We recently had the chance to connect with Tonia Bryant and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Tonia, thank you for taking the time to reflect back on your journey with us. I think our readers are in for a real treat. There is so much we can all learn from each other and so thank you again for opening up with us. Let’s get into it: What do the first 90 minutes of your day look like?
The first 90 minutes of my day consist of getting up at 5am. Driving to the gym and working out for an hour. The downtime helps me mentally prepare for coming home to take care of my chickens, my dog, then my families.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
My name is Tonia Bryant. I am an entrepreneur that specializes in helping others. Whether its helping keep their house clean, helping with their credit, helping them get on a budget, notarizing papers or helping them start a business.
I used to be in the medical field. Due to a 7 cent raise at the job, I quit and started my house cleaning business. It has now been in business 13 yrs. I have alot of families that I help keep their homes clean. It gives them peace of mind knowing that big task is off their list.
When the pandemic happened and I had to shut down my cleaning business for minute, that was when I started my credit restoration/budget and savings business and became a Notary. Those have both been in business 5 yrs now. I am currently working on becoming a loan signing agent behind the scenes. My mind never stops with ideas for new ways to build businesses.
I have helped others start their businesses to work towards changing their lives for the better. I definitely enjoy what I do.
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. Who taught you the most about work?
I would have to say my dad did. He was a man that worked with his hands and built cars from the ground up. I was a baby in the car seat watching him work in the garage on his prized ’47 Chevy coupe. It was because of him that I learned the value of hard work. My first job was at the age of 12 on a horse farm. I worked on the farm and earned my very first car. I didnt even have a license to drive. It was a 1979 Ford Fiesta. It was red and was a stick shift. I feel like the values my father taught me about hard work, is why I work hard today and feel so satisfied after Im done working.
What have been the defining wounds of your life—and how have you healed them?
I would have to say when I went thru my divorce in 1996. That was a horrible time. I suffered mental and physical abuse, I was using drugs, I had went to jail more than a few times. I had lost custody of my children because of it. That was hard to deal with. I had lost my house and I had lost my car as well. I was homeless for quite a few years and I wanted to give up but I didn’t. I new I had to change my life and that is what I did. I wanted my kids to have someone they could be proud of. My children and I found each other and they are as proud of me as I am of myself. I built a few businesses from nothing and purchased a house and a car. I now have something to leave my children and grandchildren. Later in life I ended up going to therapy and I think that is what helped heal a lot of things. It is amazing what you can accomplish with a clean background. When I get home and sit back and look at what I have accomplished, I get a huge smile on my face and I always tell myself I am so happy I never gave up.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What are the biggest lies your industry tells itself?
The biggest lies in the cleaning industry is that you can build a cleaning business and never be the operator as well. You have to have standards and guidelines for people to follow. They are representing you. If you have none of those in place and make sure they know the quality you want given, they will screw you over everytime. Trust me. I have learned the hard way. You have to know how to do the work in your business just in case you have to sub. I am a definite hands on person when it comes to my business. I have very high standards and I want my work to reflect that.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. Are you tap dancing to work? Have you been that level of excited at any point in your career? If so, please tell us about those days.
I would have to say yes I am. I don’t really work. I enjoy doing what I do. The homes are my canvases. I know that when I get there, it might be a mess, but when I leave, it will be cleaned and my families will be happy and less stressed. I was told I would never be able to work in any capacity due to my back injury. Broken tailbone from being hit with a vacuum. I find it ironic that I am cleaning houses, lol. I never believed what any of the doctors told me because I am still able to walk and drive. I am able to get out of the house and go help someone be able to come home to a clean home and give them peace of mind knowing their belongings and their home will still be intact when they get home. My families and I have built many years of trust and they have been able to depend on me to show up. I feel that when families have a peace of mind with someone else in their home, it makes it easier for all of us. I am happy I have been trusted in my families homes for years. The task of being a professional cleaner is not an easy task at all for anyone, but I am proud of myself for even finding something that has been able to work for me. I am thankful for the mentor that I had that turned me on to this industry. I am excited to go to work everyday. When you have lost everything, I think you value the gains more than before when you end up getting it all back.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @Toniashousecleaning
- Facebook: Tonias House Cleaning
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