We recently had the chance to connect with Joyce R and have shared our conversation below.
Good morning Joyce, it’s such a great way to kick off the day – I think our readers will love hearing your stories, experiences and about how you think about life and work. Let’s jump right in? Have you ever been glad you didn’t act fast?
Yes, actually—and it was a great reminder that trust matters more than speed.
A Clear Lake area property manager of a multi-family unit reached out needing a quick turnover cleaning after a tenant move-out. We booked it quickly and sent one of our senior cleaners to handle it. I was so busy that week, and sent the invoice, then moved on with serving other customers. I honestly forgot to follow up with the invoice.
A 2 months later, I checked my email—and there it was. The payment had already been submitted. It felt like a small but meaningful moment of mutual trust. The client got what they needed. We delivered as promised. And even without the commercial invoice follow-up process, they paid in full because we’d already earned that level of confidence.
Sometimes, slowing down lets you see that your systems—and your relationships—are working the way they should.
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Absolutely. I’m Joyce, the proud owner of Clear Lake Maids, a locally rooted, tech-powered cleaning service built for busy professionals, families, and office teams around the Clear Lake, Friendswood, Pearland, and League City areas. We specialize in high-quality residential and commercial cleaning—everything from deep cleans and move-outs to recurring maintenance—with a focus on consistency, thoughtful touches, and customer peace of mind.
What makes us different is how we blend quality, customer service, with modern tools. Clients book online, get real-time reminders, and are matched with the same cleaner when possible—so it feels personal and custom, not transactional. We’re proud of our 200% satisfaction guarantee and the way we show up: prepared, respectful, and judgment-free.
Clear Lake Maids started from a simple idea—that people deserve to come home to a space that helps them feel calm, clear-headed, and in control. Today, we’re growing steadily and building a team-first culture where cleaners are respected professionals and clients feel lucky to have found us. We’re not just cleaning—we’re helping people reset and refocus on what matters most.
Thanks for sharing that. Would love to go back in time and hear about how your past might have impacted who you are today. What part of you has served its purpose and must now be released?
For me, it’s the scarcity mindset—and it took years to realize how deeply it shaped my thinking.
I grew up saving every Ziploc bag, rinsing and reusing takeout containers, finishing every bite on my plate. We didn’t waste anything, and we didn’t ask for help. I carried that into adulthood—doing everything myself, holding tight to every dollar, every task, every ounce of energy.
But starting and growing Clear Lake Maids challenged all of that. You can’t build a business designed to give busy professionals back their time and energy if you’re still clinging to the idea that you have to do everything alone. I had to release the part of me that thought asking for help or investing in support was a weakness.
Letting go of that mindset wasn’t easy—but it’s exactly what made space for growth. Not just in business, but in how I see time, people, and trust. I learned that letting go isn’t wasteful. Sometimes, it’s the most productive thing you can do.
When you were sad or scared as a child, what helped?
Even as a kid, I always believed in God. That belief gave me a sense of steadiness, even when things felt uncertain or overwhelming. I didn’t always have the words for what I was feeling—but I knew I wasn’t alone.
That quiet faith was like a constant background presence. It helped me move forward when I was scared, and gave me comfort when I was sad. I didn’t grow up in the same place (6 elementary schools in 6 years) and with a lot besides a loving family, but I grew up knowing that God was with me—and that made all the difference.
Next, maybe we can discuss some of your foundational philosophies and views? What’s a cultural value you protect at all costs?
Transparency. Always.
At Clear Lake Maids, we believe in being upfront about what we can and can’t do—because trust starts with honesty. If we’re walking into a home that hasn’t been remodeled in 30 years, we’re not going to promise it’ll look brand new. If we’re cleaning post-construction, we’ll let you know that dust tends to settle again even after a deep clean. And in Houston, where the humidity runs high, some stains or mold buildup may be too deep-set to fully remove.
But we’ll always tell you the truth. If we find something concerning, we’ll bring it to your attention right away. We don’t cut corners, overpromise, or stay silent when something needs to be said. That kind of honesty is something we protect at all costs—because it’s the foundation of every great service relationship.
Before we go, we’d love to hear your thoughts on some longer-run, legacy type questions. If you retired tomorrow, what would your customers miss most?
If I retired tomorrow, I think what our customers would miss most is the relationship and care we bring to every interaction—especially the way we build trust between clients and their cleaners.
At Clear Lake Maids, we don’t just send “a cleaner.” We try to send your cleaner—someone who knows your space, your preferences, and shows up with pride. We’ve had clients leave notes for their cleaner like family. We’ve had cleaners notice something small and fix it without being asked.
That kind of connection doesn’t happen by accident. It comes from how we hire, how we train, and how we treat our team with respect—because we know if our cleaners feel valued, our clients will feel it too.
So yes, they’d miss the clean house—but they’d really miss the people behind it. And that’s something I’m incredibly proud of.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.clearlakemaids.com/league-city-tx
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/clearlakemaids/
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/clearlakemaids/about/
- Twitter: https://x.com/ClearLakeMaids
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61567494323718
- Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/clear-lake-maids-houston
- Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ClearLakeMaids
- Soundcloud: https://www.clearlakemaids.com/pearland-tx
- Other: https://www.clearlakemaids.com/friendswood-tx
