Clark County at Work: Molly Maid

o Each week, The Columbian offers a brief snapshot of an interesting Clark County business. Send ideas to Mary Ricks: mary.ricks@columbian.com; fax 360-735-4598; phone 360-735-4550.

Business name: Molly Maid.

Owner: Trudy Snyder.

Address: 2515 E. Evergreen Blvd.

What the business does: Molly Maid, which is a franchise business, provides housekeeping customized to meet each individual customer’s needs. The business is fully insured and uses environmentally friendly “green” cleaning products. Molly Maid serves both residential and commercial properties in Clark County and the Portland metro area. It offers cleaning services weekly, biweekly, monthly and occasionally, as well as construction cleanup and move-outs.

Steps to build the business: Snyder said her greatest resource to building her business is referrals. The best way to attract new customers, Snyder says, is to make sure every customer has a great experience from their initial contact with the company until the work is done. Snyder said it is important to have constant communication to ensure the highest standards and flexibility to meet customers’ changing needs. Placing the company’s logo on cars in the field helps promote the business as well. Molly Maid also has an online presence, networking and social media.

Greatest challenge: Some competitors are not licensed or insured, and it is more challenging and costly to run a reputable business, Snyder notes. Molly Maid pays workers’ compensation, federal and state taxes, unemployment and liability insurance, as well as providing cars, fuel, uniforms and cleaning equipment for the job.

What’s ahead for your business: Snyder believes in constant slow growth. This ensures that her standards of service are never compromised.