Sep 233 min read

Local Pasadena stories small family business

We were lucky to catch up with Lynette Haugen recently and have shared our conversation below.

Lynette, thank you so much for joining us today. Let’s jump right into something we’re really interested in hearing about from you – being the only one in the room. So many of us find ourselves as the only woman in the room, the only immigrant or the only artist in the room, etc. Can you talk to us about how you have learned to be effective and successful in situations where you are the only one in the room like you?

When I established True Blue Maids, I learned to be effective by creating a house cleaning service with a personalized customer experience. Unlike other cleaning companies, we are insured and bonded while still being family-owned and operated. This allows us to tailor our maid service to our client’s requests, such as an eco-friendly cleaning with Mrs. Meyers for a busy mom or a recurring service for a working professional looking to come home to a clean space. Our clients can feel comfortable knowing that when they call True Blue Maids, they will speak with me personally. Overall, excellent customer service is the driving force behind our success.

Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?

True Blue Maids has been in business for 15 years, serving Pasadena and surrounding areas. This has allowed us to be proud members of the Pasadena Chamber of Commerce and active in the business community for over ten years. We have been awarded first place for Best House Cleaning Service in the “Best of” edition of the Pasadena Weekly eight years in a row. In the Pasadena Magazine, we were voted the best local mom-and-pop cleaning business. True Blue Maids was also proudly featured in Readers Digest’s “13 Things Your Maid Doesn’t Want You to Know.” This segment was then aired on Good Moring America and used as an article on ABCnews.com. As the CEO of True Blue Maids, I was also interviewed for Voyage LA Magazine’s “Local Stories.” My husband and I raised our children in Pasadena, and we are beyond grateful to be involved and active in our community.

There is so much advice out there about all the different skills and qualities folks need to develop in order to succeed in today’s highly competitive environment and often it can feel overwhelming. So, if we had to break it down to just the three that matter most, which three skills or qualities would you focus on?

There are a few things I know to have the greatest impact on our business. The first is that if you want to create a quality cleaning service, you must find quality supplies. For example, dust and allergies are a concern for most of our clients. We special order our HEPA filter vacuums from New York to serve their needs. Another important quality is to have equitability. We believe in providing a fair and respectful relationship with not only our clients but our employees as well. Lastly, I know how important it is to be diligent. You must work hard and be punctual. Your clients will notice and appreciate your service when you are reliable and meticulous. As the CEO of True Blue Maids, my advice to anyone early in their journey is to be persistent. I started my company with only one house, and from hard work and dedication, I have been able to create a successful business, and you can too!

Okay, so before we go, is there anyone you’d like to shoutout for the role they’ve played in helping you develop the essential skills or overcome challenges along the way?

Our family works together to overcome challenges daily. We focus on the whole company, not just one or two areas. Teamwork is key to our success.

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