Hidden Gems: Meet PJ McGeary of Arbor Trail Cleaning Co.

Today we’d like to introduce you to PJ McGeary

Hi PJ, can you start by introducing yourself? We’d love to learn more about how you got to where you are today?
I’m currently 27 years old, live with my girlfriend and 2 dogs, and this is my story! I graduated from the University of Michigan in 2019 and had plans of going into federal law enforcement. I worked for the Detroit Police Department for awhile as a crime analyst before getting a position as a federal officer at the start of 2022. Shortly after graduating the academy and beginning work, I realized very quickly that I felt stuck. I’ve always been a person that is excited by variety and I made a major decision. I formally resigned from the federal government and gave myself 2 months of zero income to try to build a business. I do not come from a wealthy background at all and I had zero financial backing when starting the business. It was truly sink or swim! I had a few documents as resources that I came across on Twitter for how to start a house cleaning business. I followed those as closely as I could, and here we are 2 years later!

We are now doing over 350 cleans per month, I have a team of 3 phenomenal office assistants, and being an entrepreneur is truly changing my life. I recently launched a second local marketing business as well that is aimed at helping others use organic marketing strategies to help grow their service businesses.

Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way. Looking back would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
It has most definitely not been a smooth road (but nothing good comes easy)! I have been more stressed owning my own business than I ever was as an employee elsewhere. We’ve had struggles of cleaners quitting without notice, cleaners having serious medical issues and having to replace their cleanings for the entire month, same-day call-offs that are tremendously stressful in nature to handle, cleaners stealing customers of ours when they quit, etc.

One of the biggest personal struggles though for me is balance. It’s easy as an entrepreneur to quite literally never clock out. There is always something to do and/or think about. Sometimes it can lead to straining relationships and less personal time, but I’ve learned over the last 2 years how to effectively manage this.

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about Arbor Trail Cleaning Co.?
1. We are a house cleaning business in the Metro Detroit area in Michigan. We service the western suburbs of Detroit and we focus on being as top-quality as possible.

2. We have over 500 reviews on Google in less than 3 years with a 4.9 rating. This is by FAR what sets us apart from others in this industry. If something isn’t done to perfection, we will always make sure we make it so.

3. I am simultaneously most proud brand wise of our Google rating and the amount of reviews that we have. In addition to this, I personally am most proud to provide above-industry wages to our cleaners, which includes generous tips from our customer base and bonuses for quality work.

4. I want the readers to know one thing – we are a locally owned business that values treating people (both cleaners and customers) as best as we can.

Risk taking is a topic that people have widely differing views on – we’d love to hear your thoughts.
The biggest risk I have ever taken was right before I started my business. I was working for the federal government and I received my dream job offer for a special agent position. The position provided a lifelong pension, incredible benefits, a cushy 6-figure salary, and extremely high status in the law enforcement world.

I declined that offer to start my business and it was the best risk that I have ever taken in my life.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.arbortrailcleaningco.com
• Instagram: https://instagram.com/arbortrailcleaningco
• Facebook: https://facebook.com/arbortrailcleaningco
• Twitter: @pjmcgeary