Inspiring Conversations with Sharon Catchings of Totally Tidy Maid & Janitorial Services

Today we’d like to introduce you to Sharon Catchings.

Hi Sharon, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I started Totally Tidy Maid Service in 2009, but the dream of owning my own business had been living in my heart for almost a decade before that. In 2008, I was working as a Regional Manager for a property management company when Hurricane Ike hit. Overnight, everything changed. The company shut down, and I suddenly found myself without a job and standing at a crossroads. I could look for another position, or I could finally take the leap I had been quietly preparing for. I chose the leap.

At the time, I was a single mom, working long hours, sometimes juggling two jobs, and constantly exhausted. Life felt hard, but deep down I knew I had more in me. Those difficult years didn’t break me, they built me.

In the beginning, I had almost no budget and no roadmap. I printed simple business cards at home and put them on doors every day, which helped me land my first clients. While my child was at school or asleep, I taught myself everything I could about running a real, legitimate business. I learned day and night, through trial and error, determination, and a lot of faith. My sister, who worked in property management, also helped me get my foot in the door at a few properties, and from there I focused on showing up with quality, professionalism, and integrity.

When I first started, we were called Totally Tidy Maid Service because we only cleaned homes. As word spread, businesses began asking us to clean offices, banks, and even city buildings too. That growth is what led to our name change to Totally Tidy Maid & Janitorial Services. The name changed, but the heart of the business stayed the same.

Over time, I realized that working harder wasn’t enough; I had to work smarter. I invested in education, mentors, software systems, networking, and coaching. Each step helped me grow not just as a business owner, but as a person.

This year marks 17 years in business. We now have two locations, one in Houston and one in Pearland, and I honestly feel like I’m just getting started. When I look back at all the ups and downs, it makes me smile. I’ve changed, I’ve grown, and I’m still learning about the business and myself every single day.

One of the things that matters most to me is people. This company doesn’t exist because of me alone, it exists because of my amazing teams who show up every day and give their best. My cleaning techs are the backbone of this business, and they are truly the VIPs.

I wanted this business to be rooted in purpose rather than simply generating revenue, with the intention of leaving something meaningful behind. I knew we were already helping people by taking something off their plates and creating calmer, healthier spaces, but I kept asking myself how a cleaning business could make a deeper impact. Purpose has always mattered to me, and I believe contribution is what gives life meaning. That belief is where our slogan came from: “We’re a small company with a big heart for our community.” We proudly partner with Cleaning For A Reason to provide free cleaning services to cancer patients, and we support local schools, charities, first responders, military families, teachers, the elderly, and others in need. Giving back isn’t something extra we do. It’s woven into who we are, and I’m always looking for new ways to expand that impact.

Totally Tidy isn’t just about cleaning homes and businesses. Most people are so busy wearing ten different hats, and most of them need support. What we really offer is more time, relief, and trust. We take pride in doing a great job, keeping our promises, and showing up the same way every time. We care about our customers, and we take that seriously.

If someone reads my story and feels inspired, brave, or hopeful, then I’ve done what I set out to do here. Because if my journey shows anything, it’s that even through fear, loss, and uncertainty, something beautiful can be built with courage, heart, and a whole lot of persistence.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
The hardest part in the early days was doing almost everything alone and trying to survive financially until I could afford help. There were moments when I felt defeated, when financial reporting missteps cost me dearly, and when economic downturns, COVID, and inflation tested both the stability of the business and my resilience. At times, fear and self-doubt made growth feel scary. But every hard season taught me something, and each setback pushed me to grow stronger, smarter, more resilient, and more confident. Looking back, the struggles are what shaped both the business and the person I am today.

Alright, so let’s switch gears a bit and talk business. What should we know?
Totally Tidy Maid & Janitorial Services is a residential and commercial cleaning company serving Houston and Pearland, and surrounding areas. We care for both homes and businesses, including offices, banks, medical buildings, and other professional spaces. We began as a residential company, and as more businesses asked for our services, we naturally grew into commercial cleaning as well.

One of our core values is “excellence lives in the details.” What we’re known for is consistency, quality, care, and professionalism. We don’t believe cleaning is just about how things look. It’s about how people feel. Our clients are balancing a lot, and they value having one less thing to worry about. We give them real relief when they walk into a space that feels calm, cared for, and handled.

We focus on doing a great job, keeping our promises, and showing up the same way every time. That means clear communication, dependable service, kind teams, and high standards. When someone hires us, they’re not just hiring a cleaner. They’re choosing support and peace of mind.

What I’m most proud of is the team behind this company. Their consistency, professionalism, and pride in their work are what keep Totally Tidy running day in and day out. The strength of this business comes from the people doing the work.

The heart of this company has always been important to us. Our slogan, “We’re a small company with a big heart for our community,” reflects how we operate every day. Beyond the work itself, I’m proud of the values this company stands on and the impact we have outside of our day-to-day work. Purpose has always mattered to me. I define success by how we use what we’ve built to support our community, whether that means helping local organizations, cancer patients, teachers, the elderly, or others who need it.

What I want readers to know is that Totally Tidy is about more than clean spaces. It’s about trust, care, and showing up with integrity. When people invite us into their homes or businesses, we take that seriously, and we treat every space like it matters, because it does.

Can you tell us more about what you were like growing up?
Growing up, I was pretty shy, sensitive, and not very confident. I was emotional, thoughtful, and a little dreamy too. I wasn’t the loudest voice in the room, but I had a big inner world and a big heart. I loved nature, exploring, creating art, and playing outdoors.

My childhood included challenges that weren’t easy, but those early experiences shaped my empathy and resilience. Over time, that shy little girl grew into someone much stronger than she ever imagined. I continue to learn, discover, and grow, and I think that’s what makes life adventurous and exciting in fulfilling and unexpected ways.

Contact Info:

• Website: TotallyTidyMaids.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/totallytidymaidservice/
• Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TotallyTidyMaidJanitorialServices/
• Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/sharon-catchings-053852238