just flat out straight, be like, "Okay, I just can't.
I'm sorry."
Yeah, but everyone else, like, understood it.
Got easier the more I would do it.
So, I kind of did it.
I did it in, like, batches, and I did it all, like, in person.
Most, mostly all in person.
Wow, you're brave.
I wrote, like, letters, and I would be, like, crying on my way out, like, "Bye, bye, house, like, I love you."
So, I—yes, it was just, it was like the most devastating thing.
So, who helped me with this?
After I started getting the physical help, I found someone online.
It was like a free event through Eventbrite, and it's about, like, aligning with your purpose.
It's called Empowering, yeah, Empowering Your Purpose.
And I started meeting with her, and she, like, just transformed me.
I feel like, because, just, believe, she believed in me.
She came from a corporate setting, and now she, like, does more of healing work and working with individuals to align with their purpose.
She does a lot of testing, like, strength testing.
So, there was something called, like, a Logos Report, and I took that, and it showed me, like, all of my leadership strengths and how strong they were, and how, how the weak there were weak, you know, weak parts to work on.
And it really aligned with another, I don't know if you've ever heard of the Clifton StrengthsFinder.
A lot of churches and businesses use it to, like, help their company, like, build on their strengths and work together well.
So I took that back when I was twenty three through the church, and I did not understand what they were talking about because it was all about, like, problem.
I was good problem solver, I was this and that, like.
And I'm like, "No, I hate problems."
You know, when I was that young, and now it was like, "Oh my gosh, it's just like aligned perfectly."
Like, "Okay, I see where, like, what I'm supposed to do, like, what I'm good at."
So she really, yeah, changed everything for me.
That's amazing that you one, you took the steps to do something, like, and also to recognize that you need to do something, like, did you?
Were you aware at the time how much your lack of self belief was holding you back?
Did you realize that consciously?
Or now looking back, you just see very clearly, like, "Holy crap, this was affecting me."
Yes, I feel like I did when I first started cleaning when I was young.
I felt very...
Now that I look back, I guess I was very lonely, because I mean, I came from school, I was very social, you know.
I did tons of sports, like individual sports, and then I just, like, jumped into, you know, motherhood, family life, and, like, a business.
And I just, I mean, you can't really do, like, physical things after, you know, nine hours of working five days a week.
So I just, like, that, that's kind of how that became my identity, because I didn't have any extra time to, like, do the things I loved before.
So back then, I would, I remember, like, in my head, I would think a lot about, like, "Oh, like, I wish I could do other things," even though I was loving, you know, cleaning.
I just felt like it was, like, maybe not right for me, or, like, I wasn't, like, smart enough to do something else, you know.
Just as the years went on, it just built up, like it started to feel like a prison, from the sounds of it.
Yes, and I think it had a lot to do with, like, my family life, too, like my husband would say, like, "You know, are you putting the money in every day?"
And would think that was, like, "No, I have ADD.
I did not put the cash in the bank," like, "You know," and it would, he would feel like it was, like, about him, like I didn't do it because, you know, I didn't love him, or something.
Woo, thank god you're out of that fucking relationship, jesus.
So, when I met my now husband, he's just like, "Very, like, oh, you can do anything."
And I feel like we've had such a similar, like, path with that.
Obviously, like, you were in a longer marriage, but, like, yes.
I, without going into too much detail when it comes to, like, what, what a really toxic relationship can, can do to how you see yourself, compared to, like, when you get in a good one.
Like, I'm in my first, like, healthy relationship of my entire life, and it's almost like I don't know how to be treated well.
I'm like, "I don't know what to do with this."
I know I'm so happy for you, though, that you found your husband, and really, what that can do for you, of like, letting you feel safe and like, like, able to breathe and start to work through these things, because you're not in this constant battle in trying to make this, you know, adult child like be appeased when they do not want to be appeased.
Yes, no, yes, yeah.
So, so then, when I met my husband, I got, like, I felt like I got super confident, and I was like, "You know, I found like a house that I was at two days a week."
I was in a lot of debt, so we had a bunch of debt racked up, which I did not really know, no, so, about, I think, it was forty five thousand dollars.
And I just was like, "Okay, we're—I'm getting, you know, I'm figuring this out."
So I just, I got some more, like, weekly clients, and I started, like, doing meal prep for them, things like that.
They were probably four minutes away from my house, so I just really tackled the debt.
You've mentioned now twice, like, I didn't know about this in the money side of things, and so I'm curious about, in your previous marriage, like, was that very much intentional?
Do you think, on his part, of, like, "I control the money"?
Yes.
So I actually remember the moment.
Like, when we first got married, we got into our apartment, and he said that he will be like handling the finances.
And I just remember, like, swallowing really hard.
Like, I felt like life just, like, escaped me.
And so I just didn't trust, like, my intuition, which I've learned, you know, tons about, like.
So I just, yeah, kind of just ignored everything because there was, whenever, you know, asked, there wasn't much to tell.
So I just pretty much just kept making the money, not knowing where, like, putting it in.
And then he, yeah.
First off, I'm so sorry.
And let this be the, you know, 10,000th example for every single person listening, that, like, financial literacy, especially as a woman, like.
I cannot say, I like, say how important, because when you need to get out of a situation, sometimes you simply can't, because he has all of the control of the money, or she, you know, they do.
But obviously, we're both women, and you know, talking about what our experience is, and, like, like, having money allows you to get out of bad situations, you know, and, like, the bit, like, what these businesses can do for us, of, like, any job, of course, but, like, what it can do for us, of, like, having that autonomy, and, like, taking our life, and, like, running if we need to, you know, whatever that means, and having the ability to support that, and getting out.
So, I like, what is your relationship with money, then?
Since I know you're like, "I don't want to get rich or anything," but coming from a very—I would argue—financially abusive marriage, in that example of like keeping you away from the money, you not knowing you just put into the bank.
And you don't know, like, how do you feel now related to money?
I love it.
Not—I don't love the money.
I just love having.
I love money.
Hey, girl, I love money.
The money, like, it's so fun.
So, like, at first when I first met my husband, he was a bartender for like fifteen years, and so he'd bring home cash.
And I would bring home cash, and we'd be like, oh, like, in the bedroom, we had a little bit, like, a little area in the bedroom, and then we, like, have, you know, meetings every month since I've met him, yeah.
So, and then we talk about our goals, and you know, our dreams.
Oh my gosh, you met a wonderful man.
A totally, it's just so fun.
So a true partner, yeah.
So we kind of—we do have separate accounts, but we, you know, we have like rules, and then we have where we like split certain things.
So I know what he's taking care of.
You know, if there's something funny that comes up, you know, we talk to each other.
It's not that hard.
I feel like, yeah, absolutely, yeah.
And then you just feel like, yeah, you're both, yeah.
It's just like part of your dream you're building together.
So, I'm curious: if we have anybody who's listening who's 18, 19, 20 years old, young, they're just starting their life, based on your experience with the financial things that occurred in your former relationship, what advice would you give a young woman to not do, to do, like, when it comes to, like, what you've experienced with the, you know, the shithole situation with money?
That was it was well.
Just first, yeah, just trust your intuition.
I would say just know that you're, like, an equal being, and that, you know, can have a say, and everything pretty much.
I would say, and if, you know, your partner doesn't agree, you know, I just feel like either go to therapy, or, which usually don't want to, but, or, you know, like, if they want to learn, you can teach them.
If you know, have a better upbringing than they did, you know, I think that was the main, you know, the main part of my first marriage.
You know, my family is very frugal with money, like, they're actually on the extreme end, kind of like disgusted by money.
Oh, that's interesting.
Yeah, so, like, yeah, my mom, my brother, my sister are all just like, "Yeah."
The so, it's kind of funny because I, yeah, run a business, or you know, I like nicer things than them, and it's like, "Oh, am I going to be judged?"
You know, if I have something. Wow, that must, that's, a, that, those are some hard walls to overcome because they affect, you know, they so much affect how we view making money and being successful.
If we grew up in a place that said, "This is bad, it's disgusting, you're greedy, if you blah, blah, blah," you know, like, all of these things, so, like, you, I'm assuming, worked through some of this.
And because, you know, you're running a business now, yeah, yeah.
So, what else?
And now, so, like, so, at, I guess, in 2020, right, we were planning.
Me and my husband were planning to have a baby.
I have a 23 year old son, and we had been talking for many years about, you know, having another one because he hadn't had a child.
So, then we came upon infertility.
So that was an area I think that's the time that, like, totally broke me with me because I was like pushing, and it was everything was so expensive, like, to figure out.
So I ended up taking on, like, tons of work during COVID because a lot of clients left, you know, the first, you know, few months, and so I was just like freaking out after a week of not working, like, "What am I going to do?
Like, I can't just be sitting here."
So I just, like, went out and got all new clients.
And so then when everyone came back, I was like, "You know, triple or double booked," and I just kept, like, pushing through that, which I guess that was more for money because we wanted to have a child.
So, yeah.
So then, when my, our daughter was born, she's almost two and a half, and my sister carried her after.
Oh, that's beautiful.
Yeah, all of that out.
So after four years, she's like, "Just let me do it.
I know I can do this."
Oh, wow.
So, yeah, she did, and it just, yeah, it just worked on the first try.
And she, so she carried our baby girl, and I went back to work after a month.
And I remember, like, looking through the blinds.
It was just like nothing had ever happened.
Like, I had this beautiful child that we wanted.
I went to, like, dust the blinds, like, and they're very tall in this condo.
Condo halls that I do, like, I did like seven places in there, and my arm always would hurt because I have nerve entrapment here too.
And I just thought, like, "This again?
Like, like, am I ever going to be happy?"
That's what I thought.
Like, "Am I ever going to be happy?"
That's when I was like, "I can't be in my head anymore."
So it was like, "Oh, podcasts.
What are those?"
Because I had never listened to anything you just cleaned in silence.
Yeah, for years and years.
Wow.
Yeah, for 21 years, was just like, "I can't do this anymore."
I just—I was afraid that I would just go back to like thinking in my head, which I always had like a big problem to solve at some points because my son was sick for four years.
He had intestinal issues.
He had his colon taken out, so, like, for four years, I was thinking about that at work, like, trying to figure, figure everything out, but it's like, you can't, like, actually do anything as you're physically working, you know?
You can just think, "Yeah."
It's like, again, it's like a prison.
It's like you're doing something, but you're not solving.
Yes, you're like solving it in your head, and you have to, like, keep it all in your head, which I'm actually—I'm really good at.
So, like, all these things are, like, in my head all the time, and I, like, couldn't get them out.
And so, I went through that.
My father died right before that, which was very, like, a traumatic death.
So, six months after that, I wasn't done grieving.
And then my son got sick for the four years I was thinking about that constantly.
And he's great now.
And then once the infertility thing happened, I was thinking about that for four years.
So I just feel like I was always problem solving in my head, like at work, so it kept me busy.
But then, once there, I was like, "What do I do?"
When I had my daughter, I just felt like, I was like, "What do I think about? Like, I don't even know what to do."
And I was like, "I don't want to go back to, like, how I used to be, like, thinking negatively or things about me."
So I just chose to, like, look up a podcast.
And then I was like, "What do I even like?"
I was just like, "I remember thinking, what do I like anymore?"
And I was like, forensics.
I love some true crime.
I got that on.
I listened to American Greed.
I think forever.
And then it got really depressing after, like, three months.
I had to stop listening to any true crime or watching any of it because it's just, yeah, it's very depressing.
It also makes me more paranoid and scared, frankly, like, of just going out in the world, of like, "Oh, this woman got murdered walking her dog."
Well, therefore, you know, my husband just said I had to stop listening the other day because I forget what I said, but I always think, like, people are going to jump out of the trash can, commercial company.
So I'm like, "Well, what if someone was in there like hiding behind?"
And I'm always like checking, and he's like, "You need to stop, please, yes."
So, yeah.
So then I was like, "Well, what's the opposite of depressing?"
Oh, it's happy.
So I literally, like, like typed in "happy" into the into Spotify, and then, like, this podcast called The Happiness Lab came up, and the first one I listened to was about creativity.
And it just, like, all of a sudden, just, like, everything started flooding back to me from when I was a child.
It's very creative, and I loved projects, and, like, I wasn't crazy about school, but I was very—I would like not pay attention throughout all school, and then I would go home, and I would be so excited.
I would just like do my little dishwasher routine, and then I would go and, like, lock myself in my room and, like, learn everything by myself, and I would just, like, get good grades that way.
Yeah, well, you're definitely ADHD, good lord.
Yeah, so that started bringing back memories of, like, how I used to be, and, like, the creativity parts, and what I was good at.
And then I started kind of listening to Jay Shetty, like, some inspirational.
I didn't even know who he was, but he, like, he just popped up.
Like, I didn't even pick him.
He just and it was like talking about.
So I kind of started, like, self talking to myself at work instead, and, like, saying, "You know, like, yeah, you can do this.
Like, you're a good person."
It always felt like someone was, like, watching over me.
And I still don't really know what that is like, seeing if, like, my intentions are bad, but, like, no one's around, so I'm like, "If I'm..."
I've just been telling myself, "If I, like, know my intentions, no, I'm a good person," and, like, I mean well, like, that's okay.
So I still...
I've been doing that a lot lately.
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So then I found your podcast.
It was last October, I remember, and I remember looking at the picture.
Like, "I don't want to be filthy rich?
Yeah, that's not what I want."
I was like, annoyed because I was like, "I don't want to be rich."
But I just, like, clicked on it when I was cleaning a law office, and I was like, "Oh my gosh, I love this!
I loved it from the start."
So I just—I kept listening to it, like, every day at work, and I feel like it just, like, took my mind off the pain, and it was just really fun.
And so, like, ever since then, I love—I'm like, I love learning, I love, like, I love everything, and I love, yeah, I just love people.
I feel like I was, like, alone for so long, and, like, I feel like as I clean a house, like, I'm pouring out, like, love, like, into the house and, like, the people.
But, I, it was, there was, like, again, nowhere for it to go, or, like, they don't know that you're feeling that way, you know?
So it's just, yeah, it's messed up.
I feel like I was, yeah.
And the way I, like, kind of got myself to get out of the field was, like, I remember my mom giving me a hug and saying, like, "Oh," like, when I was hurting, which I don't think anyone really understood because I don't talk about it much, and she did it in front of my daughter, and she said, "The, you know, your mommy's my," like, she said, "Like, I'm her mommy," and she's trying to explain.
And then I thought, like, "Do I want my children to feel like this when they get older?
Like, like, do I want them to feel like I do at 40 or 44?"
You know, so that's kind of what changed everything, meaning you wanted to, like, be an example of, like, "You don't have to just do this physical labor," you know, for the rest of your life.
Yes, and you know, my whole family—my aunts and my uncles—they're all like that.
Like, they just keep going until they pretty much break.
We all have ADD too, but so that was one thing I told myself: like, "Yeah, I just need to, like, break the cycle.
Yeah, just break the cycle."
Do you think?
That I mean, I don't know what your all of your family's jobs are, but are they more like, quote unquote, blue collar?
Like, like the physical labor?
We have so my great grandma, who raised my mom, her parents died when she was very young, and her grandparents raised five of them, which they were not happy about.
So they were—they had a catering business.
My great great grandma was a caterer.
My aunt was a painter; she does paint, yeah, she painted.
She does catering as well.
There's a plumber. My mom was in corporate all her life.
She would come home and, like, even in my teenage years, I remember her, like, talking to us at the table, like, about how dumb she was, even though she had, like, a ninety thousand, like, she always made, like, twenty four thousand, like, all her life.
And then she got this, you know, job where she, like, ninety something in the nineties, and she still just, like, didn't believe it.
She—it was like imposter syndrome.
So, like, I feel like that was an example I had.
And then, so, after she was let go from AB, she started a company mowing lawns.
She mows lawns, and she just retired.
She's like sixty eight, and she just, yeah, she couldn't stop, but she loves physical work, too.
Physical labor, yeah.
And we have chefs in our...
Yeah, a lot of entrepreneurs.
My dad was a car salesman, our car he, engineer, yeah.
Okay, interesting.
Yeah, because it's like this dichotomy, right, of money's bad but work really hard, obviously, for...
Yeah, to make a living.
It's interesting.
And then, the...
It's funny, like, I'm so...
Like, I actually get like quite triggered when people say that, like, or, like, you know, when they say that about themselves for a variety of reasons.
But actually, this just happened the other day, where, like, my partner said it multiple times.
I'm like, like, please stop saying that.
Like I don't, I really...
Because it just—it makes me so sad because my mom would do it too, you know, and say, like, like, or you know, be, be moments of, like, like, she was the person to clown on, you know, type of thing.
And so, like, for you, seeing your mom and really thinking about, like, her, like, saying that about this great job that clearly she earned, you know, and just, would, did not believe in herself, and looking at, you know, what kind of example you're making for your daughter.
Because I think it's really interesting, and I can also relate to.
This is like, you're like, thinking, "I need this.
I need to break the cycle.
I need to be a different example for my children, for my daughter."
And, you know, she's still so young now, so it's like, you're doing this work right now.
I mean, what?
What do you want your daughter to see her mother do differently than maybe you saw?
Yeah, I want to see, like, not to, yeah, just to cater to everyone and think that that's her, her worth, and just that she has, like, tons of abilities, not just, like, a single one.
And, yeah, just, I actually, I really want to, like, have her connected to, like, the community because she's kind of, like, an only child, you know, because they're so separated, big age gap, yeah.
Think about that because we all may be gone.
So I feel like she'll need, like, my half of my family is all in Iran, so, like, all of her cousins are in Iran.
She has like seven little, you know, littles, the same age as her, but she probably will never be with them.
So I really want to, like, show her, like, that if you don't have, like, the family that believes in you, that you can have, like, the community, and, like, everyone else, like, all the networking, all the, yeah, just people for her, and she doesn't have to rely on just herself, or, you know, family, if they don't, like, believe in her vision, even, which I'm finding very helpful right now, because, yeah, my family, they, I get very excitable.
So we talk about, yeah, my plans, all the time, which my husband's good at listening to, that, but it's just kind of, like, deer in the headlights, sometimes, with others.
I've just found it very helpful to go out.
Every time I, like, go out, I just talk to someone.
Like, I always have to, like, at least one person.
I don't use, like, my phone in public.
I just feel like that's very helpful to, yeah, just look up and, like, speak with other people.
And I just want her to have that, yeah, same experience.
I have a funny story about that actually.
So, I had a deep—I have a medical account, and it's three times a week.
So, I had just sold a quarterly, like, refresh for it, and so I performed it on Sunday.
And I went to, it was like a technology, technology store called Micro Center here, and I got, like, a dust gun to do all, like, the, like, intricate pieces, and I was really excited about it.
So I was trying to talk to the cashier about it, and he was like, trying to get me out.
He's like, "Who cares about your dust gun?"
And so, so I was like, "Okay."
So I checked out and I started leaving, and I saw like two microfiber cloths, which I've wanted, like, one just specifically for, like, the screens at this chiropractic place.
So I again bought those, and I checked out with another guy, and he was like, "Oh my gosh, that dust gun."
And I, yeah, so I told him, like, my plans and everything, and he said, "I'm obsessed with dusting."
He's like, "Since I was a child."
He's like, "Oh my gosh."
And he, like, went and grabbed his dust cloth, and he's like, "Every time I'm not doing the register, I, like, dust everything."
My mom, like, thought I was crazy as a child, and I was like, "Oh my gosh."
So I actually got his information.
I was gonna say, "Hire that man.
Hire him."
Like, that night.
So I had a dream about him too, that he came to my house and tried to, like, yeah.
And I'm like, "Okay, that's a little too much."
But, yeah, so the next morning, I had just got on LinkedIn.
I just joined LinkedIn yesterday with my new cleaning company name, and he had messaged me you know, he said, "I'm really interested in what you're doing."
And, yeah, so I'm like, "Oh, well, yeah, when you talk about, you know, things like that, I just feel like things, you know, come along."
It's so true, like, it's on.
I think it's one of the best pieces of advice out there, especially if somebody you know starting out, or you're trying to turn a new chapter.
Perhaps offer a new service, but, like, just never stop yapping to everybody around you.
And I know the introverts listening are like, "Fuck you, Stephanie."
I understand.
I totally, like, like, I really don't, because I'm an extrovert through and through, as everybody knows.
Like, I don't comprehend, but I can sympathize.
But I cannot empathize, of, like, I want to talk to everybody, but, like, I will say if that is a skill that you can, you know, use judiciously, of, just start talking to people about what you do and that excitement, because you don't know who that person is, who they know, like, what, like, the opportunities, and that, like, just natural excitement, like, it's to the right person.
The first one wasn't, the second one was. Look at that, and, like, like, that was an incredible, like, interaction.
So great, great point to make there.
Number two is, you know, you have—you're evolving the business, so I want to talk about where it was six months ago to where you're at now, and what the vision is, because you've alluded to, like, what you want and your strengths and your vision.
Talk us through: what does that look like for you now?
I told myself that, like, in the fall, so I would heal, like, over the summer, because I had to really do, like, a lot of mental and physical work in the summer.
And so, you know, fall is coming now, and so I was planning on—I kind of just actually, so first things first, we—I kind of pivoted in the summer.
You know, because I didn't want to let too much income go all at once.
So I was like, "Well, what could I...
Yeah, what could I do in the summer?"
So I cleaned my event space and the pools, toilet areas, and they pay really well.
They kind of just gave me a price at mine, so I was like, "Well, I'll just, you know, set that price for others around."
So I contacted the, like, the lifeguard management company that they use, and then I introduced myself, and you know, made flyers for that.
And so he asked me, "You know, what zip codes would you like?"
And he sent that out for me.
And so I got some of those over the summer to kind of hold me over, so that's over now.
But now I am planning on, so, I'm trying to, like, set up—I'm setting up the systems of everything I would say just like in the last three weeks.
So I'm just getting all the, like, technical stuff done, which I'm not good at.
It's taking me forever, like, you know, Canva.
I just did, like, a one pager for drop offs at the doctor's offices, which, yeah, took, took forever, too long.
Which my husband's like, "Yeah, that was just ridiculous."
But I'm like, "Well, if I don't learn, I feel like I need to learn everything first."
And that, if I have time and money, like, I feel like, okay, financially.
So I'm like, "Yeah, might as well, like, learn these," and then hand them off as my—and then I do, like, the, like, you said, the vines, or whatever, yeah, to show them, like, how to do certain things.
So, yeah, so I'm just like, setting up, like, account folders, and then, like, all the automated systems that you had an episode on, I think, like, three episodes ago.
So I wrote all of those down, and then just implementing the ones that I think will be useful for, like, my first hires.
Yeah, absolutely.
So I did that.
I just rebranded.
Yeah, what's the new business name if you don't mind me asking?
So, and it was hard because every time I say, "Oh, Bless This Mess," and even to the doctors, they're like, "Oh, I love that name."
And then I get discouraged, like, "Oh, like, should I not?"
And then eventually, I was like, "You know what, just trust your...
Yeah, feelings."
And, like, "You're the one that knows your business."
Like, "That's not going to work."
Like, "There's, like, yeah, for commercial, yeah."
And it is.
It's a very, I...
Some iteration of that is quite common.
And it wasn't my name.
And to begin with, it was my mother in law who handed off, like, the three accounts when I first started.
It's time, especially, like, "This is yours, you know."
So it's going to be called...
Or it is called Innate Cleaning Co.
And then Medical & Wellness, just because I feel like it ties into, like, yeah, like my innate nature, and just like cleaning is natural to me.
And then, I no, that makes perfect sense.
Like, it's, you know, you're so good, it's so natural to you, that I love that.
Yeah, that's the name.
And yeah, and then I plan on, like, eventually, like, I want to do, like, just like fundraising and things to go along with each, like, office and things, because that's always been a dream of mine, like, in retirement.
So I've been trying to, like, connect with, like, the non-profits and things around here that I've always liked and, like, kind of donated small amounts to, and I want to, like, keep up with those, yeah, those, and also, yeah, eventually maybe tell doctor patient stories too.
But that's, like, yeah, that's getting a little crazy.
So, yeah, get the cleaning, cleaning systems, yeah, down.
So this past, like, month, I've been really tracking, like, production rate of my production rate and things, so I have all of those written out, and it's very, like, steady.
I feel like, again, I don't know if I'm, like, slower than most people, am I faster?
Am I, like, I don't know.
Anything to really compare it to?
Throw them at me.
I'll tell you. I don't know, like, I just...
I have it's like a thirty five hundred square foot, I think, the chiropractic office, and I'm there three times a week.
And twice it's just a short clean, you know, just like sanitizing and vacuuming and things, and it's like an hour and fifteen minutes.
And then the longer clean is two and a half hours.
That sounds on the money, that like, for a shorter, for a limited scope versus full clean?
Yeah, I think you're golden.
So the hardest part of switching, I feel, is just not getting too detailed because I'm so...
I feel like it's like, yeah, a double-edged sword, because, yeah, I can see things, that you know, the doctors would like, you know, say this, like, just having the chairs like perfectly aligned, you know, and like that.
So, I—but then also, like, not getting too crazy because you're not supposed to be dusting everything every time.
So that's been the hardest thing for me.
But I feel like, once I hire, that, you know, if I just say what to do, then they will, you know, know what to do.
If they're not coming, like, from residential cleaning, yeah, no, for real, like, taking a somebody who's house cleaning and putting them in businesses can be very hard because it's like, it's different.
You got to move, move a lot faster.
But, you know, the checklist is your best friend, hon, and quality control.
You know, yes, I have the checklist.
And then we did, like, a feedback survey with the doctors after a few months.
And so, like, on how to, like, the communication style, like, is that working out?
Just anything else, like, do you know, would it be okay to leave, you know, our supplies here?
Things like that.
I didn't think about in the beginning.
Is there anything else that, you know, you would like done?
All that, and it went really well.
And so, you know, they said they would, you know, recommend me if I, you know, needed, and so that was a big win, absolutely, because you want to focus.
That's what your focus is going to be on, right?
Medical offices, yes?
So, all of my other accounts, I will be finished with, like, at the end of December, and plan to hire in January.
And then, I handed out my drop offs for the first time this week.
And how'd it go?
It was fun.
I'm just—I love doing.
I've been waiting.
I'm just trying to not get ahead of myself because that seems fun, you know?
Because I feel like I know, like, where to go and what I want to do, but then I don't want to get too much work and not have enough employees.
Well, the nice thing is with commercial, like, they're all spread out of when they're ready to make a decision.
So, like, you know, like especially when you're approaching them, like they may be in a contract, they may not be interested.
You know what I mean?
Like, the decision making cycle is a lot longer for not having too much come at you.
So, that that's exciting.
So, I'm curious, just for the audience's sake, so they hear, like, going away from residential and making that decision.
What, like, was that hard?
Obviously, you had to drop all those clients.
And so, is it just like, what is drawing you to commercial?
That, why does it make sense for you?
And what you want commercial makes sense because, for one thing, I guess I feel more fulfilled because of a few of my clients are doctors or, and, business owners that I had that I really connect with.
And the things that I've noticed that they say is, like, "Oh, I can just really like trust you.
Like, it feels so good just to like have it all done, and like have someone that you trust in your home."
And then that kind of like made me think, well, like, "Oh, I want to do that for other business owners and, like, people that are caring for other people."
So that that's like my why.
And I feel like it's just, like, almost like a disservice if I don't do it here, because, I, when I've seen these offices, like, from going to the doctor so much, I'm just like, I mean, it goes back to, from when my son was young in the hospital, I was just like, "What is happening, like?"
And then I feel, feel bad for the doctors because their, their hallways are like represented, like, when you walk in, like, they hire their own people, but, like, the hallways look, you know, disgusting, when all these people walk in.
So, so that is why I switched, and just more like, I feel like it'll be more of a balance for me anyway, with like family and business being separate, because I don't know, I feel like maybe like the residential like takes up more like emotional for me, but that may be just how I ran my business, because, you know, they depended on me.
I was kind of like a therapist as well for some people, even though they were therapists for me, all of that.
So, and then just the training for residential, I feel like would be too hard on my body at this point.
So that was a big, so at first, I was like, "Oh, I'll just, I'll run a residential business," but I just really wasn't feeling it when I met with you.
I just really wasn't like feeling it.
And so, I actually had gone to the doctors after I had to get a steroid shot, which I don't like to take meds.
I hadn't taken a single med for years, and finally, I was like, "I just have to."
So, and it helped tons.
I was like, "Oh my gosh, why didn't I do this sooner?"
So, he—the doctor—is the one that actually inspired me because he was like, "Oh, you're a cleaner.
You know, like, what do you think about this place?"
And I was like, "Oh my gosh," because I had seen it like five times, and I remember, like, my daughter was like crawling up their stairs in the back, and I was like, "Oh my gosh, yeah, don't touch it, yeah."
So, he—I remember his face like so well.
He was, like, so animated.
He was like, "Oh my gosh."
He's like, "When I walk up those stairs every morning, like, you know, like, I'm so disgusted." And I just thought, like, gosh, he has to, like, walk into work every day, like, seeing this, and, like, it probably puts him, you know, in a mood, you know.
And so, and then, he, so, then I told him, he asked, a couple of them have asked, like, "What do you see here?"
So, then, I'm like, "Okay, as long as there's permission."
Yeah, yeah, you asked.
Let me tell you, this was here because I, you know, this is, that hair was hanging off of here, and the fingerprint was on here.
So, and then, he was like, "Gosh, I love how passionate you are about cleaning."
And so, like, my mood just, like, flipped a switch when he said that.
I was just like, "That's what I'm doing."
Like, as I walked out, and I saw a little rainbow on the stairs on the way out, and that's, like, my little signs, like, I always picture myself, like, walking over the rainbow to the next, yeah, step.
So I was like, "I'm doing that."
So I always say, like, "I don't know, how you know, even with the baby, I'm like, I don't know how we're getting at it, but we're getting, like, we're getting it."
Or I'm doing this, like, I don't know, steps yet, but I'm just—we're doing this, like, I'm doing this.
Well, I mean, to me, that very much feels like this is the path you're supposed to be on, and also, like, the impact that you can have.
And I think that this is a perfect example of one our work has such an impact, but it has such an impact regardless of whether it's commercial or residential.
Obviously, a lot of times we get that face to face with residential, but being in a clean space—I mean, we all can attest to what that does for us, regardless if it is a, you know, business that we're walking into, our office, whatever, like, even, like, you said, of all of the patients walking in and having a really, you know, like, if you're going to the doctor regularly, you're probably having a shittastic time, and it's dirty too.
Damn, like, like, like, and it's like, so, it's like, if we can make it even a millimeter better on the shit, shitty scale, like, that's what our work does, and that feels really good.
Even if they don't like it, doesn't even get acknowledged, like, that pride of, like, we are making it, you know, the world a better place in the spaces that we affect for the people who are in those every day.
So I just love that.
I love that.
It just hit you like a lightning bolt.
Like, this is what I'm going to do.
I've never had that happen.
I'm always like, "What do you mean by that?"
And then it was just like, "Oh my gosh, I know."
Yeah, so no one's ever cleaned my house.
I've always been against it, like, no one would ever touch my house, you know.
But I got so, I mean, I couldn't clean.
That's another thing.
I'm like, I couldn't clean my own house.
And I was like, on the floor scrubbing other people's stuff.
And I'm like, what?
Is that's what I was like?
I'm mental.
I'm just mental.
You know, the shoemaker's shoes, yeah?
Like, I can't even clean my floor.
And, I so, anyway, the other day, so we're actually going on a trip.
One of my clients has been asking us for four years if we want to use their place in Monterey Bay, California, and I finally was like, "We're doing it."
So she told me that she had the place like cleaned for us, like, before we come, which is, I just felt like that was so, like, oh my gosh, like, like, spent the money to have like a place clean for me.
And then I come home, and my mom is, like, watching my daughter.
And I was trying to vacuum before she comes.
I always vacuum before she comes, and she said, "Don't do that."
And when I got home, she vacuumed like part of my house, and I was about to cry because, like, she's never done that before.
And she's like, "I can just tell that it would make you feel better."
It's so true.
And, like, I thank you so much for being vulnerable, sharing, because, like, what you're saying right now, like, this is what we do, right?
Like, we feel it when, like, our space, like, we—anybody who looks down on this work, like, fuck them, because we literally make people's lives better every single day, and we should be very proud of that, you know?
Like, that, like, everybody is happy to see us because, like, like, that's a great feeling.
We're like an ice cream truck or something, yeah.
I love service workers.
I'm always trying to, every time I see one, I'm like, "Oh, I feel for you."
But, yeah, like, keep it up, yeah.
I just think, yeah, I mean, I loved my job.
I—that's kind of why I just, like, couldn't let it go, and I didn't want to do anything else because I love cleaning, and I love, like, the whole industry, and I just, like, still want to be in it.
I just didn't, like, know how to evolve past that.
And I think that, like, really believing that, like, you can do this, and it's not like, you, not just cleaning, but, you know, what I mean, of, like, especially when your body is screaming at you, like, your mind can take you places, Leah.
You do not have to be cleaning, and that is a belief of, like, this is all I'm good for, and I'm just so glad to hear that you've done all of this work.
And you have just, like, evolved so much, and how you see yourself has changed so much, because, like, you know, the world is your oyster, and this is, you know, the path you're supposed to be on.
So I'm just so happy to hear that.
One, you're feeling physically better, but mentally, like, the shift.
So, you know, to all of our listeners, who are, you know, listening, and really want to make some, you know, they know that their mindset is really holding them back in whatever area, do you have any recommendations of ways to work on ourselves, like, like, what things would you, I know that I believe you said, you know, you have been in therapy in your intake form?
Like, if that has helped, like, you know, care to share anything else?
Yes, the therapy.
I feel like, also, I hired, like, an ADD coach actually, just recently, because I just felt like, the, that part of it was holding me back, like, organizing my life, because I'm just, like, at home, you know, during the day.
Now, it's just, like, a whole different thing, and then I go to work in the evening, so I was really struggling with the shift.
So she's helping me with, like, systems.
I love that.
Yeah, like, breath work.
I went, like, on a little women's retreat for, like, wellness, so, like, breath work and just health.
I would say healthy eating.
I'm a freak about eating, actually, a little too much, but I like to eat, like, super clean and things.
So, just, when I used to skip meals, you know, with my ex husband and stuff, I just wouldn't eat all day.
And now, I, I'm sorry, and now, I, and then, I just, like, went to, like, eating, just, like, a handful of raw nuts.
You know, first thing, like, when I start to get hungry, it made, like, the world of difference.
I had so much more energy.
Yeah, so healthy eating, just, like, talking to yourself, almost like you're a child.
I would say, I totally agree.
Yeah, you're safe, kind of, you know.
And then, just, like, those strength assessments, I would say, are very helpful.
What else?
Let's see.
I did write it down.
Oh, yeah, just keeping your body strong.
I would say, strength training is, like, huge, which is, yeah, the more I do strength training, the, yeah, more, the further along, yeah, I get with not having the pain.
What else?
I think that's about it.
I mean, all of it is, you know, like, I can, again, I can attest to so many things of what you're saying: the strength training, the therapy, the self talk, talking, you know, like, thinking about, like, you know, little Leah, little Stephanie, like, I literally, like, that's this tattoo, is like, this is me as a child, like, and these are, you know, like, that, there's a lot of meaning behind all of that for me, like, I can, like, I feel I resonate so much with you, and just, like, what that can do for your life, and transform you, and just make you a stronger person.
So, I'm just so proud of you.
Yeah, and boundaries, boundaries, a big, big one I had to work on.
And it's just, the more you do it, it's just like, I don't know, it just gets so much easier, like, very quickly.
I would say, like, when you put things into practice, I'm just shocked at how your mind can change like that quickly.
Absolutely no, I totally agree.
Wow, wow, you give it.
You know, I just—I'm gonna walk away from this feeling really just—I feel a lot of gratitude to have this conversation with you, hon.
And I'm so appreciative that you were willing to share your story, share the—I mean, you've been through some immense challenges in your life, and you're coming out the end of it, like, just so much stronger.
Not, not because of it, but because of the work that you have done to just keep, keep moving forward, keep evolving, so that's very impressive.
Thank you guys, thank everyone.
All your guests are just amazing.
They are, and that's what I love.
Forward.
I just don't think I could have done it without any of the ZenMaid and all of this podcast.
I just think it was the, yeah, last step I needed to, like, break through.
You know, like, that.
I'm gonna go cry because that means so much, like, you.
Like, that means so much to me, especially, like, like, in the, you know, in the past two years, like, I've had immense struggles, and, like, days that I just couldn't even get out of bed.
And so, to hear that, like, that this has had that impact on you, like, I'm literally getting emotional, like, it makes me feel really, really happy.
So, thank you for sharing that, Leah.
If anybody wants to follow along, if you're comfortable, you know, do you have any socials?
I think you're still working on the new business ones.
Yes, I just, I think, I'm just Leah Izadi on Instagram, which I don't post on there, but I follow tons of health, I would say, in interior design, ADD things on there.
And then LinkedIn, I just joined yesterday, and it is still under Leah Izadi, but I have my Innate Cleaning Co. and Bless This Mess also information there if you want to see that.
So, I think that's about I'm on Facebook too, but all Leah, Leah Izadi for now.
We'll definitely link that.
Thank you so much, Leah.
This has been amazing, and would love to connect again.
And you know, six months to a year, have a follow up and see where things are at, see how many medical offices you've got and how many cashiers are working for you.
Yeah, thank you.
And everybody, please hit that like, hit that subscribe, give Leah some love down in the comments.
It takes a lot of guts to come, come and speak like this, so give her that love, guys.
And we will see you in the next episode of Filthy Rich Cleaners.
If you enjoyed this episode of the Filthy Rich Cleaners podcast, please be sure to leave us a five star review so we can reach more cleaners like you.
Until next time, keep your work clean and your business filthy rich.
